Yes that’s right, the title for this post is RESPECT THE CAR. Not too long ago I was talking to the Manager of a Honda dealership at the annual Formula H Honda day in Middletown, NY. Rick the manager, owns a pristine Honda S2000 that only comes out on the nicer sunny days and stays indoors under a car cover rest of the time, but I digress. What caught my attention was the fact that Rick was talking about how the resale value of the S had dropped and in doing so was leaving him stuck between a rock and a hard place. Turns out he was increasingly being approached by parents that wanted to reward their teenager with a used S2000 and he was not happy with the idea.
I was taken aback. Why did this man have an issue with selling a car to someone that is at the right age to enjoy the car to the fullest? Come to think of it I’d have loved to own an S2000 when I was 17, I mean, who wouldn’t!. My doubts were soon cleared when he went on to tell me that one car ended up wrapped around a pole and the other came back in with a burned clutch not long after it went out the door.
Now those are not the only incidents and certainly not isolated issues. Stories abound our forum of owners (not all of them Hannah Montana’s peers) who have found out the hard way, that behind that seemingly unassuming exterior, the S2000 packs a nasty bite. Pay no heed to its feedback and it will gladly pitch you into the nearest ditch or wrap you around the nearest tree where it thinks you’d make for a fine tree-ornament.
The S2000 Talk forum has a dizzying array of such threads where owners post pictures of their wrecked (can I say past) pride & joy and lament the loss of pride and the pall of gloom brought about by overstepping their limits. This usually leads to either emphatic words of support or stern words rebuking the wisdom of the owner, all of which on an internet forum is considered fair play. Maybe taking a look at some of the destruction in the Official S2k Accident thread will help as well.
It leads me to ask the question of each of you – when you have invested so much (time, money, hard work at school etc.) into acquiring what is one of the truest and best sports cars out there, why would you throw it all away on a silly whim or to prove a point? I’m sure you would agree with me, that the sight of you driving around in your S2000 is way better than ghastly images of automotive destruction. Now factor in the loss of life and limb to you and others around you. Why? Is it because you have no respect for yourself and your achievements or you lack a respect for the laws of physics and lack a respect for your S2000? You have to ask yourself that question and figure out what your answer is.
The S2000 is akin to a finely tuned musical instrument. In the hands of a maestro it has the potential to create a musical masterpiece and will cause the audiences ears to bleed when in the hands of someone lacking the skill. That in no way means that you have to try and be the next Jenson Button in order to drive the S, but you must be aware of the laws of physics as they apply to automotive motion, the condition of your car, and a few general principles of driving.
The question now arises as to where one can acquire such knowledge. Well guys, you know all those old fogies that are either mean to you or offer you words of sympathy on the forum, you ask them. Several of these guys have owned the car for long, have participated in track events, instructed students in high performance driving or are auto cross gurus. S2ki is a resource of knowledge that is waiting to be tapped for the hungry mind that wants to be a better driver.
In addition to that, if you are hell-bent upon becoming a better driver, the next best thing for you to do would be to participate in a High Performance Driving Event or in an Auto Cross. Both these events have a novice class, where you would have an instructor riding shotgun, that will take you through the paces and help you get better and faster by understanding what you are doing right and where you are going wrong. Some of these schools also have classroom sessions for novices, where the laws of physics, importance of car setup, weight transfer, traction in the wet etc., all of which will go a long way towards enhancing your mental makeup to be a better prepared driver out on the street.
Doing drivers ed for a while, I’ve personally gained in that my aggression on the street is no longer an issue. Although I like to call myself a ricer (for driving a Honda) I refuse to challenge or get challenged by the moron that thinks he is Schumacher on the streets. I drive around the speed limit and have my fun while cornering (albeit the safe and correct way). My transitions between braking and acceleration are much smoother (than when I first started) and I ensure the car planted as I go around a corner.
