I've been drooling over a 1/18 scale model Silverstone w/Red Leather model that sits on my desk...biding my time until the 2002 arrived. I was thinking--same drop-dead styling, but with a few nice features (glass rear window, more powerful head unit, door mounted tweeters, chrome trim inside). Just got a call from my local dealer offering me $800 off MSRP on a new S2K--silver with red interior (just happens to be one on the way from Japan). The problem: Was mortified today to see the nothing-but-red interior on the '02. My question to you is: are the improvements in the 2002 significant? Would appreciate hearing from anyone with hands-on insights.

 

If you like the red interior of years past, then you should try like heck to find a new 2001 model that is being cleared off the lot to make room for the new ones. Or else you could go for the all black interior. I'm really surprised that Honda Motor Co. didn't warn people of this change in interior color scheme. If they did, then I sure didn't hear about it. Anyway, I have the 2000MY (White w/Red & Black combo interior) and absolutely love that combo color scheme on interior......they shouldn't have done away with it. I do have mine posted for sale however..... Chow, and good luck with your search. Kevin. Oops, I forgot your question.... Personally I don't think that the improvements are significant to warrant a 2002 over either a 2000 or 2001. Possibly the rear glass window, but in my case it's a 3rd vehicle, and when I drive it, the tops always down anyway.

 

Thanks, Radster. That's what I've been thinking...the red/black interior is amazing. But if the improvements on the '02 are significant enough, I could live with the black leather. If the improvements turn out to be negligible, then the search will begin for a 2001 silverstone/red....

 

gohiking,

I just placed an order for MY2002 Silver/Red last week.
When I saw the pictures of the new RED interior, I too was debating whether or not to change the order to Silver/Black.

After some thinking, however, the all RED interior wouldn't be too bad. It does add "excitement" (?) to the somewhat spartan interior, and it would look really nice with the addtion of an aluminum dash kit. Porsche and BMW makes all RED interiors, as well.

I will send you an e-mail with photos of the all red and the black-red combination interiors. I do like the black-red combination for its sportiness, but the all red looks expensive especially in Sebring Silver/Red... IMO.

 

No more grinding from 1st to 2nd. They add a 3rd cone instead of 2.

 

I believe that we always had a 3-cone 2nd gear syncro...

Local district service manager claims changes to transmission for '02 are ONLY to address over-revs by inadvertent downshifts with different centering springs...

 

pfb, are you saying that they're putting in something that can prevent damage on a overrev caused by a misshift?

 

The changes between '01 and '02 are not minor when you add them all up and get charged only $100.
1- refined transmission
2- heavier clutch
3- glass rear window
4- defrost switch on dashboard
5- enhanced white line detail on tach
6- 10 watts per channel power increase in stereo along with new face
7- tweeters in doors
8- silver trim details inside on doors
9- new leather wrapped shift knob
10- vinyl center console instead of carpet
11- standard floor mats WITH 2 securing posts
12- metal dead pedal to match design of other pedals
13- larger exterior logos front and rear
14- silver trim rings around taillights

So what have I forgotten?
Sure seems like a deal for $100.

 

You're right--that IS a lot for $100. At issue, then, remains the all-red interior. And as Taijirock says, as others have in other threads, the red may be much more appealing in person; I may change my mind when I see it in person. If I don't, however, I wonder what the odds are of Honda swapping out some of the red (dash, upper panel on doors, stereo cover, roll bars) with black?

 

Not "prevent", but change the centering springs to somewhat reduce the likelyhood when carelessly shifted?

Again, just from what the DSM said.