[QUOTE]Originally posted by Thoe99
[B]Bigwave, any new news on this matter?

 

UPDATE: 01/14/03

Incoming information (although limited) continues to be consistant with my initial reports. Re-designed '04 is scheduled to hit dealers around Sept-Oct '03 (as usual). I'm told we should start seeing pics and hearing stats around July. Don't expect any more details before then.

 

Is it just a redesign or does 2004 see a new engine change as well, as rumored by other sources?

 

Incoming information continues to be consistant with my initial reports which includes re-designed body and a new powerplant.

 

...and a partridge in a pear tree.


(Sorry, not meant as a flame in any way...just thought it was funny... )

 

here's my question:

when did the 2003 NSX pictures pop up? i remember hearing about real spy photos of the 2003 popping up at least a year before the new NSX came out. I even remember seeing spy photos in San Jose, CA (blue one & yellow one driving around). With Sept/Oct only a mere 9 months away, I would of thought we'd hear something at the Auto Shows about it. I think if we don't see anything from Honda officially in Japan, we won't be seeing it here that quickly. Just a thought though.

 

i doubt that Honda would only release news on a new S2000 just a couple of months before going on sale. The new Type R was leaked out nearly a year before, same with the NSX, the CRX redesign released news about a year ago and still has not surfaced (probably in 2004/05). I think Honda will be concentrating on pushing out the CRX in the next couple of years rather than release a new S2000 at the same time.

And what improvements can be made if at all? A redesigned body? OK. But more power out of that 2.0L engine? I seriously doubt how much more power they can squeeze out of that thing and still make it a tractable and easy-to-live with engine.

Increase displacement to 2.2L? Mugen has done that already and I doubt that keeping in compliance with all the noise, comfort, and emission guidelines nowadays that Honda would mass produce it. Any bigger of an engine and that defeat the whole concept of the original car. Look where Mazda are taking the MX-5. They are even thinking of a V6 in the new MX-5 (the orginal had a 1.6L 4 banger and was under 1000kgs). Now with a bigger engine, the balance is jeopardised, the weight is gained and the original concept is lost.

I think Honda have a hard act to follow with the S2000 to make it any better while still keeping within the original concept. Sure they can build a new roadster, but it won't be an S. The next evolutionary step would be to make the current S lighter, increase revs and HP slightly, recalibrate suspension and better brakes, and call it a Type R. Then end the legend of the S2000.

Everyone keeps complaining about the improvements needed (e.g. more torque, etc.) but really, how much more torque can you get from an engineering viewpoint from a 2.0L NA 4 cylinder? Enough to maybe increase throttle response in the mid range but never enough to match the low-end torque of a V6 or V8, unless you add forced induction. It's just a fact of life and the laws of physics. There are other cars out there that provide this so no need for the S2000 to go that direction. Complaining that the S2000 is torqueless is like complaining that the Civic is FWD.

Honda went out on a limb to produce the S as an engineering exercise. They succeeded and although some detractors talk about the lack of torque and lack of steering feedback to make it an ultimate driver's car, good on them. There are definitely more capable cars out there (e.g. Boxster S, Elise, etc.) but not one of them is an S2000.

 

Bigwave:
S2000 (gunmetal silver) '00

Is that what the guys UP there call silverstone metallic?

 

I've been reading about on this topic since I bought my '01 many moons ago. I've thought a LOT about this subject. I originally bought the S2000 because I honestly felt at the time that it was the best sports car on the market given it's price. It isnt the fastest car on the block but it's a great all around performer. I have many other sports cars to include a 1992 R32 Skyline. The S2000 is probably my slowest sports car, but I have to say honestly that it is by far the most fun. That's exactly what it is... FUN. It's a hell of a lot of fun to drive.

I think to many that originally bought the S2000, part of the appeal was the exclusivity that came with it. True, it's a Honda, but it was a limited production vehicle, and that I like alot. Part of my ownership enjoyment is that you dont see S2000's on the road like a Miata. There's nothing wrong with a Miata, but they're a dime a dozen, and to me, that loses appeal in my book. I have hoped that Honda would cease production on the S2000 so that we all could have an exclusive piece of brilliant Honda engineering.

I have no doubt that if Honda chooses to re-design the S2000 that it will be a better car, technologically. Styling redesign is in the eye of the beholder, and who knows what Honda will do.

I personally feel that no matter what Honda chooses to do, I will always love my S2000 for what it is, a wonderful little sports car. I love this car because my fellow owners have proven to be the nicest people I have met. I have made a great deal of friends from this board alone, and I think it has to do with the car... We own this car because it's fun, and we all want to have fun. I plan to keep this car forever, because it's a great car, no matter what Honda does with it in the future.

We should stop arguing about our car's future and just sit back and smile because we own a great car. Owning it is the real experience, and we should never take it for granted. Nothing makes me happier than just getting in my S2000 and driving. It's like therapy.

Thanks to all of you for being great people and buying a great car.

Chris

 

Looks like the cat is finally creep'n out-of-the-bag. I haven't done much checking lately but I am supposed to meet with my info source next week around 5/24. Wonder if they've seen any pics yet. More to come....