Follow Your Heart
“When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: “If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.” It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.
Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” - Steve Jobs
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Vyets S2000 from Felix A. Lim and Simon Nguyen
Kris (auto) Kross
As the world anticipates the release of the I-phone 4s and repeatedly reminds us of the death of Steve Jobs through the social medium, the usual suspects and I sought sanctuary in the form of an auto-x. With Nassau Coliseum having just repaved their lot, the “million plus” square feet gauntlet transformed into a some what decent venue and little consideration was required to determine whether or not we were attending.
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Spotted: Dirty’s Old S2000
Dirty’s old S2000 has managed to find its way back to the pages of ILE via Franco in New Jersey. Looking super clean on the popular XXR wheels, it always a pleasure to see cars of this caliber survive.
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Photographer and current owner: Franco R
Influence
First and foremost the staff at ILE are friends before anything and that being so the truth which hurts so much is communicated to the fullest of detail. Most of us owning an s2000 before or currently know how capable the platform is, but few of us know more than E. Having had 2 AP1s and a turbo AP2, his newest and 4th s2k will live its unnatural life along side mine gracing the circuit. WINNING
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PHOTOS BY THE TALENTED: Sheldon Tran Photo
problem?
Discuss: Critical
Taking moment to put not only myself but also ILE in a position of judgement from an unbiased perspective it would appear that recently we’ve been taking a rather critical position on all things automotive related amongst other subjects. Given this is a medium of which we pay for and further more control, we could just flip everyone the bird and go on with our bad self but with respect to the automotive community and our followers I’ll address the issue with tact and sincerity.
The thought came to mind as would any topic of interest would, through inspiration. A conversation, exactly, although not immediately related brought into realization how opinionated we have become, passing judgement and analyzing every detail of ones build and life. To our defense, it’s just what becomes of the enthusiast when all of his/her previous expectations are fulfilled and the fine line between what’s awesome and what is mediocre is less definitive.
An inspection of myself uncovered this query; Who am I to criticize someone’s pride and joy… besides a gentleman and scholar with great tastes (kidding… almost)? In all seriousness, the decisions people make and the lifestyle they’ve selected is solely their choice and my opinion is, well, just that.
Bringing this topic full circle. I wanted to thank everyone for contributing their $0.02 (“two cents”) via our FACEBOOK and the comments section. The energy that drives this industry is strengthened within these channels and it leads to innovation that’ll hopefully reward innovators, and not imitators, resulting in faster, more reliable, attractive, sports cars.
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CCW, a brand that has become a standard amongst the fitment concerned, at least in my opinion, has earned its “stripes” in all avenues of tuning. Below 3 S2000′s wearing LM20s and Classics join an NA2 NSX
photo credit: unknown
You Can Get With This or You Can Get With That
Sergey and Miss S2K are no strangers to the internet as both of them are overnight sensations. As a couple bound not only by their affection towards each other but also by tuning it appears that their is a glimmer of hope in the World. With an MR2 as such and an S2000 that would snap the neck of any on looker it’s hard to imagine who caught whose attention first.
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Photo Credit: Ray Flores
Not Your First Amodeo
Today I had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Chris Amodei at his best that is pointing the finger and giving orders. His S2000 which is scheduled to make an appearance next week was looking mighty healthy as were his new wheels, exhaust and custom bodywork. If you only knew what he has planned you’d be as eager as I am to see the gum scraper do just that.
He will be giving the dumped Mazda Miata below a run for its money regarding ride height.
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False Advertising below
EK’d EG
It’s good to see individuals doing things differently in the Honda community especially if the outcome is as such.
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here are couple recent shots of my S
Wicked Big Beattttttt (Meat, er Meet)
Last weekend, Stafford Springs, CT played host to North America’s Largest gathering of Subarus. As you could imagine my assumption that the lot would be filled with “stage 2″ WRXs and STIs was completely accurate but that’s what helps define what is genuinely special. Without black, there would be no white, without shitty friends there wouldn’t be best friends, you get the idea. That said below are some cars and people that I felt required some special attention.
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beyond the clouds there is a sunny day
Alan and JNA STIs arguably the best GRs this side of the country
white on white s2k :drool:
loyalty
bagged
the arthus breaking necks
Company Policy- S2k and BMW
“Time is the friend of the wonderful company, the enemy of the mediocre.”
Summer is here and it’s time to reevaluate your friends. Cut the fat and move forward with energetic individuals.
This hellaflush, sebring silver S2000 is complemented by the good grace of a gorgeous E36 M3.
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photocredit: travis cuykendal
New Perspective: Chris Amodei’s S2000
Chris Amodei’s photography challenges the abilities of many published photographers but his automotive lifestyle runs far beyond the lens. Working in the industry and attending any and every meet within reason, you may have already seen his ebony S scattered across the forums or on his own personal flick’r. Having met up with him the other day after work, I made a small effort to at least be on par with his shoots.
