We have been dancing around this for a while, so all you Svengali's and prognosticators, as well as Saddam's personal sorcerer, weigh in:

Issue statement:
There have been many instances in the history of sports cars where a classic car was "improved", only to lose favor and market value in later years for any number of reasons. Witness the 3.8 liter XKE - it is generally recognized that the later 4.2 liter cars were nowhere near as good, from a driving and engineering standpoint, let alone the horrible DOT headlight and bumper effects. Many believe the early "turtle look" CRX's were better than the later ones.

Anyone car to speculate on the MY2004?

Please, no mention of "if not 9k redline it is crap" - that has already been thrown into the discussion adequately.

Let me begin:

Honda is a savvy company, and the S2000 has a loyal following; it is Honda's halo car - broadening its appeal and performance envelope while not losing its fundamental goodness is important - would Honda intentionally screw it up? I am betting no.

 

I can't see it happening. Especially, I can't see Honda screwing it up. They may address the low torque "problem" and may make some minor changes in its looks, but they would be very foolish to make it into an everyday people's car (automatic, plush interior, 4wd, etc.).

 

From what I hear, they're broadening the market for the car, which to me means they're ruining it.

I hear they're:

increasing interior room (to fit fat Americans)
improving low-end torque via increased displacement and revised gear ratios (to help get fat Americans into motion faster on the road)
changing the suspension so it rides softer (to appease American buyers who think a sports car should have a nice butt cushion for their fat ass first, performance second)

And the rumored oval exhaust tips, revised front and rear lighting assemblies, and different wheel designs all of which run the risk of the s2000's sexy lines being ruined with the small possibility that they somehow improve the looks of an already great-looking car. And looking at how Toyota, BMW, Pontiac, and several other car companies have recently "improved" their looks, I worry about Honda's design division catching the nasty design flu that's apparently making its way around the globe.

 

I don't care what anybody says, the S2000 is better off with a k-series motor in it.

The 2.0 K-series in the RSX-S is making 300whp and good for low 12s on a FWD car.....imagine having a 2.2L k-series in the next s2000 making more power and torque than a supercharged f-series S2000. IF this is the case, then it definitely won't be a dog.

 

I'm with Dario on this one.
Honda has a pretty high batting average overall, and the S2000 occupies a special slot in the company's lineup. I can't see them diluting the essential character of the car. Change is inevitable and desirable. I'm sure the '04 will be just as good as what came before -- and better in some areas.
I can't wait to drive one!

 

By broadening the appeal of the car, I'd say no, they're not screwing it up - it'll probably sell quite well. However, I DO NOT WANT A CAR WITH A BROAD APPEAL! There are gazillions of cars out there like than already, and I don't like a single one of them nearly as much as I like the S2000. For the nit-pickers, this doesn't include cars I cannot afford like a 360 or GT3. So in that sense, yes, they definitely might end up screwing up the car for me - they seem to be taking away some of the qualities that make an S2000 an S2000. I seriously want an S2000 Type R, not an S2000 Softy With A Lower Redline.

So here's my plan once I get to personally check out the '04s:
If I like it, if all my fears and worries are groundless, if it's really a car I can still love, I'll get one in a couple years.
If I don't like it, I'll get serious about modifying my current '00, drive it and enjoy it until it falls apart, then get an Elise or the like.

 

By increasing the displacement, the engine is only going to lose a few hundred RPM. The decrease is practically nothing.

All that matter is that it will get from point A to point B faster. The additional torque will certainly accomplish that.

On to the suspension issue. This car needs suspension changes. And it really has nothing to do with appealing to the masses or turning the S2000 into a boulevard cruises. It flat out does not handle well on bumpy or uneven roads.

I don't care how good a driver you are either. Nobody can keep their foot in it, particularily in VTEC, on rough roads.

So, to answer the question, Yes,(if done properly), the 2004 will be faster that any previous versions.

 

It's coming out in october or so right? around the same time as the Acura TL. Someone needs to get those spy shots like they did with the TL!!

Back to the topic, I think it will make it a better car overall. Once people experience the increased torque they won't even remember the few hundred rpm's gone from the redline.

 

So are you an American? Stop putting yourself and all of us down. Have some pride, man.

I'm an American buyer that likes the S2k the way it is (except some torque would be nice!)

 

Wait, we're not fat, just exercise intolerant! Weight disadvantaged? Fast food dependant?
Just having fun, don't get pissy.



BTW, the FATF is always looking for more recruits:

The Fat Activist Task Force is a coalition of activists participating in organized campaigns to fight size discrimination. Formed in 1989 in a concerted effort to get Hallmark to remove offensive products from their line, their success demonstrates the effectiveness of a coordinated voice directed at a single target.
(taken from their website)



That sucks, those cards used to make me laugh!