Most everyone around here has an S, I expect, and there are undoubtedly different reasons for our having made the choice we did. I liked the design, size, power (although, at 7000' and coming off an STi, I was disappointed at first), Honda marque, and quality build, all for a good price. I've since found that the handling is also quite compelling.

Another roadster that's received high marks for its handling is the Lotus Elise. I've seen pictures, but that's all until recently. Friday, though, a guy down the street got one for his 50th birthday (ribbon and all).

Now, having seen it in person (with and without the top), I can say that no amount of improved handling (relative to the S) would get me in one of those things. For me, it makes those GM roadsters (the Pontiac and the Saturn) and the Chrysler one look elegant.

Maybe I'm just an old fogey, but that design looks as if someone at Lotus lost a bet and had to give a designer on speed a free hand. Ycch. HPH

 

I don't know. I kind of like the Elise. I wouldn't buy one, it's a bit too Spartan for my tastes, and I had quite enough of British cars back in the 70s, but I do like it.

I think if not for the S, the roadster that I'd buy would be the Miata. I've always liked it, and if not for the S, which I like better, I'd have bought one. I don't think any of the others are worth the money.

 

I see one every now and then in a nasty bronzey orangey color that some little (literally) guy owns here in town. I think its a cute LITTLE car but cannot imagine owning one myself. I agree that the Saturn, Pontiac and Chrysler roadster LOOK nicer, but they are not as nice as the lines of the S imho. I agree with Rob about the Miata. One of my friends has one and it is nice but she and I both agree that the S is nicer and more spacious on the inside. However, if the S were out of the picture, I'd be driving a Miata.

 

I don't know about the Sky and the Solstice. I think they're ugly. They look very typical of GM. Cars designed by a committee that couldn't quite make up its mind what it really wanted to end up with. I think the Corvette is much nicer looking, but it is in an entirely different price range. I never really liked Corvettes, but the new ones are the best ones.

I think the problem with all of the American roadsters is that they are designed to be just that, roadsters, and not sportscars. GM and Chryslers idea of a sportscar is anything that has two seats and a soft top. Whether or not it can go around a corner is irrelevant.

 

I guess I am a purist.
My sports car fascination began when I saw a Triumph TR3 on the lot and fell in love. Back then, one spent as much time under the hood and under the car as they did driving it.
Over the years I have owned many good sports cars and one that was not so good.
It does indeed take more than 2 seats and a soft top to make a sports car.
I looked at the Solstice. Blah!
Sky. OK but lacking something I cant define. Character maybe.

If it handles like a sports car and makes the driver smile till it hurts, it's a sports car.

I love my S as much or more than any machine I have ever owned.

I think it's a keeper.

 

, BG. My love affair began back in the olden days with the Austin Healey Sprite and MGs of the late 50s and early 60s. The only thing I've ever driven that felt as good as my old MG Midget is the S.

 

Ever since I first saw a Lotus Elite, the original with the Coventry Climax engine, I was hooked on Lotus.

I've always liked the styling and the performance of their cars. Although, I will say their styling seems to be somewhat near the edge, and doesn't weather well.

Last week I got a chance to see an Elise up close, and I was not impressed. It looked like a Kit car with a VW engine.

Of course, I guess that makes it full circle, as the Lotus 7 and Lotus Elite were originally offered in England as kit cars due to tax breaks available.

I don't think I need a Lotus anymore, or want one either. The limited production cars just don't have the reliability and finish I've come to expect.

Willinathen

 

Yes!

Yes, yes, yes. Excellent! I wish I'd thought to say that. HPH

 

I started out looking for a Corvette conv. I wanted a C6. I had the money for a coupe but couldn't or did not want to make the stretch for the additional dollars. I always loved Hondas and had at least one in the house since 1979 except for a short period of stupidity. I got back on track though.
I have been into bikes since 1977 and started on a Honda but moved to Harleys for the last 30 years. That's what drove my interest in a roadster. I still have 2 Harleys, but have lost a interest them since deciding on and getting the S.
There isn't a whole lot of cars out there that grab my interest. The Elise originally did but after sitting in it and driving it- forget that! Great car for the Dragon or the race track but you still have to get there. And how often are you gong to do that?
The new Boxster "S" is nice but almost 2 times the cost of a S2000. I like the rarity of the S. It's not for everyone and eneryone doesn't have one. If there wasn't an "S" then I'd have no choice but to go for the Corvette or the Boxster S.

 

The S is both classic and timeless. I had an Austin-Healey Sprite, back in the day, and loved it. Only problem was the mechanical soundness of the little dear. RE: the Elise, +1 saw one parked recently and had time to take a close look. His comments echoed the ones made above. It's tiny and looks like a "kit car." As a , getting in and out could be a challenge...seriously