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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  S2K---top of the class! - 2006 Honda S2000
  By 4TUNES - June 1 - 8:04 am

  This is by far the most fun vehicle Ive had, and Ive owned a lot of cars. Its one of those cars that when you buy one youre part of a family. Other S2K drivers wave when they see you. Its like an old VW or a Harley.

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  S2000 - 2006 Honda S2000
  By tony - May 31 - 12:41 am

  Grea car. Handles well, tight suspension, fast, great 6 speed transmission, sexy looking car, fun car to drive around in !

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  If you can fit in it, buy it! - 2006 Honda S2000
  By Sebastian R Stanciu - May 28 - 5:43 pm

  I traded a mustang GT covertible for this s2000. Amazing car. I have had it for 3 days and love it. The fit is snug, I am 6 foot tall and 220 lbs. I am used to sitting back more. The drive is amazing. So much power. I love the engine. No regrets, just uncomfortable on longer rides. I dont know what 0-60 is but its very fast. Tight handling, super looks, fast top, great interior. If youre a bigger person, may be uncomfortable. Good air conditioning even in 100 degree weather. Fast, fast, fast!!!!!

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  Love My S2K - 2006 Honda S2000
  By eliyale - May 26 - 11:30 pm

  Driving the S2K is a blast! For the driving enthusiast, there is no better car for the money. The car always feels a little wild, not buttoned down in the way that European sports cars are. There is unique feeling of being at one with the car. The overall driving experience is exhilirating. Interior design is excellent, and the seating position is perfect. The car is noisy on the highway, but the ride quality is suprisingly comfortable for a sports car. If you dont need room for more than one passenger and you dont carry much cargo, its an acceptable daily driver. I love the fact that you dont see many S2000s on the road and the resulting stares and questions that you get from onlookers

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  Honda S2000 - 2006 Honda S2000
  By Bonnie Brown - May 15 - 9:41 pm

  I recently purchased a Honda S2000. I drove an Acura for 16 years and was spoiled by the low maintainance, high performance of my 5 speed. My new Honda S2000 is like a vacation on wheels! The quality of the craftsmnship is excellent. Dropping the hood sounds like closing a fine briefcase. The 237 hp engine zips effortlessly up the steepest hills and it hugs the road making the drive pure joy. The stick shift is quick and smooth. The interior is snug and you feel the road but who wouldnt want that in a sports car? If I wanted a pillow ride I would have bought a Lincoln town car (and a chauffeur).

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  I love this little car and you will too. - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Convinced - May 10 - 5:17 am

  I bought this car when I was over 50 years old, so you can well imagine that this isnt the first car Ive ever owned. Ive owned Chevys, VWs, Cadillacs, Audis, two Porsches (a 9llT Targa and a 944) and a couple I just as soon not admit. Ive NEVER, however, had people literally run down the street after my car screaming at the top of their lungs at me in an attempt to find out what kind of car I was driving. That is: Until I bought this S2000. More strangers have walked up to me out of the blue to tell me how much they loved my S2000 than the total number of people that had ever said anything to me about all the previous cars Ive ever owned... and, the Porsches were beautiful cars.

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  Grandpas S2000 - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Bro Rod - May 8 - 8:19 pm

  I decided to have my midlife crisis at 50 years of age after all our kids were grown and gone. I leased the S2000 with no intent of keeping it more than four years. I bought out the lease this year. I canÂ’t think of a greater rush than 8,000 RPM shifts on freeway on-ramps and ground hugging performance on the mountain roads in San Bernardino County (CA). This is a wonderful car for an enthusiast on a budget. However, if you are looking for a smooth ride and a quiet cockpit, this is definitely not your car.

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  In Love With Our S2000 - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Dale - April 29 - 9:20 pm

  This is our second S2000. Had an 03 at first & traded for an 04 only cause the 04 had some significant upgrades I liked better over previous years. Would be in an 06 but I dont see enough improvement over our 04 to buy an 06. I suspect I will be in an 07 thinking Honda will do some nice upgrades. Yet how can you upgrade what is & has been a PERFECT sports car. Ive driven the new Sky by Saturn & though it is cooler looking it doesnt even compare to the S2000 as doesnt a Miata or the new Pontiac Solstice. The S2000 is still the leader of the pack in small TRUE SPORTS CARS.

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  My S2K - 2006 Honda S2000
  By Norseminn - April 24 - 11:15 am

  I have only owned the car two weeks. I cant keep my hands off this thing. My wife and I are always finding excuses to go somewhere via back country tar roads. My wife and I are in are late sixties and this car beats Geritol, hands down.

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  A Real Sports Car - 2006 Honda S2000
  By Kurt - April 22 - 2:10 pm

  I used to be a "Z" fan and owned three of them from the 240 to the last of the 280s. Post-marriage I was forced into the sedan market. My wife finally gave in and I went for the S2000 immediately. Its styling first attracted me. However, its performance was the clincher. I dont drive to listen to music, I wanted a real sports car with 6 on the floor, a solid feel and speed on the freeways when I need it. And its highly steerable with the brakes locked. The ABS is impressive. It also turned out that the trunk is large enough to hold two weeks of groceries.