2004 S2000
Honda fiddle with roadster
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Honda has updated its S2000 roadster for 2004. Changes include revisions to the suspension, wheels and tyres, steering and some cosmetic changes to the bodywork. The 240PS engine remains unchanged.
Stiff
The S2000’s bodyshell has been stiffened to play its part in the improved chassis dynamics. Enhancements include a new performance strut between the two ends of the front frame and ahead of the radiator; together with additional bracing applied to the front suspension upper arm brackets, the rear wheel arch/bulkhead area, and the front cross member. Subtle changes to the rear suspension include strengthened upper arm bushes.
Springs and dampers are now stiffer at the front and softer in the rear suspension, while the rear anti-roll bar is reduced in diameter by 1.8mm. Bump steer characteristics in the rear suspension meanwhile have been reduced for greater stability and roadholding.
Wheels and Tyres
Part of the enhanced ride and handling package are new alloy wheels with a twin 5-spoke pattern, increased from 16 inch to 17 inch for a more aggressive appearance, and riding on wider Bridgestone Potenza tyres for increased grip. 205/55R16 tyres are replaced by 215/45 R17 ones at the front and 225/50R 16 by 245/40R17 at the rear. A corresponding change in tread pattern, from S-02 to RE050 has been made to give a better balance between wet and dry performance.
Slower Steering
Steering characteristics don’t go unchanged, and new settings to the Electrical Power Steering (EPS) system – the steering gear ratio is now 7 per cent ‘slower’ – and a more rigid mounting provide greater precision, feel and response.
Finally Honda have tinkered with the brakes to give a lighter and more advanced ABS system that copes with limited grip situations better.
Styling Changes
Externally, the Honda S2000’s distinctive arrow-like nose with its sweeping headlamp covers now takes on a subtly different, more sporty appearance with the adoption of a ‘triple beam’ headlamp assembly. Projector style HID (high intensity discharge) low beam headlamps are now flanked by a traditional reflector design high beam and separate indicators and parking lights.
Externally, the Honda S2000’s distinctive arrow-like nose with its sweeping headlamp covers now takes on a subtly different, more sporty appearance with the adoption of a ‘triple beam’ headlamp assembly. Projector style HID (high intensity discharge) low beam headlamps are now flanked by a traditional reflector design high beam and separate indicators and parking lights.The design motif is complemented at the rear by new triple lens taillights, which make use of LED technology for greater brightness and responsiveness, set beneath a clear lens. Innermost is the rear foglamp; next is the indicator with reflective surround, and outside of this is a combined LED brake light/ LED tail light unit. Finally, there is an LED side marker set in a reflective housing.
The bumper has also been meddled with. Its lower edge now reaches down to, and is flush with, new twin chromed and oval-shaped exhaust tailpipes.
2004 prices will be £26,500 for the basic car and £27,500 for the 'GT'.
They've dealt it a breize block rear bumper that gives it a germanically heavy looking butt and also visually flattens out the rear flanks and haunches. This is allied to a set of "Iraqi super gun" exhausts... nice
. At the front the Elise S2 style brake ducts look like the Ho-Mo-Co boy and girls have given my beloved S2K a set of fake vampire teeth for halloween.
Arrr.
Still looks good, but I feel the original was better balanced and it's the old one I'd still go for on looks at least, more grunt, better dyniamics can never bad.
Now there has been a facelift, and so logically an imminent replacement of course, the old shape one will now become cheaper.
Yay!
Mouse
Be thankful you dont get the newer motor.
A larger motor with a 1000rpm less redline making the same power. Just cause a few people are afraid to change down.
The S2000 is famous as a screamer and the F20C has been consistently voted the best 4 cyl motor in the world. If you want a sports car that performs at low revs go and buy a TVR
There are those who 'get' vtec and those who don't, doesn't mean it's good or bad, just means it's different.
Its also restful - makes the car "easy" to drive.
The more frantic nature of the S2000 where you really need to go up and down the gearbox to keep the thing on the boil appeals greatly to the enthusiast (I loved it when I test drove one) but you have to admit as a daily driver its going to be more work.
I sympathise greatly with your point of view - but there is also an appeal in a torquey car that in any gear at any time you can just prod the accelerator and take off...
Me I'd have an S2000 in a shot at its price.
pikey said:
Sorry... "the one weakness is the engine"? One of it's major strengths is the engine. Just because it hasn't got bags of low down torque does not mean the engine's a weakness. It's simply different.
Pikey
(S2000 owner, previously Cerbera and Chimaera owner)
Absolutely right. To say the one weakness is the engine couldn't be further from the truth, it's amongst its biggest strengths, along with its superb gearbox and X-frame chassis.
The beauty of the car is you can drive it 'enthusiastically' when you want to and get the reward or when you don't feel like thrashing it or you're forced to crawl around in heavy traffic, it won't complain.
Paul (S2000 owner, previously Cerbera and Griffith 500 owner)
>> Edited by Paul 2000 on Thursday 16th October 15:00
Mr2Mike said:
OTOH why would a less enthusiastic driver be buying an S2000?
Quite right...
But you know: Some people buy cars because they "look nice"...the sort that practically all the PH community reckon buy Boxsters...rather than because it (like the S2000) is a superb driver's car...
What hasn't been said yet is that the gearbox gives the engine a good run for the best bit of the car. Nice shiny pedals mean that going from 6th to 3rd takes three shifts rather than one just because it is so much fun.
I drive mine to work at less than 5000 revs (well, most of the way
) and find it as easy as any other car to drive. When you want some fun though it rarely dispoints. What the torque boys keep forgetting is that it is torque at the wheels that makes you accelerate - not at the engine. A fantastic gearbox makes it even more fun than a big engine as you have more to do
. And I nearly get 30 mpg! All in all, I have done 7600 miles in mine since July, and mt only problem with the car is that damn toneau - which Honda have again missed the opportunity to fix!
Don said:
Quite right...
But you know: Some people buy cars because they "look nice"...the sort that practically all the PH community reckon buy Boxsters...rather than because it (like the S2000) is a superb driver's car...
For me the S2000 looks & sounds nicer than the Boxster. It has more caracter & presence. The only thing I'm afraid of is the so called TVR-like snappy chassis combined with my eventual lack of respect ...
Maybe the MY2004 setup is more forgiving
patrick
I never have but Ive got a B16A CRX which im very impressed with. Its got less power everywhere than an F20C but just the same people complain about its low rev torque. Its not that slow, its just not as fast.
At 4000rpm its still faster than my dads MGF. Just cause its not as fast as higher up dont mean you cant drive it at lower revs. There are times you dont want to have to worry about spinning the wheels when you take off.
Best of both worlds to my mind
Only the fact that I am a lanky git prevents me from having one. Could'nt get comfy..
Anyone putting it down for a lack of torque is talking b0ll0Ks. The engine is the mutts IMO.
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