I've become fairly calloused to the obtuse attitudes of the unwashed masses where the S is concerned. If asked "what is it"? I tell them "its a limited production roadster - you won't see many of them". If asked "who makes it"? I tell them "it's hand crafted in Japan". I find that being somewhat vague at the onset will arouse real interest much quicker than simply telling them "it's a Honda".

The majority of people I associate with on a daily basis (at work) are absolutely clueless about ANY performance vehicles - much less the S. Incredibly depressing at times. I don't even try to broach the subject anymore. Just yesterday I forced myself to sit on my hands and bite my tongue while a fellow cohort tried to expound the "marvels" of spray on zip wax.
Thank the Powers that be for this site! Otherwise I would have few recourses to feed my addiction to this work of art!

 

i dont care what people think, if i wanted a status symbol car i would've gotten a bmw or audi. anyone who drives the s2k or like its are true enthusiasts who know what the car is capable of. im a honda maniac(currently own 2, will probably own more in the future) and will always respect the race car engineering that honda has to offer for its production automobiles.

btw, around here people don't care if its a honda or bmw, the s2k looks damn good and get compliments no matter what. i have never had someone ask me what kind of car it is and get disgusted when i tell them its a honda. the car looks/drives great, no matter what kind of badge it has on its hood or trunk.

 

By buying the S2000, you have (perhaps without knowing it at the time) beaten the advertising/marketing game that is carefully conceived and strategized and especially well funded. Most people lose this battle, at least for the first 50 years or so of their life. Don't let the effect of all of the advertising and product placement on other people's need for status and reassurance of their place in society bother you. Remind yourself that anyone who is impressed with someone spending a great deal of money and passing up a teriffic bargain is someone whose opinion of you really does not matter.

It's easier to say these things than to do them. (Yes, I had to have my BMW experience in my 20's and spend more money than I could afford to do so.) However, behaving this way is a great start in removing the influences that ultimately have a great deal of control over most people in the "display culture" that the US has become. You also confound many advertising people as you move into the category of consumers who are not strongly influenced by status issues or non-informational ads.

The S2000...it's a Zen sports car, grasshopper.

 

It doesn't bother me that people don't recognize the S for what it is. That is part of it's appeal to me. I have preconceived notions about people who drive status symbols like BMWs, Porsches and Mercedes and they aren't very nice. I think having an S and knowing for yourself what you have, even if others don't, is like being a guy with a really long shlong in his pants, or being a lady with nasty underwear on. It's you own little (or big) secret and everybody does not need to know it. That's one reason this site is so fun, because here every body shares the secret.

 

Crabby Guy,

You virtually took the words out of my mouth. When people say "Wow... what IS that?" my response is:

"It's just a Honda S2000."

If they walk away with "oh... just a Honda," it doesn't bother me a bit. They can laugh at it, poke fun at it, or say that I spent too much money on "just a Honda." I just play along, smile, and don't even engage the debate.

The fact that they're clueless doesn't bother me any more than the fact that there are lots of cars out there that are faster than mine. WRX is faster? So what? Someone thinks this doesn't have the prestige of a Porche?

It doesn't bother me a bit.

When they see the "9K RPM" license plate, if they're the least bit knowledgeable about cars, they'll know there's something very different about this particular Honda that sets it apart from everything else with 4 wheels.

Now, you'll excuse me, but I haven't listened to my favorite song in several hours: "9000 RPM" by Honda Motor Co.

Tim

P.S. If people give you recognition or respect because of the car you drive, such shallow recognition and respect aren't worth very much. To me, that's rather like being called a genius by the village idiot.

 

But every now and then, somebody knows what an S2000 is, and they say things like, "Wow! My opinion of you just changed!" Of course, I'm over 50 and should be driving a boring Lexus like many of my friends instead of my beautiful yellow S.

Those whose opinions matter will understand....

 

As a middle-aged gray haired guy, I'm actually quite happy to be able to respond to the "What is it?" question with, "It's a Honda."

I don't derive any sense of my self-worth from what car I drive. I simply enjoy every moment driving it.

Life's way, way to short to worry about what other people think of your car.

 

I have actually enountered many knowledeable people who say things like, "quicker than a Boxter, more reliable, and less money". Or "I hear this is a fabulous sports car". Or, "what is that? There aren't many on the road, are there?"

But the most frequent reaction I get is "A Honda? I don't believe it. I didn't know Honda made a fabulous sports car like that!"

I once had to lift the hood to show someone the Honda logo on the valve cover, because he just didn't believe that the car was a Honda.

 

Who cares what other people think. I would rather a fellow car junky get all excited and respect my car than someone that couldnt tell the gas pedal from the brake.
When I hear a blow of valve I get wet in my pants but im sure it sounds anyoying to the average joe.
Dont let it get to ya...as long as you know that your car is a beast and fellow car people know its potential, thats all that matters.

Just my .02

 

I think you have to decide who you bought the car for.

If you bought it for yourself, none of the name recognition, status, image stuff should matter. You know what you have and can be secure and satisfied with that.

If you bought it to impress others you have a problem. In general, Honda does not have the image, status or name in the market place that marques like Porsche have.

Simple as that.