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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Good drivers car... showing its age - 2005 Honda S2000
By cosworth - April 11 - 5:33 pmGreat car for the money. Its design is starting to age among all the other great sporty coupes/sedans/convts out now. And, whats with the 2nd/3rd gear crunch all the time? Hope they can fix that for their next F/R setup cars.
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My Upgrade - 2008 Honda S2000
By blafusel - March 29 - 12:48 pmWorth every penny! Its probably not for everyone as the ride is a bit on the harsh side. Actually harsher than my Miata (but thats probably due to the Honda feeling stiffer overall). However, the payoff comes in the first corner you take! The engine is amazing. The sound is unbelievable. The best gearbox Ive ever driven. All in all Im very happy with it, but mightve liked a variable suspension setup to soften the ride a bit in town. (Im getting old 8)
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Excellent Roadster - 2003 Honda S2000
By alangc - January 2 - 3:11 pmThis car is for those who like to drive performance cars. It is not a weekend roadster or a commuter car. It is built for one purpose only and that is for cornering and high speed.
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Not for the road! - 2008 Honda S2000
By Honda2000CR - December 10 - 3:30 pmBeware to all, the CR is only for the track. If you are thinking about it for a daily driver or even a weekend getaway car, get the regualar S2000. I drove it less then eight miles on a "standard" road, felt like I went 10 round with Mayweather giving me kidney shots. If you are going to use it for what it was made for (track), youll have a blast.
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2004S2000 - 2004 Honda S2000
By saluki100 - September 27 - 2:00 amNot a practical car for everyday driving. This is a car you buy for the "fun" factor not practicallity.
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Not for comfort - 2002 Honda S2000
By Leah - June 21 - 6:00 amThe S2000 is a fun car, but seriously lacks in comfort. If you into speed and can handle a 2 seater this is your car, but you may want to rethink road trips in it.
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Great Car - 2005 Honda S2000
By ARN - March 29 - 4:55 pmI have had the S2000 for more than 2 years. Works great, fun to drive especially with the convertible top down. My wish list is that the door would open wider and an outside temperature gauge (Ive heard the newer model does have the temperature guage). A bit tight but all and all I would buy another.
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2000 Honda S2000 - 2000 Honda S2000
By go top less s2000 - March 29 - 6:09 amLove the ride. Even though Im 63 and its a tight fit, I still enjoy it royally. Gas is great, gone for weeks on a tank. Even though its high test its worth it.
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S2more4urmoney - 2002 Honda S2000
By boobie - March 28 - 4:17 pmthis car is great on a curvy road. the convertible top is easy and fast. the whole car is easy and fast.
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04 S2000 review - 2004 Honda S2000
By Richard Rafter - January 28 - 2:45 pmQuick, fun to drive, never had a mechanical problem. More nice car comments from other people than I have had for any car I have ever owned.
