New guy from South Africa

andre63 · 12-10-2006, 01:36 AM

Hello everyone! My name is Andre'.

Thank you for a great site!

I have just bought a 2005 silver/black with 16000 km on the clock. It is in great condition and I am really enjoying the drive. I have not had much time on the road though; I have had it for two weeks and although we are supposed to have 360 days of sunshine a year, it has done nothing but rain (we have wet summers/dry winters) since I bought it!

The models we get are imported from Japan and we don't get the 2200 cc motor; we are still with the 2000 cc. (even 2007)

A couple of questions from a newbie please:

1. Where does the name 'Stewie' originate from?

2. My black top is quite dusty (inside and out). Please advise the best way to clean it and reseal the joints.

3. Still on the roof, the manual speaks of a silicone grease to seal the joints between roof and car. Please advise if this works and what type of product is best suited.

4. The 2005 model does not have traction control, only 2006 onwards. Is this a big disadvantage?

5. Does the 2200 cc motor have alot on the 2000 cc in terms of tractability, drivability, fuel consumption, etc? The 2 litre has 177 kw power and 208 NM of torque. what does the 2.2 litre offer?

Regards
Andre'

gomarlins3 · 12-10-2006, 10:38 AM

Welcome ot the site and congrats on the new car. I can't help woth a lot of the answers you seek since I haven't delt with them personally.

I think Java came up with Stewie, because he is the only person I see using it often, but I could be wrong.

The 2.2 has a little more torque, but less horsepower. The less HP may be due to the different way they test the engines now. The US versions of those cars also came with a transmission that had a different deduction gear to use the added (all of 8 lbs) torque better. Of course they also softened up the suspension in those models, so some people feel it was a wash. I guess it made the car easier to drive, but some of us liked it the way it was.

As for traction control, it does help when needed, but on a daily basis, I don't think it really has any benefit.

Java Junky · 12-11-2006, 09:21 PM

Hi Andre' n' welcome aboard.
The best stuff that I've run across for the top is "RaggTopp". ('Spelling might be off) But I've tried both ArmorAll and 303 which I found both equally good.
The "RaggTopp" came with some pretty heavy recommendations from top and vehicle manufacturers.
As for cleaning dust off and out of your top, I'm guessing that a ShopVac might be your best bet, but it's not something that I've had to do, so I'm really winging it.
And the lack of traction-control: driving Stewie (guilty-as-charged Go) with traction-control has godda be about as exciting as changing a roll of toilet paper.
Stewie's a driver's car. For alot of us, learning how to utilize it's abilities makes us drivers, makes us better drivers, or enables us to realize that we really belong on public transportation. As far as I'm concerned, having traction-control would be the disadvantage.
And while the 2200 engine is different than the 2000, what really matters is the difference of the whole package, as each model is distinctly different from the other for more reasons than just the engine. So much so that I firmly believe that if you take your driving seriously, test rides in each are the only way that you will be able to realize which suits your driving style best.
Be well.
Java

andre63 · 12-12-2006, 10:42 AM

Hi Java

Thank you for taking the time to reply and for the input and advice.
Take care.
Andre'

andre63 · 12-12-2006, 10:43 AM

Hi

Thank you for taking the time to reply and for the input and advice.
Take care.
Andre'

richardsingh · 12-14-2006, 04:20 AM

Hi Andre

I have also just purchased a 2005 model S2000 with 13000km on the clock in South Africa. Lets keep in touch and assist one another with any issues that we may have.

