Fifth Gear seems to be hating on the S
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Fifth Gear seems to be hating on the S
http://fifthgear.five.tv/jsp/5gmain.jsp?mn...esc=Honda+S2000
Does anyone else find this to be a lil disheartening?
Does anyone else find this to be a lil disheartening?
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From: Edmonton, Canada
Yeah. How big of a trunk are they expecting? It's a 2 seater. Expensive maintenance? It's a Honda; there is no maintenance. The roof isn't that tight.
But they are bang on some places. It is twitchy. The rain is always an alert time. That said, it's easy to hold in a slide.
I dunno... I've never been a 5th Gear fan.
But they are bang on some places. It is twitchy. The rain is always an alert time. That said, it's easy to hold in a slide.
I dunno... I've never been a 5th Gear fan.
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From: Brit in Athens, Greece
Fifth gear (Tiff Needell, a guy I actually do have massive respect for, he is a le mans winner after all) didn't really like the S when it first landed in Europe in 99/00, stating that the engine was fantastic, but not usable in everyday terms, and that the steering lacked the necessary 'feel' for a true blue blooded roadster.
Both statements at that time in my opinion, were wrong. The steering 'feel' is just as good if not better than the Z4 (which they rate highly), and as for usability, well, if you have the cahones, the power is quite accessible, at least in second and third.
As I read the new review, and ALSO Top Gear's review, which is also incorrect in many aspects, the more I begin to realise that it seems these reviewers don't understand the purpose of the car, and overlook it's fantastic advantages when pointing out the disadvantages.
Here's a copy of an email I sent to Top Gear about the S2000 review, of course I didn't get a reply, but I feel better for having sent it anyway...
Both statements at that time in my opinion, were wrong. The steering 'feel' is just as good if not better than the Z4 (which they rate highly), and as for usability, well, if you have the cahones, the power is quite accessible, at least in second and third.
As I read the new review, and ALSO Top Gear's review, which is also incorrect in many aspects, the more I begin to realise that it seems these reviewers don't understand the purpose of the car, and overlook it's fantastic advantages when pointing out the disadvantages.
Here's a copy of an email I sent to Top Gear about the S2000 review, of course I didn't get a reply, but I feel better for having sent it anyway...
Hi Top Gear,
Lifelong fan of the show and dedicated petrolhead here.
Firstly, love the new website, really fresh, bold and visually inviting, with the exciting graphics doing justice to the great content... One comment on that... I can't find the Stig lap times! Where have they gone!? I refer to them regularly for settling bar room brawls. ;o) Needs a big link on homepage.
The main reason I'm writing though...
I'm sure this is not the appropriate forum for this, but I just wanted to moan about the low review scores for the Honda S2000. Let me take the review elements one at a time, as I think the reviewer has missed the point of this fabulous car... Here's a link to the page so you can refer to what I'm talking about.... http://www.topgear.com/uk/honda/s2000
Comfort... What has the fact that you need to wring the power out of it got to do with comfort? Furthermore, it's hard to justify using the best thing about the car (the engine, it's why people buy them), as a minus mark in any way. Increasingly bizarre that the reviewer then goes on to say that it's well behaved at low RPM, and therefore comfortable? No? Suggest revising the comfort mark of a very low 8, and instead base it on the fact that most people say it fits like a glove and has the perfect sports car driving position, but just lacks adjustability.
Cool... Mark is pretty fair, but, as stated, it's a purpose built soft-top sports car. These are always cool. Ask Jeremy. No mention of what is detracting from its cool factor to force a low average score, it's great looks and enthusiast appeal should give it more cool marks, in my humble opinion.
Quality... This is just a travesty. How can the most reliable sports car ever made (ask JD Power) get a low quality mark? Suggest serious revision of that.
Handling... Another travesty... one of the best handling cars on the road. Only beaten in the roadster class by the (old) elise and the boxter. Sure it requires a good driver, but once again, it's an ENTHUSIAST sports car, leadfoots and grannies need not apply.
Practicality... OK, the reviewer is quite clearly off his head, or has forgotten that this is a purpose built 2-seater roadster. 1) Top down, still have full use of the boot! 2) Roof goes up and down in 5 seconds! 3) Has a bigger boot than 'most' other roadsters. 10 is a ridiculous mark for this car, it has to be taken in context.
That's it. Basically, what it comes down to, is the context of the car. I hope my writing this will encourage someone who has an appreciation for the roadster class, to come and revisit this review. The 13 out of 20 total score is not reflective of the greatness of the car, and where is value for money? If there was a VFM category, the S would have to rate an 18.
