In another thread Beth (klassyblue) posted a few pictures of the new NSX. The discussion wound around to trading the S in for it. A few of us wouldn't. I wouldn't for a few reasons.

1. As I've said many times in the past there is something special about driving a simple, fun to drive roadster. There is no substitute for open air, top down driving. I would rather have a rag top S than a hard top anything.

2. I prefer to own the car and not have the car own me. As it is, I baby my S. I don't take it out in the rain, I park in the most distant spot in the lot. I park it only where I can see it. I change oil every 1500 - 2000 miles, etc., etc. I can't imagine how I'd behave with $100,000+ sitting in the garage. I don't want to be any more of a slave to my car than I already am.

3. This is very closely related to #2. I have many interests. I don't particularly want to forsake any of them in order to own an exotic. No car is that important that I would allow it to change the rest of my life. I wouldn't allow any car to make me give up the other things that I love.

4. I am not, nor will I ever be a race car driver. There is no place around here where I could get the performance out of an exotic. That said, my ownership would be a waste of money.

I know that there is a certain thrill involved in owning a fine piece of machinery. Still, when you think about it, it makes no sense (at least to me).

I am perfectly happy with my S. It is all the car I want. It suits me perfectly. I wouldn't trade it for an exotic. How about you?

 

I own my dream car right now ; however an NSX Type-R would make a nice garage mate

 

A Honda Accord says little to nothing about the lifestyle and/or culture and/or personality of its driver. It does not hide nor highlight any particular traits.

Now, were I to step from an Accord to, say, an Acura TL, the picture changes a little bit. The TL says a little bit about my lifestyle or personality - a willingness to afford, enjoy and possibly exhibit opulence. The utility value remains comparable (certainly no less) but there's something more thrown into the mix.

I think one could define a spectrum which has the Camcord on one end and the exotics at the other. The spectrum describes the degree to which the car is intended to be a reflection of some aspect of the driver.

To me, the S2000 is a car that's pretty much right at the point of being more about the perception than the reality. That's not to say it's not a "good car" or that we buy them to show off. We're all enthusiasts. But still, the S2000 has an effect on others' perceptions that's probably just as strong as its performance.

By the time you get to the exotics, I think the purpose of the car is primarily about perception rather than "behind the wheel" experience. It's about heritage, sex appeal, shameless exhibition of disposable income, and the like. It's a reflection of confidence and extroversion.

Me personally - the S2000 is just about the limit of what's right for my personality and lifestyle. I wouldn't move to an exotic until I owned a house, several other cars, and had loosened up and become a bit more confident to match the personality of the car. If I were driving a NSX, I would find myself trying to adapt my personality and makeup to the car. That's not right.

 

I pledge allegiance to no car or car maker. Life is too short. If I ever did get an NSX or other exotic it would be for a few years and then I would be on to something else.

I have said before, this is the new Golden Age of automobiles. There are so many interesting cars in the $30 to 50,000 price range, I'm not sure why I would ever need to spend $100,000 on an exotic.

 

As I said in another post if I had to choose between owning the $30,000+ S and the $130,000+ Porsche I would take the S. The Porsche of course delivers "more" but not enough "more" to warrant the cost if it put a strain financially on us. We also, have many interests besides cars ( Boating, skiing, mountain biking, hiking, Jet Skiing etc.) and if owning the turbo meant having to cut back or give up other interests I wouldn't have it. I really enjoy working on and caring for quality cars so having another baby in the garage is great for me. Of the two cars, the one that stresses me out on occasion is actually the S in that being black and a garage queen I expect it to look perfect, always. The Turbo, being silver is much easier to keep looking beautiful even though I drive it in any weather except snow. Zaino with a top coat of p21S is great!

 

Hey Doc, is that your wife in your sig line?

 

Yeah, that's Darla.

 

Lucky man.

 

Sure, I took it and have a hi res 8X10 on my desk!
And yes, I am a very lucky man.

 

Would I trade my S for an exotic sports car? You bet. I might wish I had not in the end, but yes I would. The untouchable car's that I dreamed of as a kid are even more untouchable now. I can quickly name a couple dozen car's that would fill the bill. Ferrari's, Cobras, Cobra coupes, Birdcage Mazer, Allard, D-Jag, C-Jag, etc.... the dreams of my youth. Does that mean I don't love my S2000? No. For example, a buddy has a Ferrari Daytona GTB. He paid easily 5 times what I paid. Would I trade him even up? No. Bottom line is it would depend entirely on the car.

Rob, I understand your view completely and there's a part of me that shares each of those views. Like you, I'm total nuts about rag tops, always have been, always will be. In fact, I've never been without one since my first car. But, there are a few very special, very beautiful tin tops that I would dearly love but will never own.

Like you, I protect my little Honda -- even at the track I hold back some cause I'm older and wiser now and have nothing to prove. I love certain car's from my past but at the same time I love what I have now and am smart enough to know that the secret of life is appreciating what you have rather than wishing away your life. So I don't really ever think about owning any of these car's; instead I love what I have. And, the longer I have it, the closer we become one.