R.I.P. BaT
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 897
Likes: 211
From: Louisiana
When we did the last Metro NY area S2000 group Bear Mountain drive, at the midpoint stop, at a local Wendy's, there was a group of 50's+ guys doing their Sunday cars and coffee just getting started.
We greatly outnumbered them, and we descended into their world unexpected. So we had to scramble and work it out with them where we'd park and where they would.
So I was talking to them a lot, trying to make sure no feathers ruffled, etc.
The guy in charge of their group said at their last evening meet a couple days prior a guy in a modified Civic or something wanted to join in, so they let him. Sorta. The guy in charge said when we showed up, he thought Civic guy had told all his friends. Guy in charge didn't know the difference between S2000 and Civic. To him, its all just Fast and Furious.
Talking to the other enthusiasts in that cars and coffee group, many knew that S2000 existed, but no details. No idea why its special. They thought it was basically same as a Miata.
My experience in general is the same, enthusiast or not. Younger guys know the car, either because they're enthusiasts or because of video games. Anyone older, unless they're a Japanese car enthusiast, or occasionally if they're a sportscar enthusiast, have the same understanding. Either they have no idea, or they think Honda Miata.
We greatly outnumbered them, and we descended into their world unexpected. So we had to scramble and work it out with them where we'd park and where they would.
So I was talking to them a lot, trying to make sure no feathers ruffled, etc.
The guy in charge of their group said at their last evening meet a couple days prior a guy in a modified Civic or something wanted to join in, so they let him. Sorta. The guy in charge said when we showed up, he thought Civic guy had told all his friends. Guy in charge didn't know the difference between S2000 and Civic. To him, its all just Fast and Furious.
Talking to the other enthusiasts in that cars and coffee group, many knew that S2000 existed, but no details. No idea why its special. They thought it was basically same as a Miata.
My experience in general is the same, enthusiast or not. Younger guys know the car, either because they're enthusiasts or because of video games. Anyone older, unless they're a Japanese car enthusiast, or occasionally if they're a sportscar enthusiast, have the same understanding. Either they have no idea, or they think Honda Miata.
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 4,378
Likes: 444
From: um, a house
I post on BaT s2000 auctions with some frequency- mostly to enlighten the potential buyers on what to do in terms of maintenance. Rarely have I seen an s2000 maintained to a pedantic level- nice cars, but not once have I seen a DBW with a spec valve adjustment, or clutch interlock bypass, or cat O2 sensor extension, or rear axle nut retorque, or billman TCT, or...well, you get the point.
I do like BaT for the photos- especially the low mileage examples.
If I didn't already own an s2000, I wouldn't be able to get back into the s2000 game. I count myself among the fortunate.
darcy
I do like BaT for the photos- especially the low mileage examples.
If I didn't already own an s2000, I wouldn't be able to get back into the s2000 game. I count myself among the fortunate.
darcy
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 86
Likes: 29
I bought a new Silverstone over red in 01, and had many awesome track days with that car. I'm with you guys 100% on that front.
The 1st thing that happens when older cars get popular is that the parts prices go up. If I were still a track rat or autocrosser with my S2000, that would concern me also. This is where you need some support from the manufacturer. Not just with prices, but with parts availability as well.
That said, I'm all for these cars being recognized in the marketplace for their greatness. One of the 3 best cars ever manufactured by Honda, itself a great automobile company - the S2000, Integra Type R, and NSX. Market prices should - and eventually will - reflect that.
The 1st thing that happens when older cars get popular is that the parts prices go up. If I were still a track rat or autocrosser with my S2000, that would concern me also. This is where you need some support from the manufacturer. Not just with prices, but with parts availability as well.
That said, I'm all for these cars being recognized in the marketplace for their greatness. One of the 3 best cars ever manufactured by Honda, itself a great automobile company - the S2000, Integra Type R, and NSX. Market prices should - and eventually will - reflect that.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 7,401
Likes: 1,104
From: Napa
No time to click on cars or provide important insights? I’ve been a BaT reader for a few years and there has always, in that time, been a week to click on cars and comment. I see lots of comments from knowledgeable people on all types of cars providing feedback and criticism when called for. There may be a lot of S2000s on the block, be that good or bad, but I don’t get some of your comments like this.
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,767
Likes: 234
From: In BOOST
:y ikes:
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 85
if you follow some of those s2000's on bat there were def people driving up prices on purpose as well. if you dig deep you can find the same people bidding high once or twice then moving to another car and doing the same thing. i noticed tons of bids from the same people on different cars but never actually trying to win them. i wouldn't doubt people were in on it to deliberately drive up prices IMO
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,767
Likes: 234
From: In BOOST
if you follow some of those s2000's on bat there were def people driving up prices on purpose as well. if you dig deep you can find the same people bidding high once or twice then moving to another car and doing the same thing. i noticed tons of bids from the same people on different cars but never actually trying to win them. i wouldn't doubt people were in on it to deliberately drive up prices IMO
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 97
Likes: 9
From: Rockford, Illinois
Last month just for fun I entered my S2000 in the Meadowdale Raceway car show outside of Chicago. Most of the people who stopped to look were in their 40s or younger. The people my age-mid 60s- seemed to look more at the American muscle. The exception we’re the British car owners. They are in my age bracket (I used to have TR4s in college days myself) and know and respect the S2000. Mostly the British car owners comment it would be nice to drive around in a fun sports car without a trunk full of tools and parts. Frankly, that’s why I bought the S2000 seven years ago-I’m working and want the small nimble roadster experience without having to fix it every weekend.
I think that as the 30-40 year olds become more affluent it’s only natural they will pay whatever for the cars they admired as teenagers but couldn’t afford. And as my generation ages out there will be a glut of American muscle and British cars ripe for the picking.
I think that as the 30-40 year olds become more affluent it’s only natural they will pay whatever for the cars they admired as teenagers but couldn’t afford. And as my generation ages out there will be a glut of American muscle and British cars ripe for the picking.
