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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  S2000 - fast, fun and reliable - 2006 Honda S2000
  By Alexei - April 21 - 3:40 pm

  Honda reliability + a high RPM engine and a slick 6 speed manual = a lot of fun. Performance is right between the Boxster and Boxster S for about $20K less. The S2000 is a pure sports car, not a compromise sports/luxury car like the Z4.

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  Did You Say Honda? - 2002 Honda S2000
  By I Love My Honda - April 14 - 1:32 am

  The top is down and its a beautiful day, you climb in open roadster style, you put your legs over the door and stand on the seat and then sit down in the low, yet comfy, bolstered seats that will hold you in while pulling VERY sharp turns, floor it all the way to the 9 thousand RPM redline, and then take the sharp turn that says 15mph at 40mph with ease. This is one fun car, Ive owned a Carrera 4 and currently own a Porsche GT3 an the S2000 is the best deal out there, a drop top car with a slick shifter and race car suspension for under 35k! You put it on more than you get in it, its like youre favorite pair of jeans, everything else just falls into place perfectly. A very fun car.

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  Not Your Moms Honda - 2003 Honda S2000
  By SomeHondaGuy - April 13 - 6:04 pm

  Get in the car and sit in the comfy seats bolstered just enough to hold you while you pull .94 Gs but still comfy enough for long trips and press the start button. Bring the top down and go. Just starting it up is fun, you floor it down the street and before you know it youre at 60 mph. The lack of low end torque makes you think an then you hit 6000 rpms and you feel like youre in a F1 car, youre ready to shift when you realize you still have another 3000 rpms till the 9000 rpm redline comes up. I own an 04 M3 an a Lotus Elise and this is by far one of hte most fun cars Ive ever driven, for 31K it doesnt get much better than this.

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  Love my S2000 - 2005 Honda S2000
  By TMac - April 13 - 1:34 pm

  Ive had my S2000 for almost a year now and love almost everything about the car. Im a huge fan of Honda and this car is a total thrill! The design is great and performance is even better. Everytime I get in my car, Im excited to drive! I was initially concerned about the hassle of a 6-speed, but the shifting is virtually effortless. To top it off, I can actually fit my golf clubs in the trunk!

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  Fun Car - 2005 Honda S2000
  By jeff geiman - April 3 - 11:58 am

  After drooling for 5 years and thinking how impractical the car is, I went ahead and bought one. Driving has been fun ever since, my commute became my race track, specially the ramps getting on the interstate. The ride is hard, but its a sportscar what did you expect. My only criticism is low rpm power, Id like to get out of the hole quicker, not burn rubber, but have more of a gas pedal response as soon as I apply foot power to the gas pedal, top end it really revs, Id just like more guts at the lower end. Its a bit noisy when traveling the freeway, radio is a bit hard to hear, but these are small sacrifices for styling and handling.

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  reliable bullet - 2006 Honda S2000
  By Andre5150 - March 29 - 2:43 am

  I just bought an s2000 not too long ago planning to modify it. When I first got it I noticed that it was very fuel efficient, light already so it didnt take much to move it, and it drove quick for a 2.2 liter. I was very familiar with the s2000 before because I build and race cars. I own a 527 hp 02 wrx, and the honda is my second race car. My honda has tons of potental to produce extreme amounts of horsepower without a turbo or supercharger, It handles great on the track, mountains, canyons, and streets. Very effecient as far as delivering the power to the ground because its so solid and light. Speaking from experience this is the best performance roadster under 60 k.

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  My Third S2000 - 2006 Honda S2000
  By Tikigod27 - March 27 - 8:38 pm

  As the headers states My Third S2000 for a good reason you simply cannot find a better car for any amount of money. I now have a 2006 Laguna Blue and everyone from sidewalk shouts to parking valets at the finest establishments all say the same thing: That is a sweet ride! Everything about this car is fantastic except the MPG...but everything has a fault or two! I recommend this car for anyone but please test drive it as it is truly a rough riding sports car.

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  FunCar - 2005 Honda S2000
  By KenO - March 22 - 8:06 pm

  Great classic look. Just plain fun sports car- no frills. Great handling and wonderful shifting.

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  Formula red s2k - 2006 Honda S2000
  By marvin - March 21 - 1:12 am

  My overall ownership experience with this car is unbelievable. its one of the most funnest cars that I have driven. It handles very well and its very fast, especially when the vtec kicks in, its an incredible rush.

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  Obsessed! - 2006 Honda S2000
  By Oahu 27 - March 16 - 10:05 am

  I just traded in my 2005 Silverstone S2000 for a 2006 Laguna Blue S2000. (Too many silvers!) What a fantastic car and the only one I would ever buy as long as Honda keeps making them. So many things that make this 2-seater the tops. In addition my insurance is 75 dollars cheaper every 6 months due to the 2006 having a nifty traction assist and daytime running lights. I have driven every drop top from Porsche Carrera to the new SLK. Save 15,000 - 40,000 by getting this car. If youre not a "Label Queen" youll be more then happy!