What is the legacy of the S2000?
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From: Randolph, NJ
I think one of the most interesting things about the S2000 is that it was just a car for driving. It sort of went it's own way in the marketplace.
While other cars of the genre were loaded with all sorts of creature comforts and even some options, the S2000 came the way it came. You bought it the way it was, or you didn't buy it.
I remember hearing ads for other two seat roadsters that said, "and you can get it with an automatic transmission". Not the S2000. The S2000 was simply a car for driving, the vision and the reality was one and the same.
While other cars got heavy and fat, the S2000 was only what it was, take it or leave it.
I think that says a great deal about the car.
While other cars of the genre were loaded with all sorts of creature comforts and even some options, the S2000 came the way it came. You bought it the way it was, or you didn't buy it.
I remember hearing ads for other two seat roadsters that said, "and you can get it with an automatic transmission". Not the S2000. The S2000 was simply a car for driving, the vision and the reality was one and the same.
While other cars got heavy and fat, the S2000 was only what it was, take it or leave it.
I think that says a great deal about the car.
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Santa Clartia, Ca
I am not sure if the s2000 is going to have a legacy or not. I would agree that the last few years of production the car became a little dated and this is why Honda stopped production. Yes when it came out in 99' it was revolutionary but in 09 it just wasn't enough. MPG wasnt that good. These days 240hp is pretty much nothing.
Its hard to say if the s2000 influenced any car makers. Maybe the 350z and even the boxter. You cant compare the s to a mustang in any way so i truly doubt For was worrying what Honda was doing. People will buy Mustangs no matter what. There is one thing the s2000 willl be remembered for. An affordable sports car that is built to be driven hard.
Its hard to say if the s2000 influenced any car makers. Maybe the 350z and even the boxter. You cant compare the s to a mustang in any way so i truly doubt For was worrying what Honda was doing. People will buy Mustangs no matter what. There is one thing the s2000 willl be remembered for. An affordable sports car that is built to be driven hard.
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From: New Market, AL
Originally Posted by ralper,May 12 2010, 06:44 PM
I think one of the most interesting things about the S2000 is that it was just a car for driving. It sort of went it's own way in the marketplace.
While other cars of the genre were loaded with all sorts of creature comforts and even some options, the S2000 came the way it came. You bought it the way it was, or you didn't buy it.
I remember hearing ads for other two seat roadsters that said, "and you can get it with an automatic transmission". Not the S2000. The S2000 was simply a car for driving, the vision and the reality was one and the same.
While other cars got heavy and fat, the S2000 was only what it was, take it or leave it.
I think that says a great deal about the car.
While other cars of the genre were loaded with all sorts of creature comforts and even some options, the S2000 came the way it came. You bought it the way it was, or you didn't buy it.
I remember hearing ads for other two seat roadsters that said, "and you can get it with an automatic transmission". Not the S2000. The S2000 was simply a car for driving, the vision and the reality was one and the same.
While other cars got heavy and fat, the S2000 was only what it was, take it or leave it.
I think that says a great deal about the car.
Agree.
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Originally Posted by JHooby,May 12 2010, 02:41 PM
120 horses per liter.
that's AP1, not AP2.
AP2 only puts out 109.09hp/liter.
the only other N/A car that can come close to an AP1 is the GT3RS.
118.42hp/liter out of a 3.8L i-6.
simply amazing.
that's AP1, not AP2.
AP2 only puts out 109.09hp/liter.
the only other N/A car that can come close to an AP1 is the GT3RS.
118.42hp/liter out of a 3.8L i-6.
simply amazing.
Ferrari 458 Italia: 126.7hp/l
new record holder i believe. the S held it for 10 years.
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Originally Posted by dr.s2k,May 13 2010, 06:01 AM
not anymore.
Ferrari 458 Italia: 126.7hp/l
new record holder i believe. the S held it for 10 years.
Ferrari 458 Italia: 126.7hp/l
new record holder i believe. the S held it for 10 years.
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From: Culpeper Virginia
Originally Posted by mikeyr,May 11 2010, 09:33 PM
there are some who would ask when did the convertible die that it needed to be reborn ?
I started driving in 1976, I have NEVER owned anything but convertibles as my daily driver (I do own a truck for towing my boat but I rarely drive it). Another one of my cars is a 1934 car, its a convertible, when did they die ?
YEah, there was a point there where it was hard to buy a new convertible but they were always around.
I started driving in 1976, I have NEVER owned anything but convertibles as my daily driver (I do own a truck for towing my boat but I rarely drive it). Another one of my cars is a 1934 car, its a convertible, when did they die ?
