I would have been OK with an additional 30-50 lb curb weight if Honda had used more insulation in the cabin.
Not hearing the gearbox and the diff would improve the top up experience.

But if they had done that we would not have a cup warmer on long drives.

 

I significantly quited road noise by adding sound damping techniques to the doors, which added a total of about 3 lbs (same treatment will be applied to floor this winter).

 

I have not been brave enough to take the interior apart and add insulation and sound deadening.
My car is rattle free and i am afraid it will not be that way if I blow the interior apart.

 

No rattles or creaks here from adding NVH insulation (3M Thinsulate and B Quiet). Now the doors have a "thunk" sound when they close, the transmission tunnel does not get as hot as it did, the sound system quality improved so much I kept the stock speakers, and best of all, my wife and I can speak normally at highway speeds with the top up.

 

The top down mod makes it nicer if you have to deal with a sudden downpour. Not having to wait the extra seconds to get from below 15mph and stop actually is a huge improvement when the sky is falling

 

Just watched the SavageGeese review and thought it was pretty spot on. With the top up it definitely feels like a rattletrap tin box. I think it's a combination of the acoustics with the top up and the fact that the top acts kind of like sound insulation from the back half when folded down so that when it goes up, more noise from the rear passes through to the cabin. Every single noise seemed to have been amplified and have a boom-y echo. Heard some noises I didn't know could be heard before as well like the rear diff. I did recently add new speakers and sealed the doors with vibration dampening and still have a ton left over and will be adding that to rear half of the floor and trunk later on as well. Will seriously have to consider adding some actual sound insulation.

Maybe I'm just getting old

 

Yep for sure. It was one of the first things I did to my second S2k. Slow down to 25-30mph and put the top up. Had to do it today

 

I have a piece of Thinsulate, black on both sides, that is cut for the size of the rear tray behind the seats. It is loose and not attached in any way. It does not interfere with the top being lowered. It does a good job of absorbing those sounds that can reflect around.

 

This is pretty much my take as well. If I was planning on driving more interstate miles than backroad miles then a sports car like the S2000 wouldn't hold as much appeal to me. I chalk it all up to the uncompromising nature of the car. It is just part of the fun and reflects the car's personality — I wouldn't change a thing. A fun alternative to being out on the motorcycle.

I'll admit that I'm happily married and at 57 years of age I'm grateful that I'm not single, lol. Interestingly my wife enjoys being out in the S2000. (She just doesn't seem to appreciate the car's abilities quite as much as I do.)

 

Never take the S2k if I'm going to need the top up.

I agree that the car is uncomfortable and noisy with top up, my '94 Vette was even worse.

Built for top down running