Return of the S2000?

[Crazed_Insanity]

http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/1405-report-honda-s2000-to-return-in-2017/

At around $60k? Guess I won't be able to afford that... unless I get some huge pay raises by 2017...

They really should just try to keep it simple and affordable.

[The359]

I have a feeling this is going to be just like the CRZ. Everyone has high hopes that it will be a spiritual successor, but then it turns into a weak hybrid in a weak sports car.

[thesameguy]

I can't even imagine a $60,000 car in a Honda showroom.

[Crazed_Insanity]

359, sure hope not. But on paper, to me, it's already NOT a spiritual successor given it's price tag. Yeah, I totally agree with TSG that anyone would even want a $60k Honda.

Anyway, I think I bought my 02 S2000 at Honda's peak. Best engineering at a value pricing. Things have been going down hill ever since for Honda... I do hope they turn things around someday... guess will have to wait and see how the production NSX turned out. That's should be a good indicator.

[The359]

This might be a closer prospect.

http://jalopnik.com/mid-engined-baby-roadster-honda-s660-set-for-2015-launc-1572868495

[Crazed_Insanity]

I like that looks of the S660, but based on the performance #s, it doesn't look like it'll be able to out-perform the current S2000 though. Unless they super-charge it and get it to pump out nearly 200hp...

It'd be difficult for them to come up with something better and cheaper... if they can't beat the old S2000 on track with a price tag <$40k, they probably shouldn't even bother with it... A $60k Honda probably won't be in the show room for very long... or they won't sell too many of them...

[Godson]

S name should be FR, and not MR.


At least if they want to follow history with the S500, S800, S2000....

[The359]

It does seem closer in relation to the Beat, but I imagine it has more to do with the fact that it's similar in size to the old school S-series.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Engine placement doesn't really matter to me. All I want is a speedy, fun to drive sports car that I can afford. IMHO that'd be staying true to its original design spirit.

Even with that S660, I'm not sure it'd really be a better sports car than the Miata. Certainly not with only 67HP!

With medium new car purchase prices being at around $30k, why couldn't they design a decent sports car at around $30k?

Maybe it's because BRZ/FRS? Demand for those cars are decent but didn't quite sold as hotcakes? Maybe market just doesn't support such an affordable sports car so Honda is aiming at a wealthier market? Still, why would a rich guy want to buy a $60k Honda? ;)

[KillerB]

I've never understood why Honda hasn't built a midengine sports car by taking the drivetrain from the Civic Si and putting it in the back, like the MR2. Seems simple enough and I have to think there's more of a market for a $25k-35k sports car than a $60k one.

[Jason]

I imagine £35k wouldn't actually be $60k in the US, due to different taxes and import costs. I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up much cheaper than the actual conversion here.

[Freude am Fahren]

Yeah, I think US dollar prices are usually only slightly higher numbers than when listed in pounds, when it comes to the imports for both. Certainly nowhere near the currency conversion rate.

Anyway, a $50k or $60k does seem a bit odd for Honda if they are in fact bringing back the NSX (is that for real happening yet?). Certainly would need to match the S2000 in performance and fun, but add a bunch of luxury, or outperform it quite a bit and keep it stripped down to justify that price.

A new S2000 should start at $30-35k, I would think.

[Yobbo NZ]

Edit - this is in reply to KillerB's post. Mid engine etc.
Like that? But bigger :cool:
550

[KillerB]

Yeah, I'm thinking something like the Beat but upsized just a tad to better fit Western drivers.

[Dicknose]

I can't even imagine a $60,000 car in a Honda showroom.

Maybe not in the land of the cheap car, but here it was easy.
You mean like the S2000!!

Hmm - looks at price of a 2005 model on a trade site, asking $34k
Brand new - 70+k
http://www.drive.com.au/used-car-reviews/used-car-review-honda-s2000-20042009-20130506-2j2vk.html

Dont ask what the price of the NSX was (back in 1990 it was the first Jap car here to crack 100k and did it easily, the Nissan GTR was the budget car at 110k)

[Crazed_Insanity]

New S2000 will be priced as a supercar in Australia then!

[FaultyMario]

I can't even imagine a $60,000 car in a Honda showroom.

I'm pret•ty sure some SUVs hit that sticker price here in .mx

[Crazed_Insanity]

In the land of the cheap, the most luxurious elite version of Honda's Van tops out at $45k. The most expensive Honda Pilot SUV tops out at $42k... then the Accord plug-in hybrid at about $40k. I'm pretty sure all of those vehicles sold very little in #s. Perhaps the Acura MDX sold outside the States as Hondas hence the heftier price tag? But Mexico should have Acura, right? It's weird Honda would sell cars more expensive in Mexico. Either Mexican govt over taxing or perhaps Mexico just doesn't have the volume necessary to push price down?

[neanderthal]

359, sure hope not. But on paper, to me, it's already NOT a spiritual successor given it's price tag. Yeah, I totally agree with TSG that anyone would even want a $60k Honda.

Anyway, I think I bought my 02 S2000 at Honda's peak. Best engineering at a value pricing. Things have been going down hill ever since for Honda... I do hope they turn things around someday... guess will have to wait and see how the production NSX turned out. That's should be a good indicator.

Honda's peak was in the late 80s/ early 90s.

Since the mid nineties they've done nothing but make their fleet less enjoyable, less outstanding, more plebian, more banal, and since then they've only expanded their lineup by adding more minivans and SUVs. At least Toyota revolutionised economy with the Prius.

[thesameguy]

... and didn't stop improving their trucks.