It seems Honda replaces cars on its own schedule. When they are ready to replace a car they will. As someone said above as long as people are still looking into buying the car, why pull it?

Take myself for instance. Sometime this summer after I move to a warm weather state, I'm going to buy an S2000, probably a brand new one. The Z4 could be a superior car, but then again it might not be; either way, I don't care. The Z4 steps out of my price territory. The Boxter S is WAAAY out of my price territory. (At least going by midwest pricing.) The 350Z is nice and it can outrun the S2000 for less, but I'm not interested. I much prefer the S2000 styling, and additionally, I like it when a car has had a few years to get the bugs out.

In short, there are people who are still willing to lay down 30 grand for this auto. Just like people are still willing to lay down 80 grand for the NSX, even though the Z06 and 911 show it their tails. Honda doesn't need to replace it just because there are other cars out there can pull quicker lap times and 0-60 times. I don't believe the primary intention of the car was to be the fastest car out there.

I agree with the many above that point out that this car is a showcase for technology and a bringer of the crowds for the money making vehicles. Here's an example. Just over three years ago I wanted to buy an Integra Type R. Granted it's not an S2000 or an NSX, but to a college student badly in need of a new car, it was the pinnacle of car in the class for which I was shopping. (It existed to serve the same purpose on a lesser scale.) So when push came to shove and it was not feasible for me to live life while finishing college trying to pay for an ITR, I settled on a cash cow, a 2000 Civic Si. The ITR served its purpose. It made me look into Hondas and throw some dollars in their revenue bucket.

The S2000 as a coupe. Why? They produced a hardtop for it. I would imagine the S600 and S800 came as coupes or roadsters because the technology was not there for them to be both, like the S2000 is today.

Bigger displacement...perhaps, but is it necessary yet? It still has more horsepower than the Z4. Is has more hp than all but the AMG SLK and Boxter S. And both of those cars command a 20 grand premium. They aren't competition. The biggest competition the S2000 may get is from the coming 350Z convertible, and I think Nissan just might win the hp war with that one considering the differences in engines.

Honda will probably change the car when they have another dramatic break through in technology that warrants showcasing. As someone said above I would speculate that the NSX will get a major redesign before the S2000 will. Look at the facts. Dual Note concept 4 door. DN-X concept 2 door. The 350 hp 3.5 liter iVTEC V6 needs a home somewhere and the DN-X body is a much better starting place for it than the S2000. Additionally, the RL is starting to get past just right in the oven.

One more tidbit. The Miata has survived a long time generating sales while not being the fastest roadster out there.

 

I read that the new NSX was due out in 2006

 

Off the subject. Why is Chevy putting out commercials with people looking under the hood of a caviler? What are they looking at?

 

Guys. I am 90% sure that the "new" S2000 is coming out in 2005.
http://www.motortrend.com/future/spied/112_2005fvf/

And while Motor Trend is not always 100% accurate, I have read other post about the S2000 being remodeled in 05.

My question was about the possibility of a special edition MY04.

 

Notice that Motor Trend used the word "obligatory" before "power boost" Do you think that the S2000 would be doomed if there was no increase in power in 05 if it was redesigned?

 

I could see Honda putting a F20C variant that uses i-VTEC into the 2005 model. It would give the car more low end power which might help attract more buyers. It also jives with a statement I keep hearing is that by 2005 all Hondas will have i-VTEC engines.

 

More info on i-vtec...

Honda technology is always at the cutting edge: designed, refined, implemented, and produced to perfection. The latest Honda technology to hit the streets is actually an improvement on their VTEC (Variable valve Timing and lift Electronic Control) engine technology. They call it i-VTEC (the i is for intelligent) and Honda presented it to the Technology panel of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada at their annual Car of the Year testing as a candidate for the year's "Best New Technology".

Currently i-VTEC technology is available on two Honda products; the 2002 Honda CRV and the 2002 Acura RSX. Two complimenting systems are part of the i-VTEC system. Variable valve lift is accomplished by using two rocker arms and different camshaft profiles to change the opening of the valve. The other technology is a computer controlled variable camshaft actuator that can vary a camshaft up to 50 degrees relative to crankshaft angle. Let's look at each in a little more detail.

