I understand what you're getting at...but one can still depress the clutch while in gear and turn the key to start so there's no advantage in having a key start vs a push start. If it were a key in hand situation, its even more cumbersome with key and a separate push button. Overall it was put there because the designers thought, hey this is definitely sporty and unique. I really doubt it was because it was for "race purposes."

The times I do end up pressing it is when I'm about to park. I usually clutch down, put to first, kill engine, and clutch out. That's when if I get lured in by the red shiny button, it'll get pressed.

 

Nope, maybe that's my problem. Lol

 

Holy crap! A lot fo peoples grammar blows on this forum just saying.

As for your issue, I have done it a few times. It is not good for your starter, but as long as your car starts all the time without issues, you're fine right now.

 

Actually there is a very good reason for the push button and its location. It is so that when you stall on the track, you can push in the clutch with your left foot, manipulate the gear shift lever with your right hand, and restart the car with your left.

 

LMFAO

 

BOOM!!! Finally someone nailed the real reason why the start button is there and the reason for its location.

Thank you sir

 

That makes actually a lot of sense. Nice.

 

I pushed the starter button once with my knee when I was exiting the car because I had forgotten something, the engine was running and in neutral, the engine shut off immediately. No noise or anything unusual. Also, saw a race driver on utube shut off his S by hitting the start button. I think if you hit the button very fast, it will kill the engine without the starter making any unusual noises.

 

I had this happen after spinning out at an autocross event! It did make it easier to start up and get going again.

 

When I first drove an S2000 many years back before owning one I thought the start button was a bit of a gimmick, since it was redundant in that you had to turn the key first. In daily driving start up situations I guess it is useless. But the couple times that I've stalled the car out, I realized that this setup does make re-starting the car easier/quicker. Given that you tend to stall or spin out at inopportune times/locations, it is good having a quick re-start method like our start button. I do like it for the few times when it might be of a benefit.

I've got the clutch interlock switch permanently closed so I always start the car without the clutch disengaged.