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Fall 1999, when the new 2000 Honda S2000 arrived to mark Honda's 50th anniversary, I told my friend "Its nothing more than a Miata on steroids." Looking back five years later, I can see my own ignorance and admit that I could not be more wrong...
December 1999, Gran Turismo 2 was released. Being a huge fan of the series and of import games, I ordered the JDM version. And guess what was on the coverart? WOW! From this angle the S2000 looks amazing.
Next, I Googled "Honda S2000" for more photos and came across this.
I went to Honda's website and found this photo.
Then, I went to vtec.net and discovered this one.
And I found this kick ass wallpaper of a CG created Grand Prix White S2000 with Lee Chaolan from Tekken Tag Tournament leaning against it.
Over the next several months, I was surfing the internet for reviews, specs, more photos and videos about the Honda S2000. Powered by am 2.0 Liter 240HP engine with an amazing redline of 9,000 RPM and at 120HP per Liter, it was a record. It also features a lightweight chassis, x-bone frame, perfect gearbox, excellent handling, limited production and very rare. All of this with the renowned reliability of a Honda. I even did a virtual test drive in GT2. I finally saw a S2000 in person at the 2000 Miami International Auto Show. it was Grand Prix White. However at the cost of about $32,000 MSRP, it remained a dream.
In 2001, my situation changed. I started making serious money so I can afford the finer things in life. My 96 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS-T was in quick decline so I needed a new car soon. But what car? I revisited the idea of the Honda S2000 again. Looked at all the reviews, specs, photos and videos once more. Finally, one late night in early May 2001, I went to Maroone Honda's website and filled out a request for more information. To my surprise, the Internet Manager called me. I asked some basic questions, talked about financing options and scheduled a visit.
Memorial Day Weekend 2001, I registered on s2ki.com, a relatively new community forum dedicated to the S2000 and I went to Maroone Honda. Outside was a Berlina Black parked and inside was a Grand Prix White but was already sold. I talked to the Internet Manager, Justino, and was introduced to a salesman, Chris. He asked if I wanted to test drive the Berlina Black outside. "Well of course!" I responded. He got the keys, lowered the top and we were off for the test drive. He drove it out the lot and explained certain things to me about the S2000, mainly about the start button and sensitive clutch. He pulled over one block down at a gas station and handed the keys to me. I had goosebumps pressing the "Start Engine" button for the first time. I put it into first, noticed how smooth and tight the gearing is, slowly depressed the clutch while giving it a little gas and we were away.
While most reviews praised the S2000 for its high-revving engine and handling, there was one major compaint that worried me - the lack of torque. During the test drive, I performed some quick bursts of acceleration and concluded that these reviewers must have been driving a different car because the S2000 has no lack of torque whatsoever. While its not a torque monster like its domestic competitors, but it has enough for me. The salesman then said that although we're not supposed to go into VTEC during breakin, do it anyways and all the way to 9,000 RPMs. I thought shit I hope it doesn't blow up. So I stepped on it hard, the car took off and at 6,000 RPMs, VTEC baby! The S2000 leaped forward with this incredible and sudden rush of speed and power. Holy shit I was sold! We continued the test drive. I tried some quick turns to test its handling capabilities. Steering is extremely responsive, the handling is tight like a bullet train on rails. So its fast and can handle but can it stop good? I slammed the brakes, damn stops good too. Is there anything wrong with this car? Well the stereo system is shitty but that can be upgraded.
By the end of the test drive, I was convinced that the S2000 is a motorcycle on four wheels with the handling of a go-cart. It was the closest thing to a Formula 1 race car. The car is simply perfect for me, so much so that I even felt in a way that Honda built this amazing car for me.
I wanted the Grand Prix White, but it was sold. I was interested in Silverstone as well but wasn't sure until I saw one in person so I told them to call me when one arrives.
A few weeks later on June 22, they called me. They just received a 2001 Spa Yellow S2000 and asked if I was interested. Yellow? Hmm I wasn't sure but figured why not, lets go check it out. So I left work early and got to Maronne Honda. As I was getting off my car, I saw the Spa Yellow S2000 drive by as a group of salesmen were trying to put it on display in front of their showroom. The salesman, Chris, who accompanied me on the test drive greeted me. I took a closer look at the car, liked it, told them to prepare the paperwork and a couple of hours later I was driving home in my new S2000.
