2000 Honda S2000

Quickness, steering precision and responsive horsepower teamed with a Formula 1 style cabin are the closest you might come to automotive nirvana this year. I'm pretty cynical when it comes to non-luxury roadsters, especially when magazines like Car and Driver and Motor Trend twist themselves into knots slathering praise all over something that's often uncomfortable, difficult to shift, sits you practically on the pavement, has a ragtop that flaps over your head, and provides no room for even a small portmanteau.

2000 Honda S2000 dash

The S2000, of course, barely has room for a couple of carry-on bags in its trunk topped by a discreet spoiler, and there's no back seat. The car so lacks storage space there is no glove compartment at all and only a tiny box hidden between the driver's and passenger's shoulders that takes a contortionist to open while driving. Two other small compartments hide behind the back seats. But who needs cubby holes? Throw out those grocery bags, this roadster is strictly for the pure enthusiast.

The powered convertible soft top is extremely easy to put down and up, and there's a small glass wind deflector between the rolls bars. The rear window, sad to say, is plastic.

The dual overhead cam, 16-valve engine realizes 240 horsepower, justifying descriptions such as astounding, sensational, and remarkable. The secret is a new version of VTEC, a variable valve timing design developed in Honda's successful Formula 1 racing engines and now adapted for us folks. You'll see peak torque develop at 8600 rpm, with a redline registering at 9000 rpm on the dashboard's large tachometer. If you reach that figure, the fuel automatically cuts off, spoiling your fun.

The four-wheel double wishbone suspension has a racecar heritage. At each wheel rigid upper and lower A-shaped wishbone links carry suspension loads directly to the rigid subframes that are attached to the monocoque body. Much of this means that the S2000 loves to hug the road, give you great steering feel, and helps keep you stable.

The red starter button gives you a sense of revving up a racecar but you still need to insert a key first into the ignition to get everything activated. Then the deep, growly sound wakes up your neighbors, and you can begin shifting into the first of six gears. One of the greatest enjoyments in the S2000 is the quick, agile, precise lane-changing that moves you from one place to another in the blink of an eye while at no time do you feel unsafe.

The interior is a cockpit complete with separate pods for driver and passenger. You'll find your elbows well tucked in, and there's nowhere else for your right hand to go than to grip the silver-tipped shifter. Fortunately, some extra controls, including cruise control, are on the leather steering wheel.

Except for the bar-type tachometer, the racing-type gauges and instruments are digital, showing your increasing speed in numbers instead of a flickering chart needle.

2000 S2000 label

The exterior design is classic roadster, simplicity itself with clean and compact lines and in four basic colors: black, white, red and silver. Front and rear lights turn the corners neatly, and the dual chrome exhausts provide just enough pizzazz to please glitz-seekers.