2008 Best Car Series: Honda S2000 vs Renaultsport Clio 197

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Japan RWD vs France FWD... Its a Battle Royale!

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YSSMAN

YSSMAN

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We've already started the first game, the Aston versus the Alfa, and now we've got another epic battle on our hands... The FWD pocket-rocket versus the classic (and iconic?) RWD Japanese sports car. Who will dominate in another early round of awesomeness?

A REMINDER:

Vote for the car you believe to be best, and please take the time to think about it. Its critical that we do so in order to keep the races both interesting and otherwise "fair."

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For the second game...


The Honda S2000

VS


The Renaultsport Clio 197

====

I'll be making my choice shortly...
 
Despite the fact that I normally spring for hot hatches immediately, its a combination of size and performance that tilts the comparison towards the S2000. When you look at a segment that has essentially be defined by one car since 1989 (the MX-5) and then you have the entire race turned on its head by the S2000, you know that its a damn-good car. They haven't had to change the look to keep it "exciting," they haven't had to adjust the interior for "comfort," the only worthwhile change has been the small increase in displacement... Which arguably makes it a better car (I still prefer the origional, however).

The S2000 may be an easy pick for some, but I had it in my mind to vote for the Renault early on. Its a very attractive little car, and the performance certainly is there to keep me happy. But when it comes down to it, it just seems like the S2000 would keep more people happy in the long-run. Its an instant-classic, and Honda knows it.
 
ohhhhh...This is a tough one for me, but it's S2000 for two reasons...

1. Clio may handle well, but it's still Wrong Wheel Drive (tm)
2. (more importantly,) It's actually sold in the United States.
 
This choice was not hard to make, the S2000 for sure because it's faster than a Porsche Boxter and it's Japanese my favorite country
 
I'm turning Wapanese!

Or not. The S2000 just isn't my type of car. I can't put my finger on it but... It's just not what I... I don't know, what I do know is that the S2000 is not a car I can see myself in no matter how well it drives.

The Renault is ugly, FWD, and French, yet I would not feel bad driving one. I guess it's the S2000's average fanbase that I don't like, but then again the Renault's is probably no better... And yet I still would rather the Renault in my driveway at the end of the day. Dunno why yet.
 
Well, this one isn't quite as close as I had hoped it would have been. Oh well...
 
1.
Jim Prower
Clio may handle well, but it's still Wrong Wheel Drive (tm).
Click to expand...

2. I like small hatchbacks that are practical & economical. The 197 compromises this by concentrating too much on performance and fun.

3.
YSSMAN
When you look at a segment that has essentially be defined by one car since 1989 (the MX-5) and then you have the entire race turned on its head by the S2000, you know that its a damn-good car.

Its an instant-classic, and Honda knows it.
Click to expand...

I had to vote for the S2000. It would put a smile on my face every time I used it, whereas the Clio would leave me feeling something wasn't quite right.
 
I voted for the Clio. I'd rather have comfort and some quickness than speed and no comfort.
 
Voted for the Clio, but I fully believe the S2000 is a great car. I just like hot hatches more and see more purpose with them in terms of everyday use.
 
I voted Renault Clio, Im not a massive fan of the S2000 anyway but I think the Clio just has more character.
 
Honda S2000 for me. Much as I like the Clio, sports car > hot hatch. It's a close run thing though. I'd love to drive either.
 
Car-less
I had to vote for the S2000. It would put a smile on my face every time I used it, whereas the Clio would leave me feeling something wasn't quite right.
Click to expand...

This is an easy one for me, but I am probably a bit biased. S2000 all the way and it does put a smile on my face every time I drive it.

 
This was tough. I do love the Clio, a lot. It's got good written in nearly everything. But...the S2000 is just a stunning car. It's a car most people can agree is the perfect Honda. And since I've had the chance to drive a S2000 in the past, I think that may have to be my tie-breaker. Both great cars.
 
Reventón;3135435
This was tough. I do love the Clio, a lot. It's got good written in nearly everything. But...the S2000 is just a stunning car. It's a car most people can agree is the perfect Honda. And since I've had the chance to drive a S2000 in the past, I think that may have to be my tie-breaker. Both great cars.
Click to expand...

What was it like driving an S2000?
 
Wow...... its totally a hard choice to make, but somehow I ended up voting for the Clio. The S2000 can handle itself pretty much now. I really loved both cars a lot in terms of their history and the performance they have. The S2000 has pretty much gonna win it anyhow, with that amazing F20/22C engine (120HP per liter. :eek) and the power to weight ratio and good handling makes it a good sports car, plus its a convertible. :D Too bad the new Clio didn't have the V6 version, otherwise the poll would be more interesting..... 👍
 
I voted the Clio, the S2000 is ugly IMO, and the Clio isn't. They both do what they're meant to really really well, so it went on looks and which one would be easier to live with.
 
S2000 hands down. Now if that Clio had been a mid-engine V6 (which I don't think is even out yet), this would have been a hard poll. But as it is, the S2000 looks better (imo, although I prefer the facelifted version over the one posted) and, from what I've read, drives like a lot of fun.
 
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I thought I'd flick off the S2000 solely because it's been around for too long, and getting a little old, but simply put, it isn't. It's just that damn good. If you had to age with sportscars, starting from bottom-rung, the S2000 would be step number two that you look forward to getting at step one, and have the hardest time giving up at step 3.
 
gator of kana
What was it like driving an S2000?
Click to expand...

Reventón;3135453
It's been a while since, and all I can recall is that I walked away extremely pleased. Vash or LoudMusic can easily give a better insight on how the S2000 drives.
Click to expand...

After every drive in the S2000, I walk away very pleased. The car is absolutely wonderful. The interior fits just right. The steering wheel is right where you would want it and it feels great in your hands; the shifter for the transmission is the same way. The engine is excellent; hit the range where the cams switch over to the more aggressive profile and look out for the redline because it arrives quickly (and that blast is very addictive!). I have driven at least a half dozen standards and the S2000s is by the best I have ever touched; the clutch is light, the shifter is direct, and the throws are nice and short.

When it comes to the exterior, the S2k is definitely a looker. Today at lunch, I noticed a half dozen people noticing it and that is just the number of people that walked by in the time I was sitting waiting for my food.

I would not be the one to talk to when it comes to hustling the car around corners because I have done very little of it. There are just not enough roads in Central Oklahoma that curve. But the straight line blasts are a thrill, especially when you hit the VTEC range. What little I have done cornering has left me the impression that the car is extremely well planted and would be suited to just about anything you could throw at it. I have gotten the tail out a bit on a few occasions and it has been very easy to real in, just a quick flick of the steering wheel to the opposite direction.

Finally, let me just say that the car puts a smile on my face all of the time. I absolutely love that it is a convertible. Top down driving is the best and everyone needs to experience it (especially with an engine pulling 8k directly in front of you! :D). I have done little driving with the top up and that is still great, but not near the experience of driving with it down.


Adding link to thread for my car: My Honda S2000
 
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-> Even though I haven't driven the Clio, but its an obvious choice. Not to be biased or anything, but the S2000 wins me hands down (although I now own one). ;)
 
I voted S2K. Clio has got snowballs chance in hell to win this since there's not a really bonkers version of it anymore.(V6)
 
S2K without so much as a second thought.

It's in my top ten of cars I'd like to own - Though it'd have to be a second car, as it's kinda hard to fit skis in a convertible.
 

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