I haven’t sent this yet; felt it could use a critique.

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December 12, 2006

To whom it may concern,

I write to you in regard to the convertible soft-top of my 2001 Honda S2000, which I bought used a year and a half ago; it is the third Honda now sitting in my garage. It seems that through normal use, the top has begun to wear through in four locations (two identical spots on each side). I have been doing quite a bit of research regarding this and have found that it is a common problem, which Honda remedied in 2003 with a new top altogether; pointing to an obvious design flaw.

In my research, I have found many different answers from local dealerships, most of which were negative, which is why I’m coming straight to you. The most common denial I have heard is that the convertible top is a wear item, which I can agree that after 20 years or so, one may need to get a new top. A roof is not like a set of tires or oil in any way, and a car that cost nearly $35,000 when new just a few years ago should not have a problem such as this. I have already been forced to replace my plastic rear window, which had a crack go through it as I put the top down to clean the interior inside my garage last winter. That was quite a financial burden, something I do not expect from Honda products, which keeps me coming back to you all time and again.

As stated previously, I own a 2001 Honda S2000, a 1993 Honda Civic, and a 1997 Honda VFR750F. I have also recommended the purchase of two other S2000s, a Civic, an Accord, and I am currently in the market to add another to my own stable (Element or Ridgeline). I am an administrator on the largest Honda forum on the internet; I have been an official for the premier racing series of Hondas in the United States from its inception; I recently spent two weeks in Japan centered around your company (visited Motegi, Spoon Sports, an F1 race, interviewed a Team ARTA racer at a JGTC race on behalf of VTEC.net, and much more); I live and breathe Honda. I would hate for my love to be spoiled by something as small as a design defect in a roof.

As an added note, my car also has one of the early ‘buzzing’ clutches, which were repaired under TSB 00-054. I was told by my local dealership that since I was out of warranty when I presented this to them, it was considered a wear item. I’m not sure how mileage negates the fact that there was design flaw, but I can live with it as I will likely be putting a new clutch in fairly soon anyway.

Garaged every day and at only 52,000 miles, I should not be faced with a several thousand dollar repair or the threat of rain on my head from Honda’s flagship sports car; it’s just not what I have come to expect from Honda products and as a long-standing and devout customer, I implore you to do the right thing of repairing or replacing my convertible top.

Sincerely,

[my name]