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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  awsome - 2004 Honda S2000
  By russell91 - February 2 - 2:00 am

  All I have to say about this car is that everything the makers did with this car is awsome.It drives good, Its fast,Its comfortable theres not enough good stuff i can say about this car.

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  Only Honda could build this awesome car - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Gowron - January 28 - 10:00 am

  This is a street-legal pure-bred race car. It has no negative features. Period. The engine is superb, perhaps the best 4 cylinder engine ever produced. The chassis is incredibly stiff. Handling and road manners are those that one would associate with sports cars that cost 3 or 4 times more. The car is not for everybody: if you do not enjoy shifting constantly and revving the engine this car is not for you (or rather, you are not in this cars league).

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  Mr Practicals review - 2008 Honda S2000
  By MrPractical - January 23 - 12:36 pm

  This is MY 3rd Honda (and my wife drives an 05 Accord EX). Had an 00 Si, 06 Civic EX, and now the car of my dreams for 8 years,the 08 s2000. The power is intense! The handling is spot on, and the fit/finish is perfect Honda quality. I loved the high-rev engine of the Si, so am excited to hear the engine spin high. Theres never a whine though, its beautiful. Im 62" and fit tightly. Any taller and itd be too tight. There is very little truck space, but I havent yet needed more space. The cabin provides small hidden storage areas: two small "glove boxes", a couple small net pockets around the cabin. Ill miss my variable timer wipers and rear speakers, but have gotten over it already.

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  It is a keeper - 2008 Honda S2000
  By iownans2000 - January 22 - 8:56 pm

  If you want a fun car, this is it. However, it is NOT an every day car. I have owned several sports cars, the last being a 350z. The S2000, is much more fun than the Z, has a better road feel and is easier to drive. However, the inside is tight and there is not much leg room. If this is your 3rd you will want to drive it often. However, if this is your primary car, you will wish it had more room.

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  Im in love with this car! - 2005 Honda S2000
  By mrmajestic - January 22 - 12:13 am

  I gave up a 93K Porsche C4S for this car...not because of money...and I dont miss a thing about the Porsche! I smile every time the top goes down and Im driving down the road in the this Japanese "Alfa Romeo. This car captures all the fun AND beauty of the original Italian convertible but with much more speed and obviously reliability.

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  Excellent Roadster - 2003 Honda S2000
  By alangc - January 2 - 3:11 pm

  This car is for those who like to drive performance cars. It is not a weekend roadster or a commuter car. It is built for one purpose only and that is for cornering and high speed.

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  S2000 - 2003 Honda S2000
  By wheels - December 29 - 5:56 pm

  This is my SECOND 2003 S2000, and its flawless like the first! Its a blast to drive, top up or down. It always draws attention.

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  Not for the road! - 2008 Honda S2000
  By Honda2000CR - December 10 - 3:30 pm

  Beware to all, the CR is only for the track. If you are thinking about it for a daily driver or even a weekend getaway car, get the regualar S2000. I drove it less then eight miles on a "standard" road, felt like I went 10 round with Mayweather giving me kidney shots. If you are going to use it for what it was made for (track), youll have a blast.

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  One of the best - 2006 Honda S2000
  By ron howard - December 9 - 4:31 pm

  The S2k is one of the most cars for your money available today. The 4 cylinders punch out only a few horses less the the Porsche boxter. Those idiots who say "it needs a v6 or a v8" are not true car enthusiasts or knowledgeable in the field of roadsters. The 4 cylinders in the S2k outperform the Maybach V6 in the Eclipse and the same for the RX-8. This is a great car!

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  Honda Hits A Home Run - 2008 Honda S2000
  By Michael Yeager - December 7 - 11:13 am

  A practical sports car? Ive owned and driven true sports cars such as the MGB and Fiat X-19. As all true sports cars are supposed to be, they were cramped, noisy, with no room for luggage -- in short highly impractical -- but a blast to drive. Here is a true sports car in every sense with high-tech handling and more power than all but the most experienced sports car guy can handle. The S-2000 has changed little, but when youve approached perfection, why mess around. Honda pays attention to critics. Although HP numbers have evolved downward slightly, the mid-band torque is now just right. 50/50 balance, a bit light in the rear for traction, but great handling.