2005 Honda S2000 Review New Mexico

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Introduction

Honda S2000 -- 2005 Review: Screaming around "the horseshoe" at the Streets of Willow Springs road course in the summer of 2000, giggling hysterically with the roadster's tail hung out, the engine wailing at ungodly rpm, and a hot ingot of aluminum gear shifter in my right hand, I fell in love with the Honda S2000. A bullet-bike on four wheels because of its gloriously high redline, manic power delivery, and razor-sharp responses, the S2000 represented a serious performance machine, a tool with which canyons could be carved like Thanksgiving turkey with an electric Ginsu knife. And on a closed track, with nothing to hit but dirt and gravel in the event of a spin, the S2000 proved as much as fun as ten barrels of monkeys.

Yet, for most people, the S2000 was an acquired taste. Its high-revving four-cylinder engine, manual-only transmission, video game digital gauges, minimalist interior design and décor, and seeming lack of refinement were not what people expected in a $35,000 convertible that competed against entry-level Bimmers and Benzes. The Honda S2000 - a car made for driving enthusiasts, by driving enthusiasts - was not for poseurs.

Unfortunately, being a driving enthusiast doesn't automatically confer driving skills, and the first iteration of the Honda S2000 had a nasty tendency to lose adhesion with little forewarning, resulting in plenty of crunched sheetmetal after owners ran out of talent. Plus, using the S2000 as a daily driver meant ripping around town way up high in the powerband where the engine made all of its thrust, or bopping about in the lower rev ranges where the motor possessed all the muscle of a Mazda Miata.

To resolve these issues, Honda made several changes to the S2000 for the 2004 model year. A larger displacement, 2.2-liter engine with a broader powerband improves around-town responsiveness. Modified gear ratios with carbon synchronizers on all forward gears help to make the most of the power while easing gear engagement. Suspension tweaks aim to improve stability and ride quality, and larger 17-inch wheels and tires increase stick at the limit. Honda also recalibrated the electric steering for better road feel and less bump steer, and improved brake pedal response, too. Inside, the 2004 model got more shoulder and elbow room, along with an added cupholder. Capping off the updates, revised styling and a new wheel design visually signified the new-and-improved Honda S2000.

These recent changes were my excuse to borrow a New Formula Red 2005 Honda S2000 for a week and enjoy the summer sunshine in Southern California. Always exhilarating but never refreshing, the Honda S2000 is not a car for the faint of heart. To love the Honda S2000, you've gotta be a fan of four-cylinder engines, variable valve timing technology, manual transmissions, stiff suspensions, and singular-purpose design to feel you've gotten your money's worth. But regardless of its faults, the car is truly a blast to drive, is extremely well built, and represents one of the purest sports cars on the market today. And with the recent updates, it's better than ever.

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Sävy Strategic Creative

The Finest in European Automotive in Bend.

1.541.359.3068
Service Rd
Bend, OK
http://www.getsavy.com/

The Finest in European Automotive in Bend.
The moment one walks through the doors at German Master Tech in Bend, Oregon, its meticulously kept, white floored shop currently home to an impressive lineup of detail and restoration in progress: the bright silver Porsche spec racer being built in the center of the room, the Porsche 911 S undergoing a full restoration and the variant of others, from BMWs to Ferraris, it is quickly understood why German Master Tech, with some of the finest European auto technicians and restoration specialists in the country, supports some of the finest European cars on the West Coast. This German-apprenticed, master-trained company, that refers to its work as “a craft”, is known to many by the unmatched service and support they provide their racing and restoration clients across the country, to others by the niche expedition preparation service they provide all-terrain vehicles, and still to their most dedicated customer, the fine European car enthusiast, German Master Tech is truly the one to many in this town.
German Master Tech’s President, a BMW Master Technician, Tim Morris, brings with him over 25 years experience in the industry and has been awarded several achievement and master technician status awards though BMW specialized factory schools. Tim has also achieved BMW’s Center of Excellence Award twice and is a seven-time BMW President’s Club Technician. German Master Tech’s co-founder and past partner, Jay Audia, won the 07 SCCA Regional Championships for GT2 in his German Master Tech-prepared Panoz. The company’s third founder is one of Bend’s most passionate Porsche enthusiasts, John Audette.

“Restorations have been a large part of our focus,” said Morris, describing some of his company’s award winning roots. “From our very first restoration, a 58’ BMW Isetta 300, which we took to the Forest Grove Concours d’ Elegance in 05 and won our class, in addition to taking home the President’s Award, which was judged by Pacific College’s President as “the car the college student would most want to drive,” said Morris. “I drew on my past car show and restoration experience to pull off a surprise win. It was a good deal of timing and the right car, with the right colors. We stole the show with a micro car, it was great!” Morris said standing next to his red Porsche hot rod parked inside his shop. “Car shows and racing are my passions,” he said with a smile.
“Our tuning business is the best around,” continued Morris of the company’s capabilities. “The application of our developed performance packages to already great cars really creates a ‘wow’.” German Master Tech provides full warranty BMW performance upgrades as a Dinan-authorized dealer, and Porsche performance programs that take the 911 to the next level. “Our tuning business has led us to organized racing, which has been a life-long dream of mine.” Included in German Master Tech’s list of champion racing cars are a 64’ BMW 1800 TISA owned by Steve Walker of Salem. The 1800 TISA is BMW’s first post-war racer based on a production car in regional vintage racing. A 911 Porsche racer owned by Bend’s Mark Powell will be racing in one of the West Coast’s fastest growing amateur racing classes, Spec 911. “Mark’s car is special as it ties together the whole business: a restoration with an extreme tuning package.”

“German Master Tech has worked on all my cars, including a Range Rover, BMW, three Ferraris and a Porsche,” said Ervin Richards, a long-time German Master Tech customer. “I bring my cars here because they consistently do it better and because they’ve always gone way beyond the call of duty in their service and support of my vehicles.” “If I can bring it to German Master Tech,” said Richards, “I will.”
To learn more about German Master Tech, contact them directly at 541.322.9647.