Tell us about your Honda S2000.
It’s a silver convertible two-seater with a 2L four-cylinder engine and six gears.
Why did you want this car?
My first car was a Honda and Hondas are known for their VTEC engines. They rev quite high. So ever since I’ve had that first Honda, my goal was to have the best version of their VTEC car. But they have always been expensive so I have been saving, saving, saving. Tell us about the one you managed to buy this year.
It was online and I said to the guy if you don’t sell it, I’m tempted to buy it but at a reduced price. It took about a month and it hadn’t sold so I made him an offer.
What do you like about it?
It has done about 50,000km so it has been pretty well looked after. I only take it out on weekends if it’s good weather. The handling is really nimble; it’s kind of like a go-kart. The engine revs to about 9000 RPM and not many other engines can do that. It has a good base to be a track car further down the line. That’s what I intend to do.
What will you need to do to make it race ready?
It will be simple things such as wheels, tyres, the suspension might be lower and the exhaust system. I am intending to keep it for quite a while so that will be further down the line.
Who else drives it?
No one. I’m a bit fussy like that.
How does it suit your personality?
I like to think the car looks and feels younger than it is. But I think a lot of people think I’m someone going through a midlife crisis driving a convertible. I just love cars and this is one of the most fun cars that I have owned and it is affordable and no maintenance.
How often do you clean it?
I don’t really drive it that much so I get away with not cleaning it weekly. I do it every month or so.
What do you keep in your car?
There’s not really much space. Just my fragrance to make my car smell good. I order these special Oud wood fragrances online.
Will you ever sell it?
Hopefully not. It is something I would like to keep. They are becoming quite rare and seem to be going up in value.
What’s your daily drive?
A Lexus GS460.
That seems like chalk and cheese?
Definitely. The Lexus is pretty much double to everything the Honda is. Double in size, eight cylinders instead of four, twice the power. The Lexus is quiet whereas the Honda is bumpy and loud.
Manual or auto?
Typically manual but for Auckland traffic definitely auto.
Do you like modified cars?
I think for modified cars, that would be my cousin. In ’96 or ’97 he got a Morris Minor body for free and ended up putting in a rotary engine. He put in four bucket seats. I think the modified car thing is running in the family. But I used to help out Dad in the dairy when I was small, and looked through the car magazines. I ended up being able to recognise most cars on the road and their current value.
Furthest drive in this car?
I usually drive it out to the Waitakere ranges if I have a bit of spare time. The roads are pretty fun.
What do you listen to?
Old school hip-hop and R&B. Usually my playlist has Tupac.
Your thoughts on electric cars?
I got a chance to drive a Tesla Model S P100D and honestly it ruined the usual petrol car because of the instant torque. I can definitely see myself driving one. People worry about the range of the battery but most people don’t usually drive that far. I see a place for driverless cars but not for myself because I like driving too much.