dane795

Putting an auto in the s2000 to get more sales would be like settling for ugly chicks to get laid more.

If they cared only about sales and profit we wouldnt have the high redline that requires forged internals, the hid headlights wouldve been an expensive option instead of standard, etc. They were more focused on doing whats right

ateens4

Though I still would have gone with a 6spd, an auto would have gotten more sales and additional units being produced yearly. The distribution would have been similar to that of an NSX. Yes, an AT S2000 is crazy but lets not forget it was offered for the NSX, Integra, etc.

RedCelica

A DCT s2k would have been so worth it.

rob-2

Miata sells because it's soft with an auto. S2k is too firm a ride.

Nerd-Vol

As a sales consultant at a Mazda dealership, I think the addition of an automatic would have helped in terms of overall numbers. The automatic transmission in the NC and ND have been very popular. Look at corvettes as well, the automatics sell in large numbers.

That said, I appreciate the approach Honda took with the S2000. They had a philosophy and they stuck to it.

B serious

It would definitely have sold more cars. 350Z's sold really well in automatic. So did automatic miatas. They even sold automatic NSX's.

Even if you were able to sell a car to ONE additonal person...its still MORE cars.

But it would have been tragic. The S2000 is heralded and remembered so well because its so focused.

The 350Z was more user friendly and sold way more than a S2000. But you probably forgot it existed until I just now said its name.

B serious

An auto trans S2000 would have been similar to auto trans B16 cars or auto trans RX7/8's.

The trans would have probably needed lower power output from the engine and definitely a lower rev limit.

Saki GT

If people could have bought an S with an automatic transmission, sales easily would have been double what they were, but I think the hand-assembled nature of the car would have limited production regardless of the transmission. Look at 911s, Boxsters, Corvettes, (especially) BMWs - a large percentage of the cars are automatics and were even before auto trans technology was considered superior for performance.

As it is, I'm glad there is no automatic version of the S - the car demands driver attention - and at any rate, it was never built as a volume model. Honda didn't make profit on it; it was more of a show of engineering prowess and capability, plus a celebration of 50 years of USA presence. I think the reason the AP2 (and the CR) even happened was because Uehara and his team wanted to continue to perfect their work and he had the pull to do it.

All those factors are what make the S2000 so great and such a one-of-a-kind car. It wasn't built for a market niche, to make profit, or demographic data. It was built with emotion and personal interest, and that's why it connects with enthusiasts.

thomsbrain

There's at least one person on these forums who swapped an automatic along with an LS1. You can say what you like about changing the character or missing the point, but I bet that car is a great car for urban commuting. Point and shoot.

Nerd-Vol

I'm quite conflicted with all the modern sports cars available as an automatic. On one hand I put my elitist hat on and say that people who don't get a sports car with a manual are missing the point. On the other hand, I think the more people that enjoy fun cars the better. Not everyone is physically capable of operating a manual transmission, so why should we deny them the fun?

I'll be happy so long as manual is an option on sports cars. I'll be sad when that is no longer the case.