The new TL's have a similar system and I personally dislike the detachment you feel from the throttle response.

 

I never liked every DBW I drove.

Audi,VW,Honda,Benz,Acura,Volvo ect ect

Hate them

 

I smell a test drive.

 

The reason for DBW (and also the 'advantage') is that there is a computer between the throttle and your foot. This allows things like traction and strability control. If you have TC on and floor it as soon as the wheel begin to spin the computer will back off the throttle for you.

I have no problem with TC and ESP type systems so long as there is a 'real' off button.

 

I don't think we can make too many judgements til we drive the thing though no matter how much we speculate and guesstimate.

 

So basically they've watered this car down even MORE than in 2004. Why don't they just market it as a luxury sports car and put some wood grain interior panels. And let's get some heated seats and auto-dim rearview mirror. An automatic transmission would be great too. Just some extra sound deadening and auto tranny and they can finally sell the s2000 to even more people having a midlife crisis and looking to pierce their ears, grow a pony-tail and pick up women 20 years younger than they are.

My MY00 just got more awesome by comparison.

 

I would hardly say the car is watered down... the TCS is able to be turned off, the car has more torque and is more rigid than the 00-03. All the same things were said about the 04 when it came out and it has turned out to be great improvements from Honda.

My previous S was an 00, and I still want an AP2.

 

dbw is a bad idea in my opinion anything that detaches the driver from the road is no bueno.

traction cotrol is a good safety feature, but we better be able to turn it off

 

No one seems to have mentioned the NSX has had Honda's Drive By Wire since 1995. It was seen as a plus and I don't remember any major complaints about it...

 

Maybe I used some fallacious reasoning there, but what's considered watering down a car is an opinion that varies from person to person.

To be honest, I've grown very accustomed to "inconveniences" like the 00/01 decel buzzing synchros. I actually enjoy the sound of them now because it makes the car that much more different and fun. I like the carpet interior console, and not having amenities like a clock and outside temp. gauge. I understand some people like some more refined options, like the glass window over the plasic. This happens to be the only gripe I have with my car. Despite preferring the carpet console over leather, I understand how people would like the leather better and possibly a better sound system. However, adding things like those awful wheels which are worse than the 04/05 (again, my opinion), and stability control on a pure driver's car just makes the car that much less of a "rush" than with the earlier models.

The suspension and oversteer is not the problem, it's mostly the driver. I lost control of my car twice after first getting it. I also learned that I was driving like an idiot and have since corrected my driving habits. My problem is this: Honda of America is marketing this car now for a different kind of buyer. The car has always been isolated from the rest of the car market as one that attracts niche buyers. Now, the car is being changed to better appeal to a broader market. This is the problem I have. If Honda wants to sell higher volume sports car, make a new car. Don't turn this car into a long running joke that is just trying to change what it is to fit the rest of the market's wants and needs. It is selling out, and to be honest, I don't think it's going to work. The sales trend will probably not change that much, if at all.

I guess we'll see though, hmm?