SanMarinoCpe -- Thanks for providing balance from the other side.

Barry -- I didn't mean to over-state your position, sorry.

Chazmo -- If you build a good product to begin with (and I believe Honda does), the problems that arise will be limited and when they do a Good Customer Service philosophy will do wonders for expanding and retaining business. If I thought Honda took a buyer-beware approach I wouldn't give their products a second thought.

PS -- based on local service and personal experience at both Acura and Honda, I definitely would have prefer an Acura emblem on the hood.

 

I didn't really intend to say "buyer beware" was Honda's philosophy. I can see why my post might read that way, but that's not quite what I meant. Let me see if I can say this more clearly than "this ain't your daddy's Accord," dlq, and then I'll shut up...

We (owners) should not expect Honda to provide an umbrella for us when we damage our own cars due to misuse. Nor should we expect Honda to fix problems we inherit a problem from a previous owner. Honda is a business, and the customer (especially customers of S2000s) has many ways to create expensive repair bills that someone has to shoulder.

My opinions about what constitutes misuse (and I realize some of you disagree):

1. Honda isn't responsible if I take a turn too hot and bury my car in a ditch -- I am.

2. Honda's not responsible when I burn all the tread off my S02s in 8,000 miles because I push the car hard.

3. Honda's not responsible if I let my car use up all its oil during engine breakin and thus melt my piston rings and seize my engine.

Earlier, we were discussing the merits of whether Honda's responsible if I downshift my car into an overrev scenario. Again, I say "no," but it is a situation which is very close to our hearts around here. It's also one that could, potentially, be fixed with a clever lockout mechanism, ala Destiny's post -- one that doesn't exist today, but probably could be built. I really like that idea.

Anyway, this argument seems very analogous to discussions regarding handgun manufacturers. I'm not familiar with the legal precedents, but product liability is what we're talking about here. Just exactly where our responsibility as owners starts and the manufacturer's ends totally depends on where you stand on the definition of misuse.

And don't get me wrong... I am not excusing Honda from bad or negligent service; that's a totally other discussion.

 

agreed

 

okay we all agree somethings the owner is at fault and some Honda is....in mycase....HONDA IS. San Marino....just to let you I am a person of my word....I served this country with dignity throughout Desert Storm and other operations...i continue to believe in the Marine Corps motto: Semper Fidelis...which means always faithful...for which I have been to HONDA (I have owned Hondas to this date; civic, civic, SI civic, S2000, accord, accord, and S2000). If I had done wrong to the car knownly, I would admit to it....however I know I didn't. Could I have misshifted...I do not think so....but it is possible....is it possible that the piston were deffective from factory...possibly... So do me a favor San Marino, tell your DSM, that if the owner is expected to be honest at all times...so should HONDA....everything is possible in this world we live in...however no one ever wants to accept responsibility.... its possible I overrem its possible HONDA produced a deffective piston. Anyway....I am not singling out anyone in particular nor taking an attitude or defensive mode....this thread was started as stated before...to help me build a case....and from the looks of it.....it has worked. Thanks everyone for the support. Signing off.