The S2000 is one of those rare production cars that offers a truely unique "driving experience." When I first drove the MY00 AP1 I found that it had a ride that reminded me of my old MGA, a powerband that reminded me of my warmed over X-1/9, and handling response that reminded me of my old Formula V. The car also had the kind of stark interior and simple styling that I've always found highly appealing. The carpeted transmission tunnel and plastic rear window could have come right out of my MGA. At the same time, the car had a heater that worked, and air conditioning, and being a Honda it promised to be as reliable as a stone. Then, in addtion to all that, the S2000 had more torque ( ) and power than any of the sports cars I'd owned in the past, and the thing that ultimately made me get rid of every one of them (except for the MX5) was their lack of torque and power. I can't really single out things I like about the car, because it is the way the entire package comes together that attracted me to the car.

I've owned the car for almost three years now, and have made a few mods, but I still like the total package more than any particular aspect or feature. Some of the things that appeal to me, not necessarily in any particular order, would include:

• Ride Quality - MY00 AP1 = harsh and serious.
• Lotus-like Handling Response - thanks in part to Lotus-like balance and roll understeer (AKA "bump steer").
• Un-Lotus-like reliability and availability of service.
• Powerband - dual personality.
• Shifter - now *better* than stock.
• Styling - simple exterior styling is in concert with simple interior and plastic rear window.
• Harsh track-car-like feel - still modding to move the car further in that direction.

Basically, I see the early S2000's like mine as a (barely) civilized car that doesn't feel civilized; That's what initially attracted me to the car, and it's still what I like most. It's not any one thing, but the entire package and the way it all functions together that I find most appealing.

 

i love that i still love the car after having it for awhile. can't say that about almost anything else in life.

 

I still get a stupid grin on my face clicking off redline shifts and flying around corners near the limit. No other car has kept me happy for this long, especially totally stock. I've only felt this way on sportbikes in the past. I also love the fact that you have to learn how to push this car. It's not vanilla'd down to make novices feel like superstars, hit sales volume targets and make car mags happy, it's all about focus and purpose.

 

RED MX5, that was very well put. I agree that it is the combination of all of my listed factors that make the S2K so appealing. Many other cars offer the individual traits but none bring them all together in one beautifully packaged vehicle as the S2K does.

 

of course, i love most everything about it, but the most outstanding thing is the FEEL of the stiff chassis - that is, the car feels as a tight SOLID UNIbody... whereas other cars are loosely constructed metal shells riding on some motley suspension components.

second is the FEEL of the transmission and small steering wheel. driving experience consists of giving input through shifters, steering wheel, and pedals... and they are excellent and convincingly driver-oriented in the S. THAT is why i dont much care for "paper-tigers". 'fast' cars like the srt-4, z28s, etc etc. all looks good on paper but the DRIVE is nothing like the S

and lastly, big ups goes to the amazingly quick operating top.

 

lol, the roof button

 

9k redline
Harsh and horribly loud car plus somewhat uncomfertable ride -- makes it seem like a true race car
Convertiable
Power band, I like the peaky power
Scarey fast at times (no idea what a SC is going to feel like now )
Great fun in the twistys
Smells like the old muscle cars (catless)
Easy to work and learn on
These boards

 

favorite S factor is i can drive this car in the same manner i ride a motorcycle

 

Hats off to WilliamS2K -- he captured the car, and its appeal, perfectly.

 

1. It's mine!