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 Street Legal Go-Kart - 2003 Honda S2000
  By Stooook Guy - September 2 - 2:42 am

  The S2000 is an amazingly fun car to drive, not to many cars can compare to the amount of fun that the s2000 can provide. the seats that hug you in all the right places, a suspension that will get you around corners like you never thought possible and an engine that spins to 9000 rpms an its a convertible. its not the most comfortable or quiet ride, at 75mph at 4k rpms with top up, it seems like your going faster than you really are. down low in the rpm range it seems like a civic which can be annoying, but get into vtec around 6k rpms an it feels like your driving an F1 car. the steering feels light an quick an it feels like a go-kart, quick, agile, an light. an amazing car!

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  Fun to drive!! - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Tim2K - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Faster than the MR2 and Miata, more agile than the 350Z roadster and a LOT less money than a Boxster, Z4 or TT, the S2000 hits a sweet spot. It has a mid-engined 4 cylinder (yes the motor sits entirely behind the front axle), a power to weight ratio better than anything within $20K and handling and brakes to match. If youre considering a roadster, go test drive an S2000! When the rpms go above 6000, VTEC kicks in and youre pushed back in your seat - what a rush! This is the most fun to drive car Ive ever owned! The biggest downside I can find is lack of passenger side airbag cut-off which means children under 12 should not ride in this car.

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  What More Could You Want? - 2003 Honda S2000
  By speedboy - August 28 - 9:31 pm

  This car is just about perfect, but know that it is a small, purpose-built sports car and does one thing very well - put a smile on your face. Better ride than a Miata but can still be choppy because of the short wheelbase, can out-accelerate 99% of anything on the road, bulletproof reliability, corners incredibly, chassis rigidity normally associated with steel I-beams, beautiful engine sounds that get even better the closer it revs to 9K rpm, even the top seals well. I even drive this thing in the snow with Blizzaks and it is useful. Like most Hondas, for the price this car is a no-brainer. Like a pair of favorite jeans, as the miles roll by this car just fits me better and better.

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  Darrels Honda - 2004 Honda S2000
  By darrel Winslow - August 28 - 10:00 am

  It is the funnest car I have ever owned. I feel safe when driving on the freeway or on county roads. And I certainly get noticed alot..

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  Hondas race car for the road - 2006 Honda S2000
  By sparcs - August 27 - 9:35 pm

  Absolutely SUPERB! Light weight more than enough power - VTEC, gotta love it! super 6 speed gearbox (rowing thru the gears - great stuff, especially in VTEC mode!) excellent throttle response and control precise, quick steering cornering grip is awe inspiring excellent brakes! stiff chassis with a superbly tuned suspension engine/exhaust sound is addictive. No doubt, this is Hondas race car for the road. Truly, a great, fun sports car, embodying the idea of the sports car from years gone past with todays engineering. With less than 10,000 hand built S2000s a year, buy another Honda car just to thank Honda for making the S2000. I did! One does need to break trips into hourly stages, to get out and stretch. And to grin the S2000 grin.

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  The Best! - 2004 Honda S2000
  By gatormd - August 27 - 2:00 am

  This car is amazing, it turns heads everywhere, outperforms a Boxter S and is $20,000 cheaper. It is the best convertible in its class, and will stay that as the years progress. Honda definitely knows how to keep up with the rest of the companies.

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  world class - 2006 Honda S2000
  By dgojet - August 26 - 6:43 am

  Have had my 06 s2k for 2 months now... unbelieveable drive. Black on black turns heads, interior layout just right, performance unmatched. True sports car!

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  so long Porsche....HELLO Honda! - 2005 Honda S2000
  By raymond - August 24 - 11:29 pm

  I thought my Porsche 968 was just the best...cabriolet, only 360000 miles, gorgeous car. And then I got into a yellow pearl metallic s2000 (2005). this car is so so so much more fun than my Porsche. The transmission is so much better geared. Love the exhaust sound. And to top it off, I am no longer paying the college tuition for my Porsche mechanics son! What peace of mind i get knowing that nothing goes wrong with my Honda AND if something does, it is easily diagnosed, cheaply and quickly repaired. This car is without a doubt the finest bargain out there for a performance car. Dump your Porsche and get the Honda s2000!

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  Noob to S2000 - 2006 Honda S2000
  By Virtue - August 22 - 4:22 pm

  Purchased three days ago and only driven it once just because Im very busy at work - feels like I have to sign up for a race driving course, Im still afraid to take it out, I use a commuter car until I feel comfortable driving it. This being my first brand new/Honda/roadster I am biased, I love it over my sisters EVO.

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  "great handler" - 2006 Honda S2000
  By clark - August 15 - 6:40 pm

  I have only owned this car for a month, but am pleasantly surprised by the way it handles. Not being a "speed freak", I havent come close to "red lining". The only knocks I have is it lacks comfort on a long trip (+150 miles). Also, Honda could have done a better job of 6th gear. I wish it could have been more of an overdrive than just another gear. Power to spare. Economy is better than advertised. 30+ on highway - only to get better after breakin period.