sam_spider

Hell yes, Mercedes still offers the rear facing third row



I think having it in an E63S wagon would be most excellent, imagine trying to peel your face of the back window after going 0-60 in 3 secs

rpg51

Yea, this is my perspective as well. Although I do think of the old english roadsters from the 60s as pretty darn minimalist. When I decided to get back into a sports car at age 65 or so my first instinct was to find a good old english roadster, maybe a Healey or an MGA or the like. That is where my roots are from my youth. But, when I started actually sitting in them, I quickly realized that I might be better off with something plush and modern and trouble free. It seems my dimensions have increased a bit and I have turned soft. I ended up buying the S. Not because it is "minimalist." Just the opposite, to me the S is a modern and very plush version of the old english sports cars from my youth. I don't think there will ever be another car that satisfies my sports car itch like the S does. That is one reason I own two. I fear it will be next to impossible to find an S that meets my narrow criteria in the not to distant future. Their are only so many left that meet my criteria. They are dropping like flies. I want my own personal supply stashed away.

It honestly does surprise me that there is not a sufficient market to support a car like this. But, that is clearly the case.

GuthNW

I think I get how the minimalist label was intended when it comes to the S2000 as compared to it's contemporaries.

Vangelis

I'd say that's a fair assessment. If another S2000 is developed, it will never be as raw as it's predecessor. Too many government regulations and safety standards are in place today to give us the vehicle we know. Plus the buyer today is not the same buyer of 15 years ago.

If the S2000 were to be announced today, it would probably be powered by either the 2.0 or 1.5 turbo, have the auto rev matching like in the Type R, and be chock full of electronic nannies. IMO there won't be one, at least for the foreseeable future. For Honda to invest such capital in a new platform is highly unlikely. Especially when you look at the constraints in the market/industry (expenses and profitability); the auto industry is flat and is tapering out. Car companies see the writing on the wall. We probably will have a "market correction" in the near future. I fear that currently, most people that buy cars today are being placed into auto loans that they can't afford, much like the housing market in 2008. Long terms, and interest rates... People want the lowest payment possible, they don't think about the equity that they may have in the vehicle (or lack thereof) 5 years down the road.

With the climate of the industry in mind, auto manufacturers are looking to save money and maximize profitability. The product life cycle of a sports car like the S2000 is about 8 years or so. Once everyone that wants one buys one, the market dries up. Honda would probably rather invest in profitable CUVs and SUVs. I'm sure only reason we even see the Type R in the states is because Honda developed the Civic as a global platform (cost savings).

Just my two cents.

Chuck S

Granted most S2000's lack traction control/stability control, but Honda fixed that. The fifty nine (59) S2000s imported to North America without air conditioning (or radios) are hardly unworthy of mention.

-- Chuck

engifineer

Well that was the best part of sitting there as a kid :P

SaintS2000

cosmomiller

If you want to really go back to the minimalist era, start thinking about horses and chariots.

freq

Sorry. I avoid dealerships like the plague.

Can't blame a salesguy for wanting something sporty to sell or at least look at while selling SUVs and trucks.

Kyle

Shame we can't get the S660 here...Seems like a neat little car. I thought talk was that there was another s2000 in the works based on the s660 platform? I could be way off as I haven't researched the subject in a while. It seems like Mazda has sold quite a few of their new MX5s. I could see an offering from Honda with the Type R 2.0T carried over performing well. Probably just wishful thinking from an enthusiast standpoint.