Overview & Reviews

The Honda S2000 was a two-seat, rear-wheel-drive roadster produced from 2000-'09. It featured a high-performance, high-winding inline four-cylinder engine along with a superbly balanced chassis. The S2000 was the first sports car to roll out of a Honda factory since the tiny S500, S600 and S800 roadsters of the 1960s, and it ended up having one of the longest production runs of any modern car.

With minimalist cockpit comforts and a racetrack-ready suspension, the Honda S2000 was a pure sports car. More powerful than the less expensive Miata, yet not as pricey or luxurious as a Z4 or SLK, the S2000 occupied a niche within a niche. Quick and communicative steering, an ideal 49/51 weight distribution and an engine that loved to rev coupled with a slick six-speed gearbox promised a lot of fun for the serious driving enthusiast. Today, the S2000's reputation for reliability and reasonable resale values makes it a superb pre-owned choice.

Most Recent Honda S2000

There were two versions of the Honda S2000 roadster for its farewell 2009 model year, the standard version and the racetrack-oriented CR (for Club Racer). Notable hardware on both included a feisty 2.2-liter inline-4 with an 8,200-rpm redline coupled to a short-throw six-speed manual gearbox. Without resorting to forced induction (turbo- or supercharging), this jewel of an engine utilized Honda's variable valve timing and lift system (VTEC) to squeeze 237 horsepower out of just 2.2 liters. No automatic transmission was available in any S2000.

Standard features on later iterations of the S2000 included a power-operated top with a glass rear window (with defroster), lightweight 17-inch wheels, leather seats, keyless entry, air-conditioning, an eight-speaker CD audio system, stability control and HID headlights. A lightweight (44 pounds) aluminum hardtop was optional on the standard car. The special CR version deleted the power top, A/C and stereo to reduce weight and added a removable hardtop, track-oriented suspension settings, a beefed-up structure for higher rigidity and more aerodynamic bodywork.

Debuting in 2000, the Honda S2000 started life with a 2.0-liter inline-4 that redlined at 9,000 rpm. With 240 hp, it put out more horsepower per liter than any other naturally aspirated engine on the planet. Although it provided a thrilling ride when driven aggressively, our editors did find some faults. Among the more notable ones were a lack of low-end torque that made the S2000 a bit flat-footed around town, a sometimes persnickety shifter, a weak audio system and a plastic rear window.

Honda gradually made upgrades to the S2000. For 2002 the company amped up the radio, added a glass rear window with a defogger and smoothed out the short-throw shifter. Some styling changes took place as well, including chrome taillight rings, a new shift knob and a few pieces of well-placed silver trim in the cockpit. A lightweight aluminum hardtop became optional, a blessing (albeit a pricey one) for those in colder climes.

Several key improvements came about in 2004 that made the Honda S2000 a more viable choice as a daily driver. This is when the 2.2-liter engine debuted. Honda also added shorter gearing for the six-speed transmission's lower four gears, thus giving the S2000 more snap at lower engine speeds. Larger 17-inch tires (versus the previous 16s) were fitted, as were minor suspension tweaks designed to make the ultra-reactive S2000 more forgiving of less-than-expert drivers. 2008 was another notable year, as it saw the introduction of the CR version as well as a revised gauge cluster and claimed improvements in high-speed stability.

Any version of the Honda S2000 should speak loudly to the driving enthusiast. With its finely balanced chassis, quick and communicative steering, eager-to-rev engine and snick-snick shifter, the S2000 makes short work of twisty roads. The initial 2.0-liter engine is more thrilling for those who don't mind taking their engines to redline on a regular basis, but the trade-off is an edgy, tail-happy nature that Honda softened with the 2004 refresh. Even with all this performance potential, the S2000 retains strong Honda attributes such as sound ergonomics and comfortable, supportive seats with enough adjustments to accommodate short and tall pilots alike.

User Reviews:

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  driving is believing - 2003 Honda S2000
  By nates s2000 - February 13 - 2:00 am

  For the ones which criticise one of the ultimate convertible roadsters of all time because its too load or not enough room.This is definetly not the car for you!This is a machine built for the consumer that understands that this 2 litre motor 4cyl.produces more hp per litre hp than any other car built!My previous car was an 1995 m3 I would have never thought of owning a honda s2000 which i had criticed before now I regret because once I drove I was hooked aswell.This is the funnest most exhilerating car under $35K that I have ever driven even compared to the massive 3.5 litre 350z I chose the s2000 for a second car to have could not be more satisfied.