Now that I’ve emphasized the importance of driver’s ed and probably have gotten some of you to open a new window to Google “Autocross for novices”, let me also state some principles that I think you should always bear in mind no matter what car you are driving:
1. Be aware of the tread depth, and rating of your tires. If you are running high performance tires, they may not be as grippy in colder early morning temperatures or when you are driving through monsoon weather.
2. Keep both hands firmly planted on the steering wheel at all time. The only exception is when you have to move your hand to upshift or downshift. Hands should be at the ’10′ and ’2′o clock positions at all times when you are out on the street except for situations where your speed is lower and you need to turn the wheel a tad more.
3. Be Smooth, gentle yet firm with your steering motion. Have a relaxed grip on the steering wheel and gently turn the wheel from side to side. Doing it harshly is only going to upset the balance of your cars and that mythical 50:50 weight distribution (legend has it that it can save your bacon from rampaging SUV’s, NOT TRUE).
3. Brake in a straight line, not while cornering. Get all your braking and downshifting done before you turn in to the corner. After braking your right foot is now resting (not pressing down) on the gas pedal. As you start coming out of the turn gradually get on the gas and increase speed as your car tracks out into a straight line. Remember its better to go slower into a corner and exit faster, than going too fast into a corner and never coming out of the corner.
4. Keep your eyes on the road and be situationally aware. Don’t focus on the guy in the Civic Si that’s trying to race you (that could be me, and you will lose 
) or ogle at the girl in that Mazda 3 too long. The S2000 demands that you be aware of where it is you want it to go. Trust me this is one car that will instinctively follow your eyes without you having to do a thing. Now banging up against that Mazda 3 is not going to do you any favors with the girl, and a wrecked car is certainly not going to cut you any slack either.
5. If its raining, handle your S with kid gloves. This is the perfect storm. You driving a temperamental car (no VSA on the older cars) and the rain comes along. What do you do? Follow the above guidelines, take a deep breath and be as gentle as you can. More importantly click here and read this old post.
There is an oft used illustration at a lot of drivers ed events and I find myself thinking of it every time I drive and keep goading myself to be smoother all the time. They say to think that there is an egg in between your feet and the pedals. Push down too hard and you will have cracked the egg, and wrecked your S2000. The key is to be gentle and smooth with the pedals and trying to keep that imaginary egg from cracking. Will following the above make you slower, hell! yeah. You will be safer though and in time as you come to understand the car, you will get a feel for what it is trying to say, you will grow faster and what is more you will come to RESPECT THE CAR.
PS: I’m going to leave you with yet another grisly story. This is the tragic accident that befell two sixteen year olds in Bensenville, IL. With the S2000 having ceased production it is well on its way towards becoming a future classic. There is no saying if and when Honda will make another car like this. Our member Ralper, has started a project to create a registry of all S2000′s. I’m sure I speak for everyone else that’s older (not necessarily wiser) that we’d rather see all the cars and owners as statistics on the registry, than as an unknown, unheard and unnamed statistic in a local government accident database. This post is not because I’m trying to go all AAA on you guys, but to get you and your cars to stick around so we can all keep the legend of the S2000 alive.
Images courtesy of NH_S2k_Guy, Triple-H and Vik2000.
NOTE: S2KI welcomes the opinions of its members on the S2000 and on all topics related to the S. Should you feel the creative urge to pen a few words then by all means do so and PM Energetic, Aashish2 or Onehots2k OR send us links to what you would like us to write about and we will feature you (or your community) on the S2KI Home Page.
No related posts.
on May 12th, 2010 at 6:05 am
Just before i got my S, I sold my 91 MR2 to a young highschool kid. Less then a month later I found out he flipped it and broke his arm. I regret selling it.
on May 12th, 2010 at 6:42 am
I agree, Teens get in enough trouble a a result of enthusiasm, hormones, peer pressure and inexperience without giving them a car that justs taunts them to go fast.
