I have yet to drive one, so here is a newbie question.

I've driven a Toyota Solara convertible alot. Even on normal public roads, I can feel OMG body flex. I never expected a convertible as solid as a hardtop. It took a few days and few hundred miles to notice it.

So on the S2000 test drive, I don't think I'm going to notice it because the car is new to me.

Let me ask this, how do you compare the S2000 body strength? Example. Better than a Ford Mustang? Worst than a Ford Mustang? Better than a VW New Beetle? Something I can compare and relate to. Don't compare it to 911 convertible or Bently, because I don't know what that means.

TIA.

 

more rigid than anything you've ever driven.

proof

 

It is EXTREMELY well made, it was designed as a roadster to start with not a coupe with the roof hacked off and then braced. They designed it specifically to be as rigid as possible and still be safe. It works REMARKABLY well, Front and side impact crash ratings prove this. You will not feel ANY chassis flex.

I used to work for Toyota, I know what you're talking about with the Vert Solara's...they have terrible chassis flex. You'll notice NOTHING of the sort with the S2000, not even a little bit.

 

I do have one S2000 that I'm looking at now.

The more I'm learn about this car, but more I'm in love with it. If this one slips pass me, I might keep looking.

Let me go OT a bit.

Why did Honda end production of the S2000? Ok, I undestand the long production run, technology, emission laws, etc. But I would thinkg Gen 2 would have been a great car, even if they use 75% of the exisiting car?

 

Man, this is awesome. I never knew that and always wondered why the chassis felt the way that it did. Phenomenal, makes me love my car even more.

 

One word simple answer? Money.

 

Not even in the same ballpark. Consider what the Solara is. It's a Camry. I doubt you'll be able to do this in your shopping but jacking the two definitely demonstrates the difference. I thought someone had posted photos but I can't seem to find them.

You will notice the difference instantly with a test drive. If not then there's no sense in worrying over it. The test drive will be much more effective than anyone's post here. If you want opinions then don't overlook search. Here's one for you with a comparison like what you're asking for:
https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/502...t__p__10889206

Look at the sales figures.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_S...and_production

Notice a trend?

...and look at the changes over the years. The AP1 made Porsche and BMW go back to the drawing board and they did. Problem is that Honda really didn't which, in turn, affected sales figures.

 

It's very rigid, especially for a roofless vehicle. I do get an occasional pop from the convertible top latch when driving over broken pavement, but that's really the only clue I get that there's any flex.

No replacement for a test drive, but this is a cool video that discusses the chassis design (plus other aspects of the design). Chassis info is around 8:15.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FGQiVrSaoA[/media]

 

For an oil change I lifted the car using the jack point just behind the front wheel. Once I had the front wheel up, I noticed that the rear wheel was lifted as well.

 

From Motor Trend 2007 test.

"Honda's F1-inspired engine and close-ratio gearbox obliged Angelelli's inclination toward gentle, controllable power-on oversteer exiting corners of varying speeds, and he appreciated the S2000's light, direct, intuitive steering and neutral demeanor. He found fault with the brakes, which faded badly enough to cut his run short by a lap, and with the chassis's overall rigidity, which trailed those of the closed cars. "Going into the corners you can feel a twist in the beginning, and then it settles to the end of the corner." He recommends softening the rear springs for track duty."

I have wondered since reading this if the "twist" is more a bushing issue than a chassis issue.