Page 154 - Wayne Carini's Guide to Affordable Classics

First year colors were Berlina Black, New Formula Red, Grand Prix White, Sebring Silver and Silverstone Metallic, all tasteful choices for what many considered an instant classic. Honda sold 3,400 roadsters in 1999 and a further 6,797 in 2000. The following year some modest changes arrived, including an available aluminum hardtop, digital clock and making standard the optional wind blocking screen behind the seats.
For 2002, Honda’s engineers rethought the chassis, following some initial grumbles. The springs were strengthened, the rollbars were made thinner, the shocks were recalibrated and the steering, which some had criticized as numb, was sharpened. The stereo was also upgraded with a CD player and the plastic rear window replaced with glass. On the outside, revised taillights appeared and the optional aluminum hardtop was made part of a GT package. At the end of 2003, S2000 production moved to the Suzuka plant, where it would remain until the final models appeared in 2009. Blue paint named for the new manufacturing facility was made available on US models, another addition to the pallet that had already expanded the previous year with Spa Yellow.
The arrival of a larger 2.2-liter engine in 2004 occasioned the S2000’s second generation, known as the AP2. With a longer stroke, the F22C1 displaced 2175 cc and produced the same output as the old 2.0-liter unit, but it utilized a lower 8,200 rpm redline to improve driveability, with peak power arriving at 7,800 rpm. The longer stroke increased torque to 162 lb ft, which made takeoffs easier and offered greater tractability through the gears. The first five gear ratios were lowered, but the sixth was raised to function
TOP: Simple, clean, and functional describes the S2000 interior. There’s no bling, because the S2000 doesn’t need any.
MIDDLE: The convertible top is well designed and works as well as you would expect from Honda. The glass rear window with its defroster is an important long-term quality feature.
ABOVE: A sporty roadster like the S2000 deserves a bright color, and Spa Yellow fits the bill perfectly.
152Wayne CariniAffordable Classics