” hey, stop driving like a wimp and lets’ see what this thing can do…”
on May 12th, 2010 at 7:01 am
Thanks for posting this! I will have to admit, living in Florida. I’ve seen an incredible rise of 16-20 year olds driving/buying this car in the recent months. I’m not saying these kids/young adults are awful drivers but the common knowledge of teen statistics alone scare me most and add the S2000 and they’re typically AP1′s (because they are the cheapest to buy) and we all know AP1′s are more touchy. I’m still only 26 and I fear my insurance will rise because of this and not being over 30, I’m still considered a relatively high insurance risk. I was a teenager not too long ago and I too thought I was the best driver but the S2000 is whole different machine than I was ever use to (Prelude, 2 Civics). I applaud these young kids for loving this car, because it is a awesome car. I just wonder how much insurance would be for these cars in 16-20 year bracket, with and without parents plan? Be safe everyone!
on May 12th, 2010 at 7:45 am
I regret selling my S as well. I sold it to an old room mate who got into a nasty accident after drinking too much. Thankfully he is alive, but the car was never the same after the incident.
on May 12th, 2010 at 7:47 am
As someone who falls right within that age bracket (bought my s2000 a few months ago while I was 18, recently turned 19) I feel I should comment. I’ll open by saying despite my age, I’d agree with your friend Rick, even though he probably wouldn’t sell me an S. Most kids my age, and certainly younger, are a danger to themselves with a car like this, especially when their parents are picking up the tab. I bought my first car just before my sixteenth birthday for about 3k, took care of it the best I could, and drove it until it literally couldn’t run any longer. I had to get a new car, and was looking at preludes, but really loved the S, and got lucky when I found a guy locally who had already purchased his next car and needed to get rid of his S, so he gave me a great deal(he met me and rode with me in the car before he would sell it to me). I spent more than I planned and have to make payments, and additionally, although my folks were paying my insurance (to help me out while I’m in school) I have to pay the 700 a year increase to the cost of my previous vehicle (I’m not sure how much it was, just know it was already alot). The point I guess I’m trying to make is that of all the kids I’ve met around my age, the few I know who put their own money on the line have a lot more respect for their car than those who didn’t, and those who have driven a beater (don’t get me wrong, I loved my old car) and now drive a nice car have much more respect for their car as well.
Now I’m not saying my car is in perfect shape or that I’m a perfect driver, but I take the best care of it I can on a college budget, and while I do push the car sometimes, I’m always careful where and when I do it, and I didn’t do it until I was very familiar with the car (don’t think I hit vtec for the first two weeks of owning it and still drive it like a grandmother most of the time).
I guess my point is, if you’re going to sell an S to a kid, or anyone really, meet them first, make sure they’re not the kind that is going to wrap it around a tree. Accidents happen, but they happen alot less when the driver actually cares about their car. I grew up and still live in the south, and I don’t know how many american muscle cars I’ve seen/heard of being wrapped around a tree or some similar gruesome fate (mostly older models, driven by kids, alot of mustangs) because the kid/their parents didn’t understand the dangers of an inexperienced driver in a powerful rear wheel drive car–and the S (especially MY00-01 like mine) need a very careful hand. I can say I’ve made little mistakes, pushed a little to hard and started to slide a bit, but I only push the car when it is appropriate–roads are clear, nobody else around, I’m focused (not tired, not hungry, not thinking about other things). I can only comment on my S (MY01) but I know it likes to slide, and if your not focused, you can lose it all very, very quickly.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that I love the S2000, and if you’re going to sell it, do me and all the other S2000 lovers out there a favor, and make sure whoever buys it is going to appreciate it for what it is, a beautiful, powerful machine that is an absolute joy to drive.
-Treat your S like a child: love it, care for it, learn from it, and never leave it in the wrong hands.
on May 12th, 2010 at 8:03 am
If i hadn’t ended up with an accord when i was 16-20 I surely would have killed myself or worse, others.
I find it amazing that nowhere in the process of learning to “drive” in this country do kids actually learn how to control a car. I learned by being a retarded kid doing stupid things in my car. Where most fail to reflect on what just happened I would go though the incident over and over until I figured out exactly what I did to cause the problem, a way to avoid it and a way out if I was ever in the situation again.