Fast forward to March 2002, ten months and 16,000 miles later the novelty was wearing out. The rear plastic window had two lines across it made it virtually impossible to see through when the top was up, the transmission was buzzing upon deceleration and I started to question the Spa Yellow color. One morning while driving to work, stuck in I-95 traffic, I was rear ended by a Chevy Blazer SUV. Both tail lights were broken, trunk lid crushed, both rear quarter panels dented, rear bumper cracked. The car will never be the same again. I had the car towed to Fantastic Finishes Body Shop in Palm Beach for the estimate/repair. They were one of few body shops who had experience with Honda's Spa Yellow paint. The estimate totalled out to $16,000 in damages, including frame damage. Still State Farm refused to total out the car, in Europe and Japan any crashed car with frame damage is totalled and destroyed. I guess here in the US, having safe cars on the roads isn't that important.
While it was being repaired, I decided that I would not be keeping the S2000. With frame damage, the car will never be the same so I looked at alternatives... The new 350Z, too long of a wait. Boxster, overpriced and lacking in performance. Boxster S, nice but too much money. Z3, same as Boxster. M Roadster, same as Boxster S. I looked at the S2000, once again. I dug up the old reviews, specs, photos and videos from my research two years ago and relooked at all the material. I read new reviews, looked for new photos and did new research on s2ki.com. This time, I want the exact S2000 I had originally wanted - Grand Prix White. However the 2002 model now comes with the all red interior. From the photos, it looked too flamboyant. So I went to Rick Case Honda and checked out a Silverstone with the all red interior and loved it. I talked to the dealer about ordering a GPW/Red S2000 but was told that the specific combo is very rare and hard to find. As I found out later from my research, only 7% of all S2000's in production for the 2002 model year was destined to be Grand Prix White. So I called various Honda dealers throughout Florida and was informed that there were only two remaining Grand Prix White's coming to the entire state for the rest of the 2002 model year. Rick Case was one but it was already sold. The other GPW/Red was assigned for production in late May for Braman Honda.
I called Braman and to my surprise, Justino, the Internet Manager that first contacted me two years ago from Maronne is now working there. By this time, two months and many headaches had passed, my Spa Yellow was finally ready. Late April 2002, I went up there, picked it up and drove it straight from the body shop to Braman Honda. I talked to Justino about their incoming GPW but was told that it was already sold to an employee. Justino then told me that customers come first and unless the employee decided to pay more then the MSRP price of $32,860 that I was offering to pay, then the Grand Prix White is mine. Since it was nearing the end of the model year production and next model year, the red interior will be replaced with nasty tan, this was my last chance to get what I really wanted. MSRP price wasn't bad in 2002, many dealers were still asking for a premium so I agreed to the price and told him to start the paperwork. When the employee, Chris, found out he came over and said !@#$%& to me. Fortunately we became good friends later and we ran the local South Florida S2000 Club together for a while.
I traded the 2001 Spa Yellow in and was given a Ford Escort rental car as I waited for the GPW to arrive. I waited and waited and waited so more. May, June, July 2002 seemed to last forever. The morning of July 20, I passed by Braman to check the status. My 2002 Grand Prix White/Red S2000 #6959 is here!!! It was sitting in the back of their garage, wrapped in plastic. I ran over to it like a little kid on Christmas morning running to the tree to rip open his gifts. It was beautiful! After starring at my new car with my jaw on the floor, they moved it downstairs into the service garage to prepare it for delivery. But first lets mod it! I ripped off the windshield tape, the tech installed the front and rear spoilers and the OEM Red H Badges. I finalized all the paperwork, called my friends about the great news, took some photos and drove away in my new S2000.
As I pressed the "Start Engine" button for the first time, I immediately knew this is the car. This car has what no other car before it had - soul.
Now three years, 38,000 fun filled miles, several autox's and many modifications later, this is still the car.
Currently, my goal for "Whitie" as my fiancee fondly nicknamed it, is to finish modding it with some of the best JDM components, including BBS, Amuse, M's, J's Racing, ASM and Cusco. I'm modeling it much after the Amuse S2000 Street Version.
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