I'd get a Beat... would be good as a winter beater...

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Touge2K
[B]K, maybe I can spit my 2 cents and perhaps reduce any drama over our cars becoming "obsolete"

Cent the first:

It is true that Honda seems to keep a very tight information net around minor changes to their cars, but this is mostly because they are insignificant to the average owner. In essence, why would anybody wait till next year for (5 hp, 10 more watts out of the stereo, etc.) and still have to pay inflation and ridiculous dealer markups? Exactly, the only way that we, the buyers, would care is if we are bloodsucking enthusiasts. They know they can afford to just let us sweat.

Cent the last:

From viewing the dubbed "Best Motoring, International Volume 1" time & again, we can see the way Honda has produced minor changes to its performance cars over time. At first, Honda built the NSX, and later introduced the NSX Type R. The Type R was vastly superior, of course, but took a good amount of time to arrive. When the Integra changed body styles in 1993-1994, the Integra Type R was immediatly reduced. Also, the reworked 1996 Civic quickly came with a Type R version. Today, we can see the new Integra Type R and Civic Type R already being released.

My point being, if Honda was going to give us a SIGNIFICANTLY CHANGED version of our beloved two thousand, then if not a Type R, we probably would have long had it coming.

The S2000 was a great departure for Honda. Honda knew that it was making a calculated risk in building this outrageous car and still distributing it everywhere. Japanese businessman (at least in the car industry) seem to be very conservative when distributing any real sports car to remote markets.

IF we get a change for 03, they will not be engine related. I predict a power gain of 5-10 hp in 2004 to keep the car interesting, but I would expect that this S2000 runs in its current body style into as far as 2006. If we get a Type R version, it will be after the body style change, and either rollcage equipped or some sort of reinforced hard top. The S2000 will not receive i-VTEC AT ALL until the new body style.

In a worst case scenario, the S2000 would disappear or run slightly too long, as the NSX of yore.

Would we get a "GSR" or "Si" version? Some god-awful sport package?

 

That's the one thing it will NOT get. Way too heavy, it would violate the car's "performance first" character.

 

Re: M3

A friend just picked up a new '02 with SMG for list. Pre-ordered per his choices. Waited a couple of months and got it for list. Okay, he did have to travel 1000 mi from home to get that deal
My local dealer (Rochester NY) was working on me for a while. Has had a couple with SMG just sitting waiting for a buyer at list (gotta love NE winters )

So, with a little looking, I you can find one for list, NOW. If you are willing to travel. I bet you can even get something off list if you deal hard. If anyone wants salesman's name here, I'll pass it on. Just please let him know I referred you ! (he promised $100 for a referred sale).

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Elistan
[B]Some more random Boxster S obversations (drove it again this afternoon.)
[LIST]

[*] The shifter throw is huge.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by gregstevens
[B] I have actually visited the plant in Tochigi/Takanezawa.

 

Mostly yes, but a little no. Yes on most their cars the do a somewhat major redesign eery 4-5 years, but that doesn't apply to all cars (see the NSX for instance -- which is also made at the same low-production plant). The most realisitic story I've heard about this car has been different from typical Honda -- but this isn't a typical Honda car is it!?! I hear they are going to make this car, in it's current form (with only small changes year to year), for as long as it sells. This car, being the 50th anniversary celebration car for Honda, was never meant to be a permanent addition to the Honda line of cars. I was following this car for several years before it ever became a production reality so I've heard a lot of stories -- but this one really seems to make the most sense. Greg Stevens got almost the exact same impression from his trip to the plant where they make these wonders.