Fast food trays under the back tires in a big parking lot helped too.. haha.
I wanted an s2000 as soon as I first saw one. I went to the dealer to see the first one they got on the lot. I knew it would be bad if I got one then. 10 years later I think I’m good enough/respectful enough to own one.
on May 12th, 2010 at 8:59 am
my first car was a ’89 corvette–got it when i was about 20. i ran it into the curb a few times. bent the rim. spun out maybe twice. drove from la to vegas in record time (don’t ask me how fast.) went nearly as fast driving back from sf, and on some freeways. had many close calls. no accidents though. guess you could say i was stupid and very lucky.
…but despite all that i’m a little mixed though about whether it’s okay to give fast cars to kids. i tell you, i had the time of my life with that car!–yeah, i did stupid things, but i think it was me, not the car. admittedly, i probably wouldn’t have done as much with your typical 4-door, but if you think about all the dumb things you do when you are a kid, well, driving dumb is just one of many things that could have killed me.
after thinking about this, i think what i would do as a parent is that i wouldn’t mind giving a cool car to my kids, but i would talk to them first. teach them. make them understand that with a badass car comes responsibility. and i do think smart kids can learn such responsibility.
…and that way they can enjoy themselves in a nice cool car, safely.
on May 12th, 2010 at 9:26 am
“If i hadn’t ended up with an accord when i was 16-20 I surely would have killed myself or worse, others.
I find it amazing that nowhere in the process of learning to “drive” in this country do kids actually learn how to control a car. I learned by being a retarded kid doing stupid things in my car. Where most fail to reflect on what just happened I would go though the incident over and over until I figured out exactly what I did to cause the problem, a way to avoid it and a way out if I was ever in the situation again.
Fast food trays under the back tires in a big parking lot helped too.. haha.
I wanted an s2000 as soon as I first saw one. I went to the dealer to see the first one they got on the lot. I knew it would be bad if I got one then. 10 years later I think I’m good enough/respectful enough to own one.”
couldn’t agree more.. my first car was a 5th gen accord and did a lot of stupid sh*t with it too…things I would have killed myself doing in a car like the s2000… tray sliding! haha man, I got my first reckless driving ticket for tray sliding in a parking lot.
Off topic but I thought I recognized your name wadzii after seeing you had an accord.. you were on hondasociety too right?
on May 12th, 2010 at 9:36 am
I’m 18 and I got my s when I was 17 never crashed it it’s still I. Perfect condition I got it used and I am a very mature driver buy I believe kids my age are really stupid and crash their new cars
on May 12th, 2010 at 9:53 am
I got my first car (a Civic) when I was 16. Learned a lot while driving it. Modified it a bit and got into a few accidents, most of which were not my fault.
Now I’m 20 and bought my S2000. Paid for it with cash and my own money.
I can’t imagine having the s2k as my first car or at a younger age than I am now. Sure, it would have been nice but I would probably have wrapped it around a tree or a pole or done something really stupid.
on May 12th, 2010 at 11:50 am
Wow, great info and great read. I think a class on proper braking, cornering, turning, etc should be administered in high schools. On a daily, I shake my head as I am causally driving the street at the a large amount of unoraganized and incoordinated drivers.
“With the S2000 having ceased production it is well on its way towards becoming a future classic. There is no saying if and when Honda will make another car like this. Our member Ralper, has started a project to create a registry of all S2000’s.”
The above paragraph made me love my s2000 even more. Thanks for this blog.
on May 12th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
im 22 and have had my s2k since i was 17…Never have i wrecked my car doin something stupid….I’ve seen many older gents wreck their vehicles in many stupid ways…So lets not throw down on younger generations…
on May 12th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
To an extent I agree with this article.
giving an S2000 to a kid for there first kid is the wrong answer, period. my first car was an 89′ Dodge dynasty, what did i do with it? Drove it through a field at 80 mph, and ripped the transaxle out on a stump. After that my parents made me pay for my next car, insurance and gas. what do you know had to get a job. Next car was a 97′ S-10, i ditched that truck more times than i can count “drifting” on dirt roads. After that o bought a 2000 Ford focus. which i wrapped around a telaphone pole. after i enlisted in the army, I purchased an 02′ Civic EX. and with the respnsibilities and maturity i slowly gained, my driving calmed down alot. since my first tour to Iraq i bought an S2000. although i’m still very young, i’m done with paying for speeding/reckless driving tickets. It’s just to easy to save it for a track.
