Actually, it was the S2K that took top honors with rave reviews. It was voted first by C&D in that test. Road and Track also voted it first ahead of the BMW Z3 and Boxster when the S2K was first released and they did their usual run of tests.CokerRat said:I believe Car & Driver did a similar article a couple years back when the 350Z ragtop was the new one of the bunch. I can't recall whether the 350Z or the Boxster took top honours but I know it wasn't the S2K.
This criticism of the S2K from Automobile Magazine posted above I had read before and it still seems funny to me:
"Honda's digital instrument cluster was a curious anachronism when the S2000 was new; now it's about as futuristic as intellivision".
These goofs obviously had no clue that the digital cluster was a styling homage to Honda's F1/Champ Car clusters. Plus it's functionality cant really be argued against if it works for racecars in race conditions. Seriously, if Ferrari had done the same thing in a street car, magazines would be gushing about the "F1 race-inspired" cluster.
Well, since you have already decided on the S2000, I guess there's no need to say more, but I can say I do really enjoy mine. Here are some selected comments on the S2000 in the Road & Track 2004 Review Guide in case you still need some more convincing :smile: :
"There’s no secret that the exciting S2000 roadster is among the purest sports cars in the marketplace today. Much of the technology found in Honda’s 2-seater has trickled down from the company’s Formula 1 race cars, including its high-revving VTEC powerplant and sport-tuned independent suspension. Honda's VTEC powerplant comes mated to a solid-feeling 6-speed manual transmission, perhaps the best example in the industry.
The S2000 is a car that belongs on winding roads. When driven aggressively, there are few cars as tactilely rewarding as Honda’s roadster. The car is agile, with excellent steering response and minimal body roll. Thanks to the responsiveness of the engine, it welcomes you to throttle steer it through a corner.
The brakes are excellent and the sound of the engine screaming at 7000 rpm is reminiscent of the Honda-powered BAR F1 car. Only when you drive it at the absolute limit does the S2000 begin to get a bit unhappy. The car will understeer in the tight stuff and if you overcook it into a fast corner, the rear may step out before you can say, “What the $#@!”
It’s a car that demands respect. Give the S2000 its proper due, and it will reward you with one of the most thrilling driving experiences this side of a race car. The intimate 2-seat cockpit is a classicist’s delight. Everything is simple and straightforward. Of note here are the “Engine Start” button and the instrument gauge that features an F1-style tachometer bar. Vehicle speed is displayed digitally.
If you’re the type that dreams of one day driving an F1 car, but probably won’t have the means or talent to actually do so, then perhaps the S2000 is for you. It’s about as close as you can get to those multi-million-dollar machines as far as production cars are concerned."