S2000 slow-that is funny. No they aren't torquey V8s-the engine is very bike like-used to redline at 9K, I think the later ones are lower. I had a 2003-brilliant car. Not very forgiving at the limit. Quite fast, great handling, excellent craftmanship-far better than the HHR-pure drivers car. Only thing I've driven with a better shifter than a Miata. Acceleration wise I would think pretty close-better drag racer would probably win. On a twisty mtn road I would give it to the S2000-after all we are WWD. There really is no comparison in terms on fun to drive factor-the Honda is open air, light, powerful, flickable, true sports car and the HHR is a really practical, fun to drive vehicle for what it is.

 

Although the powerplant is not equalled to the HHR SS by the numbers, the '09 S2000 stats are still pretty impressive. It must have a magical transmission to overcome the lower power and torque against an HHR SS with a kit.

Engine type: naturally aspirated inline-4

Displacement: 2,157 cc (132 cu in)

Power: 237 bhp (177 kW; 240 PS) @ 7,800 rpm (US)

Torque: 162 lb·ft (220 N·m) @ 6,800 rpm (US)

Redline: 8,200 rpm

Bore/Stroke: 87.0 mm (3.425 in) x 90.7 mm (3.571 in)

Compression Ratio: 11.1:1

Gear Ratios:
1st: 3.133
2nd: 2.045
3rd: 1.481
4th: 1.161
5th: 0.970
6th: 0.810
Secondary reduction: 1.160
Final drive: 4.100
Reverse: 2.800

 

Unless you got a really bad launch and never recovered, you'd beat him. My friend has an '06 with an intake and full exhaust that I walked off on with a stock ss I was "test driving" for the weekend. it really makes me want to trade mine in.

 

What is really pretty funny about this is we are comparing our beloved little "bread-wagon" with a sports car (and beating it in tuned form) when a true apples to apples comparison should be between HHR and CRV, and S2000 and Solstice/OpelGT/Sky Roadster in which case the GM cars leave the Hondas far behind. I still love theS2000 though, they are wonderful to drive, but with money on it I would without question choose my modified SS over any road against a stock S2000.Best of all would be an S2000 with an additional 100 HP, now THAT would be fun! (Actually, there is at least one streetable S2000 that runs 10.7 in the quarter, and I have yet to see anyone break into the 12's with the HHR SS, although we are darn close!)

 

hopefully the s2000 will stall !

 

Slow for the price of the car. A car as nice as that and as expensive as that really deserves to have more power. You throw the exact money at an SS as the S2000 cost stock and you'd have a hell of a SS. Still, I'd take a S2000 in a heartbeat as a very cool daily driver.

 

I dunno about you but some dealers were selling S2000 CR's for $29k towards the end of the production run, no amount of money put into an HHR SS will make it as fun around the twisties as an S2000.

 

That's a good price considering they usually sell for mid $30k. I'll have to take your word on upgrading the SS handling as I've never driven one. I've got a '05 NSRT-4 with both power and handling mods that loves the twisties and especially the straights. Fun car to drive.

 

power vs price-there were a lot of cars more expensive with less hp-BMW Z3/Porsche Boxster/Mercedes SL-sure you could put money into an HHR and it would be straight line faster. Its still not a sports car-its WWD and not a hand assembled quality machine. Sports cars-not supercars/exotic cars, are historically light on horsepower vs muscle cars. I love my HHR, thats why I bought it, but running the twisties through the mountains give me the S2000 any day. Maybe a Lotus Elise would be better, but thats more money and less hp too.

cheers Tuanies-you obviously get what a sport car is

 

A S2000 can sneak into the 13's stock with a real good launch/driver.

I would say it would be a drivers race with a Stage 1 ss. Honestly the S2000 will be alot less forgiving if everything isnt done just right.

They really don't like to be modded. Even the blown ones are slow considering the $$$ that was thrown at them.