I have already found that the exhaust rattles a bit when starting the engine, but honda SA says that this is normal. Have you had a similar experience ?

regards
Richard

12-10-2006, 01:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
andre63 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Hillcrest, KZN, South Africa Posts: 3	New guy from South Africa Hello everyone! My name is Andre'. Thank you for a great site! I have just bought a 2005 silver/black with 16000 km on the clock. It is in great condition and I am really enjoying the drive. I have not had much time on the road though; I have had it for two weeks and although we are supposed to have 360 days of sunshine a year, it has done nothing but rain (we have wet summers/dry winters) since I bought it! The models we get are imported from Japan and we don't get the 2200 cc motor; we are still with the 2000 cc. (even 2007) A couple of questions from a newbie please: 1. Where does the name 'Stewie' originate from? 2. My black top is quite dusty (inside and out). Please advise the best way to clean it and reseal the joints. 3. Still on the roof, the manual speaks of a silicone grease to seal the joints between roof and car. Please advise if this works and what type of product is best suited. 4. The 2005 model does not have traction control, only 2006 onwards. Is this a big disadvantage? 5. Does the 2200 cc motor have alot on the 2000 cc in terms of tractability, drivability, fuel consumption, etc? The 2 litre has 177 kw power and 208 NM of torque. what does the 2.2 litre offer? Regards Andre'

12-10-2006, 10:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
gomarlins3 "Enjoy the drive" Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Kuna Idaho Posts: 2,644	Welcome ot the site and congrats on the new car. I can't help woth a lot of the answers you seek since I haven't delt with them personally. I think Java came up with Stewie, because he is the only person I see using it often, but I could be wrong. The 2.2 has a little more torque, but less horsepower. The less HP may be due to the different way they test the engines now. The US versions of those cars also came with a transmission that had a different deduction gear to use the added (all of 8 lbs) torque better. Of course they also softened up the suspension in those models, so some people feel it was a wash. I guess it made the car easier to drive, but some of us liked it the way it was. As for traction control, it does help when needed, but on a daily basis, I don't think it really has any benefit. __________________ Yablownowitz Racing brought to you by Anytime Fitness. Happiness is a nice road, great weather, and driving the S with Sue in the seat next to me. "Whatever you do, where ever you go, enjoy the drive." I know for a FACT that the last year of production of the S2000 is 2003!!!!! After that, it will be the S2200 under an assumed name.

12-11-2006, 09:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
Java Junky Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Joisey Posts: 5,482	Hi Andre' n' welcome aboard. The best stuff that I've run across for the top is "RaggTopp". ('Spelling might be off) But I've tried both ArmorAll and 303 which I found both equally good. The "RaggTopp" came with some pretty heavy recommendations from top and vehicle manufacturers. As for cleaning dust off and out of your top, I'm guessing that a ShopVac might be your best bet, but it's not something that I've had to do, so I'm really winging it. And the lack of traction-control: driving Stewie (guilty-as-charged Go) with traction-control has godda be about as exciting as changing a roll of toilet paper. Stewie's a driver's car. For alot of us, learning how to utilize it's abilities makes us drivers, makes us better drivers, or enables us to realize that we really belong on public transportation. As far as I'm concerned, having traction-control would be the disadvantage. And while the 2200 engine is different than the 2000, what really matters is the difference of the whole package, as each model is distinctly different from the other for more reasons than just the engine. So much so that I firmly believe that if you take your driving seriously, test rides in each are the only way that you will be able to realize which suits your driving style best. Be well. Java __________________ In life-long pursuit of that most mythic of beasts: the ever-elusive perfect corner. Well . . . that, r' at least a whole lodda clear spin-out room.

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12-12-2006, 10:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
andre63 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Hillcrest, KZN, South Africa Posts: 3	Hi Java Thank you for taking the time to reply and for the input and advice. Take care. Andre'

12-12-2006, 10:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
andre63 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Hillcrest, KZN, South Africa Posts: 3	Hi Thank you for taking the time to reply and for the input and advice. Take care. Andre'

12-14-2006, 04:20 AM	#6 (permalink)
richardsingh Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1	Hi Andre I have also just purchased a 2005 model S2000 with 13000km on the clock in South Africa. Lets keep in touch and assist one another with any issues that we may have. I have already found that the exhaust rattles a bit when starting the engine, but honda SA says that this is normal. Have you had a similar experience ? regards Richard