Topic: 06 s2000 news......

[03_ap1]

changes include
-traction/stability control
-237 HP rating
-revised wheels
-solid headrests, speakers in roll hoops
-drive by wire

[si]

down in hp rating eh...  I heard about something like different standards on determining hp now.

[A4_tom]

After so many unskilled RWD drivers crashed their S2k, I know its just a matter of time before Honda adds stability control.

[wing]

I think it's a good idea as long as you can turn it off.  Look like honda is moving the car away from the "hardcore we are F1 inspired" to the Drop Top high end boxster/Z4 market.

Funny thing about traction control is guys that need it will turn it off, or think it will save them and it won't then they will blame the car.

It will be interesting to see the differences.  I wonder if I can snag a test drive..... GRANT?

[A4_tom]

I would love to see a comparison test between original S2k vs facelifted with 2.2L vs 06 with stability control in future CD review.

[Snowman]

Training wheels on the S2k!....blasphemy!...Good to hear Honda is keeping the S in production. Hope to find a good deal on a 2004 in the summer of 2007.

[Giant Dwarf]

Snowman, you're starting to sound more and more like a 'crotchity old man' every day.  If the car isn't showing off the hairiest chest and biggest balls around, it's blasphemy.  Not everyone has your mad skillz, yo, nor the peerless, vast, open expanses of personal roadway that you have.  

For some people, increasing a safety feature count is actually a positive thing!  I'm with James on this one, if it's defeatable for those who take the car to a track and can actually drive it like it was designed, then more power to 'em.  For the rest of the dolts out there who buy it as a status machine first, let's keep the rest of us safe by not having them spin the thing in the first rainfall.  

If it's a full-time nanny, then the change is definitely a move away from the true-to-form, nearly-a-race car that Honda has been touting since 2000 for the S2k. But a good, dependable system with an on-off switch can't hurt.

By the way, I saw (and took a picture of) what I was told was John Wayne's former house right at Newport Harbor.  Beautiful, huge brick place.  There sure were a lot of pretty flowers and perfectly manicured lawn and garden area.  Seems to me a real man would only need a few boards nailed together for shelter and some dusty tumbleweeds to make him happy.  As long as the outhouse has a roll of TP and a Playboy, what more would he need?

[Snowman]

We old guys leant to drive without all those fancy gizmos, I guess we are a dying breed. Being in control of your car and knowing its limitations is just not in vogue anymore.

I see it is time to change my avatar soon. Imagine picking on John Wayne, what would the duke say.

John Bernard Books (The Shootist):
"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I expect the same from them."

[Giant Dwarf]

Well whoever lives in the Duke's house now sure loves sailing.  There were two big, beautiful vessels docked out front (back?).

Beautiful home.

[AVToller]

"Being in control of your car and knowing its limitations is just not in vogue anymore."

You sound like an old curmudgeon - and I totally agree with you!!

[RayT]

hahaha snowy....I agree. But it's nice to have them if you can turn them off, and it doesn't add to the list price. I think they are doing pretty well in keeping the car fresh for the market. After all, it's been out, what...5 years!

[Snowman]

Agreed Rayt, as long as there is a disabling option....no problem…...and is doesn’t cost $2k. Yes, Rut Ro is fast approaching the Geritol class….four years old. The old hound is getting old but still has enough zing to chase down them frisky Rabbits.

[davidm]

After doing the BMW Advanced driving class and controlling a 330 M-sport in low grip situations I would always drive with the DSC/ESP/whatever TLA on - the difference is unbelieveable, even when the pro-drivers took it out.  Unless you are tracking the car and can prove you are faster, the newest stability gizmos are amazing.  Besides, when you turn it "off" in most cars, you are just raising the tolerances - very, very few cars let it go all the way off (our BMW's had special switches/rigging to fully disable the nannies for training purposes).

[Snowman]

I would rather drift….just my preference. Since nobodies has a stop watch on me...I like to play.

[davidm]

Snowy - for play, no doubt about the nannies.  In a panic, or for time, I'll take 'em.  And you can still drift with them on, just harder to induce and doesn't last as long.

[A4_tom]

When I was in Performance Driver's Club track event, the instructors told us the vehicle is quicker with stability control "on" than "off" on the racetrack.

[Shnak]

And really, when you think about it, isn't AWD the ULTIMATE safety wheel? Snowy, wouldn't a regular RWD car be more fun to drive than an AWD?

[wing]

A4, your instructor was right and wrong.

Some cars give you no wiggle room and are slower, power is cut on wheel spin and really that is going to slow you down.  Pro drivers are certainly faster without the stability control.

Shnak, I was at the track this weekend, all the STI's and WRX's were driven HORRIBLY but they mostly managed to stay on the track even though you could see the car was in shambels 50% of the time.  The Subaru's really are forgiving.

[Shnak]

Exactly my point... if someone wanted a pure sports car, it has to be RWD...

[Snowman]

Yes rwd would be more “fun”. AWD is very forgiving especially over the rough roads. I have seen many rwd cars lose the rear while hopping around corners over bumps while I just carve a nice arc though the apex.

AWD combined with stability control would be the ultimate method to effectively transfer the power to the road. Imagine Honda’s SH-AWD system in a 3000 lb car and 300 hp.