If i had an S2000 for a first car i would be dead, no question in my mind. All it takes is a little maturity, and if you’re going to give your kid an S stick him/her with the insurance and gas so they feel first hand what happend to there insurance when they get a ticket going 22mph over.
on May 12th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
I’m young, 20 years old, I currently pay my own insurance and payments on my 05 S2.
I treat it like a woman, it’s a she, it’s got a name, it’s got a place in my heart, no lies.
And I’ll be honest, I drive it wrecklessly from time to time because that’s what the car was made for in my honest opinion, but like said, do it safely. Now, what might be wreckless to some people, may be perfectly fine to others, IE: crossing double yellow lanes in the mountains at 2AM in the morning.
New drivers shouldn’t hop into an S2 and think they’ll be fine, they need experience, they should crash once or twice whether it be on track or on a local road. Crashes in my opinion are the #1 best ways to teach someone how to drive, and if you never crash and you’re keeping up, well hey, good for you, but I’ve crashed more than once in my 2nd gen Integras and have had many close calls in the Miata and my motorcycle.
Just my .02.
on May 12th, 2010 at 7:18 pm
I drove like an idiot when I was 16 17.
on May 12th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
I bought my S2 when i was 16 and i still own it today. Not all teens are that ignorant. The biggest problem with them not respecting the car is when their parents buy the car for them and they dont pay a penny for it. I worked my ass off to get mine and i respect and love my S. Im sure it also helps that i have years of kart racing experience to understand the S and what to feel for. I believe that all parents should never buy their 16yr old a performance car the kid should work for their car and pay for it their selves
on May 13th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
I’ll admit I was 18 (still beginner with standard) when I Got my s2k, but I was a huge fan since I was 15…my dream car if I may say so….but I agree with “Archangel2k”….those kinda kids, most of them are not even purely interested in an s2000, just looking for any import to show off, are the ones who are undeserving of one. My town hardly ever has new s2000′s, but lately some random local dealerships get their hands on a beautiful turbo-charged AP2 and of course some parent decides to buy the teenager something so precious, and those teenagers trash it. I wish the value didn’t degrade so bad that buyers think it’s not a valuable car. Teenagers that get this car, I pray you learn to love it genuinely and treat it like it were the most expensive car you could ever buy because you are lucky to have one. The price I paid for mine 3 years ago, I’m terrified to know what the price is now for my year model. But, anywho, I like this article!! And I like the registry idea. Good job.
on May 13th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
I have to comment (and I usually just read) however what is amazing is that this article provoked a completely different response than I assumed it would have. I wrongly assumed that the comments on this article would be people in the 30′s and up commenting in agreement, and that people under 20 years old should not be anywhere near an s2000.
Here is where I agree. Most people in their teens could not handle a car like the s2k.
However because of the legacy and persona of this vehicle, it attracts a much more intelligent, car crazy, and ultimately higher echelon of drivers.
I love seeing how many people commented that bought their s2000 in their teens or early twenty’s!
I myself bought my s2000 on my 19th birthday. I have wanted one since i was about 13. I had a few beaters prior to the s2000, and I like most of you take care of my 2004 as if it were a Lamborghini. Actually I take better care of it then I take care of Lambos, I work at Lamborghini Chicago for godsake. The other day I was buffing some scratches out of a 07 Gallardo, when I saw an s2000 pull in the parking lot, I stopped what I was doing and approached the driver, another s2000 freak himself.
