The Mazda Miata might be the most famous of the modern Japanese convertibles, but the high production numbers and basic speed means it will always be the MGB of the future collector market, but the S2000...yes...it will be the Austin-Healey 3000. Find this 2001 Honda S2000 here on eBay offered for $13,500 buy-it-now or make-offer located in Rochester, NY.
The Honda S2000 was a fantastically well built roadster with a high revving inline-4 that was sold from 1999 through 2009. In the decade of production just over 110,000 units were assembled for world wide consumption, with 66,000 heading to the USA.
The Mustang/Camaro crowd will ridicule the S2000 for its meager 240 horsepower and 153 ft-lbs of torque output, but the AP1's 2.0 liter F20C is a power-per-cubic-inch freak that revvs all the way to 9200 rpm fuel cutoff in search of air. Gearing is surprisingly tall and you'll be doing something like 44mph in first and 67 mph in second before a flashing digital dash and harsh fuel cut reminds you to shift. You'll be hard pressed to find an SCCA autocross event that requires a 3rd gear shift, but you'll need to figure out full use of first gear to maximize performance. It is a hard car to drive fast, but very rewarding if/when you get it right.
See a better way to revv to 9000 rpm? tips@dailyturismo.com
I've always liked the S2000 and almost pulled the trigger on one a few years back. I'm told that a DIY clutch replacement is a near-death experience.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with these is they are better than a Miata, BUT not price difference better than a Miata. You can get 90% of the experience for 1/4 the price.
ReplyDeleteThat said my next toy will be an S2000, just not one this expensive.