The CR is merely a special edition. I don't count special editions as a model change. Besides, the CR is just another version of the S2000. If has no radio, no AC, and no soft top. It is not even a practical car for most of the people on this board. Living in Atlanta, I could never have a convertible without a top that comes with the car. Too many flash showers here in the summer. I'd be stuck under some underpass with people with "My mama didn't love me" tatooed on their shoulder.

 

Raise your hands, everyone who finds this ironic.

 

This is an interesting thread. I'm not a Honda fan carwise. My S is the first Honda I've ever owned. When I bought it I bought it for how it fit me how it felt and how it performed against the other two cars I was looking at. And it solved an old ache to find a consumate English sports car even if it did come from Japan.

I've never been a fan of upgrading current models. US mfg's have ruined more good slot concepts by junking them up and revamping them. Other mfg's offer many different packages in the same body Ford is a good example.

I have always appreciated the S2000. It's a perfect slot concept brought to fruition. I'd prefer Honda do a complete reengineer and come up with a totally new vehicle than throw add ons on the S2000.


fltsfshr

 

When does Honda EVER change things?

The only major one I can think of recently is the Rune


The concept came out and most people said "There's no way Honda would EVER build that!"

But, they did.

It seems to me that Honda changing something that is selling just fine is very, very rare. There may be a few cosmetic changes here and there, subtle differences.

How long did it take the NSX to change? How long after that to discontinue it?

Took a lot longer than it did for the S to get a 2.2.

Hondas don't have the latest greatest technology, they don't have all the bells and whistles, they are just reliable, straight forward machines. Every once in awhile they will break out with something that crushes everything in it's path. I don't know about cars but with bikes in the 80s, the V65 was the fastest production motorcycle, in the late 90s it was the CBR1100XX. Even the S 2.0l 240HP output.

Most people don't buy a Honda for the coolest thing evah!

 

[QUOTE=nastinupe1,Sep 7 2007, 09:10 AM]You're making this an argument about preferences, but, my argument is about advancement.

Whether or not we all agree with the direction that Honda decides to go with a model change is irrelevant.

 

Actually, I feel your point about the new generation M3 is quite interesting. There are a couple parallels between the S2K and E46 M3 engine-wise. They are both considered to be at their absolute maximum in terms of simple tuning. Sure you might squeeze a couple NA HP here and there but there will be no significant gains. Many race prepped S2Ks and M3s only tune the suspension with little engine work (besides tweaks that affect) heat management and durability. Both are high revving blocks with the difference being that one is a 4 cylinder and the other a 6 cylinder.

When the new V8 M3 came out, nearly everyone protested saying that it would destroy the characteristics of the car in terms of handling and power delivery. Yet the engine makes more power, uses less fuel, and according to nastinupe1 is lighter too. Obviously, the M3 can afford to use more exotic materials seeing that there was a major hike in price between the two generations and people will still buy them. This may not be the case with the S2K. In retrospect, the bottom line is major improvements can be made without the sacrifices we've come to expect. The question is whether Honda is willing to muster up the money to make it happen.

 

This is one of the reasons why I bought it. Hardly anyone in my area has one... or at least you don't see them like you do 350's or G35's and everyone still looks at the car while I drive by with a face that has... WTF is that????... written all over it... LOL.

Andre

 

Extremely so.

You know, Mike, back in the 60's I had a really sweet BRG MGA. Talk about character! There were no exterior door handles. To open the door, you pulled out the side curtains, reached inside through a hole in the interior door panel trim, and pulled a cord, to release the door latch. Side curtains, no radio, no air, no power steering ... Without a doubt the purest sports car I have ever owned. Simple, and to the point. When the MGB came out, it reaked with "improvements." Bigger engine with more power and torque, door handles, roll up windows, stiffer chassis, and suspension improvements. My first MGB was also BRG, and the second one was white. In spite of all those "improvements," or more accurately, because of them, the MGB's were never as much fun or as much of a joy to own as the MGA. They lacked its purity of purpose, and as such were actually inferior, at least in terms of that all important "driving experience." Much was gained, but a part of the soul of the car was lost.

I believe you are one of the people here who will understand why the MGA was so much more desirable and enjoyable than the MGB's, because I know you value the driving experience you get from the S2000.

We also know the direction most cars take as they are "improved," and the MGA/MGB story is actually very typical. A car starts out highly focused, then over the years as it is upgraded, that focus is lost. From where I sit we have already seen that happen, to a much lesser extent, with the S2000. Just putting a clock in the car ... Hahaha, I don't even want to go there.

Now if Honda had decided to boost power with a supercharger rather than a displacement increase, had lowered the car an inch, had switched to a clutch type LSD and 4.30 gears, instead of making the "improvements" they have made over the years, then I'd see the changes as improvements, but they've actually gone in almost exactly the opposite direction. You and I also go in quite different directions with our mods, because we're doing totally different things with our cars, so I suspect that your list of improvements and possible further improvements would be quite different from mine, but the difference between you and I, and Honda, is that we are improving with tightly focused goals, while car companies improvements are aimed at gaining market share. Focus is what makes a car stand out, and it is rare to see a major car company retain focus as they broaden market share.

Smaller companies and custom shops are another matter.

 

[QUOTE=8kGoodENuff,Sep 7 2007, 03:18 PM]This is one of the reasons why I bought it.

 

I would love to drive one someday.

I also have a serious bug to try out a Morgan. Those just look like fun.