Eleki,

I think we're pretty much in agreement that Destiny's concept has some merit. Bill was questioning liability issues, and I was wondering if you could get general acceptance of something like this. I really don't know. I have to say that many S2000 drivers are "purists" (for want of a better word). A tranny that tries to outthink us on a downshift might meet owner resistance. In response to your other point in your post, I'm sure this is the primary reason why the S2000 only has a manual tranny. To purists, it's sacrilege to suggest anything else. Weight of an automatic is also a factor, Eleki, and Honda took many pains to keep the S2000 as light as possible. I understand your sentiment though, Eleki.

I think it'd be a little difficult to implement the lockout idea such a way that was non-intrusive. But the concept is good. Give Destiny 2 points for thinking of this one. It's more than likely that it's already been considered at one point by the car manufacturers, and I would wonder if/why it was rejected.

 

Chazmo,

Point taken, I was a little hesitant to post that idea, because from the short time I've been on this board it's obvious the S2000 drivers are purists, but thought I'd throw it out there anyway.

We'll have to see what Honda has in store for the future S2000

Thanks,
Eleki

 

Don't forget the trend to six speed manual transmissions in sportier cars. This includes:

Honda S2000 6 speed manual
Honda Accord V6 6 speed manual (coming soon)
Acura NSX 6 speed manual
Acura RSX-S 6 speed manual
Acura CL 6 speed manual
Acura TSX 6 speed manual (coming soon)

just within AHM's line. Except for the S2000, you can buy an automatic (and get the right method to over-rev protection).

Like eleki-SD-Calif., all our family's Hondas have been manual transmissions. They make a great automatic, but, IMHO, they make the best manual transmission shifters in the world. As I drive to work every day in my 5 speed Prelude VTEC, I just enjoy each shift.

 

Just my guess, but because Honda was only selling a very limited number of S2000s every year, they had no marketing reason to develop and or engineer the installation of an automatic for this car.

I have the reverse complaint about my Jaguar S Type. It only comes with an automatic. I would love to have my Jag with a 6 speed. Jaguar doesn't need to do that engineering to sell the cars.

 

thanks destiny 2002 , that was well worded and well thought out.
i keep reading that on every engine problem HONDA asking" was the oil low" or "did you over-rev". seems to me HONDA doesnt want to do warranty repairs like every other manufacturer.
this treatment of their customers is awful. i was a FORD LINCOLN MERCURY service adviser for 7 years and I never had to refuse or try to get out of replacing an engine.

 

Thanks for the "points" guys.

BTW, another dangerous shift would be 3->2 when one wanted 4th during vigorous acceleration.

A gated shifter would be nice too

 

Although that would certainly cause damage, I doubt that would happen, since 3rd and 4th gear are in line with each other in the spring loaded, center position. The only mis-shifts I've performed are from 5th to 6th, where I mistakenly performed 5th to 4th due to the spring. Fortunately, these were not high RPM shifts. In order to do a 3rd to 2nd shift, you have to actually pull diaganally to overcome the spring.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think missed shifts during upshifts are really not the issue here. I agree with Gernby that 3rd->4th misshift (hitting 2nd when you want 4th) is unlikely. I do agree that 5th->6th is a possible misshift, however blowing your engine shifting into 4th gear means you'd have to be going pretty damn fast.

No, I think the bigger issue is a bad downshift. Most likely it's dropping down to 2nd gear when you've misjudged your speed. You might -match and put the engine close to redline before engaging the clutch.... Drop the cluth... In no time at all, the engine is dragged, pathetically, way over its redline.

I've never been this unlucky in a downshift, but as I've said before the S2000 just invites shifting. I mess around with the gears way more than necessary because I just the transmission and the engine.

Some sort of interlock (particularly on 2nd gear, and maybe 3rd gear) would probably prevent the majority of blown engines (my guess). First gear is probably not a big issue, as that's a very unusual downshift (do you guys downshift to 1st???, I don't).

Interesting to entertain the idea!

 

I said before that the only mis-shifts I had done were from 5th to 4th instead of 5th to 6th, but I was not really telling the truth. At an autocross once, I had a brain fart, and downshifted into 1st on a sweeper instead of 2nd. Luckily, my '02 clutch is such a weak piece of crap, that it didn't hold. I don't know what RPMs I hit, but it was definitely the highest I've ever heard in my car. There was no apparent damage.

 

In response to some the items raised:

Honda did (is?) consider an automatic transmission for the S2000. A concept car was displayed at the Tokoyo Auto Show last year and as I recall it was a BMW based design. Frankly, I along with most purists, if that's the term, oppose the idea. We believe one of the strongest assests of this car is it's totally narrow minded design -- it's not a car for the masses.

The car has a built in rev-limiter for upshifting. I've tested this feature several times and been thankfull for it. Frankly, it would be wonderful if similar protection was there for downshifts. But, since it is not -- it simply demands one's full attention when driving. That's not all bad. After all, that's why I didn't buy a Detroit sofa to drive.