Being relatively new on the scene, I'm not as bored with these threads as others. But I'm not sure what the source of the pessimism is.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I keep hearing the Honda S2000 -- from day one -- was a low production, hand built (however you choose to define it) sports car. Its numbers have always been just a few thousand. From day one Honda decided this wasn't going to be some high-volume money maker like the Civic. It's logical to assume they've always planned to spread their development costs out over many years.

Look at the NSX. Low volume and sold for over a decade. Is Honda abandoning it? Hardly, it's out for at least one more year and a new one is in development! I predict a similar future for the S2000. I bet they produce it through 2008, minimum. It's a niche product with classic, timeless lines that will easily age that long.

The point of the S2000 has always been create a thrilling ride. It'll never be the fastest car in straight line acceleration. Heck, they're stuffing huge Hemis in the Dodge Magnum station wagon. But what would you rather ride down a twisting road? If anyone thinks a Neon -- and I mean no disrespect to Neon fans -- is as much fun to drive as a S2000 then go out and get one. Personally, I don't think the S2000 is $10k overpriced.

I saw some recent track footage of a S2000 going against a Porsche Boxster, BMW M3, and a Nissan 350Z (with a slight mod). The S2000 held its own, especially in turns where it was easily the best of the bunch.

I think Honda, like most manufacturers, has a passion for cars. So they're expressed this passion in the NSX for Acura and in the S2000 for Honda. These are flagship cars designed to attract attention and bring prestige to the brands. This increases foot traffic to the dealerships just like the Corvette is a magnet for humble Chevrolet.

Long post but I'd like to add that, if Honda chose to, it wouldn't cost that much for them to pump up the performance in the S2000. Aftermarket turbo chargers prove how easy cranking out more horses without extensive engine redesign is. But Honda doesn't offer a lot of options on the S2000 for a reason -- probably because the low production numbers don't justify it. So I don't seem them offering it as an option any time soon, if ever.

 

honda selling a FI car stock in the states..... Don't think that will ever happen with any of their current or future cars. Just dont see it happening man even if thats what they need to do. They might be pulling a nissan to what Nissan did in the 90s. Just moving along put putting and not doing anything rennovative or creatve. They need a revival just like Nissan got with their new CEO in 99.....

 

This discussion reminds me of the Lakers' Franchise. Through thick and thin, the Los Angeles Lakers have remained a powerhouse not to be overlooked.

IMO.. the S2000 will still be here for years to come. If the "competition" can ameliorate their performance, then what can possible stop Honda from following suit as well. In actuality, everyone else is still trying to catch up to the S2k during all these years. After all, the S2000 set the bar for new generation roadsters. How many 240hp normally aspirated 4 cylinder engines are out there? Only 1.. Not only does the S2K accel in the arts of handling and looks, but it posted the highest ratings in crash test results. It's still a great car and just because vehicle sightings are few doesn't mean productions will halt.


GO LAKERS!!!! KOBE IS FREE...THE LAKERS CANNOT BE STOPPED AND NEITHER CAN THE S2000!!!!!!!

 

they dont have shaq no more they going down!!!!!!!!!!!

 

cbanks -

It can't be said any better than that. I hope Honda isn't listening to the nay-sayers. They're building one of the best sports cars in the world at a bargain price. Sports car means just that. Not a muscle car or a luxury semi-sport muscle car. It's got a cult folllowing and rabid owners. What they need to do is train their techs at the local dealership for better service specific to this car. I don't mind knowing more about my car than the servicde manager or the salesperson but I do get mad when the tech working on the car is clueless.
I feel better now.
cruise with attitude

 

agree honda sucks on service.....

 

Just to add more fuel to the fire a recent Wheels Magazine (Australian) stated that Honda had canned plans for the new NSX (HSC) and instead were intent on developing the new S2000 as a 'Boxster beater'.

Of course how much of this is conjecture and inference or just plain bullsh!t will only be revealed with time.

 

Of course, all conjecture:

1. NSX and S2000 no longer made at separate plant. Now assimilated into production facility with other Honda products.

2. Upgrade of NSX scrapped.

3. Minor 2004 tweaks to S2000, Nothing for 2005.

4. Even the name S2000 alludes to its limited life span (anniversary commemoration)

5. S2000 comes pretty max'd out from the factory with regards to performance.
Attempts at improving on Honda R&D have been minimal at best.
The underlying platform is not easy to improve on... unlike the massive
performance gains had in modded S4s, 350Zs, SRTs, etc.

6. Because of the engineering feat already needed to design this car, it doesn't have much room to improve. And Boxsters (new BoxS 5.2 0-60), G35s --> future skyline TT, will continue to widen the gap.

In a couple years, the S2000 will still be a great car, but not be globally competitive... e.g. the same story as the current NSX.

I also hope that Honda doesn't go the vanilla Toyota route. But they can make more money with convenience upgrades to the Odyssey than they ever will with a sports car.

My guess is a V6 RWD (or SH-AWD) sports car that implements hybrid technology for the power of a V8 (a la Lexus). Something that could draw the "sporting crowd" in a way that FWD Accords never could. It could sell 20-30k units per year, competing more directly with G35 and 350Z. But it won't be a NSX or S2000.


Maybe 2006-7?

 

I thought the fact that Honda had moved the assembly site of Insight, S2000 and NSX from Toichigi to Suzuka was confirmed by Honda in a press release or something.
Also I think the 2000 in S2000 is a reference to the 2.0 liter displacement of the engine, like the S500, S600, and S800. Although i do think it was intended to commemorate Honda 50th anniversary or somesuch.

 

That's not conjecture. It's rubbish.

The 2000 refers to the capacity and is a direct lead on from the S360, S500, S600 and S800.