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a little mugen lip action
some staggered blitz wheels are always a secure investment
sabre-skulls will be available next week <3
Cover Up: Ralph’s Italian Ice Meet
The moment we committed to hosting a meet on Saturday all elements seemed to stack against us. Pressed for time and a rainy forecast, we expected the worst and hoped for the best. Shortly before 2pm, the other contributors to ILE and I met and washed each others cars but our arrival to Ralph’s Italian Ice in Patchogue was kindly met by a female police officer. The foul weather receded but now we had to deal with the firm lady hand of the law, clearly. Eating our ices as courteous as possible, she left on her own terms and you could feel the tension vanish. In high spirits due to the fact that there were absolutely no ricers, NONE, yeah OMFG, no f$%king way, and the awesome weather, we took advantage and advanced the cruise time to 4 instead of 4:30PM so to not press our luck.
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Video Coming Soon
Sunday at Airport Plaza, Farmingdale 5/1
Spring flexed its muscles as Sunday’s weather presented a perfect opportunity for a subtle meet with some Euros. Unable to make the trip to Englishtown Raceway in New Jersey for Spring Nationals, Chris, Matt, Dirty, Evan (Newest Addition) and I organized and made way to Farmingdale, NY.
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flick’r set (click)
Amodei, Evan and French, respectively
Passion
Few days exist in my life where at least one conversation doesn’t involve something automotive related and I love it. I can honestly say that automotive performance is something I can’t imagine my life without and I’m incredibly happy that I have this medium to share with you all-things related that I enjoy. Using that as a transition to express that I f#$&ing hate our web designer, Ryan Richmond, for ,#1, being one of the most unprofessional individuals I’ve ever dealt with in any business transaction and ,#2, interfering with my bread&butter, as we have sponsors anticipating the second development of the site (one of which is our vinyl sponsor for all those curious as to where the sabre-skulls are), I am looking for a competent web designer to, as you could imagine, redesign ILE. Please submit proposals and inquiries to contact@ivyleagueeast.com
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photo credit: unknown
On the DL: M3
At my first Auto-X there was a silver BMW, E36, M3 looking uber functional with a cage and hoosier slicks. Attracted to the strong body lines and S2000 like performance, I couldn’t help but to creep in the BMW forums to nourish my obsession. Without wasting any time this simple hellrot m3 stood out amongst the user submissions.
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photocredit unknown
Here’s one of my S2K I took at Watkins Glen about a month ago… (Add me on flick’r)
Rendered: Voltex S2000
Voltex’s S2000 kit was well received but due to exorbitant costs your chances of actually seeing it on the street or even the track are slim. With the advancement of modern technology 
one can enjoy the appeal of JDM minus the costs.
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rendering by GURNADE
Low and Go, S2K
Having lowered my car to the most appealing ride height 
, the next step in complementing the exterior is to flare the front fenders especially after having it blown out at a drive through entrance. Looking at track S2000s for reference, a timely thread on S2ki features “true” JDM tuning.
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Mugen lip on AP1 bumper, okay, I’m into it!
Queens.
Last Saturday while I was sitting by the pool in Miami my phone began to ring with its’ infamous ringtone(“My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard”, sang by one of my good friends) and it happened to be fellow editor Chris Amodei. When I answered Chris greeted me with the typical “I hate you” remark he had been greeting me with all week and than carried on to tell me about a meet in Queens that was going down the following day. Like the committed car enthusiast I am, I responded by saying that I wouldn’t be getting home until 9am the day of, but that I’d be down to take a drive west and see what was going in NYC. I arrived home early that morning and went strait from the airport to my backyard, grabbed the hose, gave my Subaru a quick shower, and off we were with all the other editors here on IvyLeagueEast. Despite almost ripping our front lips off numerous times we managed to dodge and swerve our way to the event with our bumpers in one piece. When we arrived we were met by an assortment of different vehicles ranging from Honda’s to a Bently’s and everything in between. The parking lot was filled with different types of car, some super classy and others not so much, but overall it was defiantly an enjoyable way to spend the afternoon. We topped everything off with some burgers afterwards and cruised home with a beautiful sunset in out rear views. If you missed it allow me to share a few great pictures taken by Norman Midence. You can find the rest HERE.
Enjoy!
-spilner
Feel The Heat: New Formula Red Amuse S2000
I’ll go ahead and say it, red is the fastest color : D. In my defense, this Ap1 S2000 dressed in full Amuse GT1 widebody kit, CE28s and Mugen wing looks super fast and the Sierra-Sierra Evo and HKS CT230R destroys all.
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Get your shine on
JDM Style: Function and Form
In a new and developing thread on S2ki, members have been submitting pictures of “true” JDM style S2000s, that is one whose form is derived from a functional perspective with a appearance that would be competitive in any show contest. With a surplus of S2K images fitting the prerequisites on my computer, I found yet another excuse to share with you one of Honda’s last sports cars gauging from the direction the brand is currently moving in.
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photos by dino dalle carbonare
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