I don't get it.

Lots of reviews talk about the S2K being "hard-edged." What's hard-edged about this car?

I test drove the car once in summer 2000, then finally ordered one this year. Because I've got 90 days to make sure, I drove an '02 (red/black; very nice) yesterday. I don't get the journalists who think the car is "hard to live with" or "not much fun in everyday driving."

Where's the negative edge? I drove in city traffic; there was lots of pep at moderate RPMs. Revved it to 6K -- as much as you could do in the city -- (VIN 1295, for those who don't want tested cars), loved the sound; it's not gonna drive me crazy on a road trip.

Didn't miss a glove compartment (my Miata's can't really hold anything either). Didn't miss the lean you don't get on a U-turn in city traffic. Didn't mind one bit the fact that car is stiff and rigid as a board and takes inputs from the non-adjustable wheel like it was welded to your hands. Didn't mind a bit that the thing fits you inside it, and if you aren't comfortable on the rock-hard seats, it's your problem, not the car's. Didn't mind a bit the quality construction and lovely paint job.

In fact, the only thing that has me wondering is how I could smell oil burning on a car with 36 miles on it.

 

I cut my finger once cleaning the exhaust tip!

Seriously, if you're used to driving 4 cylinder cars the S2000 feels quite comfortable around town below VTEC. Then if you want to gun it you can. I guess if you've come from torquier cars it mike seem a tad barbaric to be revving all the time.

One of the most apt descriptions I heard of the S2000 engine said that it has a 'Jeckyll and Hyde' personality.

 

I'm coming from a 1986 Porsche 944 Turbo and personally find the S2000 a much more livable daily driver than the Porsche. The Porsche was much more sluggish in slow around town driving. Steering and clutch effort much heavier.Ride quality is similar. When the 944's turbo kicked in it delivers more of an immediate wallop than V-Tec delivers at 6,000 rpm,but the Honda gives a more linear delivery of power. Comments that there is no torque below 6k are bullshit. Lower rpm torque is more than adequate.

 

The reason you don't get it is that you are obviously a sportscar devotee who doesn't expect all that performance to be accompanied by sumptious comfort and all the interior toys and gizmos that some people can't live without in a car. It's been said many times, but the S2000 isn't for everyone, nor should it be!

 

This being my third new car in 3.3 years (finally can afford a perfect car, now), I've noticed a "burn-in" smell on each when they were brand new. Just as the interior of new cars have a nice scent, so does the exhaust/engine. Unless it was truly noticable when driving (as opposed to after getting out of it), it was only the the burn-in smell.

 

ToyBoy,

sounds like the S2000 has found an ideal owner in you!

Ted

 

getting in and out the car 20 times in a row like that at least once a day will build you perfect abs! haha anybody else grunts sometimes when they get in or out of their cars?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by str8 6
[B]getting in and out the car 20 times in a row like that at least once a day will build you perfect abs!

 

me too! took me about a week to get over the stiff ride... now i want it stiffer my car has about 1200 miles on it now and it revs more freely and the suspension has either mellowed a bit thru break-in or i'm just used to it. the smell (oil, gasket sealer, whatever) seems to have gone away. it actually made me a little nauseous during early break-in. i still haven't burned a drop of oil...

s2k forever... i swap cars pretty often, but this one's a keeper. i can't wait to drive it... can't keep myself from gawking at it in the garage. the honeymoon's just begun.

- marc

 

Those reviews are simply comparing the S2000 to your average luxo-GT. And, for sure, the S2000 is noisy, stiff-riding, and cramped compared to, say, the nicely-optioned Acura CL Type S coupe that you could buy for about the same money.

And, sadly, there seem to be a few posers who somehow bought the S2000 without noticing these things, and then were disappointed with it. Well, tough darts. That's what happens when people spend upwards of $30K without doing their homework.

But those of us who actually wanted a car like the S2000 praise Honda's decision to build a "hard-edged" car every time we drive it.