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UK & Ireland S2000 CommunityDiscussions related to the S2000, its ownership and enthusiasm for it in the UK and Ireland. Including FAQs, and technical questions.
What an ideal oppurtunity they had to do something really classy and enhance an already mighty fine car, instead they plummit the car into chav heaven. Wasters.
Originally Posted by markwneale,Aug 21 2007, 11:06 AM
An approach that Mercedes took with the W124 series would be one Honda would do well to follow with the S.
In its latter years of production, the W124 was (and still is I would guess) reputedly the best built Mercedes ever. Aside from all the technological gee-gaws, which Mercedes seem to think their customers want on new cars, the 124 had it all. It was honed over its considerable production life into a truly great car.
The W124's styling was spot-on from day one - being a styling evolution of one of the best looking cars of all time, the 190E.
A subtle approach to improve the build, fittings and the addition of practical touches is the way for Honda to go with the S. Heated mirrors were one such sensible step they took. Nothing to see but a valuable addition for any winter driver.
The use of more aluminium to save weight, continued suspension improvements, improved interior storage, adjustable steering wheel etc.
And IMHO the car doesn't need more power - just keep it up to date with the ever tightening environmental constraints so we can continue to have fun.
Although I agree about the timelessness of its styling, the early W124 was the first M-B to be a real bag of shite, build-wise.
The car was basically a stretch of the lightweight Bremen W201 (190) and had all sorts of problems. Leaky sunroofs, window rubbers, bent rear suspension, etc etc.
A far cry from the granite-like W114/8 and W123 that went before.
To be fair, M-B sorted it quickly and it's now considered a classic, compared to the classless (I don't mean that kindly!) Garfield-eyed W210 and the generic stuff that followed.
Anyway, the problem with the S2000 is that they cannot really do a 986/987 type evolution (a better example, perhaps!) because the F20/22's at its development limit. And we're all more power crazy than the Germans were in the time of the M-B 770K.
So it probably needs a new engine, which may add weight problems. And it's a bit cramped for fatties.
The new Accord/Perspire is huge (as was the new Civic), although the new Jazz has grown more modestly. So the temptation to make an 350SLK/Fairlardy car out of the S2000 must be overwhelming.
The platform is still excellent & it seems a shame to bin it, but I'm not sure I can see what they should do.
Honda's bigger issue is that there seems to be little new to interest enthusiasts before the S5000 in 2010.
Maybe they should keep the existing car going for as long as it's profitable with gradual improvements.
But it's hard to see how, without weighing it down or spending a fortune.
08-24-2007, 04:57 AM
