Number 3
05-25-2010, 01:34 AM
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Number 3
Having been one of the first owners of an S2000 here in NZ in August 1999, I’ve just taken delivery of my third car and I’m probably as enthusiastic about this one as I was about the first, and the second …
And it seems appropriate to post my thoughts on the Vintage Owners forum, especially given that my propensity to post in forums is very low. I’m logged as having been a member of s2ki since 5 April 2001, but in fact I have records of correspondence with s2ki members going back to August 1999. I think c3 must have initiated a change in the website in late 2000 or early 2001 – but then I can’t remember! At 59 I still think I’m more than capable of driving and enjoying the S to its best potential ...
So having started with a New Formula Red S2000 in August 1999, I then moved onto a Montecarlo Blue the following May, when the red one came to grief (though we won’t go into that!). The MC Blue was just the most divine colour for this car and it was only passed on 2 weeks ago at the age of 10 years less 2 weeks, 102,000km and still in near perfect condition. That car did two trips around the South Island of NZ in 2002 and 2009 and basically never missed a beat. I must have been mad to sell it. It looked sensational on the dealer’s yard last weekend when I went to see them about the new one.
I say the ‘new one’ but in fact it’s a January 2007 AP2 but which only had 7300km on the clock so, in effect, almost a new car. At least I know it’s going to be the newest S2000 I’m going to get ever again - given the end of production last June. The new one? Spa, or Indy Yellow and I rather agonised about that colour. But I like it now. The MC Blue was just divine; the yellow is much more in-your-face and the truth is that the appointments of the ‘new’ car are far more refined.
Talking of refinement there’s no doubt that the S2000 has changed over the years. It’s quite noticeable how they’ve changed the dynamics of the car. The red one was brutal. There was a huge kick at 6000rpm when the VTEC rocketed in. The blue one was a little more subtle, though marginally: again there was that mighty shift into VTEC territory - perhaps a little less fierce. The yellow one is much smoother and more progressive. Sure, it still really takes off at 6000rpm but there’s a much more persistent surge of power all the way through from about 4500 right on up to the 9k redline. The addition of traction control and drive-by-wire also adds another level of refinement (I haven’t yet tried switching the VSA off in the new car!).
It’s early winter here now so I’m not going to be driving the Sunshine S much for the next 2-3 months. I’ll be mostly in my Honda Jazz (Fit) or my wife’s MX5 for the next little while So it will be interesting to hear any other vintage owners comments about our ongoing relationship with the S2000. My son, who now lives and works in NYC, was appalled to hear that his Dad was buying yet another S2000 (“it’s over 10 years old, Dad!”), and I certainly don’t want to start saying how ‘comfortable’ I am with the S. The fact is that personally I still think it’s a sensational car. Easily as fast as anything I want it to be and, as we all know, that engineering is just brilliant.
Go on enjoying your little beauties, folks.
And it seems appropriate to post my thoughts on the Vintage Owners forum, especially given that my propensity to post in forums is very low. I’m logged as having been a member of s2ki since 5 April 2001, but in fact I have records of correspondence with s2ki members going back to August 1999. I think c3 must have initiated a change in the website in late 2000 or early 2001 – but then I can’t remember! At 59 I still think I’m more than capable of driving and enjoying the S to its best potential ...
So having started with a New Formula Red S2000 in August 1999, I then moved onto a Montecarlo Blue the following May, when the red one came to grief (though we won’t go into that!). The MC Blue was just the most divine colour for this car and it was only passed on 2 weeks ago at the age of 10 years less 2 weeks, 102,000km and still in near perfect condition. That car did two trips around the South Island of NZ in 2002 and 2009 and basically never missed a beat. I must have been mad to sell it. It looked sensational on the dealer’s yard last weekend when I went to see them about the new one.
I say the ‘new one’ but in fact it’s a January 2007 AP2 but which only had 7300km on the clock so, in effect, almost a new car. At least I know it’s going to be the newest S2000 I’m going to get ever again - given the end of production last June. The new one? Spa, or Indy Yellow and I rather agonised about that colour. But I like it now. The MC Blue was just divine; the yellow is much more in-your-face and the truth is that the appointments of the ‘new’ car are far more refined.
Talking of refinement there’s no doubt that the S2000 has changed over the years. It’s quite noticeable how they’ve changed the dynamics of the car. The red one was brutal. There was a huge kick at 6000rpm when the VTEC rocketed in. The blue one was a little more subtle, though marginally: again there was that mighty shift into VTEC territory - perhaps a little less fierce. The yellow one is much smoother and more progressive. Sure, it still really takes off at 6000rpm but there’s a much more persistent surge of power all the way through from about 4500 right on up to the 9k redline. The addition of traction control and drive-by-wire also adds another level of refinement (I haven’t yet tried switching the VSA off in the new car!).
It’s early winter here now so I’m not going to be driving the Sunshine S much for the next 2-3 months. I’ll be mostly in my Honda Jazz (Fit) or my wife’s MX5 for the next little while So it will be interesting to hear any other vintage owners comments about our ongoing relationship with the S2000. My son, who now lives and works in NYC, was appalled to hear that his Dad was buying yet another S2000 (“it’s over 10 years old, Dad!”), and I certainly don’t want to start saying how ‘comfortable’ I am with the S. The fact is that personally I still think it’s a sensational car. Easily as fast as anything I want it to be and, as we all know, that engineering is just brilliant.
Go on enjoying your little beauties, folks.
05-25-2010, 03:24 AM
#3
Great story! I think this is another one that should be on the homepage. Thanks for posting. 
05-25-2010, 03:27 AM
#4
Thanks for posting!
05-25-2010, 03:44 AM
#5
Welcome to our little community of S2000 and Jazz/Fit owners! There are quite a number of folks here who also have both.
I became enamored of the Jazz when driving my sister-in-law's one in Melbourne some years ago. When the Fit came the the US, I was first in line at my dealership. That and the S make a great combination.
JonasM
I became enamored of the Jazz when driving my sister-in-law's one in Melbourne some years ago. When the Fit came the the US, I was first in line at my dealership. That and the S make a great combination.
JonasM
05-25-2010, 04:58 AM
#7
Nice post, Steve. Looking forward to pics.
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05-25-2010, 05:37 AM
#8
I've never seen a Monte Carlo blue. So yours was an 2001? And you felt a difference between your 2000 NFR and your 2001 Monte Carlo? Interesting. (I'm not sure if I have the model years right.)
I had an '01 Silverstone and now an '05 Suzuka, and of course there's a difference there. I'd love to have an '08 or '09 Laguna Blue, and sell my Suzuka. May still happen.
I had an '01 Silverstone and now an '05 Suzuka, and of course there's a difference there. I'd love to have an '08 or '09 Laguna Blue, and sell my Suzuka. May still happen.
Hurry up Lottery Win!
05-25-2010, 09:08 AM
#10
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Great story, Steve! I agree with Ms Perky that it should be posted on the Home Page. 
You mentioned that your "new" Rio 2007 S2000 redlines at 9k.
In the US, the AP2 readline was reduced to ~8k. 
BTW, at 59 you're still young. I
my 2nd NFR (MY '06) on a regular basis, and I'm 63. 
I have no plans on backing off yet. 
Enjoy the ride, and I hope you have a mild winter.
You mentioned that your "new" Rio 2007 S2000 redlines at 9k.
In the US, the AP2 readline was reduced to ~8k. BTW, at 59 you're still young. I
my 2nd NFR (MY '06) on a regular basis, and I'm 63. I have no plans on backing off yet. Enjoy the ride, and I hope you have a mild winter.
