I agree with the idea that the S2000 is a image/marketing tool, however I do believe that they are making money off of each car that they sell.

Some might say that there was high R&D costs, but remember that Honda is bringing 50 years of auto making/engine making experience to the table. They are not totally designing every aspect of the car from the ground up. The engine is a fantastic engine, but not a radical departure from some of their previous engines.

You also have to realize that anything spent in R&D is also used in other Honda/Acura vehicles. There's no way that they are only using new technologies in the S2000. I would say that they'll probably use a lot of the technologies in the S2000 on the new NSX when it comes out.

Why would Honda call it quits after the NSX comes out? The two cars are in different market segments. I'm not going to be buying a new NSX - way too much money for me. So they have to have a car for a person in my part of the market.

Bottom line, Honda is making money off of each S2000 that they sell. You can't count 100% of the R&D costs of the S2000 against it.

Jason

[Edited by toewsj on 04-03-2001 at 02:22 PM]

 

Maybe it's selfish of me, but I'm in no hurry to see it.

I enjoy owning a car that you don't see everyday!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by toewsj
[B]I agree with the idea that the S2000 is a image/marketing tool, however I do believe that they are making money off of each car that they sell.

Some might say that there was high R&D costs, but remember that Honda is bringing 50 years of auto making/engine making experience to the table.

 

I agree that they probably aren't making too much money on it, but a lot of the technology will go into the Civics and the Accords of the future. Therefore, they are making an investment in the company and their whole product lineup, and not jus the S2000 (or the NSX for that matter). Why do you think auto manufacturers come out with prototypes that they have no intention of bring out? It's for the whole lineup of the future. When Honda created the SSM concept for the S2K, they didn't have definite production plans - at that point much of R&D was done.

Sure they have the costs of tooling the factory, but what does it ACTUALLY cost to make a car, once they are all set up for it. Probably next to nothing. Toss in some sheet metal, a few enigine/drive line compontents etc, paint, tires, stereo system, and you have a car. I've heard auto manufacturer's cost to producing a car is next to nothing.

The big part of the cost is the R&D, which is shared by all models in the lineup. They don't need to create totally new engine - it's based on what they've done before.... Maybe they'll have a toned done S2K engine in the next Civic or Accord. Electric power steering - maybe in the next Accord etc. Convertible Civic? Maybe....

Sure, maybe they're not making much money off of it, but do they need to? It's an image car for Honda!

Jason

 

"nothing" is very very relative. I am certain that it is still relatively costly to put a car together.

-Shing

[QUOTE]Originally posted by toewsj
[B]I agree that they probably aren't making too much money on it, but a lot of the technology will go into the Civics and the Accords of the future.

 

I wouldn't say that this car doesn't depart from Honda's norm. The engine turns in the opposite direction of other Honda engines, and it's RWD. Additionally, the suspension is double wishbone, and the Civics have converted to Mac struts, so you know it's not going to be trickled down to those. IMO, the S2000 is certainly an image car...as to whether or not they make money, I have no clue.

 

Talking about limited production... I wonder how our production numbers per annum compare to those of the Boxster and Boxster S? I'd bet we are far fewer in number. Does anyone know for sure?

With only 5000 or so cars brought into the US per year I'd say we're pretty uncommon. Here in the Bay Area, I see a lot more of our friendly Porsche competition than I see S2Ks.

I too like the fact that there are fewer of us around and that the car has some uniqueness to it. I hope it stays that way.

-DD-

 

I would venture to say that the Boxster S is definitely more rare than the S2000. Also, there have certainly been more than 5000 S2000's imported into the US per year. My guess is that right now, there are about 15,000 in the US.

 

I don't have an opinion as to whether or not Honda makes/looses money on the S2K, but I have heard through the grapevine that there will be a 2002 model, available in blue. One of the improvements (at least in my eyes) is that the soft top will have a glass rear window.

When does a car become a collector? After many years when most of them have hit the junk yards and somebody wanting a bit of nostalgia makes a big deal out of finding one with all original parts.

 

I heard somewhere that they make more money on the S2k than on any other model.