Froi previous page when trying for sixth, as there is in the Miata. § was also impressed with the $2000's tight drivetrain and strong body. Normally, in a convertible with this much power, vou expect some driveline twisting and flexing, but the $2000 is rock solid. The $2000's chassis structure is what Honda calls an “X-bone frame,” a rigid design thar improves torsional strength, The $2000°s independent double wishbone suspension features a design borrowed from Honda's racing appli- cations. With the ball joints inboard of the wheel centre- line, the system reduces unsprung weight and improves tire contact and adhesion. With a 56/50 front/rear weight distribu- tion, front and rear stabilizer bars, and low-profile perfor- mance tires (front tires are Bridgestone Porenza S-02 205/55VR-16 inch, and rear tires are 225/58VR-16 inch), the $2000 offers quick, nimble handling with very high cornering limits. Handling is similar to such front engine /rear- wheel-drive cars as the ~ BWM M Roadster and Mazda Miata, but like those cars, the $2000 is lighter in the rear-end than mid- engined sports cars like the Porsche Boxster. The $2000 could be.a handful on slip- pery: winter roads. To.make the. drivin ex, erience even snore Hy joy- _ ble, $2000's offer quick, precis steering. with electric hots, mech nical = electrical repairs, i y trained technician © D assisturoe! drive select AX4 i cargo @ a peting {side i impact beams / dual air bags / power assisted tack-and- rpinion | 2000 Grand Vitara V6 tease for just $320 ‘4d months, O.A.C. including freight & P.D.E. or buy from n $24,890."" *48 months, O.A.C. including freight & P.D.E. "ar buy from $21,690."* fey vew 2000 sary 28 U12000 Scans Years Ux KUT Ler ert tnt on ok mv comm fs ne agen ANN 8D ae . “ured frve ner i> 908 apgrned Datomery Bat en ERIK ei en ren reac 2a ay ets en LN Cerone et Nar 1 payment ind S358 ON HEI0 00 nels Gatay eae) See cearNE eree lore7wren ond wekrsbie Unde tebe. A tipettg Geser has a accibenat con aN. Satars and wt Gf nase seercrase Mbers Bnd 9 f VoTA WLI Co Won UT Pepe POE (BBS om veVINE tenes Aone, Aid wtcaraNce nat eattot Pesteapabrg Genter 737 variable-power- assist, and standard front ventilated dise brakes and rear solid dises with ABS. The $2000's weil- equipped interior has a number of unique features thar add to its sporty charac- ter. Twin, perforated leather sport seats with lots of thigh and upper body support do a great job of resisting cen- tripetal forces, However, | found chat the rake adjust- ment lever on the side of the seat was too close to the door sill, making it difficult to operate. A bright red starter but- ton to the left of the steer- ing wheel, similar to those on genuine race cars, louks very cool. But T suspect its appeal will fade after the first few months of owner- ship. Each time you start the car, you must first turn the ignition switch with your right hand, and ther push the red button with your left hand — double the duty of an ordinary car. The S2000’s bright orange clectronic instrumen- tation includes a swecping tachometer readout, a speedometer that includes both analogue and digital readouts, a coolant gauge, and fuel gauge. While the gauges are easy to sce, even in bright sun- light, ’'m not convinced orange is a great cclour for instruments — it’s not as casy on the cyes:as blue or red. , The. $2000s attract ive,’ ; three- are just to the right of the steering Wheel, making them casy ro adjust. A unique fan- speed burton features single- push operation to increase or decrease fan speed, and rotary ventilation and tem- perature dials that are easy to operate. An aluminum shift knob is perched atop a short lever mounted on a high centre console. A standard AM/FM/CD player is hid- den behind a flip-down panel in the centre dasiz area. Te the left of the steer- ing wheel are auxitiary stereo controls, including a push up/push down volume control, a button for radie station pre-sets and AM or FM selection. Two lockable storage compartments are found behind and between the seats. Other standard features include air conditioning, cruise control, power win- dows, power mirrors, remote keyless entry, engine immobilizer, and dual airbags. Side airbags are not offered. $2000’s are available in. three racy colours: New Formula Red, Berlina Black, and Siiverstone Metallic. Its biack vinyl top is power: operated and takes just 10 seconds to raise and lower. When lowered, a flex- ible boor cover fits over the fowered top to keep it clean and dry. When raised; the. top is secured with two” latches on the windshield See Rear next page Technlcal Data Base price ccotctitunitninnnnnt nnn GAB, 000. Type........ wo-door, two-passenger convertible sports car longitudinal front engine/rear-wheel-drive Engine... .2.0-litre, four-cylinder, DOHC, 16 valves, VTEC HOPSEPOWET ........sssrcsssceseseronssesensereesenn240 @ 8,300 Fp.m. TOF QUE ......ssssssssssensoresseteensoreenonmeeneeee 151 @ 7,600 Ep... Transmission. +3210 S, Fraser Way BSS-S476 + 26004 Fraser Hwy. 957-498, > 1986 Prager sy. : LANGLEY HEW WEESTISRSTER= » 325A 12th St ANCVER WEST Y: six-speed manual” 1,274 kg (2,808 ib.) 400 mm (84.5 in} . 4,420 mim (162.2 in.) - 1,750 mm (68.9 if.) . 1285 mm (60.7 in). » .153 litres (5.4 cu: ft) tat , ; nee Questa. RTE eR tig Cre Sti i.