| Winding country roads provide great driving | | | | electric defroster and a wind deflector are |
| delight. They give sports | | | | standard. A removable |
| car owners ample proof why they often sacrifice | | | | aluminum hardtop is optional, but side airbags are |
| luxury and comfort for | | | | not available.As a two-seat sports car (there is no |
| speed and excitement.In Northern California, the | | | | rear cargo or passenger area), |
| wine country roads through the Napa Valley | | | | space is at premium. That's good and bad. The |
| and Mendocino Coast are prime examples -- at | | | | shifting box, audio |
| least for drivers. There | | | | system, small vertical, locked console storage |
| are plenty of stretches where passengers | | | | compartment and all |
| susceptible to car sickness | | | | other instrumentation is in close proximity.But as |
| may be in trouble. But for a driver, the deep | | | | a 6-foot, 185-pound driver, the comfort level |
| turns and switchbacks | | | | waned after a few |
| require plenty of shifting, maneuvering and | | | | hours on the road. Likewise, entering and exiting |
| accelerating skills.So with a 2004 Honda S2000 as | | | | the vehicle is best |
| my weekly test drive, could there have | | | | accomplished with the "crouch-and-crawl" |
| been a better location for a getaway | | | | method.Surprisingly, while the trunk compartment |
| weekend?The two-door, rear-wheel driver sports | | | | could hardly be described as |
| car is a sleek, quick-moving 2.2. | | | | spacious, it provides enough room for two |
| liter, 16-valve, 240 horsepower convertible with a | | | | soft-sided weekend luggage |
| six-speed manual | | | | bags. And there was also enough space left for |
| transmission. The renowned Japanese | | | | several plastic bags of |
| manufacturer offers the vehicle | | | | beach-combing discoveries.One oddity: Since the |
| as competition against the BMW Z4, Mazda Miata | | | | convertible top is not insulated, the car drives with |
| and Nissan 350Z.The S2000 has a nicely | | | | |
| contoured body design, its front and rear | | | | less bothersome noise with the top down than it |
| bumpers and lights have been restyled from | | | | does with the top up. |
| 2003l and it offers an | | | | The convertible top, by the way, is easy to |
| increase to 17-inch tires from the 16-inch tires | | | | lower or raise.It attaches and detaches with |
| from last year. With its | | | | pushed button locks on the outside ceiling |
| new features, my red (body) and black (top) | | | | of the driver and passenger seats. The electric |
| vehicle drew plenty of looks.But while the exterior | | | | function is engaged by a |
| is attractive, it's the interior of the vehicle that | | | | large red button on the middle console. It can't be |
| figuratively shines. It is a combination of | | | | missed unless it's |
| efficiency of space and homage | | | | covered by a map and newspaper, as was the |
| to racing vehicles.For example, I wouldn't have | | | | case when we wanted to |
| known, but a friend keen on motor sports | | | | lower the top. We looked for several minutes |
| mentioned that the S2000 RRM and gas tank | | | | before discovering the |
| volume graphic bars are | | | | button was right in front of our eyes.Not-so-easy |
| the type used in Formula 1 racing cars.In fact, | | | | to find is the gas tank cover opener. After |
| combined with the large digital MPH readout, the | | | | another extended |
| instrumentation | | | | search and without the benefit of an owner's |
| is void of traditional needle-style readings. Similar | | | | manual, the button was |
| to other racing cars, | | | | finally located inside the driver's back door |
| the S2000 also has a push-button ignition when | | | | panel.Its discovery provided more humor and |
| the key is in the start | | | | another small confirmation of the |
| position.To further accentuate the sports car | | | | S2000's unique position in the sports car |
| feeling, both driver and passenger | | | | marketplace.2004 Honda S2000Safety features -- |
| sit in tight but conforming seats. As the driver, | | | | Driver's and front passenger's airbags, side impact |
| the small, compact | | | | |
| steering wheel complements the 17-inch wheels. | | | | door beams, emergency trunk opener.Fuel |
| The result is superior | | | | Mileage (estimates) -- 20 (city), 25 mpg |
| responsiveness, and "Go-Kart-flat" corning and | | | | (highway).Warranty -- 3 years/36,000 miles |
| "Pin-sharp steering," as | | | | (bumper to bumper), 5 years/unlimited |
| one consumer guide describes the vehicle's feel | | | | mileage (corrosion).Base price -- $32,600.James |
| on the road.Further, with the six-speed | | | | Raia is a syndicated journalist in Sacramento, Calif., |
| transmission and quick acceleration (rated at | | | | who writes |
| 0 to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds in 2003), anyone | | | | about sports, fitness and business topics as well |
| who enjoys the mechanics | | | | as the free electronic |
| of driving, gets his or her share.Leather | | | | newsletters Endurance Sports News and Tour de |
| upholstery, high-intensity headlamps, a glass rear | | | | France Times and The |
| window with | | | | Weekly Driver, a car review column. |