No more VTECH! It's VTEC.

 

I picked up the Car and Driver Best 29 Sports cars issue, expecting to read about the S2000. The 2005 S2K didn't make it. The Z4 and Audi TT did. What does that tell us? The previous car was on the 10 best list 3 times.

Honda changed the soul of the car for the American market. The more performance oriented Europeans still get the 9K RPM engine. In my opinion, trying to be like everyone else was a mistake, and will probably lead to the demise of the S2K here in North America, much like the early 90's MR2. The Japanese and Europeans will still get the slightly improved S2K every year, while here in North America we'll be swooning over the latest 7000lb truck dressed up to look like a luxury vehicle.

Do I sound bitter or what, must be getting old.

 

Wow I am really sick of responses like this!

First of all, the 04'-05' S2k's are basically very similar to older versions. There are slight characteristic changes for both on the positive and Negative sides. If you own a pre 04' model and you expect a whole different driving experience from an 04'+ you should have your head examined. If you drove a boxster s or a Z4 then you should expect a different feeling, otherwise IT'S THE SAME CAR.

And this jackass above talking about the demise of the S2000 is just absolutely ridiculous. They made these changes, i bought an 04' because i liked the way it drove better, and it had more shoulder room and an overall better appearance to me. At the limits this car is still a friggin all out sports car, just like earlier models.

We have seen the comparison on a track and on a dyno, i could see if the pre 04's were lapping the new cars, that would be a different story. But for the most part they are pretty even and the new ones might even be a little faster (driver dependant) than the old cars. So i guess the "demise" of the S2000 is a pretty damn good improvement. I hope they continue the demise with a 3.2 litre 6 cylinder Vtec....Than we'll really swear off the best performance car in its class.

 

I could not agree more. Honda has continued to "dumb down" the car for the American market, one would guess in an attempt to counter the inevitable sales drop as the model gets old. It does not seem to be working very well. *note I am not calling 04+ owners dumb, but for lack of a better term ...*

Funny when you think about it. The early complaints centered around the peaky motor and stiff suspension. Honda adressed these issues but somewhere along the way managed to kill the soul of the car.

I personally find it egregious that Honda continues to offer the old motor in the rest of the world while mandating that U.S. buyers must have the 2.2 liter.

Both are nice cars, but I much prefer the earlier cars and have followed through on this preference by buying two of them.

 

Now that you mention it... that IS weird that everywhere else including Japan itself still has the same 9k redline motor still..

America complains, they fix! It's all about the sales!

 

I'm having a hard time figuring out which year I want. I haven't gotten to drive any of the cars the way I'd normally drive, so it's hard to tell.

Do I care about low-end torque? I don't know - I beat 99.99% of the other drivers away from lights now, in a '94 Civic DX automatic (die, you POS, DIE!).

Do I care about oversteer? Not really, I can deal with it.

Do I care about 9k rpms? It sounds like fun! The highest revving car I've had so far was an '84 Supra, which also required careful handling in wet weather.

Basically, I like to drive, so I think the '04+ might be a little too refined for me. Maybe I should stick to '03s.

Decisions, decisions...

 

If Americans complain more, will the motor increase in size again?

 

Now THAT, would be funny

 

I'm just curious how the HondaCare warranty covered $1500 more than the regular warranty would have covered in the first year?

Does it cover that much MORE than the mfr warranty?

 

3 Attempts to fix the rear axle nuts (going back again), 1 window regulator, and the softop latch replacement. All TSBs, all performed.

Add to that 1 completely busted rear diff replaced via hondaCare.

With Labor, I don't think $1500 could cover all the work.