Nottm_S2

according to Mazda 1230kg vs 1150kg

http://www.mazda.co.uk/cars/mazda-mx...cs-and-prices/

i'd argue that's a fair bit, 7% extra weight. The hardtop is something i use in winter but it doesnt weigh 80kg i can assure you

and fwd is a pain in this country, it's either cold (like now) or wet (like in the summer). Even the diesel chugger Golf struggles for grip from the off

unclefester

Seems there's some figures / data out of date on Parkers site then - how much does an S2000 fabric roof and frame weigh? I'd hazard a guess it's a good 30 to 40kg then if you add the Hardtop in winter i'd guess it's another 25Kg or so with all the brackets.

If you then add a folding HT back with no frame / fabric i'd guess it's still in the same ballpark.

As for boot space - the Mazda doesn't lose any from what i've s een when i've had a poke around.

Dembo

Do they care about the typical S2000 driver? And let's be honest, most S2000 owners probably have one because they wanted a nice convertable for the summer, and wouldn't actually know their rear wheel drive from their double wishbone suspension.

Cloth roofs look very 1960s IMO, especially mine with a crappy (and torn) plastic screen. I think I'd live with the extra weight to have a metal folding roof; that's the best of both worlds.

unclefester

Problem is they'd end up asking 35k to 40k for it and that's a lot to ask.

Nottm_S2

i dont think a fabric roof is that heavy UF but I guess it's about compromise. If you could do a composite folding roof that's the best of both worlds

Dembo is probably right in that Honda dont build cars for enthusiasts anymore. I'm not sure about the most S2000 owners comment though, my (rose tinted) view is that the majority are very aware of the things that make the car special.

If you look at what they built 10-15 years ago and what they build now it certainly makes me want to hang on to the S2

commievid

The MX-5's folding hard top doesn't eat into the boot, and as far as I know, is the only folding hard top not to do so. Thus it could be easily done to the S2000 as well, I'd remove the spare tyre and redesign the fuel tank and there'd be loads of space for the folding hard top as well as probably a slightly bigger boot overall.

Overall though, I'd prefer a proper Coupe, as that'd be lighter all around (no additional chassis stiffening due to it not being a convertible).

Looks like Honda keep trailing Toyota, around 2006 they stopped the MR2 and Celica and thus anything remotely sporty, so Honda have done the same, obsessing over Hybrids (Civic Hybrid, Jazz Hybrid, Insight, CR-Z) dsepite the Prius being de facto.

Now that Toyota have their LF-A, IS-F and GT86, with rumours of possibly more, Honda are trailing again and playing catchup. The NSX being cancelled and revived the notable thing here, and once again, obsessing over Hybrids, where the de facto Hybrid supercar is the Porsche.

I have a feeling it might be too little too late, and if even Lotuses get heavier with newer revisions, I can't see any S2000 successor (S1600T?) being what would be for the layman a "backwards" car. It'd be heavier, more comfortable, more refined, etc.

I'm happy to be proven wrong.