Another important thing to highlight. I PAID FOR MY CAR BY MYSELF.
Lets be careful not to assume that younger s2000 drivers are any less “careful or mature” then any other driver.
Lastly, before I ramble any further, In two years I have driven my S almost 40 thousand miles, through Chicago winters and some bad conditions, (garaging it after this summer) and my car has never been in any sort of accident. Next month will also be my 6th HPDE.
SO, in closing cheers to all of you “younger drivers” Remember an accident can happen to ANYONE at ANY AGE. As for the cars in the above pictures RIP, I am truly sorry that your owners didn’t respect you the way I respect and love my S2000
Whew, hell of a first post!
-Matt (now 21) haha
on May 14th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
I feel kinda singled out reading this. Im 17 about to turn 18 and i got my s2k as my sec. car. I have been in car accidents but it wasn’t my fault there are people who will do stupid things in there cars, it doesn’t matter what age they are. i know how the insurance companies will say that we are high risk drivers but not all of us are stupid. I love being apart of the s2k community and didn’t know that people would single people out on age. We all show our love for our cars. I have babied my car even tho being my daily driver it has taken some paint chips from rocks and other things. I hated to read this bc how it singles out people due to age i think its bullshit
on May 14th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
Hey im with most of you on this i am 19 and bought a 05 s for 18k only 34k miles it was my first car that i owned myself parents didnt help out at all they co signed but im primary driver i pay for everything carpayment+insurance runs me close to 600 a month.I am in love with my car though so glad i got wont get rid of it point of the story i know a kid 16?? maybe got an 08 ecplise when it was new with in a month flipped it totaled then a hand me down from his rents wrecked that somewthing with the gears then rents got him an 06 S 2 weeks maybe messed up the rear differentials then rents got him a 06 or 07 350???? maybe just dumb on the rents part but geez kid cant drive and has no respec for cars or what he has im only 19 but it being my car and my money i treat it like a baby
on May 14th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
@Hdublax625 AND EVERYONE ELSE THATS STILL IN THEIR TEENS:
STOP THINKING THIS ARTICLE IS TRYING TO FLAME YOU. THAT WAS NOT THE INTENT. THIS WAS WRITTEN FOR ALL THOSE PEOPLE THAT HAVE RECENTLY BOUGHT THE S2000 AND THINK IT’S AS EASY TO DRIVE AS A CIVIC.
THE ARTICLE WAS MEANT AS A CAUTION AND TO HOPEFULLY GET SOME OF YOU GUYS (YOUNG OR OLD) TO GO TO AUTOX OR HPDE EVENTS, SO YOU WOULD LEARN TO DRIVE YOUR CAR BETTER AND STAY SAFE.
THE S2000 IS LIKE A POTENT WEAPON. IN THE WRONG/UNSKILLED HANDS IT WILL CAUSE THE DEATH OF ITS DRIVER, AND SEEING SO MANY THREADS ABOUT PEOPLE GETTING INTO WRECKS, I FELT THE NEED TO WRITE SOMETHING THAT I THOUGHT WOULD GET YOU THINKING ON HOW TO BE SAFER, BETTER AND FASTER.
DONT THINK WE DONT LOVE HAVING YOU ON HERE. ITS JUST THAT WE’D LIKE TO HAVE YOU CONTINUE ON HERE. CAN WE BE CLEAR ON THAT.
THE POST CLEARLY SAYS IN ONE PARAGRAPH “Stories abound our forum of owners (not all of them Hannah Montana’s peers) who have found out the hard way….”. I THINK THAT MAKES IT CLEAR THAT THE INTENT IS TO REACH ALL NEW S2000 OWNERS. SO IF YOU HAVEN’T FULLY READ THE POST, PLEASE RE-READ IT WITH AN OPEN MIND AND STOP THINKING WE ARE ALL PREJUDICED AGAINST 17 YEAR OLDS.
