It looks kinda nice, but I wonder if it will be spirit-less like most of the other Toyota, Honda, Acura, Nissan, and (SOME) Mazda's??? What I mean is personality - something that German, Italian, and English cars have!<p>But also, . . . the specs I saw in Automobile magazine said something like 240-260+ HP, but Torque ONLY in the range of about 190???? The A4 2.8 at least has 196, and the BMW M motor has almost as much as its HP rating - 236. Hmmmmmm . . . . . .

Yeah, but that motor redlines at 9300 rpm (that's 93 HUNDRED!!) and 0-60<br>times are rumoured to be anywhere from 5.5 to 6.0.. and C&D is predicting<br>$29k sticker. Sign me up!!!

I agree, Mike. For some reason I have not been a fan of Honda. I know they are good cars but it feel too much like a buzz box. IMHO Honda made these ca as light as possible to increase performance and I have actually dented a Civic by pressing my thumb on it! 9600rpm is nice but who wants to rev the thing all the time in normal driving. Samll VTEC are as gutless down low as anything you'll find.

I'd rather spend the $29K on an old Austin Healy 3000, Audi Quattro Coupe, Fiat Abarth, Austin Mini Cooper S, Triumph (TR3,4,4A,250,6), an old original Lotus Elan or Europa! Those cars are CLASSICS! And though they won't all have the HP or handling (well, the Lotus is a different story) of this new Honda - they have CLASS, STYLING, HISTORY, ORIGINALITY, and most importantly, . . . . PERSONALITY!!!!! Sure, they fall apart a lot, but that was part of the mystique of owning a TRUE sports car in the old days. You were set apart from others by owning one of these, a breed of your own, sort of like a pioneer. And though it was horrendous at the moment when things went wrong, they ALWAYS made for an excellent story (and sometimes LEGEND) to be told fondly around the campfires! And THAT is the problem with the Japanese made cars. They are TOO perfect, and either copy a design (RX7 = 924, Miata = Elan, 76/77 Celica L/B = Mustang, etc), or fake the likeness (as in the Miata exhaust note). And when left to their own, they design a travesty like the bizarre Lexus GS400 (where DID they get the idea for that rear end design????????). Their cars just don't have soul, period.<p>So tell me, . . . . when you look back at all the cars you've owned - which ones stick in your mind???? Which ones will YOU tell your children about in a story-teller mode? Will you tell them about your Integra or Accord or Celica, or will you tell them about old MGA????

Mike,<p>I tend to agree with you on Japanese cars, but in between owning a Mk1 Golf GTI and a MKII GTI 16v I owned a Toyota Corolla 1.6 16V (Rear wheel drive (1986). This car was some kind of homologation special with a 1.6 16V engine and an LSD. It was fun and un-japanese, I used to be able to drive it up the road with the nose pointing at 45degrees. Unfortunately it went the same way as my mini 1275GT - engine failure. <p>Apparently the Datsun 240Z was supposed to be excellent too. <p>Sorry about the lack of A4 content.<p>Alan<br>1.8 TMS<p>

You can get a 1980-1983 Ferrari 328 (think Magnum P.I.) is good shape for about $29K.

The 90 Prelude was a fun light car to drive and I had extreme confidence that I could make it go exactly where I wanted it to go. It is very responsive. It is just underpowered. I feel I get better road feel through the Prelude than the A4. I bet this new Honda is a good ride but I do agree that it will probably have a different feel than German made cars. My A4 feels much more solid. Many people also like the Mazda Miata. They can make pretty good light cars and I bet this will be one of them. Give it a chance.<p>Mark (98.5 2.8 QMS)

Oh Cmon guys!! Talk about prejudice against cars! No one has driven the thing yet, so how can you make judgements? You know....it is made alongside the NSX. I'd think a mini-NSX would be nice! I'm beginning to think this is not the Audi list, but rather the "let's rag on everybody else's car, because they suck and ours are better" list.<p>Brad Franklin

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(nt)

Alot of us have, or have had, or plan to have many fine German automobiles in the future. Pls do not mistake the opinion of a few as the opinion of the masses. I personally like BMW, Porsche, and Audi. Yes, apparently some "seem" to think Audi's are the best. So what, they have their opinions also. I think my Audi is great...has it had a few warranty items fixed? Yes, so what...any car would. I still think this is the best car I have ever owned (and I have had alot of cars...at last count.... about 24).<p>BTW, what do you expect on an Audi enthusiasts board? People that don't like Audis?<p>Steve S.<br>97 2.8QM<br>

Sorry, didn't mean to come off that way, my message was limited to this S2000 thread only, since it seems that the majority of people that are writing about it are bashing the hell out of it just because it is an Acura, and no one here has driven it (or even seen one in person). That seems a little ridiculous, but that's just me...I judge only after I drive it, not after I read about it in a magazine :)<p>Later,<p>Brad Franklin

I have to say that the S2000 seems like a real jewel of a sports car. Come on race bred from the get go that car will probably be awesome. Styling looks a little generic, but would you buy a TT or a normaly aspirated 4 banger with 240hp. It looks to me like Honda just upped the ante in the sports car ranks big time. And for only $30 - $35 large.<br>

From what little i've read i wouldn't compare the S2000 to any other honda car except the NSX. 9,300 redline and 0-60 in less than 5.5 sec. is quite enough personality for me.<br>

I have read enough of your posts to know youre legit. My comment was really to Eric, the person considering the A4. I agree with your statement though....you cannot judge a car by reading about it in a magazine. You have to drive it, more than once around the block. The magazines allow me to eliminate the non-contenders...and concentrate my efforts towards evaluating those cars that excel in their class.<p>I have a friend with a new TL.....he keeps saying that he eliminated the A4 and Passat cause he didn't want to wait for a car....and he wanted leather...and he wanted a decent amount off MSRP. No problem....I personally find the car sorta boring...but different strokes for different folks. I know that due to the fact that you have an M3, that you may agree with my assessment of what is important, and that the TL may not be the car for us. The fact still remains, we all could have bought a new Camaro SS with tons of horsepower, but we didn't, and it was for a reason.<p>Steve S.<br>97 2.8QM