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Question: Has Honda's S2000 Hung On Too Long?

By Marty Padgett
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2007 Honda S2000

2007 Honda S2000

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The Honda S2000 will soldier on for another year in its current form--but has it stayed at the sportscar party too long?

Honda says the "performance icon" will get new paint colors for the 2009 model year, but the essentials--the 237-horsepower four-cylinder engine, six-speed manual transmission and convertible top--remain in place. The lightweight S2000 CR also returns, with its track-tuned suspension intact.

We love the S2000's handling and its insanely rev-happy engine, but after nine years out there, it's starting to feel a lot like the Acura NSX, a car that Honda execs have said lingered on too long. Honda seems to be interested in another convertible sportscar--witness the OSM concept from the London show this summer--but that concept is said to have no future. And to date, the S2000 doesn't seem to have a funeral plan in place.

What's your take? Does Honda need to broom the S2000 and lay new ground for the CR-Z hybrid sports coupe, or let the S2000 stick around for a couple more years? Tell us in a comment, and keep your ears on for the Paris show and the international debut of the new Honda hybrid family.

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Comments (6)

  1. R2Dad Posted: 8/29/2008 2:28pm PDT

    Honda does not seem to understand how to extend this product into a line that regenerates itself. Mazda has with the Miata, why not this platform? Honda execs only need to look at what aftermarket toys people are adding. Check youtube--there is a supercharged S2000 at laguna seca spanking M3s and corvettes. Add $35K to the list price, beef up the suspension and tranny and that rocket is good to go. Honda can certainly use the eye candy on something other than the Si.
     
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  2. Jeff Savastano Posted: 8/29/2008 3:17pm PDT

    I love this car but am afraid to buy one on the cusp of a totally re-designed effort.
    Earlier rumors of this car being neutered and turned into a boulevard cruiser like the Ford T-bird proved to be unfounded but the OSM concept is too radical a design, too soft, as it currently is.
    They need to lightly update this car, improve the output slightly, improve the soft-top greatly (junk, compared to Boxster top) and bump up the price enough to cover these improvements.
    One more thing, delete the soft-top altogether and give me a hard-top convertible like on the Miata. Then I'll step up and buy a new one.
     
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  3. Jim Posted: 8/29/2008 7:34pm PDT

    I have never much cared for the Car and its lack of Torque, there are no roads you can enjoy it on having to Rev the Car so high to get in the Powerband, they can do away with it and it wont hurt my feelings!
     
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  4. Kane Posted: 8/29/2008 11:40pm PDT

    The s2000 is one of my favorite cars, there is nothing like it when you have on the right piece of road.
    I hope Honda Just gives it a slight redesign with around 300 hp and a bigger wheel base but keep all the key characteristics.
     
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  5. Ed Posted: 9/1/2008 6:50am PDT

    It may be a great car, but not a practical one. Honda sells 450,000 Accords and 400,000 Civics and 250,000 CRVs and 150,000 Odysseys a year on average, but only a couple thou S2000s, so it is utterly insignificant in the great scheme of things. Plus you can buy a Porsche Boxster with the same $ that has low miles and is far more charismatic and enjoyable to own and drive.
     
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  6. Will Posted: 9/1/2008 12:19pm PDT

    Kane, you have plenty of cars like the S2000 out there, even better! Look at the Exige for example.
    The S2000 is a specialty car like the Supa, NSX, MR2, etc... I had it's turn and now it's time to retire.
     
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