I paid over the MSRP and I'm still happy
I my S!!!

 

Do you think Honda makes any money on the S?

I hear they lose money on the NSX, Insight, and the Integra Type R. Since the S is a unique platform with a unique engine, and hand built in small numbers, I'm going to guess that is a loss leader, meant to put excitement into the brand.

I love the fact that Honda makes some cars just to gloat...kind of like the Insight showing that GM/Ford/Chrysler just can't hang

Actually, reading Road and Track, the Camaro SS's 1/4 time was .2 faster than the S. I know magazines are not that accurate, but I'm pretty sure that a good S driver can beat many Z28's. Mustang GTs too.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by steven975

 

I came from 2.5 years of E36 M3 ownership in the states and moved to Germany looking for a similar car. I thought the BMW was the ultimate driving machine with its looks, power, luxury, handling, and reputation.

I figured another M3 would be the logical choice, but when I got to Germany I noticed that EVERYONE drove a Bimmer with the M body kit! Heck, even the Golfs were running around with M3 side mirrors. Perhaps something else would be in order....

I looked in the paper and found someone selling a "Honda 2000" I figured a test drive wouldn't hurt.

Guess what.

I now own that sucker, that little sportscar that brings so much joy and amazement! Sure, it's got the same 240hp as the M3, but it just feels a hell of a lot faster and much more exciting. Rolling out of the garage on that test drive with the tight suspension transmitting every nuance of the road surface, dropping the top in 6 seconds flat, to the first blast into VTEC territory, to the snick-snick of the close shifter... you either get it or you don't, and I definitely got it right away.

This year I took the car for a trackday at LeMans and the car absolutely shined! Outbraking and outhandling the heavy Audi RS6s, TTs, and BMWs (some even had R-compounds) was a piece of cake and blasting down the start/finish line was an amazing experience.

Sure it's not perfect. On the Autobahn it guzzles gas and feels nervous on 6th gear bends, and on bumpy surfaces, the rear end doesn't exhibit enough confidence, but nothing else that I've driven provides such fun in a total package that one can live with on a daily basis.

///Robin

 

With Whitestock's comments in mind, I would say:

1. Yes, it is worth MSRP. I owned an 01 S2000, and recently sold it. Now I miss it, and am considering getting another one. IT is a great little car.

2. I own a 911 (1997 C4S), which, as far as I am concerned, is a whole different animal, not better or worse than the 928... It is one of the last air-cooled Porsches, beautiful, and reasonably fast (much faster than s2k). It also is AWD, and has back seats, a nice touch in a sports car. It has a great sound, is built like a tank, and is really fun to drive. If I have to choose, I take this car over the S2000 any day.

3. A 2001 Boxster S can be had for little more than a new S2000. However, I would take the S2000 over the Boxter S. The plain Boxster is not even close. Yes, teh Boxsters are more comfortable for bigger folks and longer drives, and quieter, and have more trunk space, blah, blah. They are nicely balanced, and more forgiving for a novice driver than the 1st gen S2000 (I have not driven an 04 so cannot comment there). But they are showing their teeth, while the S2000 still seems fresh. And they are overpriced when new. Less reliable (the early water-cooled Porsches had issues), etc.

4. When the next generation Boxster coupe comes out, in souped up form, that will be a sweet car.


Finally, the S2000 is the best pure sports car available in this country for the money. Lotus probably is more fun on the track, but I doubt they will run more than a day between visits to the shop, and will probably beat you up on real roads.

Honda does make really good cars. And the S2000 is their best car (or truck, for that matter, though Odysseys are really good vans).

 

when you look at a fully equpped accord which is considered a fairly affordable car at say....25K for simplicity. The S2000 is really not THAT much more than that. I would say, yeah, that's an outstanding value.

 

It's an overpriced go-cart. and worth every penny

 

Great article in Car & Driver!! I was looking for a technical specs comparison on the cars, but didnt see it there. Do you know where I can find it? THX
Mike

 

i guess we all had to consider that question before and even after we bought....for me i am suprised at how totally satisfied i am at this point.

i was able to negociate off sticker, i was able to get what i wanted when i wanted it, and even able to drive the car off the showroom floor....which is always a kick in itself...

i have no idea why they put such a crappy stereo setup(minus two channels of speakers) in such a great car..

i think it is worth what i paid for it and if it was more money i still would consider it.

i think these things go for market value in different parts of the country, right now the market is soft around her (SF bay area) and you can probably have the car for less than i bough it for...

now there is the mazdaspeed miata, competetively priced at about 7500 less than our cars...i would pay the $7500 extra to have what i have.

the Z4 is about $10,000 more than ours, I would not pay that or have that car. The Z roadster, the only model i would consider as direct price competition to the S, it maybe $3000 more, again i would not buy that car either...so there is no competition...oh the boxster...well for 20-30k more that would be out too....and I feel i have a nicer car by far...and what's this, oh...25,000 in my pocket...sweet!

when i was looking to replace my miata i took a good look and several drives in a M3 cab, a real dream of a car for about 28K more...excellent package, but not worth the money, sorry....the S is worth the money and maybe even more...

i have been one of those hold outs that would would not pay sticker or $5,000 over sticker for the S, that is why I have been waiting since i fell in love with the car in 2001, and searching for an alternative...this(S) is not a $38,000 car in my opinion.

i am so happy with my purchase and the price was right.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by steven975
Do you think Honda makes any money on the S?

I hear they lose money on the NSX, Insight, and the Integra Type R.