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Why do Honda S2000s cost so much to insure?

Why do Honda S2000s cost so much to insure? I'm 28 and have eight years no claims, no penalty points and want to insure myself and my 26-year-old girlfriend (full licence) on the car. All the major insurers have refused to quote for me only, never mind her, and the excess they are  trying to charge me is over a grand. I have just gotten a quote for a Lotus Elise for the two of us for €700! Why is the S2000 so dear?

Ian Higgins

Jan 2013 Filed under: insurance


Expert answer

Hi Ian,

Simply because it’s much faster and more powerful than the Elise. The Elise, for all its amazing handling and the heritage that goes with the Lotus badge, still uses either a Rover K-series 1.8 or, latterly, a Toyota 1.8-litre engine, usually with a maximum if 190hp (unless we’re talking the more rarefied supercharged versions). By contrast, the S2000 had 240hp and, worse yet, has become a firm favourite of the tuning and modifying brigade, so doubtless as soon as you say the words ‘Honda S2000’ to any insurer, a little flashing red light and a sign saying ‘boy racer’ goes off in their office. Fair? Nope, but welcome to the Irish insurance industry…

(By the way — you managed to get quoted €700 for insurance on an Elise and you’re under 30? How did you manage that?)

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Advisor
@neilmbriscoe


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