Varying the camshaft in relation to the crankshaft is done with engine oil pressure acting on an actuator located on the end of the intake camshaft. The computer varies the oil pressure to change the rotation of the camshaft on its drive sprocket. This changes the valve overlap. Valve overlap is the amount of time both the intake and exhaust valves are open at the same time. Retarding the camshaft decreases the amount of overlap, while advancing the camshaft increases overlap.

Valve overlap plays an important part in engine operating characteristics. Very little overlap gives the engine a smooth idle and good slow speed torque, but it hinders high rpm engine performance. A large amount of overlap allows excellent engine breathing at high rpm but causes a rough idle and poor performance at low rpm. By varying the camshaft rotation and amount of overlap, the engine can have excellent performance at both low and high speeds.

Variable valve lift is accomplished by opening the valves with two different rocker arms and camshaft lobes. In the past, Honda operated VTEC engines with three rocker arms: two to open the two intake valves and a third that could be locked to the other two causing them to follow a different camshaft profile. With the new "two rocker" design, only one valve is opened at lower engine speeds. This causes the intake air fuel mixture to swirl, optimizing combustion at lower engine speeds. At a rpm programmed into the engine computer, oil pressure is used to lock the two rocker arms together. Now both valves open together but follow the higher camshaft profile the second rocker arm follows.

On the Honda CRV and 160 hp Acura RSX, only the intake valves are operated using this system. On the 200 hp Acura RSX Type S, both the intake and exhaust valves use this technology. Like the VTEC system first introduced on the NSX, this operation of both intake and exhaust valves provide maximum horsepower and torque.

Increased performance is one advantage of the i-VTEC system. The torque curve is "flatter" and does not exhibit any dips in torque that previous VTEC engines had without variable camshaft timing. Horsepower output is up, but so is fuel economy. Optimizing combustion with high swirl induction makes these engines even more efficient.

Finally, one unnoticed but major advantage of i-VTEC is the reduction in engine emissions. High swirl intake and better combustion allows more precise air-fuel ratio control. This results in substantially reduced emissions, particularly NOx. Variable control of camshaft timing has allowed Honda to eliminate the EGR system. Exhaust gases are now retained in the cylinder when necessary by changing camshaft timing. This also reduces emissions without hindering performance.

Currently, the Honda CRV and Acura RSX models are the only 2002 models on sale in Canada that meet Tier 2 emission standards which come into effect in 2004. Honda's i-VTEC technology gives us the best in vehicle performance. Fuel economy is increased, emissions are reduced, driveability is enhanced, and power is improved. It is a good possibility to win AJAC's "Best New Technology".

 

My wife's car is a '03 CR-V EX with automatic. The engine has a remarkably flat torque curve for a Honda, works very well with a four-speed automatic, and is also very quiet. My wife likes this vehicle as much as I like my S2000 and she absolutely hated the '01 CR-V because of the engine noise. Ah, the continued development of the internal combustion engine is amazing.

Although i-VTEC would probably help the low-RPM torque of the S2000 a little, I cannot possibly believe that anyone who says that more power in this car is obligatory has ever driven it--at least not over 5500 RPM.

It's possible that Honda will decide it needs to build a car that can spank a Boxter S and a 350Z. Given the handling of the S2000, that much engine will need all-wheel drive to keep most of us out of trouble.

 

i don't understand why some people say they will "jump for joy" if the 2003 S2K is the last model made. do they mean that they will jump for joy b/c a NEW MODEL will be coming out?

personally, i am having so much fun with my S2K that i can honestly say that i would consider buying the SAME EXACT CAR - all over again!

i do relish the fact that there have been so few S2Ks made... however, i will be very depressed if honda discontinues the S2K and doesn't have a replacement lined up!

this car is everything i have dreamed about since i was 10 years old. after owning a vehicle like the S2K i don't know if i will ever be able to buy a run-of-the-mill car again!

 

Another one of these threads....
It always makes me laugh when I read all these threads. Someone claims they "know something" that nobody else knows or they spoke to "Bill, in charge of telling all Honda's secrets just to me" or they work at "Honda's favorite dealership that hears all the new secrets before anyone else". They make bold predictions of earth shattering changes such as a new glass rear window then use this bold prediction to add credibility to their future preposterous predictions.

Let me tell you how it is. I have worked for Honda. I know that you will find out what they are doing in the future ONLY when they want you to find out. They are the most secretive of all car companies. I will only believe what I see on the showroom floor.