Yeah, it is. I'll just let you figure out what it means.

And the S2K Female? Hmmm, its always struck me as more masculine. Well I guess its all in the eye of the beholder.

Its a great car, its never let me down and it always goes just like I want it to. What more could I want? Well to be honest I bought this an the automotive equivalent of a training bra. I just keep thinking Ferrari.... But for now its my babe.

 

Regarding whether the Japanese can be as passionate about designing their cars as the Italians;

Why not? I just don't think it has been practical for them to be so up until lately. Honda (although the most atypical of all Japanese Companies) is as passionate about RACING as Ferrari. It is a religion to both of these companies (as well as Porsche). Ironically all three of these companies are about the same age. Honda uses world class racing series as training grounds for all of it's young engineers. After 50 years of doing this it shapes the corporate personality. Cars like the NSX and the S2000 are the fruits of this philosophy. You have to respect a company that will only promote to CEO someone who has designed a world class engine. All of their CEOs have at one time been in their racing program. It is significant that there are no "Bean Counters" at the helm.

When Honda first went racing so very long ago at the Isle of Mann (Motorcycles) they were laughed at. It did not stop them. In a few years they won the race and the respect of their fellow manufacturers. When Honda goes racing today trust me nobody laughs. As the saying goes "Honda enters,...Honda wins". This is corporate pride, corporate passion at it's best.

So does this sound like some guys who are passionate about their cars (and bikes)? They do to me. It has just become financially possible to build their passionate dreams now as their corporate bussiness plan was much different than Ferrari's. You have to love that also. Mr. Honda was a lot more democratic about sharing his technology with the common man. They still are to this day.

Anyone of the major manufacturers can make a great car for a lot of money. It takes genius to make great cars for a lot less money. It also takes passion and the willingness to share that passion.

 

Amen Bieg

 

This car is a 'State of Mind'

 

A few times does not 'always' make. Also, nobody was COMPARING the S2000 to a Ferarri, but RELATING an S2000 to a Ferrari vs. other cars. Its a fine, but clear distinction. The Ferrari was only chosen for reference as a known and indisputable paradigm.

No S2000 holds a candle to a Ferrari, that is obvious -- the finer point re: Ferrari was whether or not the S2000 was special relative to other cars, and whether or not it, like a paradigm, should suffer or benefit from tampering.

-- back to topic --

The S2000 might be just a car. Relative to other "just-cars" its something much more special, and worthy of the time and devotion that anyone would afford on any other cherished possession. If its just a car, its not just ANY car.

 

Another way to look at it is;

"What sort of 4 cylinder car would Ferrari make if their target MSRP was 33 grand?"

I think given the same parameters to work within the solutions would be very similar.

If we know one fact it is Enzo Ferrari was an ENGINE guy just like Mr. Honda. Enzo for the most part thought horsepower cured all other ills. It took Jaguar kicking his butt at LeManns for him to concede his cars needed to go to disc brakes.

So given a price point of 33K and Enzo's penchant for Engines I think he would have come up with a similar engine. Styling? It would have to look "right" to him for it to have his blessing. He wanted his cars to look masculine and aggresive. Some have commented that the Boxster looks feminine as compared to the S2000 which looks "masculine". Interseting actually.

That being said Pinninfarina would undoubtably do a more flamboyant design and the shifter would be gated. It certainly would not be as reliable.

Any other ideas?