OMG, some will take things overboard! BUT, I must respect the fact that despite differing tastes, at least this owner is enthusiastic about the car and will likely take proper care of it. As much as I hate the gaudy modifications that some owners do to their cars, regardless of whether it is an S2000, I respect them more than those who treat their cars purely as a form of transport (or maybe even less so) and dont properly take care of it.

 

I wouldn't call those pictures a "case for keeping it stock". He certainly went to extremes, and some of us may not like it, but how does that change the fact that we all pay our own $$$ for our car and are entitled to do what we please with it?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Strike
[B]I wouldn't call those pictures a "case for keeping it stock".

 

I think this was a very good topic. Thanks for starting it, Bieg.

I for one will modify my S2000 when I get it, but they will be minor (ie: X-brace, shock tower brace, a small trunk spoiler, stereo, brakes and maybe some other things). For the most part, they are also things that can be put back to original. This is the same thing that I have done before, with a 69 Mustang (sold for $10,500.00 in 1992), and 73 Triumph TR6 (sold for $10,300.00 in 1999), as you can see they held their value. I for one believe that a car can have changes done to it and still hold it's value, it is when outrageous changes are made that the car could lose value.

As for what cars will be collectors in the future, well who has a crystal ball. I have a 1980 Triumph TR8, only about 2500 made world wide, that Hemmings said was one of the top 10 cars to collect, and price are still down on them, but who knows.

I will also say that my S2000 (after I get it) will most likely not bring top dollar in the future, because I hope to have a lot of miles on it when it comes time to sell.

I also think, to each their own, so do what you want.

 

I don't know about Bieg but when i purchsed my car I couldn't care less about what the next person who got the car thought. If you're into "preservation" and all that junk just so you can pass it on to the next guy means you will never get to fully appreciate why the S2000 is a great car, stock or not. I personally think the white "1 Ultima" S2000 is one of the nicest modified cars i have EVER seen. Clean, tasteful, fast as phuck and all done with high-quality stuff that I am sure would also measure up to Honda's high standards. I don't care how much the car is worth to "some other guy" to me my car is worth way more than the cost of the car AND all the parts put together. The S2000 is not a beater civic. Shame to the owner who haphazardly modifies the car just for the sake of modding. With care, precision , and a few hundred dollar bills you can realize the Honda engineer's vision, unhampered by cost restraints, marketability etc etc.

Thumb through any European catalog, there are way more tuners who make parts for Boxsters and Z3's than Honda could ever dream of. TechArt, CEC, AC Schnitzer, Dinan, AutoThority, Ruf, Alpina, etc etc. Of course you don't see Z3's with aluminum wings, only assholes with no money would resort to something like that. Pick up the latest issue of European Car and observe the 870Hp twin-turbo 911 or the widebody 500Hp 911 carrera on the cover. You can take your concours and stick it right up your sphincter, i'd rather have those two monsters.

 

ssshhhhhhhh!!!! Will you please shut up and let them all mod their cars. It makes our factory perfect cars even more rare and valuable. QUIET! Please.

 

From an "investment" perspective I agree stock is the way to go. However the S2K is a sports car not a mutual fund. A few mods never hurt anyone. Some like to express themselves through their cars. I like performance in a sports car, and although mine looks stock, I'm putting 320RWH to the ground. How's that for tasteful art?

 

From my persepective it's live and let live...

If people want to do major mods... cool. Not for me though. I feel a need to to *some* mods to make the car more "track ready". The pads and fluid for example are NOT track friendly. I'll change that.

I might also change a few thing for aesthetics, keep the orig eqpt etc.

Something that puzzles me are $1500 mods to get 2 HP.... Spend the money on performance driving lessons and get waaaay faster.

Just my two cents. (I'm respecting all the opinions... just making you read mine. )

 

Well said jedwards! You prep your s2k for the track, someone else preps for a drag race, I'll have a quick daily driver, and Bieg will park in the garage until it's time to resell. This world needs more tolerant people like yourself. IMHO I agree about the performance driving school.

 

There are many so-called "mods" that aren't really mods at all. Such as Muz mats, Rick's leather console (vinyl now standard on 2002), etc... I consider them upgrades/improvements. Unless you are a car collector who the he!! buys a car for the next owner/resale anyway? All my "mods" have been to improve the car for my own personal enjoyment as well as make it more unique than the S2000 already is. Definitely won't go as far as the yellow TFATF Veilside post earlier this week.