beefystud

why did the honda make the hood of the s2k aluminum but made the front fenders steel ? aluminum and steel cost and about the same, if your going to make the hood aluminum why not the fenders as well ?

B serious

Aluminum and steel don't cost the same.

The process to stamp them is different. Aluminum radii need to be kept less sharp.

Aluminum is more expensive to manufacture.

LOTS of cars have only select aluminum panels.

Also...as mentioned above, an aluminum hood is lifted by the user...so it gives the user a direct feel of lightness.

twohoos

Although steel, the fenders are paper thin, so already extremely light. Also, they're about the most likely panel to be damaged in minor incidents, and steel is far easier & cheaper to repair/replace -- and was even moreso in 1999. So for a potential weight savings of a couple pounds, aluminum would have subjected owners huge repair bills for (literal) fender benders. This has always been an issue with aluminum-bodied cars; Honda knew NSX owners could afford to be more tolerant, but at the S2000's price point, there was just no advantage.

zeroptzero

big weight savings on the hood being aluminum vs steel, given the size of the hood, so that was a great choice. The fenders are almost as thin as foil wrap, so no big advantage there, Honda had no desire to make an aluminum bodied S2000, but the hood was a no-brainer..

noodels

Never had a Honda with such thin panels as the s2k,
the design of the body & chassis though a good handling car does not allow much for any water ingress.

jetrep

Fenders are lower on the car so there's less advantage to making them lighter to improve handling.

CMK

Honestly thought this was gonna be a really clever joke. Super disappointed that it's not.