IF YOU LOOK AT FORMULA ONE, THERE ARE SEVERAL YOUNG DRIVERS BARELY OUT OF THEIR TEENS THAT ARE CHAMPIONSHIP MATERIAL. SO DONT THINK WE ARE BIASED AGAINST YOU. THE WHOLE INTENT OF THIS POST WAS TO GET PEOPLE TO RESPECT THE CAR AND DRIVE IT SAFELY WITHIN ONE’S LIMITS SO MISHAPS CAN BE AVERTED.
IF YOU YOUNG UN’S CANT SEE THAT INTENT THEN I MAY AS WELL JUST DELETE THIS POST. UNDERSTAND THIS THAT AS LONG AS YOU ARE SAFE AND IN SOUND HEALTH S2KI WILL CONTINUE, THEREFORE IT IS IN OUR INTERESTS TO TRY TO KEEP YOU SAFE BY INFORMING YOU OF SOME SAFETY DO’S AND DONT’S
on May 14th, 2010 at 11:24 pm
Want to teach a teenager to respect the car? Have him drive on bald SO2s during the rainy/snowy season.
^ Put the fear of God into me. Sliding almost every corner, losing traction randomly on the highway in 6th going 50, losing traction while unsmoothly shifting 1st-2nd… Yeah. I was put in my place FAST.
I’m 23 now, and swapped to Star Specs, but boy do I still remember those scary days.
on May 17th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
I started out my driving career with a 70 nova ss. Had it two weeks and sold it because it scared the crap out of me. I was only 16 at the time. Happy My first car was loud and had way too much power. It made me respect driving that much more. after high school I upgraded from a jeep Cherokee to a Vw gti. had it a few years then traded it in on an 08 gti w/ paddle shifters. I missed my stick shift. After a year of shopping finally decided to pick up an ap1. Drove it 2 days and about killed myself. Rwd cars like ours deserve respect. Young kids should start out with a beater and once they can respect the road then take the plunge. Become in tune with the S and you can make magic happen. Take it to far and you might end up a skid mark.
on May 23rd, 2010 at 7:05 pm
I think the key point regarding how someone treats their vehicle is who pays for it. It’s easy to not respect the car when it was handed to you. When you have to pour blood, sweat, and tears into getting a vehicle with your hard-earned money, you tend to treat it with more respect.
I bought my S2000 when I was 22 BTW.
on May 28th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
[...] you remember the previous article posted by aashish2 to Respect the Car? Well, in this Video of the Week we shall see a different kind of… respect to the S2000. This [...]
on May 31st, 2010 at 8:09 am
To me, reading this was nothing short of humbling. I’m currently 19 and saving every penny i can get my hands on to afford an s2k. I’ve been driving a 5-speed accord that i got when i was 16 and have loved it, even taking it autocrossing this weekend. i am one of those people who babies his prized possessions and my s2k will be no different. i look deeply forward to learning everything i can about the car and how to drive it. Thanks for this thought provoking piece and for opening my eyes a little wider.
on Apr 13th, 2011 at 10:53 am
THE BOTTOM LINE WHEN IT COMES TO OWNING A SPORTS CAR IN GENERAL, YOU JUST HAVE TO BE A RESPONSIBLE, NO MATTER WHAT YOUR AGE. AS FAR AS THE S 2000 IS CONCERNED, I AM A PROUD OWNER OF ONE AND I HAVE FRIENDS, THAT OWN ONE AS WELL, AND ONE THINK I HAVE LEARNED IS IF YOU DO NOT RESPECT THE S2000 I AM PRETTY SURE BY THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP YOU WILL HAVE WRECKED THE CAR, IN MOST CASES.
THE CAR IS AN EXTREMLY ADDICTIVE CAR TO DRIVE AND MIGHT I ADD FUN AS HE## TO DRIVE, WITH THE THE TOP DOWN, NOT MUCH MORE FUN THAN THAT OTHER THAN MAYBE MY WIFE DRIVING WITH ME ON A WINDING COUNTRY ROAD, AS I WATCH THE FEAR IN HER FACE AS SHE CLINGS TO THE DOOR HANDLE.