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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  It just dont get any better! - 2003 Honda S2000
  By ibprogramming - November 6 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned many "fun" cars, the last was a 6-speed Vette, but by far the S2K is best. I constantly come up with reasons to drive it. I love the 6K VTEC transformation to race car. Cant wait for the summer when I can put the top down, its gonna be SOOO sweet. I recommend this car very much. Im 60 195lbs, I fit perfect in the car!

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  Bullet Train - 2005 Honda S2000
  By gardnpc - November 5 - 5:55 pm

  This thing corners like its on rails. Its also bullet-proof. Ive got over 11,000 miles on it and not a thing to go wrong. Have averaged about 25 mpg driving aggressively. Not much low end torque, but once you get north of 3,000 rpm, and especially when you V-tech the engine, its a wonderful thing. Highly recommended. The metaphor I like to use is its a precision scalpel compared to a butter knife. Get the New Formula Red, it sears the retinas.

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  2006 Honda S2000 - 2006 Honda S2000
  By Eric K. - November 4 - 11:16 am

  About the only thing on the car that anyone can complain about is storage space. When moving from another vehicle to this one, the trunk space and interior cabin storage space seems minuscule, but after owning it for a while, you get used to it and it doesnt seem nearly as small. You wont be moving any large boxes, but itll do for most road trips

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  Great car that few know about. Shoosh! - 2004 Honda S2000
  By RRS2000 - November 4 - 10:21 am

  Ive had this car for only two months and its been nothing but fun. Few people know what it is, and the styling gets a lot of comments. With its low production, it stays under the radar. Great acceleration and handling, with every control within reach. Top goes down in five seconds with ease. Its no wonder that it has the highest residual value after three years.

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  S2000 Experience - 2003 Honda S2000
  By DNAB - November 1 - 10:00 am

  This is one kick butt car. Ive owned corvette, infiniti but this car is by far better looking, performance, and quality. Its a corvette killer and funner to drive.

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  Fun car for little cash. - 2005 Honda S2000
  By JESSE GUISEPPE - October 23 - 11:26 pm

  The engine sounds great at high RPM

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  9000 RPM in 3rd gear 100 MPH and 3 to go! - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Alan - October 21 - 5:33 am

  I loved my S2000! You have to look at what it is you are purchasing. a 2 door sports car. The car rides harsh, has a lot of road noise, and is not much fun with the top up. That being said, put the top down on a nice day, rev the heck out of the engine and put a wide grin on your face. For this car to require no more then fluid changes and tires it is amazing. I purchased the Honda extended warranty thinking that something had to give. 5 years later and 25,000 summer miles I never had a need to use it! If this is the car you desire I prefer the 2002, and 2003 model years with the 2.0 engine and glass back window with interior improvements over the 2000 and 2001. Later years had the 2.2 engine

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  Used S2000 - 2002 Honda S2000
  By PoiNtBlaNk - October 19 - 8:50 pm

  From the first day I purchased my 2002 Honda S2000, its been nothing but pure joy. I bought it certified preowned with 16,000 miles on it in Nov 05. The S2000 is definitely not a watered down sports car. When people ask what size the motor is, I reply that its a 2.0L inline four. At that point in time, a certain look on their face says "ehh...its probably slow then." Boy, if they only knew. I give them a ride, and a few trips into Vtec and theyre hooked. Not to mention this is in a straight line, Id probably make them waste their lunch on a windy road. The S2000 isnt the most comfy car in the world, but its one of the funnest. True sports cars should be nothing less than fun

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  Really Disappointed - 2006 Honda S2000
  By Junk - October 19 - 4:23 am

  I had been dying to get an S2000 since they came out. I have had mine for 6 months and am trading it in. It keeps blowing the radio/cell phone charger fuse, which I find REALLY disappointing in a Honda. It IS fun to drive...for about 10 minutes. The ride is stiff, the mileage is horrible for a 4-cyl, about 21 mpg (hwy) and it definitely isnt as fast as I thought it would be for a 240 hp. I hate to be so negative, but I am really disappointed in not only the car, but the Honda brand. I had a Civic for 7 years and was delighted with it. Two thumbs down for the S2k. If youre considering the S2000, test drive the BMW Z series first...I wish I would have.

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  I Love My Baby - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Marc - October 15 - 11:57 am

  The S2000 is a great car, if its what youre looking for. I get people all the time that ask me what kind of car it is, and about its stats. These things are very rare, which I love as Mustangs and Z4s are a dime a dozen. Its a true roadster thats best with the top down on an open road. Long highway trips can be tiring when cruising in 6gear with the engin humming around 4k rpms for hours. I highly recommend test driving this beast as well as the compitition to truly get a feeling of what its about. I bought mine as a welcome back to America present after being deployed to Iraq, and did several months of research before purchasing. You should do the same.