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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  Great fun car- No issues - 2000 Honda S2000
  By ksixbey - November 27 - 11:15 am

  I will by a new one if I can give up this soon to be classic.

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  A true sports car - 2007 Honda S2000
  By BlueRidgeBoy - November 21 - 7:53 pm

  The S2000 is a driver’s car. The steering is quick and precise. It turns on a dime and handles curves like it’s on rails. The brakes are superb and it has excellent power delivery even below the VTEC range. For day-to-day driving the mileage is excellent, however, it does require premium gas. If you use the VTEC mode a lot, expect the mpg to drop significantly. The overall driving experience is exhilarating, particularly if you live in an area where there are lot of curvy roads, preferably mountain roads. Its best stress relief known. Its even fun to drive back and forth to work. In summary, this is a uncompromising sports car that will delight anyone who loves driving!

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  Makes commuting almost fun - 2006 Honda S2000
  By Tom - November 16 - 8:34 pm

  My commute in the D.C. area would be depressing if it wasnt for this car. Instead, I smile and look forward to driving every morning and evening. Bought an expensive snow tire/wheel set to commute and drove through light snow with no problems. The hardtop is great in the winter and enhances the rear view. There is much written about not taking this car on long trips, but we much prefer this car over our other more comfortable cars because it is so much more fun! We took long trips to Canada, Connecticut, and Georgia. We are in our late 50s but may not be entirely average as we are used to touring on motorcycles. As my wife said, this is so much more comfortable.

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  Honda S2000 - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Brian Crow - November 12 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is flat out fun to drive. What an engine! The handling is terrific.

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  Great Roadster without sticker shock! - 2002 Honda S2000
  By blankcave - November 12 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. It has exceeded my expectations! Looked at Porsche, BMW, and it was close with Mercedes, but maintenace is cheap and got a 2002 with 500 miles used from a private party below sticker.

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  Best car ever, period! - 2006 Honda S2000
  By 06 S2K #1 - November 2 - 12:07 am

  This is simply the best car ever, period! If we must drive cars then why not not something thats super reliable, likely to never have a problem. A car with great gas mileage, today that is probably the most important thing with gas near and over $3 a gallon. Style, everyone wants a stylish car. This one is not only stylish but stunningly beautiful, a designers dream. People literally fall over themselves ogling this car, people love this car. Handling and safety. This car could be the definition for handling which promotes safety even at high rates of speed which brings me to performance! Now everyone just admit it, we all want to drive race cars. This car is a blend of all that!

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  Best buy - 2003 Honda S2000
  By Carolina Traveler - October 15 - 10:00 am

  Great vehicle. Fun, Fun, Fun

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  2nd to none under $35G - 2007 Honda S2000
  By ddgreen33 - October 12 - 6:26 pm

  I owned a 2003 and the 2007 has a little more giddy-up and better audio. My opinion hasent changed since 2003. You wont find a better "fun car" at under $35G. This car will handle itself rather well against any car Ive come across except for the Corvette. However, in a series of S turns the Vet couldnt keep up. Its insane how the S2000 handles all styles of cornering. I know the tires have a lot to do with it but still.

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  2004S2000 - 2004 Honda S2000
  By saluki100 - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Not a practical car for everyday driving. This is a car you buy for the "fun" factor not practicallity.

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  S2000 best sports car for price - 2003 Honda S2000
  By DEB - September 10 - 2:43 pm

  The S2000 has high horsepower, beautiful style, classy, and hugs the road. Push button start, fun to drive, top always down unless it is raining or freezing cold.