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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  Fun time all the time. - 2002 Honda S2000
  By djskrilla - March 17 - 5:05 pm

  If you like having fun when your driving then this is the car for you! Ive had the privilege of driving some nice cars, but the s2000 seems to have the most "raw" feeling when driving. The handling is excellent and precise and the gearbox is extremely smooth. The interior is great and designed in such a way that you dont have to take your hands off the wheel to access any of the controls(audio/ac). Things to know before you consider this car. If youre taller than 6 feet then you might be a little uncomfortable. Its a little low on torque until you reach 6k+ so if you want power right away or without any noise, I would recommend something else. Everything else is preference.

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  Love my little red sport car - 2004 Honda S2000
  By claude from florida - March 15 - 8:12 pm

  Fell in love when I saw it in the showroom, love has not stopped, its an attention getter, performs like a regular car when you want and its like a bat coming out of hell when you want it to be one. Truly a great car. My seat where stolen once, desirable item I guess.

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  Best Sportscar I have ever owned - 2007 Honda S2000
  By Rogers s2k - March 14 - 6:05 am

  I have had five sports cars over my 40 plus years of driving and this S2K is by far the best overall driving machine I have ever had the pleasure of operating.

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  Always a smile on your face - 2002 Honda S2000
  By piman - March 3 - 10:23 pm

  This is about as perfect a sports car you can get for a relatively cheap price. Car handles amazingly (on dry roads) and is a looker. Subtle exterior design, yet always makes you turn around for a second look. If not for the dreary rainy Portland weather 6 months of the year, this car would be even more awesome. But then again, thats not the cars fault.

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  Extended the lease - 2003 Honda S2000
  By DaDeacons - February 28 - 4:30 pm

  Hot wheel stickers are on the rockers in front of the back wheel because its Yellow and Hot. Ive driven this roadster for 4yrs and yes in the snow too! If the snow isnt too deep it goes like a 4x4. This yeller car is the most fun Ive had driving. Having driven everything else that goes fast this car is an everyday rush! 55000 miles and no problems. The most "attracting" car to the public that I have ever owned. The engine is bullet proof and 70 mph is all I have ever taken it to. It corners like a yellow Twinkie on rails. I personally think its powerful enough and boogies when I wind her up. I told myself to never fall in love with my cars but this love is a marriage made in heaven!

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  Treat yourself... - 2001 Honda S2000
  By Jae_Rex - February 27 - 3:48 pm

  I bought this car used in the Fall of 2005 with 31,000 miles. I was driving a Acura GS-R at the time, and I always loved the performance and reliability that Honda had to offer. The next natural step was the S2000. I thought why not treat myself? Young, single, and when would I be able to buy a car like this again? I test drove it, and made the plunge. I was sold! I love the driving experience, and I always get compliments from people who have never seen the car. They cant believe its a Honda! It is an affordable exotic, without the "exotic" car headaches and maintenance nightmares.

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  Best of the best - 2007 Honda S2000
  By ddgreen33 - February 22 - 1:03 am

  My wife has owned every boxster style car known to man. Its amazing to me how cheap the S2000 is compared to the others. This car is simply the best.

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  Street legal go-kart - 2003 Honda S2000
  By Jacques79 - February 17 - 7:31 pm

  This is my 2nd S2000 and its just as reliable as my first. (It was a 2002) I drive it hard every day and its still as tight as ever. The super quick steering (13.8:1) and driving position along with the best transmission feel in any manual production car make this quite the impressive ride. Under 6000 RPM its perfectly fine around town and to get the acceleration you just need to use the delicious transmission. Every thing is tightly screwed together, the top never leaks, the car feels very stiff, especially for a convertible. Brake pedal feel is firm and the stopping distances are excellent. This car doesnt need VSA: its called your right foot and steering wheel!

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  I love this car - 2000 Honda S2000
  By Jenn - February 15 - 5:06 am

  This car is so much fun.. No only is it a head turner but it also gets down and dirty when it comes to showing someone up! I love it.

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  Wow! beats zoom zoom zoom any day! - 2007 Honda S2000
  By tominatlanta - January 30 - 6:42 pm

  Ive owned my 2007 S2000 since Jan. 3, 2007 and am absolutely enthralled with it. Responsive, yes! Fun, yes! Powerful, yes! Comfortable, yes! (Like a glove. Now Im a fairly slim guy, 5 11" 155 lbs. and fit in the cockpit like medium snug, which is good...) Great gearbox. Great steering. Great suspension. All in all, a truly exhilarating ride and driving experience! As a former Miata owner, this is THE TRUE ROADSTER/SPORTS CAR!!! Get one!!!