YEah, there was a point there where it was hard to buy a new convertible but they were always around.
On Topic: I think the S2000 Legacy is:
1. you don't need a V6/V8 or turbo to have a quick sport car
2. You don't have to take your sport car to a special dealer to have it serviced and you should be able to do most services yourself without special tools!
3. Simplicity is sexy!
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From: Annandale VA
Originally Posted by NoContest,May 13 2010, 08:45 AM
It's amazing that you have to jump to that price range to get it!
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Originally Posted by johnjp27,May 11 2010, 06:46 PM
The legacy of the s2k? That’s a deep question 
My opinion…
In its prime, say the first 4-5 model years, I think it clearly showed that more could be done with less. More performance from fewer cylinders, fewer emissions, fewer pounds, fewer dollars. Of note -- in MY2000, the s2k had an MSRP of $32k, yet performance was generally within spitting distance of the then-current M Roadster and Boxter S, which had MSRPs of $43k and $50k.
It was a fairly simple mechanical design (except for the engine), but was executed brilliantly. No fancy materials anywhere (save the aluminum hood), yet all that steel still came in under 2800 lbs, was tight as a drum, and pushed the engine behind the front axle line. Suspension components were also steel, but it was a race-car status double wishbone setup all around – no semi-trailing arms or multi-link stuff. The top was nothing revolutionary, but it did stow in ~7 seconds and didn’t take up any trunk space (even if it did have some wear issues – sigh…). The transmission was traditional but was praised as one of the best made. No torque vectoring or AWD, just an LSD and RWD. But all of it was done exceptionally well. And in terms of styling, it skipped the “look at me” treatment and went for clean and classic.
At release, I think it’s fair to say the engine was revolutionary and anything but simple. IIRC, the F20C was only recently knocked off its perch of having the highest specific output and piston speed of any NA production engine – and it took Ferrari to do it. Come to think of it, I think it’s fair to say the s2k helped to usher in the new era of high-revving (8k+ RPM) engines now seen in many performance cars. It may not have caused the high-rev trend, but it was certainly at the leading edge of it.
Yes, it has aged quickly in the last several years, but as everyone knows – it was developed in the late 90s, what do you expect? I love it for what it still is and will always be: a timeless sports car with a rev-ripping engine and a race-car-like driving experience that won’t punish you if you want to use it every day; a fantastic underdog entry from the company whose founder didn’t even finish high school. Whenever you drive it, it’s like having a little piece of Soichiro Honda with you.
My opinion…In its prime, say the first 4-5 model years, I think it clearly showed that more could be done with less. More performance from fewer cylinders, fewer emissions, fewer pounds, fewer dollars. Of note -- in MY2000, the s2k had an MSRP of $32k, yet performance was generally within spitting distance of the then-current M Roadster and Boxter S, which had MSRPs of $43k and $50k.
It was a fairly simple mechanical design (except for the engine), but was executed brilliantly. No fancy materials anywhere (save the aluminum hood), yet all that steel still came in under 2800 lbs, was tight as a drum, and pushed the engine behind the front axle line. Suspension components were also steel, but it was a race-car status double wishbone setup all around – no semi-trailing arms or multi-link stuff. The top was nothing revolutionary, but it did stow in ~7 seconds and didn’t take up any trunk space (even if it did have some wear issues – sigh…). The transmission was traditional but was praised as one of the best made. No torque vectoring or AWD, just an LSD and RWD. But all of it was done exceptionally well. And in terms of styling, it skipped the “look at me” treatment and went for clean and classic.
At release, I think it’s fair to say the engine was revolutionary and anything but simple. IIRC, the F20C was only recently knocked off its perch of having the highest specific output and piston speed of any NA production engine – and it took Ferrari to do it. Come to think of it, I think it’s fair to say the s2k helped to usher in the new era of high-revving (8k+ RPM) engines now seen in many performance cars. It may not have caused the high-rev trend, but it was certainly at the leading edge of it.
Yes, it has aged quickly in the last several years, but as everyone knows – it was developed in the late 90s, what do you expect? I love it for what it still is and will always be: a timeless sports car with a rev-ripping engine and a race-car-like driving experience that won’t punish you if you want to use it every day; a fantastic underdog entry from the company whose founder didn’t even finish high school. Whenever you drive it, it’s like having a little piece of Soichiro Honda with you.
The S2000 is the pinnacle of 20th century motoring by putting a true 'race motor*' in a personal car at a price point all could afford.
*If you were to look at the historical motor technology for the better half of 1900.
I don't actually think history will shine on the S2000. We tend to favor numbers, most sold, most HP and worst MPG.