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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  125k and still enjoying - 2000 Honda S2000
  By Andy - July 6 - 7:46 am

  My children are standing in line waiting for me to tire of my S2000. They all think they will be the beneficiary of my mid life crisis automobile. With over 125000 miles Im still enjoying every moment and every back road we fly down. Oil changes and a security issue with my key starter system have been the only service related issues I have encountered. With retirement looming, my S2000 will even bring additional enjoyment as my wife and I hit the road to visit our grandchildren. The only regret I have is that my grandchildren are not old enough to ride in the front seat. Over regulation of safety concerns prohibits their ability to join me in experiencing the joy of the open road.

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  Best Package - 2003 Honda S2000
  By Jsherm - July 2 - 2:00 am

  For under $35k you will not find a better performance car for the money. I challenge anyone to find a car that will do sub 5.5 sec 0-60 for this price. There are many cars out there that will do this for $70k or $125k, but not $33k. Some complain about the torque on the car, but honestly, if the car does 0-60 in 5.5sec, there is enough torque there, whether the number is high or not is not the issue. Some people do not get it, you can have a car with extreme torque that takes 7 seconds to get to 60mph.

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  6 years in the waiting. - 2006 Honda S2000
  By Rich l San Diego - June 26 - 4:33 pm

  I had 00 celica GTS 6spd that I sold and bought a 04 IS300 because I thought I was getting older (28). After driving the IS for 2 yrs I realzied how much I missed a true sports car. The IS was fun to drive but too quiet for me. Ive always favored high revving 4 cylinders over displacement. Theres something about a high revving motor that lives out your F1 fantasies which the S2k does to perfection. The seating position, the dash and every button is angled to the driver and no one else. As to say we dont want you to think too much when it comes to adjusting the volume of the radio because we want your hands at 9 and 3 and your undivided attention to the road ahead.

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  S2000 - 2005 Honda S2000
  By Chris - June 15 - 2:43 pm

  This is an exceptional car. It handles like a true sports car should. The build quality is flawless.

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  You Meet the Nicest People On a Honda - 2006 Honda S2000
  By CB 750 - June 10 - 10:19 pm

  My Red S-2000 is my retirement present to myself. This will be the 10th Honda Car I have owned, and each one was an improvement over the previous. However, the S-2000 is unlike any Honda I have owned except my vintage 1970 CB750 Four Motorcycle Finally a Honda that draws upon is racing heritage. Around town its a fun well mannered car but its meant for two lane black top. At 6,000 RPM the 2.2 Vetc really kicks in and the close ratio 6 speed keeps it on cam through all the gears. The first time I red lined S-2000 through the gears I learnd is not just a pretty Boulevard cruiser it is an all out performance machine. One word of warning with the top up you have lots of a blind spots.

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  An adults go-cart - 2004 Honda S2000
  By RGPritzlaff - June 9 - 2:00 am

  I thought growing older meant giving up the things of youth..not true. This baby is so much fun to drive it reminds me of my early teens running around my neighborhood in my A-bomb engined go-cart. A great value, I bought mine tax, license, delivery , everything for $33,153. Great handling, minimalist but nice interior.

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  Performance with verve - 2002 Honda S2000
  By signore - June 4 - 9:29 pm

  Not just a head-turner, but a performance sports car that handles with quick & smooth response. The vtech can become addictive at first and the owner needs to choose the time and place to downshift, step on the gas, and be thrown back in your seat! If you want to maneuver through traffic, you dont need to crank it up or slowly guide it to where you want to go, just do it! Reliable, well built. Have had no mechanical issues. Besides an extra set of tires, nothing but regular maintenance. Got great lines, power, and just downright fun to drive. Easy to get to know, and once youre connected, it becomes your extension to the highway. You can move or cruise at will.

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  SPEED MONSTER! - 2004 Honda S2000
  By CrAZiEx8 - June 2 - 2:00 am

  this car is a SPEED MONSTER!!! it outperforms the porsche boxster S.. the dodge neon srt-4 and it will smash into any Z4 that u approach on the road..

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  Speed Buggy - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Speeedbird - June 2 - 2:00 am

  After purchasing this car in Florida, I immediately drove it 1300 miles in 2 days to Pennsylvania and the only complaint was that I had to put the top up due to rain. Even on a long road trip the car is just as comfortable if not more so than much larger luxury cars. The biggest problem is keeping the speed with in legal limits (yeah right). It feels just as smooth and tight at 80 as it does at 35. The main warning is that there is very little front end clearance and you have to watch out for potholes and rough roads not to mention curb damage in parking lots.

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  Drive one and youll want one. - 2006 Honda S2000
  By Hyytekk - June 1 - 12:05 pm

  The designers and engineers at Honda just seem to have considered and optimized every detail. The car is responsive as a go-cart and theres nothing short of installing a supercharger that can improve its acceleration. Its styling is understated but aggressive and it doesnt try to look like a bat-mobile. Getting in the car is like putting on a glove. You almost wear the car instead of sit in it. But still it feels spacious and open unlike a Boxter that I had. I have the Rio Spa Yellow metalic color and the car seems to turn heads and elicit kudos even when next to much more expensive models and name plates. Just walking up to my car puts a goofy grin on my face. This car is drives me!