I dated a girl that had a 2000 at a time when I was driving an MGB. Her car seemed extremely quick in comparison.

Rnye, the traditional roadster/sports-car died off completely (here in the USA) after the 240Z came along, and the Miata is actually the car that reintroduced the concept.

The 240Z was a poor man's E-Type, and the 1600's and 2000's were just incremental improvements over some of the other British roadsters. Japan brought reliability to the table, but that's really about all that was new. The 1600 Fairlady drives more like an MG than anything I can think of that isn't an MG.

LOL, don't get me wrong. I liked the cars when they were new, and still do. Reliable sports cars were revolutionary, because they made it possible to drive a sports car without having to work on it or spend money on it all the time. Dealing with problems use to be a big part of owning a sports car, and it's one of the "features" I don't really miss too much.

 

[QUOTE=ZDan,Apr 13 2008, 08:27 PM]No, it was actually kinda warm here in New England that night.

 

A guy who lives and works near me has an immaculate 2000. Brings back memories every time I see it.

Why not replace the whole roof with a glass window roof? Robbin's do a pretty good one.

 

LOL, very true, and all that safety business ultimately brought about the death of the British sports car industry and indeed the death of the convertible itself (lol, resurrection's not withstanding ).

Both the original 240Z and the Miata were heavily influenced (primarily influenced) by the US market, and both were hugely successful here. LOL, Fiat also targeted the US market with their X-1/9, but even now most of us don't like or enjoy inertia cars.

 

LOL, yea, I forgot that Dan probably isn't a crazy purest like me.
I like my big plastic rear window.

Hahaha, I was really just thinking how nice it would be if he'd figure out how to modify the plastic window so it could be folded flat. Save me the trouble of trying to figure it out when my number comes up.

Robbin's tops are a good choice and a nice upgrade.

 

Great story Relax Mon. I too waited a long time for my dream car. I had a MG midget before I got married. I loved that car, but it was oftern in the shop. My husband traded the fun but unreliable midget for the XKE. I agree that the 240Z is like a poor man's XKE. Some people would love it, but it wasn't my dream.
Years later a friend let me drive her miata. I was hooked. But a single mom, one car family, cannot have a Miata. So years later, when my last kid had graduated and gone to college, I went to buy the miata.
I must have built it up so much and waited so long I was disappointed.
Over the next few months I test drove every sports/sporty car I could afford. I almost settled for the 350Z, but it wasn't quite right. My son came home from college for xmas break and convinced me to test drive the S. I had never seen or heard of the S. I drove it and bought it that day, xmas eve.
The S is a fun as the midget and it is reliable. Sometimes when I drive it I just start smiling. 3!/2 years later I still love it and plan to keep it forever.

 

Kind of an old thread now, but that was my point. I didn't say it wasn't a marvel of an engine. I love the engine. Ward's does too, as the F20C got it's top 10 list (The F22C might've as well?). All I was saying was that it's STILL 240 hp. Engine efficiency is insane, but it's not going to keep a car with a better torque curve from spanking you in a straight line. HP/liter - although impressive - isn't what wins races, it's the car as a whole that does, and it's the car as a whole that makes driving one a unique experience. Haha, that being said, it's still extremely satisfying to hammer this car and spin it up to redline.

 

Well, when I first saw/read about the S back in 2000, I immediately thought it was one of the best looking cars I ever saw and certainly had a proper spec for its time. I NEVER gave rag tops the time of day - just wasn't me. But thew S changed that, and I knew it would just be a matter of time before I would own one. No test drive required. It was money down - talk done.

I too find myself babying the plastic when putting down the top - having to get out and pat it down. I only do that when I am top down from the garage. Otherwise, hard luck, it must fold any which way it can. Kind of hurt sto see all those kinks when next it goes back up though

 

It is interesting that you were worried about the structural rigidity of the S2000 because it was a convertible. I trust you did not know it was built on an X Frame chassis which makes it stiffer than hardtops.

 

I loved the s2k since the first time I saw one on a showroom floor when I accompanied my Mom in buying her CR-V. It was New Formula Red, with the hood up/engine exposed. My knees went weak.

I sat in one in '02 (used for sale) but didn't pull the trigger. They wanted almost as much as a new one, and I had two cars at the time. I didn't drive one until a friend got a brand new AP2 in 2004. I know it takes getting used to, but I was at home with the high rpm's immediately.

I haven't nailed down my own s2k yet, but am actively looking. I've had many Hondas. They are all excellent cars, but s2k's are 'special' cars.

Enjoy yours!