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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  Best Sports Car Of All Time! - 2007 Honda S2000
  By Sweet2K - September 10 - 3:57 am

  Owned many cars over the years, several being of the sports variety. This car smokes! The only bad point, if you could call it that, is everyone that sees you wants to race. Their mistake, this car eats everything alive.

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  A must for any true sports car fan - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Female S2000 Owner - August 21 - 1:40 pm

  From one who has owned this car for almost three years now, one word suffices: Whee!! I cant think of a better buy. For those with complaints about rattles, the fixes are simple: For the passenger seatbelt rattle, twist the metal part of the seatbelt around the strap so that it lies flat against the passenger seat. For the rattle the clips for the convertible top make, pull the control for the top toward you after you put the top up for the night. That locks the clips in place. They no longer rattle. If the glove compartment rattles, line it with something soft and black. The dealership did that for me for free. It looks great and there is no more rattle.

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  The Need For Speed - 2001 Honda S2000
  By Selena - August 20 - 1:48 pm

  I first looked at the S2000 in 1999. I had to have it! I finally bought it in 2003. I still have it! I love the way the car feels, especially after driving a larger vehicle. It corners like its on rails, it feels solid at all times and the sleek, sporty design is an amazing attention getter! I will drive this one for another few years, give it to my daughter and get me a brand new one. The Honda car is the best for dependability!! Hands down! And the sports car has class, depenability, style and best of all speed!

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  Absolute Perfection - 2001 Honda S2000
  By Sean - August 18 - 6:10 pm

  This car is precisely in spirit of what Ferdinand Porsche had in mind when he designed the 911. Unfortunately German manufactures turned to more profitable manufacturing schemes and lost the true passion of a sports car. This car is 100% designed for drivers who are passionate about driving and wouldnt use navigation even if it was a free option. Many owners complain about low end power, although I agree with Hondas design of this engine completely. People that just want a car to look good in and occasionally drive moderately hard should buy a boxer. Very true this car rides hard and is loud but that is because it isnt over engineered for people who really dont like driving to begin with

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  Honda quality, F1 performance. - 2007 Honda S2000
  By Riles - July 29 - 6:34 am

  This vehicle will not run with a Corvette so do not even try. However, with that being said there is no other like it! The S2K is in a class all by itself when handling and looks are considered. The S2K is typical Honda quality with a fairly good amount of Hondas racing heritage mixed in. The 2.2L V-Tec doesnt produce a lot of low end torque but above 6K on the tachometer you better hold on. I recently had the chance to trade for a 2007 Boxster S and I just could not bring myself to do it. I love this car!

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  Amazing - 2006 Honda S2000
  By s20001990 - July 29 - 2:17 am

  I love my Honda S2000, it has a well designed engine with plenty of power to move. Its nimble cornering puts it at the very top of its class. No other car to me can really out perform the Honda S2000. As my first and last car I love my S2000.

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  I Love This Car - 2007 Honda S2000
  By Henry - July 24 - 11:17 pm

  I always wanted to have an S2k & when they said that theyre gonna stop selling in a year or two I decided to get one. Ive always driven automatic and I was nervous when I test drove this car. But it easy to drive this car. If the engine dies, one push of a button and youre back in business. The top goes up and down pretty fast. The seats are comfy. It doesnt have a lot of oohs and aahs as far as features are concerned (uber sound sys etc). But I pretty much knew about it before I bought the car. And the engine! I have to always check myself because they just passed a law in VA about speeding 20 miles over. Its gonna hurt. Im gonna keep this car even if I decide to get another car.

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  Screamer with Honda reliability - 2006 Honda S2000
  By 30309 - July 23 - 1:48 am

  This is my second Honda S2000, I owned a 2003 and sold the car for a BMW M3 and I missed owning my S2000 so much that I purchased a 2006. I do wish the redline was 9000 rpm, but that is my only complaint about this amazing car. The car still will get a second look from people, wondering if it is an expensive German or Italian car. Thank you Honda for making a FANTASTIC car :)

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  Not pracitcal, but FUN! - 2001 Honda S2000
  By mikeandterri - July 19 - 12:33 pm

  I bought my 2001 S2000 with 5K miles on it. It was too impractical for the previous owner. Since I only drive it to work and back, practicality is not an issue. In fact, the S2000 makes my 30-45 minute commute fun, everyday except when its snowing. Acceleration is awesome, top goes up and down in seconds (important for the surprise thunderstorm), handling is superb. The interior is quite cramped, and not recommended for someone 6 feet or taller. Im 510" and fit fine, although getting in and out with the top up requires some agility. The stock stereo system in poor, and if you upgrade you lose the remote control functions on the dash. So I just upgraded the speakers.

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  view from the drivers seat - 2003 Honda S2000
  By Jim LaRosa - July 16 - 10:00 am

  Ever since I saw this in 2000 I knew I wanted it. THen In 2002 when I purcased it I didnt know what was in store for me! I had only seen the outside of this car but this a lot more to it. I think the dashboard is coolest thing. And when your shyifting through the gears and get up to max hp it is so cool!! And can you believe it only has a 2 liter engine. All in all The Honda S 2000 is the best car. Vroom vroom