S2000 Talk Discussions related to the S2000, its ownership and enthusiasm for it.

Rio Yellow is in da house....

Thread Tools
 
Old 11-22-2003 | 07:21 PM
  #1  
shiftright's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Seabrook
Default Rio Yellow is in da house....

And she is a beauty!
I had no idea how much richer and "glowing" the new yellow color is. It is a darker shade of yellow than before and has a great deal of pearl that shines and glows in different light conditions. My windows are tinted medium dark and with the dark top, the top half of the car contrasts beautifully with the yellow body.

I have only put about 95 miles on it so far and am impressed with the fit and finish everywhere. The NVH has been nicely reduced in the MY04 and yet it is no isolation chamber. The steering is quick and communicative; the clutch is delightfully light and easy to engage, the gear shift action is light and short and the exhaust sound is robust.

I drove the RX8, Boxste, G35C and the Z and finally settled on the S for various reasons. Since others may be looking at some of these same cars it may benefit them to know some of my considerations.

The RX8's engine sounded too much like an electric toy and it seemed underpowered. I liked the fact that it can carry four if needed but the shape did not do it for me. Even though it has only been on the streets a few weeks, already the shape seems to be aging. The rear is particularly lackluster. Too many people buy these "nice, practical" , "sporty" car and I just could not see myself as one that crowd.

I may be in the minority as far as my personal feeling about the shape of the Boxster is concerned. I have never quite grown to like the flat pancake or stepped-on shape of the Boxster. It seems squashed. The car does boast great handling and performance but the reliability is not on par with any of the Japanese counterparts. Performance wise, the Z and the S both are superior in many if not all parameters. I could not justify the higher price of the Boxster.

The G35 coupe is a handsome machine and the concept of a powerful V6 and 280 hp with good torque AND the ability to seat four, for a reaonable sum was tempting. But the car is just too accomodating for such a large number of people that every time I go out I see at least a couple. It also seems to be particularly popular with the ladies and the large majority running around are autos. Also, I am not crazy about the ungainly flank rear of the C pillar. The face, I grant is very handsome.

The Z's shape just never turned me on from the begining. It is a mixture of interesting shapes and concepts but the whole does not flow together smoothly. There are abrupt transitions and the car overall seems squat and heavy. It looks good from some angles but overall lacks a graceful design theme. The materials within the cockpit could be a lot better as well.

The S2000 is made by the same folks that put the NSX together in the same factory. The quality of the materials in and out and the fit and finish is remarkable. Having the benefit of comparing the S with my NSX, side by side in the garage, I can tell you that the S2000 has been put together with a high level of care and pride. The paint job is flawless, the leather seats are form fitting yet comfortable, the dash is well executed and the roadster is amazingly rigid! Not a creak or an unsettled feeling. The brakes have been improved further and are truly confidence inspiring.

If someone were looking for a personal, high performance sports car that was specialized enough that not everyone's aunt is going out to get it, they could do a lot worse than purchase the lithe and athletic S2000. And for the price one pays to get this pure sports car, it is one of the best bargains out there. A few years down the road, this purpose built and designed Honda will still turn heads while some of the other come-lately "sporty" cars have become mundane and commonplace. Honda will never sell as many of the S2000's as Nissan will the G35 or the Z or Mazda the RX8, but Honda knows that and yet in continuing to produce this masterpiece, Honda is on the side of the true car enthusiasts.

Did I say the Rio Yellow looks awesome! In the first day of ownership, I have already gotten two complements on the car.
By the way, the Rio looks sweet!
Old 11-22-2003 | 10:19 PM
  #2  
Bionic Man's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 713
Likes: 0
From: Huntington Beach
Default

Congratulations!!! You are a lucky man to own both a NSX and a S2000. What a great post. I feel the same way about everything that you wrote. Enjoy!!!
Old 11-22-2003 | 11:31 PM
  #3  
WtbS2k's Avatar
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,965
Likes: 0
From: home
Default

Congratulations and enjoy the car
Old 11-22-2003 | 11:40 PM
  #4  
emrillive's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 0
From: usa
Default

any pictures? i have a 04 s2000 suzuka blue and i love it. but my convertible top is rattling already after i had it for 3 days. and also when i get out of the car there is this noise comming from the rear part of the suspension. other than this the car is a amazing machine.
Old 11-23-2003 | 05:32 AM
  #5  
shiftright's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Seabrook
Default

Thanks guys! I will post pictures Monday from work through an obliging S2ki member who can post these for me.
I am not sure what it is about the S that it looks good in any color.....erhaps it is the simplicity of the design or the rightness of the proportions.
Old 11-23-2003 | 05:41 AM
  #6  
HI SPEEDR's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,269
Likes: 0
From: Wellington
Default

...and...you can put the top down too!
Old 11-23-2003 | 07:47 AM
  #7  
3ngin33r1's Avatar
Registered User
Gold Member (Premium)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,231
Likes: 2
From: Kingston, WA
Default

Congratulations.
Old 11-23-2003 | 01:47 PM
  #8  
Quik S2K's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 13,115
Likes: 0
From: Devil's Island
Default

Congrats on teh New car..now lets see some of your new baby's pix
Old 11-23-2003 | 01:49 PM
  #9  
RazorV3's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,046
Likes: 0
From: VA is for hustlaz
Default

pics of your new s2k please, especially your nsx. i always loved the nsx.
Old 12-01-2003 | 09:27 AM
  #10  
Mocky's Avatar
Former Moderator
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 105,825
Likes: 148
Default

definitely post some pictures..
congrats on your car.. make sure you register that vin on s2ki. you are still on enthusiast status.



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 02:55 PM.