Thanks for listening to my rant, keep up the fantastic work and great TV shows.
Lifelong fan of the show and dedicated petrolhead here.
Firstly, love the new website, really fresh, bold and visually inviting, with the exciting graphics doing justice to the great content... One comment on that... I can't find the Stig lap times! Where have they gone!? I refer to them regularly for settling bar room brawls. ;o) Needs a big link on homepage.
The main reason I'm writing though...
I'm sure this is not the appropriate forum for this, but I just wanted to moan about the low review scores for the Honda S2000. Let me take the review elements one at a time, as I think the reviewer has missed the point of this fabulous car... Here's a link to the page so you can refer to what I'm talking about.... http://www.topgear.com/uk/honda/s2000
Comfort... What has the fact that you need to wring the power out of it got to do with comfort? Furthermore, it's hard to justify using the best thing about the car (the engine, it's why people buy them), as a minus mark in any way. Increasingly bizarre that the reviewer then goes on to say that it's well behaved at low RPM, and therefore comfortable? No? Suggest revising the comfort mark of a very low 8, and instead base it on the fact that most people say it fits like a glove and has the perfect sports car driving position, but just lacks adjustability.
Cool... Mark is pretty fair, but, as stated, it's a purpose built soft-top sports car. These are always cool. Ask Jeremy. No mention of what is detracting from its cool factor to force a low average score, it's great looks and enthusiast appeal should give it more cool marks, in my humble opinion.
Quality... This is just a travesty. How can the most reliable sports car ever made (ask JD Power) get a low quality mark? Suggest serious revision of that.
Handling... Another travesty... one of the best handling cars on the road. Only beaten in the roadster class by the (old) elise and the boxter. Sure it requires a good driver, but once again, it's an ENTHUSIAST sports car, leadfoots and grannies need not apply.
Practicality... OK, the reviewer is quite clearly off his head, or has forgotten that this is a purpose built 2-seater roadster. 1) Top down, still have full use of the boot! 2) Roof goes up and down in 5 seconds! 3) Has a bigger boot than 'most' other roadsters. 10 is a ridiculous mark for this car, it has to be taken in context.
That's it. Basically, what it comes down to, is the context of the car. I hope my writing this will encourage someone who has an appreciation for the roadster class, to come and revisit this review. The 13 out of 20 total score is not reflective of the greatness of the car, and where is value for money? If there was a VFM category, the S would have to rate an 18.
Thanks for listening to my rant, keep up the fantastic work and great TV shows.
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Z4 steering was a mess. I was terribly disappointed, especially when I compared it to E36 M3s.
IMO, Z4 (talking about M model here) has:
1. a very nice top (that actually does insulate properly)
2. a fantastic engine
3. an interesting interior (they had an interesting way of using fabric / leather to imitate carbon fibre texture-look for 08 models)
But then, I really didn't like everything else ... brakes were WAY overboosted at low speeds, manual transmission was very rubbery, front view was terrible, and steering was not precise. The whole car was just so clumpsy and clunky. Very "American" (sorry for the stereotype)
I feel that BMW has gone the American-muscle car route now.
Anyway ... regarding the review, not too surprised. Some points are actually valid. The interior materials are not as nice as some of its European counterparts etc. Oh wellz, no car is for everyone.
IMO, Z4 (talking about M model here) has:
1. a very nice top (that actually does insulate properly)
2. a fantastic engine
3. an interesting interior (they had an interesting way of using fabric / leather to imitate carbon fibre texture-look for 08 models)
But then, I really didn't like everything else ... brakes were WAY overboosted at low speeds, manual transmission was very rubbery, front view was terrible, and steering was not precise. The whole car was just so clumpsy and clunky. Very "American" (sorry for the stereotype)
I feel that BMW has gone the American-muscle car route now.
Anyway ... regarding the review, not too surprised. Some points are actually valid. The interior materials are not as nice as some of its European counterparts etc. Oh wellz, no car is for everyone.
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From: Houston, TX
Originally Posted by VaragS,Nov 26 2008, 01:41 AM
Does anyone else find this to be a lil disheartening?
[QUOTE=FishermanIvan,Nov 26 2008, 01:51 AM]Yeah.
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Stick with the reviews you read on s2ki. We are recognised by Honda Motor co. and we are the real life everyday drivers. Not reviews by once or twice a life time drivers that drive way too many cars that they confuse THEMSELVES.
