I understand that for most people when it comes to the S2000, the primary point of focus is the car's engine (not to mention the transmission), or how well it handles. Looking past those points of attention, one thing that I really like about the S2000 regardless of the model year is the overall design of the car. I understand that many people in the press find the S2000's design to be a bit too conservative in nature (I've read that some felt it simply was not risky enough). But the more time I spend looking at the car, the more I appreciate the design that Honda ultimately settled on. I feel that as more time passes, what was once considered conservative will become regarded as timeless, especially when compared to so many other cars in this day and age. One of the reasons that I personally feel this way, is that I have yet to see an image of the car, shot from any angle, that looks unattractive or out of sorts to my eye. There aren't too many cars out there that I feel this way about. The one area of the S2000s design that I do find questionable from a visual standpoint is the digital dash (I really like analog style gauges). While I don't find the digital display on the S2000 to be all that beautiful, I certainly find it to be far more effective at communicating the necessary information than I could have imagined, so even that turns out to be a win in my book.

I'll admit that the S2000 might strike the average person much like another Miata. While I actually like Miatas, and I feel that the looks of the car have improved every generation of the car, I can find images of any Miata shot from certain angles that just don't appeal to me. (This is how most cars strike me these days, some with quite a few more unattractive angles than others of course.) I realize that this is very subjective and that none of this matters all that much when you're driving the car as you can't watch yourself driving by. Still, knowing that we all have our own preferences, I'm curious what others here think with regards to which angle presents the S2000 at it's best, or worst. Photos are encouraged to help make a case either way.

 

Modern car design is constrained by crash and safety regulations, as well as aerodynamics. My understanding is that it would be difficult if not impossible to make the hood on a new car as low as it is on the S2000.

I also think a lot of modern cars have forced design elements - things that look like they were done just because they could, or look poorly tacked on, or were mutilated from what the design concept was to the production model. Things like the fender vent on the non-M BMW 4 series, the black plastic on the C pillar of the outgoing Camry, and so on. I don't see those on the S2000 (at least to my layman's eye) and I really like that.

 

Exactly. Look at the height of the hood on any new car. They are all very tall for pedestrian collision standards.
I think some manufactures are doing a good job of keeping classic lines (Audi) while others are just way too far out there with non functional design (new civic).
The S2000 design is already timeless. The design is almost 20 years old!

 

Agreed. Few years back before LED headlights were more common, (when it was still going) I was asked if it was a new Audi, another asked if it was a new Porsche - I laughed and said it's just an old Honda.. They are pretty rare here though not like e.g. west coast USA. I think non car types really like it across the board, girls love it because it's a cute, sporty convertible with a bit more serious look/size to it than e.g. an MX5 and guys love em because they're a fun and highly regarded drivers' car. Here straight roads are uncommon, so handling and nimbleness can be quite a valued trait.

And yes indeed I'm yet to catch it from a truly unflattering angle, even from above it looks good! Some of the slightly off angle side shots can catch the awkward windscreen angle, other than that, she's a beaut.

 

lol — Good point. I suppose that I tend to overlook this fact at times since the S2000 seemingly remains a benchmark to which a number of current cars are still compared with.

 

Speaking of the low hood — I really like the way it creates the effect that the body of the S2000 was somehow just poured right over the rest of the car.

 

To me all of the old Hondas have really good simple design. Otherr than the s2000 I like integras and preludes and the ek civic hatch is my favorites. I have an integra to and that car has a pretty low seat too. My favorite thing about the old Hondas and s2k is the view from the driver seat is the best, No pillar blocking your view like so many other cars.

 

The angle from the side, looking from a low angle, where you see just a sliver of body above the front tire, the hood being so impossibly low, its like the automotive equivalent of thigh gap!

 

Time has proven it to be a timeless design - enough interesting curves that are classic, without trendy styles that don't stay fresh.

 

Saki GT, I really like your overhead photo (shot from the back passenger side angle) a lot. Thanks for sharing.