Awhile back some folks disagreed when I stated that the S2000 is a hand-built automobile. Well the new S2000 book confirms what I already knew.

[QUOTE] The S2000 is hand-built at the same plant in Tochigi Japan, that constructs the NSX.

 

Bieg,

You're right it is amazing.

You gotta love it!

 

Hand built......... does that mean its better? I'm not quite sure.

 

It's better because people put the S2000 together, not machines that don't care.

 

I understand the aestetics of a car being handmade. You know, the car is made with care, love, concern and with it being a work of art as opposed to mass production. But would't that mean there there would be more imperfections because people are more prone to error?

 

I have owned 11 Honda and Acura's all built by "machines" and have never had one single problem.

This car although I love it dearly is not without its little quirks, not to mention many serious problems as noted by other owners here. Because the car is "hand built" can this be the cause of all the quality control issues?

Also I question their definition of hand built I'm sure its not as glamourous as it appears. You can forget about 15 Japanese guys all with screw drivers and wrenches bent over the car with a diagram putting it together.

 

The Japanese sales brochure for the S2000 has a photo of the body being assembled by hand. The panels are mounted onto a jig and I believe spot-welded by hand.

 

Hand built simply means low volume, not especially better or worse in quality, but probably more variable. It is an interesting observation and certainly rare in a moderately priced car, but I think it says more about the production volumes we will see than the quality of the product.

 

While I agree that it has to do with the limited amount they produce you must admitt that the most desireable cars in the world are all hand-built.

Sometimes there is no substitute for human craftsmanship.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by S2000RJ
[B]The Japanese sales brochure for the S2000 has a photo of the body being assembled by hand. The panels are mounted onto a jig and I believe spot-welded by hand.