I have never been shy about modifying my S2000. Mainly because it's MY car (well, ok, it's actually Chevy Chase's car for the time being), but I recall so many of you saying that you would NEVER EVER change the car. I love to put my own stamp on things and make them my own. So I have no problems modifying my Scarlet.

I also think that Honda (obviously) did a magnificent job on the S2000, but I also think that they goofed in some very obvious ways...the thing that comes to mind is that cheap bullshit carpet!

So, what's your story? Have some of you purists begun to relax a little and say hey, it's MY car, I want to do with it what I wish? And with all the aftermarket gear that is coming out now, has this relaxed your attitude towards making changes to Soichiro's jewel roadster?

Or have you stuck by your guns and said that perfection should not be fiddled with? This should be a poll, but I'm lazy tonight...and I'm home on a Friday night. I was bored...

What's your deal on mods?? Mod it, baby! Or no way, man, it's stock forever!! Which is it?!?

 

uninterested in mods for mods sake.

only interested in mods that *improve* the car (of which there are precious few to be honest and in my humble opinion).

always been the case. nothing has changed.

 

I only modify stuff that I think improves the car for ME. Not to show or anything else. That being said, my list currently is:
Mingster Aeroscreen- a must for me to have a civilized conversation with my wife
Muz Mat- Self explanatory for the regulars
Dennis' grill screen- keeps certain damaging sized stuff out from the open grill
J&R filter- Slight diff in feel, but needed to replace filter at 15k anyways.
Clear Sidemarkers- Ok, this was just b/c I wanted to clean up the look, but its purely superficial
Considering:
1-Rick's center console cover- b/c of "Cheap carpet look"
2-Mingster's New FLCB- improves suspension feel

Thats my 2cents

 

If another boat comes in after August '01 and the limited production then is a farse I may do some mods. For now everything I do in "un-doable". If Honda does cease production this car could be worth a lot very quickly. Take the case of a '71 Ford DeTomaso Pantera....new 12-14K. Today mint condition units are a name your price item.....

 

i originally was a "no-mod" guy, but after seeing a few of the great mods i have changed my mind. rick's console cover is such a great improvement that i think it should be installed stock- also the stock horn is a total mistake. i also think that several other mods make sense. still not sure that the engine really needs any improvement and probably will never mod the body...

 

Only mods that can unbolt so the car can be put back to showroom stock get my approval.

Engine mods range from worse than useless (cold air induction that lose HP or you have to cut your factory hood) to not worth it for the marginal gains. Heck even Mugen (and Mugen is the best) claims only 15 HP if you do all their engine mods (not counting increasing displacement) Figure out what that 15 HP costs from Mugen,...why bother?

Wheels and tires that rub the fenders,....why?

Suspension kits that lower the car so it scrapes over every bump and driveway apron, and handle worse in the turns if the pavement is rough,....why?

Body kits are dumb and just devalue the car.

Wings? Useless on the street (and on the track too unless it is Lemans) and devalue the car. Anything that makes the car look like a kid has owned it will devalue it.

Stereos? Border on needed (speakers) to overkill (big amps, subwoofers). The overkill goes against the minimalist spirit of the car and pollutes the design purity.

MuzMat? Absolutely needed.

Ricks leather? Nice touch does no harm as long as the tape does not ruin the carpet underneath after time.

Mings aeroscreen? Kludge IMHO. Use the factory one if needed.

Supercharger? Totally against the design spirit of the car. What's next? Pull out the F20 engine and replace it with a small block Chevy?

X Brace and Tower Brace. Really not needed but since they can be unbolted there is no harm in them.

Rule of thumb - If it permenently alters the car it will devalue it. The closer the car is to the way it rolled out of the dealership the more money it is worth. Mods that help protect that ( such as Muz Mat) are excellent.

 

I'm not into mods much either. I do have the spoiler on the back, it looks nice. I think it makes the car look a little better. Other little things are for personal comfort like aeorscreen, Muz 1 piece floor mats, and Muz mat. The only other project I want to do is a speaker upgrade and that should be it. I do not count my snow tires and wheels as a mod, they are a necessity for all year driving in New Hampshire.

I like my S2000 looks just the way she is and the car alread has all the HP I want.

 

Hey all-

I'm pretty sure Soichiro would be rolling over in his grave if he knew people thought his cars were for collecting and speculating, and not being driven for their intended purpose. As a racer he knew that cars were merely tools- the next one will come along that performs the task better later, and we'll switch when it appears.

It's sort of sad to see people buy this car for it's "collector's value" and not for the reason why it exists- because it's a great two seater designed for enthusiasts. Warped sense of values create the artifical price hikes, and this is a typical example. What would happen if Honda were to magically introduce a 2.5l four cylinder and call it the S2500 that did everything better? Would that decrease the perceived value to the car in your eyes? I know that I think the S2000 is a fun car, and just because there's others on the market doesn't diminish it's value in my eyes.

It's a car. Drive it. Have fun with it. You only live once, and I for one, am not going to wait 30 years for my Honda to "maybe" get any price I ask for it. I like modifying cars- tinkering with them, personalising them. Steve McQueen's Ferrari NART spider is valuable precisely because he added a high wing and fender flares- uniqueness gave it a higher perceived value, besides the fact that it was McQueen's car, and that was the easiest way to recognise it. I, for one, know that the current owner of that particular car loves telling people that it's McQueen's car, not just "any old NART"...

[Edited by GTRPower on 04-07-2001 at 06:16 AM]

 

I agree that Mods cost money and devalue the car. I think my car looks cooler and sounds nicer than stock but... i would definately have to undo everything to sell it....plus I do scrap stuff with my lowered stance!

Scot

 

I just finished installing Rick's console cover and shift boot (winning the Procrastination Trophy hands down, since they were amongst the first ones made), so I must say that those are very worthwhile. Otherwise I tend to go more for function (replaced the terrible speakers and horn early on) rather than form (ok, so I couldn't resist the aluminum deadpedal). I draw the line at superchargers and exhaust systems, though.