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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  A Blast - 2004 Honda S2000
  By BW - May 31 - 9:01 am

  I had wanted this car since it came on the market. The sound of the exhaust, its strong, sporty appearance. All of its lure comes to life once you are behind the wheel. Im a 1970s TR6 owner, so in being a sports car purest, the S2000 is marvelous fun. The cars handling is perfection and makes you hunt out winding roads for afternoon drives not to mention how much fun just driving to work can be. I enjoy every second behind the wheel. If you want an exciting ride, this is it!

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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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  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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  Not a great daily driver - 2003 Honda S2000
  By Sean - October 28 - 8:00 pm

  I bought this car in October last year after test driving a couple and falling in love. Bottom line this is a very stiff car that is noisy and not a lot of fun to take on trips much over an hour. It performs well for a stock car, but isnt overly fast in a straight line. It does have a good suspension, but the stock tires are expensive and downright scary in the rain. This has been relegated to a garage queen that I only take out when the top can go down. If you can afford a fun weekend car, its great. For daily life, I found it unbearable.

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  more than satisfied - 2003 Honda S2000
  By doob - August 20 - 2:00 am

  While this car is essentially a one trick pony, I really like this car. Glad I kept my 90 CRX Si (I love this car) it a workhorse.

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  Best bang for the buck on the market - 2006 Honda S2000
  By eric_the_jew - July 26 - 3:31 pm

  I must say that I am a die hard sport bike guy, and was skeptical that a car would be able to give me the thrill of 15,000 rpm. However, Hondas S2000 fits this bill surprisingly well. It is undoubtedly the closest thing to a motorcycle with four wheels. I considered [briefly] Mazdas Miata (anemic power), Porsches Boxter S (ridiculous price) and the Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky (no 6 speed tranny), and decided the "S" was the car for me. With its short wheelbase, the car feels a little twitchy at the limit, almost as if it will break into uncontrolled oversteer. However, the Automatic Stability Control will bail you out should you get in over your head.

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  Best car I have ever owned - 2005 Honda S2000
  By ITRNBTR - July 11 - 11:50 pm

  After a wonderful 3 year lease, I have sold my red S2000. Buying this car was one of the greatest ideas I ever had. It handles like no other production car out there. It screams around corners and brakes hard enough to loosen your fillings. It looks great and has never had a single mechanical problem. It is faster than its competition, costs less for the most part, gets better fuel economy and has a bigger trunk while weighing less. Amazing.

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  Major Oversteer Problem - 2007 Honda S2000
  By KW - June 16 - 1:28 pm

  I have lusted over the Honda S2000 ever since it arrived on the scene. I have had a 91 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce and a 96 Mazda Miata. I love my new convertible except on the freeway. Driving above 60 mph scares me and I feel like Im going to lose control of the vehicle around freeway bends. There is major fish-tailing involved and I oftentimes struggle to regain control of the vehicle if I am driving anywhere over 60 mph. In Texas, driving less than 70 mph on the freeway is a death- sentence.

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  Good buy - 2003 Honda S2000
  By SuperDyu - May 17 - 10:00 am

  If you want attention its a good car, one thing I will warn people about is the ride quality, its a race/track car, not a luxury car. You will feel the bumps on the freeway all the way to the ear drum. If you want something that feels nice/comfy, get a G35. If you want something thats hardened for mountain roads get an S2k.

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  Looks Great, but a bit scary - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Brian - April 21 - 4:34 pm

  I like my Honda S2004, but it almost has more power than I feel I can handle. The back end always feels like it is a split second from breaking loose. Maybe because I spun it around on some frost covered roads right after I bought it. Now it sits in the garage all winter.