Rio Yellow is in da house....
11-22-2003 | 07:21 PM
#1
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From: Seabrook
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!
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!
11-22-2003 | 11:40 PM
#4
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: usa
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.
11-23-2003 | 05:32 AM
#5
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From: Seabrook
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.
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.
