Massive UK owner survey crowns Honda S2000 as top 'hero'
A new UK Driver Power survey conducted by Auto Express Magazine surveyed 46,000 car owners on their choice for the nation's automotive Heroes and Villains. Criteria included driving enjoyment, running costs, reliability, build quality, and so on.
The 'super' Hero? Honda's S2000 roadster. In fact, Honda placed three cars in the top ten, as did VW AG property Skoda and BMW. In a 'shades of Consumer Reports' finding, the British publication's survey found that 11 of the top 12 most reliable vehicles were Japanese, and 9 of 11 of the most problematic were of French and Italian descent.
The biggest villains? Peugeot's 206, Mercedes A-Class and the not-so-dearly departed Rover 25.
A summary of AE's findings and criteria can be found here, and a more comprehensive vehicle-by-vehicle ranking here.
[Sources: Auto Express, The Independent, Honda Motor Co.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Gunnar Heinrich 6:18PM (3/28/2006)
The Honda may be a good vehicle, but I'd prefer the Porsche Boxster or even the Mercedes-Benz SLK.
http://www.automobilesdeluxe.blogspot.com
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Ted K 6:22PM (3/28/2006)
I can agree. The S2000 is a fantastic performer at an incredible value. Throw in Honda reliability and you've got a sure winner.
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Ted K 6:31PM (3/28/2006)
I like looking at or driving the Boxster or SLK but I would hate to own one. Too expensive and too much maintenance!
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broosewee 6:44PM (3/28/2006)
Beautiful car. It's very sporty, high maintenance, somewhat rare, drop top, rear wheel drive, and very reasonably priced, unlike porsche or mercedes.
Can't wait for the next generation!
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Aki 6:58PM (3/28/2006)
I guess the "Consumer Reports conspiracy" even extends to the UK since Honda's dominating the list. Man, amazing how Honda's marketing is solely responsible for its success. Or maybe--*gasp*--their cars are noteworthy of praise?
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Lee Gibson 7:05PM (3/28/2006)
Reliable, great chassis, great engine, great convertible top, great transmission...
Boring-looking as every other Honda.
Sorry. I want the whole package. I'll either buy a Miata and save $10 large, or spend another $10 large and buy a Boxster (or an Elise!)
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William P. 7:11PM (3/28/2006)
I owned this car for 2 years - I miss it . Hands down best car I've owned. The fun factor is off the charts! Reliable... Amazing!
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el-INDiano 7:29PM (3/28/2006)
sure boxsters and slk's are great but they are 10k more than the s2000.
with the slk you get a folding hard top, lots of gadgets and is worth every penny but the boxster is just simply over priced for what you get.
the s2000 what a true roadster should be. simple, reliable, and fast.
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ZoomZoomin' 7:40PM (3/28/2006)
I can see how they're so amazingly rare. Try to test drive one and note how quickly you get rejected...Honda dealers treat S2000s like they're an NSX. Sorry, I'm not going to agree to buy a car before I've ever driven it. Meanwhile you can go across the street and hop in a Z4 or Boxster no problem. That's just plain nutty for a sub $35K car.
Then call your insurance company to see how much it costs to insure an S2000 and quickly discover that driving a Ferrari is probably cheaper...both the Z4 and the Boxster seem to average 1/3 or less the cost to insure an S2000 (even compared to '06 S2000s with traction control).
The styling is kind of bland and I generally hate convertibles, but I've got a thing for push-button ignitions and the price isn't bad. However, I'll never know how the S2000 actually drives.
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cellularcoffee 7:47PM (3/28/2006)
2nd gear grinds. Gear lever not in the ideal position. Sound harsh when accelerated.
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the kid 7:55PM (3/28/2006)
If you think the gearbox grinds in second i think it has more to do with driving ability than the cars gearbox. I've owned one for 2 years and had no such problem...easily the best gearbox i've laid my hands on. With my aftermarket exhaust this is by far the sweetest sounding 4 cyl car on the market. Boxter=slow and overpriced SLK=overpriced and made for my wife and mother to drive S2K=best roadster for the money.
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Takeo 8:06PM (3/28/2006)
Harsh!?!? That's sort of the POINT right? It's not a cruiser, it's a sport bike with 4 wheels.
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cFoo 8:32PM (3/28/2006)
Not hard to believe. The S2000 is a fantasic car every where else in the world. Except for the US where half the populations do not fit in the car and do not understand the true meaning of a real sport car.
If you want a true sport car, this is the real thing (next to the Elise). Otherwise if you just want to cruise the streets looking like you have more money in your pocket than you really do then the SLK is for you!
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Agent 8:47PM (3/28/2006)
Blah blah, At least we know Europeans don't think much of American trash such as GM.
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Stoneman 9:58PM (3/28/2006)
The S2000 is an OK sports car. I think I'd rather give an RX-8 a shot. I like the RX8 design, and the engine is something special. Mazda has clearly figured out the rotary problems. Yep, that's on my test drive list to-do sheet.
Stoneman from
Stoneman Auto Review
http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/sar
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j 11:02PM (3/28/2006)
Why am I not surprised? Where's all the rednecks that called Consumer Reports BS?
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Bruce 1:37AM (3/29/2006)
The S2000 is not bad ... however if you want to true motoring, you want an Elise 111R.
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autobots 1:47AM (3/29/2006)
I dont think theyre rednecks, but bunch of pansy yuppies! You ladies can go buy the over priced feminine SLK and Boxter because it takes real men to really appreciate true 2-seat roadster regardless where it comes from.
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Richard Brunton 2:38AM (3/29/2006)
Boxster? Merc? Geez, I don't want the current company fleet car of the moment, or the car that every balding middle aged man seems to buy.
I love my S2k, and as for the maintenance comment...I've had none.
It turns a smile on my face every time I sit inside it and start that engine.
Interesting the comments about how Honda dealers treat the S2k, I was looking at an RX8 beforehand and the dealer wouldn't even let me sit in it. Bang. Deal lost.
Insurance? I'm 600p.y. protected NCB.
Yes, I "want the whole package too" and that doesn't mean a half way house like most of the cars mentioned. I'd be the full top end of the market.
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Cameron 3:15AM (3/29/2006)
I don't know what cellularcoffee is smoking, but anyone, and I mean anyone who has actually DRIVEN an S2000 will tell you (along with EVERY automotive publication) that the S2000 has probably the best shifting action of any car under US$100K. If you can't find pleasure in the feel and sound of revving a Honda (both the S2000 AND 06 Civic Si) to 8200 RPMs from the FACTORY, then you don't get it, and never will. Like autobots said, the S2000 is the purist's roadster. The high insurance prices are caused by inexperienced drivers that don't know where their own talent ends and where physics begins.
I'm not trying to say this is the best car out there, just the most car for your money if you are truly a driving enthusiast with a passion for real performance, and a desire for every day driveability, reliability, and GAS MILEAGE.
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