I gave my neighbor a ride with a chance at the wheel the other day. He is a Marine Pilot and made the statement that driving it was somewhat like the experience of flying an F-16. I am not sure if that was due to the instant response or the intimate feel of the controls. Any other pilots out there with similar responses?

 

I'm just a student pilot right now (going for my private pilot flight test on tuesday) and I think the s2000 handles a lot better than a little cessna.

 

I think that is a solid compliment to the car. I highly doubt that the s2k has anywhere the performance or handling capability of an F-16

But nice of him to compare it to one.

 

My S2000 sure is a lot quicker handling than the 727 that I normally fly. Not as fast though. :-)

 

I brought a friend for a ride who is a former Navy pilot. Said it reminded him of the older fighters (forgot model), but I think he was mostly referring to cockpit feel.

He was, however, smiling continuously.

Chaz01

 

If a Ferrari is the f-16 of automobiles, then the S2000 is at the very least a P-51.

 

Actually, the NSX is the F-16 of automobiles. It was purposely based on certain design elements of the F-16. Lightweight, manueverable, fast (although not the fastest)--with its nimbleness and driveability making up for the power deficit. Even the shape of the bubble cockpit is mimicked by the NSX's top. Moreover, the reclining seating position also inspired the NSX's recumbent driver's position.

To me, the S2000, is more like a modern version of fighter planes of old (lvs2K mentioned the P-51). It sputters and jerks at low revs, but becomes the avenger from the sky at high rpm. It has such a simple, effective user interface, that you would think the designers had in mind the driver's need to make split-second, life-or-death decisions when in battle on the track. Moreover, the car is so damn loud that it seems to live and breathe as it constantly talks to you through a cacophony of whirrs, whines, and roars. It's one car that could almost be driven on sound alone. It seems so integral to your survival on the street that you feel its has a protective soul, a deep character that orients everything around the driver. You almost want to paint a shark's face on the front and slap a pin-up girl on the front fender to embellish the personality within.


Anyone ever notice that the Prelude has exterior design elements of a stealth fighter? The angles and lines seem so abrubt and harsh--coming together at radical interludes that can't convey anything but post-aesthetic design cues based on high-technology like stealth.

Anyway, anyone who says honda does not know how to design cars is a superficial idiot. Honda's designs are not cartoonish manifestations of some juvenile imagination. They won't hit you over the head. They are, instead, subtle reminders of things that are considered the pinnacle of technology and nature.

 

Um, the only way a Marine pilot will fly an F16 is if the Air Force is kind enough to loan it to him

BTW, the NSX's cockpit is modeled after that of the F16.

 

Thank goodness we don't have to manage all the little details like those old WW2 era fighters .... things like supercharger management (although I suppose you could equate that to the stickshift <G>) ... oil temperature, pressure, oxygen system management (so you don't pass out at 25,000ft from thin air) ... complicated startup sequence ... fuel tank selection/management ... etc. Oh, and no rev limiter to save your rear on a P51 <G>

And you thought the S2000 eats oil ... try several GALLONS per flight ... <G>

But man, it'd be nice to have to fill up only once every 2000 miles <G>

 

S2KALI, step away from the keyboard, grab a cup of Jo and everything will be back to normal soon. Maybe you should change your online name to Chuck Yeager.