Rick Hesel

Wow, what explains all the Anglophobia I'm reading here? Let's not forget that cars like the Jaguar XK-140 and D- and E-types turned the sports car world on its head (they were the technological marvels of their time and were a good value to boot) and had a profound influence on the American market. In fact, we owe the Brits for the whole early development of the sports car market in the US.

Not to say that Britain has long been our strongest and must supportive friend in times of trouble, and vice versa. From one Anglophile, a hip hip hurray for our UK friends!

dlq04

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Cedric Tomkinson
[B]What's really, really, really, really tragic is that two countries both with a long and proud heritage of

ToyBoy

I, for one American, envy the Brits who are car fanatics (and I haven't met one who isn't). Their involvment in their cars is pretty darn intense, and there are more people to share it with than here.

My business takes me to the UK two/three times a year. And every time I am there, I have the best, most intense, most enlightening talk about cars with whomever I am near.

These guys have strong opinions, and a lively auto press. (And they suffer some outrageous pricing for their autos, which means they spend a greater percentage of their hard-earned sterling on a car than we do). In short, Anglophile or not, these guys really DO speak our language: they love cars.

I found s2ki.com through a Brit owner of the car. It's from him that I heard about the MY00-01 transmission and clutch issues. And it's from a friend of his that I heard about a group drive in Nice with his S2K and other classic British sports cars. If you've not been to the south of France, you cannot imagine what it'd be like to drive a sports car there. Let's talk about that.

Let's stop slinging the crap about whether or not Brits can build goods cars or why Japanese cars are better values and get back to the main topic: what's it like to own an S2K in the UK? I wanna hear what it'd be like to drive, say, a Spa Yellow in the West or maybe a red/black in Edinburgh. I wanna know if the car is different somehow when driven on the M4 in the stop-and-go hell that highway becomes during commuting hours. I wanna know if there are cool accessories we haven't heard about yet. I wanna know if the start button is still to the left of the wheel in RH-drive models.

I could care less about the temperature of beer.

dlq04

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ToyBoy
[B]

StwoK

My jab was at Lucas, not drinking beer at room temperature. I understand why the English drink their beer at room temperature, it is a tradition that is several centurys old ! I know people here in the states that will take fine French Bordeaux and chill it in the frig before serving ...... I don't understand it. When I think of Lucas and their problems, it makes me think of Chrysler and the MOPAR division. MOPAR - Mostly Old Parts Already Re-built ! I did it again ..... now flames from the Chrysler fan club.

Bernie

Give it away, people

Japanese sports cars rule!!

purebob

EVO and many other informed UK motoring magazines don't particularly rate the S2000 because its steering is quite numb and disconnected compared to the best in class, and that the low torque doesn't really suit the driving characteristics of RWD. The performance is much more difficult to exploit than in , say, a Boxter or TVR Griffith, and the on-limit behaviour is harder to control as a result.

To say that EVO hates high revving cars is BS; only last month they had a buyers guide to the Integra type R (even MORE of a buzz box than the S2000) and rated it as an absolute all time great. The Integra has direct and involving mechanical steering however, not the electric motor/potentiometer driven system on the S2000. The Civic type R is also maked down because of this disconcerting trait with steering feel.

UK Mags don't slaver over Imprezas etc either. The most recent WRX for example is listed as a disappointment by most of the niche car press, and the EVO 7 didn't finish well in the 'EVO car of the year' competition. They, like many Brit sportscar drivers tend to rate finesse over outright grunt for use on our overcrowded and speed limited roads. The S2000 isn't the easiest car to enjoy in these conditions. Does that make Brits stupid ?

Because you own a particular car, it doesn't mean everyone who doesn't like that car is wrong. Tastes vary: many people like less direct feedback from their car under stress. Brits tend to rate such chassis feedback more important even than outright power (witness the popularity of the gutless Lotus Elise with UK fun motorists).

I really like S2000s , and am considering buying one (hence my lurking on here!) but I would never claim its the perfect sportscar. I like Honda Type R vtecs so I'm probably a natural audience for the S2000.

dlq04

purebob, IMO anyone who says the S2000 has numb steering and low torque has never driven one or doesn't know what they are talking about... I don't care where they live.

Tonky

[QUOTE]Originally posted by purebob
[B]

I really like S2000s , and am considering buying one (hence my lurking on here!) but I would never claim its the perfect sportscar.

purebob

DLQ, I have driven an s 2000 and it doesn't have a lot of torque. Compared to my Integra type R its a tractor of course ! But , even many domestic motors in the UK beat 160 lb/ft and at much lower revs. Torque at lower revs makes RWD rear ends easier to control when sliding about. You have to be quick to catch a wayward rear in the S2000 IMO ! Its easier in Z3 2.8 for example. Or a TVR Griffith. Or even an MX5/Miata.

The steering is certainly less direct feeling than my Integra but is awesome and direct compared to the Z3.

Opinions vary. Many specialist roadtesters in the UK agree with this 'a bit numb and not enough low torque' generalization though. I sort of do, but in my experience you either 'get' performance VTEC Hondas or you don't. I do !

I really enjoyed the driving experience though and I am looking to replace my Teg with one when my lease expires (Company Car).