Would it be financially sound not to do some major upgrades on the S2000 model soon in the face of increasing competition?

I believe timing was important in the release of the original S2000. It was completely unlike anything you could buy in terms of performance. Unfortunately, that is starting to change. Those who bought the S2000 in part because their jaw dropped at the 0-60 time for a car with a MSRP of ~32K (and there were many) have increasing options now- WRX (and STI), 350Z, 350Z Roadster (next year), RX-8 next year, and I'm sure there are a few in the works that I'm missing. Now to mention that people jumped on the car when they read it outperformed a Porsche Boxster, but with the Boxster S, thats no longer true.

If you think the automative world is going to stand still for the S2000 you are sadly mistaken. The question is whether Honda, with all the pride it has in the S2000, is going to stand still while the world moves on. They could keep a niche market for a few more years that way, but something tells me that Honda is far to proud to go down that way.

I'd put my money on a significant engine upgrade (probably iVTEC and some magic that squeeze out even more HP/Torque- without that I don't see them remaining in the media competition and getting the press they so dearly value from the S2000) and body style modifications in 2004, rumor or not. The reasoning is that you either lead, follow or get out of the way.

Bottom line, Honda wants to lead. They've gotton so much good automative press out of the S2000 that even if they lost money on it (and they didn't), its done a lot of good for Honda. I'm willing to bet that they are ready to try again to be the media sweetheart and shake things up.

-B

 

I learned how to drive a stick in my brother-in-law's Datsun 1600... and thus began a love affair with sports cars that lasts to today. Just two weeks ago I told him that I could trace a direct line between his car and my S.

 

Yes, but in due time. I keep thinking back to the last generation Integra. The GS-R was quite the car when it was first introduced, and Honda didn't do any major upgrades until 7-8 years later.

I will admit that you are at least listing cars that aren't 20K-30K MORE than the S2000!! From your list, I don't think anything but the 350Z Roadster will have much of a lasting impact on the S2000 sales numbers. Even it is a very different beast (weighing in at 3200+ lbs) and won't likely be near as rigid since it wasn't designed to be a convertible from the ground up. I see the 350Z erroding Corvette sales more so than S2000 sales.

I never said or implied that. If anything the introduction of the S2000 made them pick up the pace!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by STL
[B]I will admit that you are at least listing cars that aren't 20K-30K MORE than the S2000!!

 

What's your source? I haven't read that. Last I read the convertible wasn't due out until 6-7 months after the coupe debut this month (not within a couple months like you said). In addition, isn't the 350Z built on the same platform as the G35 that has already been out for several months? I so, then Nissan would be introducing a convertible almost a year after the platform came out. Now I will admit that Nissan probably design the 350Z platform so it could be a convertible, but that isn't the same (IMHO) as designing a car from the ground up with the sole intention of it being a convertible.

 

You might be right about the 350Z, because I think I remember it's based on the new Skyline platform. I don't believe that car was ever intended as a convertible. However, cars that are designed from the outset as a coupe and convertible should be able to be as rigid in convertible form as the S2000. That is, if that level of rigidity is a design goal. IMO, designing a coupe/convertible is the same as designing a convertible since the convertible is the weaker body type. It takes a lot more to design a coupe then make it a convertible than to design a convertible and make it a coupe. At one time, I think designers made a coupe and then made a convertible version, but in the last 10 years or so reversed this idea. I read that the current Corvette was made as both from the start.

 

You've got the timeline wrong . It's coming in 2003, not 2004.

http://www.mcclatchie.com/reviews/S2000R.html

(You might do a web search on the author.)

Ah, Fantasy!

 

i am mad. i am selling mine right now.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by outoforder
[B]You've got the timeline wrong .

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by outoforder
[B]You've got the timeline wrong .