OverBooster

I bought an '03 when the '04's were out, I wanted the 2.0 with the 9k red line. But I definitely would take an '04 with the 2.0 engine

Ryan

Elistan

Current counts:

Overall car:
2004 84 66.67%
2003 42 33.34%

Engine
2.0 73 57.94%
2.2 53 42.07%

I still maintain that EVERYBODY would have been happy if Honda made all the changes they did, except retain the F20C and fiddle with the gears (a la Rick's 4.56, but with a taller 6th) to boost low-end grunt.

xmatt

I wasn't even really a Honda fan (nothing against them, just mostly didn't like front wheel drive) until driving an 03 S which I loved. Then as I was selling my old car, the 04 came out. I took a chance on it and I honestly prefer the new engine (and I do actually autocross, although haven't with the S yet -- want to get the break-in oil out first). I can see how somebody could prefer the 03 as the 9k can be a little fun, but I'm willing to trade a little fun for easier to use every day and a faster car overall. And 8k feels like a lot, even coming from a rotary.

But really, I don't think anybody that's driven both could say that there's this massive difference between the two cars. Even if you're in the camp that says the 04 is somehow cheesified, you have to admit that it's about twice as hardcore as virtually any other (reasonably priced) car out there, certainly among roadsters.

Conclusion: All of our cars rule.

RACER

Hallelujah brother, amen.

LINESUPER

I suppose to the true die-hard motor enthusiast there is a lot of difference between the 03 & the 04. Personally I bought the S2K because it was a Honda Roadster. Translate that very reliable, long living, and a blast to drive. I voted for the 03 because I bought one. Reason: the look on my 30 something son's face when I hit 8900 RPM. As for cosmetics. I like the look of the 03 front end - I like the optional wing on the 04. Over all - I would take either and enjoy then both. - Hmmm - maybe I need to add an addition bay on the garage

00CivicSi

Furthermore, placing both the pre-'04 S and the '04 S on a scale with any other car you'd compare it to (Boxter, Z3/4, Z, RX-7, RX-8............... whatever you want, and make your own decisions about where they're placed in relation), I'm willing to bet the distance you put between the pre-'04 and the '04 is negligable. We're nitpicking here (although it IS fun to compare).

I am sure some people who own the pre-'04 are tempted by the '04 and are just looking for justification not to front the money for the upgrade. I'm sure other people purposely bought the pre-'04 for the 9k redline and will stand by their decision (I can see that as well). For me, I'm trying to convince myself that I'll be happier with an '04 (or later), as I want a NEW car, and I'd like to wait a bit longer (and I consider myself as much an enthusiast as anyone else here). The fact is, I'd love either car. There's not much difference. Sure there are SOME differences, and people may have a preference. But, I don't even think there's enough difference to cause/enable Honda to sell a lot more (if they were even to build and ship more).

I don't think the new model is watered down. From an engineering perspective IMO, both the pre-'04 and the '04 were built for enthusiasts, whereas the new 350Z was designed and built to sell cars. I'd be more fearful that the second generation S (not the '04, but the next redesign) may be designed to compete with such sales. I personally don't want a car like that. Hopefully Honda, will recognize all of this controversy now, and keep any future S models an enthusiast's car.

2004S2000

saying there's no difference between the 2.0 and 2.2 liter S2000 is like saying there's no difference between the Boxster and Boxster S.

Honda has contributed to this by under reporting the performance gains of the new engine. Magazines have contributed to the confusion by repeating what Honda told them without doing their own tests.

The 2.2 does not put out 240 hp. It puts out close to 270 hp and 180 torque. It has more displacement, higher compression, and different fuel management. Until you've really lived with the car for a while, you may not understand how fast and refined this car is now. When we finally get some good independent magazine reviews of the car, I'm certain that we'll see that the 2.2 S2000 is measurably faster than the 2.0. And by the way, with an alignment job, the handling of the new car is very responsive. Europe is getting the same changes minus the 2.2 engine.