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  Best sport car out there - 2003 Honda S2000
  By jacob marley - February 13 - 2:00 am

  This is an outstanding car. Imagine driving at 90 miles an hour w/ the wind in your hair and your girl sittin next to you. Buying this car will be the best desition youve ever made.

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  One sweet ride by Honda. - 2008 Honda S2000
  By RussSeuffert - January 31 - 11:55 pm

  From the first day I took a test drive I new I was hooked, that I had found a true gutsy sports car. I leased my first S2000 (Red) in 05 and this past July I swapped it for an 08 Laguna Blue beauty. The driving experience, the amount of car for the money, the continual grin on my face says it all. Honda created a winner with the 2000 and although its production run is ending in this model year (09) this car will live on as one of the few remaining true sports cars on the road today, and one which I will own till I give up my license due to old age!

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  A good fit! - 2005 Honda S2000
  By Dustin - January 15 - 8:13 pm

  After driving Z4, Boxster, and S2000 I spent a good deal of time considering which I would be the best for my situation. Exterior styling on Z4 is good, interior and ride is rubbish. Boxster is the nicest drive of the 3, but at considerable running costs. The S is just fun, good looking and bullet proof. Engine note on Boxster is supreme. I actually plan on driving this car daily at some point and prefer to trade seldom. The Boxster is a bit better in every way except running costs and maybe steering speed / response. In short, Boxster cost is 2X up front, 3X to run, and lasts 1/2 as long. S wins on precise handling and overall reliability.

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  05 S2000 - 2005 Honda S2000
  By rd118403 - January 6 - 12:17 pm

  I have always wanted one of these cars since they came out in 2000. I finally found myself in a situation where I did not need practicality and had an extra car for rain/snow driving, so I bought a Certified Pre-Owned 2005 S2000 about 4 months ago with 30850 miles. Whenever I go out and drive this car I dont want to go back home. I just want to keep driving. People have called it a 4-wheel motorcycle based on its handling, high-revving 4-cylinder and open-air nature Ive found that it is also like a motorcycle in the sense that when you drive it you just want to keep going. (The only other thing thats given me that feeling was a motorcycle.)

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  As good as their motorcycles - 2008 Honda S2000
  By gene - December 28 - 11:45 am

  This car is a poor mans world class car. Fantastic handling, hard acceleration, and great build quality combine with bulletproof mechanicals to make what I feel to be the greatest package for the money. This car looks like it could cost twice what it does. I can park this car next to nearly anything else on the road and not feel in the slightest way inferior.

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  Great to drive - 2003 Honda S2000
  By TC MAP - December 22 - 10:00 am

  Fun to accelerate into curves, tight, as responsive a vehicle as I have ever driven. Third gear is almost sexual. Roads that are great for motorcycles are perfect for this vehicle. Great fitting seats.

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  AWSOME CAR - 2004 Honda S2000
  By LUKA - December 9 - 2:00 am

  I love this car its got the speed the handleing of a true sport car

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  Gone S2K - 2006 Honda S2000
  By Gone S2K - November 30 - 2:59 pm

  Disclaimer: Ive owned this car 3 weeks. I have yet to find a comfortable seating position. My lower back has been suffering. Compared to my clk55 cabriolet, I thought my Cooper works was unreasonably noisy. That is, until I got the s2k. At freeway speeds, I can barely hear the radio even with the volume set past 50%. And although the engine is a jewel, I was spoiled by the 387 foot pounds delivered by the 5.5L AMG V-8. Ive also been spoiled by the rain-sensing wipers and autodimming rearview mirrors, and wish that these would be available in the S2K. That said, its the best handling most satisfying car Ive ever had. I wish I could drive it topless all the time.

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  Best car ever made - 2007 Honda S2000
  By S2K Tommy - November 29 - 2:27 pm

  This is the second S2000 Ive owned. The first one was the 2001 version. This car is amazing. The power curve is smooth and the handling is even better. The looks of the exterior is classic. Since Ive owned it, Ive added full race suspension to it and upgraded the wheels to forged 18x7.5 front and 18x9 in the rears. The car was also lowered about 2 inches all around. The car handles so much more better although comfort was slightly compromised, the benefits greatly outweighed the feeling of having just a "normal" ride, not that the factory suspension wasnt stiff enough. Im an auto enthusiast and have owned more powerful cars in the past but this car the least say is the most fun of all!