Personally, I think the 04 and 05's will be better than our current models. There are some lingering problems with our that might be addressed in the new models. A touch more torque down low would be great, after that it is all gravy. However, they should have kept the 9000rpm, you can't say my car goes to 9000 anymore

 

I have no problem with lowering the redline.

The additional torque is just what the doctor ordered.

The oval tailpipes sounds like it could be an interesting addition. It could improve what is not the most impressive angle of the S2000. The rear end. I love the front, the sides, but the back end is kinda bland.

Softening up the suspension could be an improvement. The harsh ride does not bother me at all, but high speed cornering can give one a feeling of unpredictability. I guess we will have to wait and see how it performs in the slalom and G tests. If the purpose of softening the suspension is to accomodate a softer gentler coupe version next year for the family, that is a different story.

The linear HP curve means no more kick at 6000 rpm, but if you are further down the road, due to the additional torque and the new gear ratios, isn't that the point?

I'm cautiously optimistic, but I don't think I am going to be the first one in line to buy one either.

I'll wait for the road test.

 

Did anyone hear if the new s2000 will have the speakers in the seats? Or is that all hear say?

 

You can call the S2200 whatever you want.

Dumbed-down. Addressing the 2.0's lack of twist. Refining an edgy car.

Some will like the idea of a lower redline and more torque. Others will scoff at it.

All we can do now is to sit and wait to speculate.

My crystal ball says the F20C will still be the Lord of the Redline and for that I am glad.

 

I think 2004 improvements will satisfy more non-car enthusiasts(those ppl who like soft ride, linear power..ect..ect)

But those improvements kills the character of S2000.
I choose 03 S2000 among 350Z and RX-8 because S2000 has most character among these cars.
S2000 was not for everybody. It is a car for hardcore car enthusiasts.
The 04 improvements will soften S2000's character and it will boost the sales but no longer you will be able to find its strong character.

 

Gentlemen, please cool your jets. There will always be progress in this world. Every time something different comes along, it is tough on us who have gotten used to the predecessor item. More torque is not, in and of itself, a bad thing. And what is so terrible if the engine redlines at 8000 instead of 9000? Is that the end of the world? As for the 'softer' ride, I think we can all rest assured that the S2000 will not be turned into a floater, reminscent of grandpa's Caddy or Lincoln.

Let us wait and see what the 2004 model is like. Meanwhile, I think I shall sit back and reminisce once more on my '53 DeSoto with the semi-automatic fluid drive, or my '78 Rabbit with the 48 hp Diesel engine, or my '89 Mazda MX-6 GT with the three second turbo lag. The product continues to improve, in my humble opinion.

 

Well things certainly continue to change. As for the redline, I think that's part of what alot of us love about the car. It's the highest production redline ever sold in the US market (as far as I know). Another thing is that from what Honda's saying, the 2.2L wont make 120hp/liter. 120hp/liter is the highest naturally aspirated output of any production car ever. It just seems to me, that if what most people think is going to happen happens; Honda will be greatly cheapening the car. Just my opinion.

 

wow! sounds like Honda is really taking the characteristics that MADE the S2000 so popular among enthusiast and down-grading (so to speak) those characteristics that made it stand out. We'll just have to wait and see.

 

Oh no!!! THE S2k WONT REDLINE AT 9k ANY MORE!!!


(Jumps off cliff).

 

I guess I'm in a pretty good position here. I am planning on buying an S2000, but I was going to wait a few months. Now it looks like I'll get to pick between the '03 or the '04. Do you guys know when the '04 will be available? I would love to go drive both and then decide. That 9k redline is hard to resist though. There's just something about it. I am sure the '03 will be priced much better than the '04. I love the hardcore sportscar nature of the current car, if it loses that, there's no way I would go with the '04.