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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  Last of the pure sports cars - 2006 Honda S2000
  By Chicane - March 6 - 3:32 pm

  With its few creature comforts and emphasis on the driving experience, the S2000 is probably the last of the modern "pure" sports cars. This is a car that is light and tossable like a Miata, but large enough to live with. Its as fast as the more expensive alternatives like the Porsche Boxster, but comes with Honda reliability and a smaller price tag. For me, it came down to the S and the Boxster, bat after driving the two, the Ss light, effortless abilities won me over. Truly a great car that you just dont see everywhere.

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  S2000 owners must smile a lot... - 2005 Honda S2000
  By Jay Mallison - March 6 - 2:27 pm

  What an incredible car. So much fun to drive and so easy on the eyes. This car puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. I have had no reliability issues with it. Fit and finish is top notch. Love every moment. The HID Headlights on this car are brighter and sharper than those coming on vehicles twice its price.

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  Now THATS a Sports Car - 2006 Honda S2000
  By Reno driver - February 28 - 1:51 pm

  What a car! It handles unlike anything I have ever driven. The high RPMs didnt freak me out because I had spent the morning driving Porsches so I was used to it. Kicking it into 6th gear is like launching yourself down the freeway - get a radar detector the day you buy it! This thing has road glue - takes hard turns like a go cart - as fun as a motorcycle but much safer and more practical. And it really turns heads! The hard top is great for noise & theft reduction.

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  perfect - 2003 Honda S2000
  By chile1955 - February 24 - 2:00 am

  I am more in love with this car every time I drive it .The way it performs in all repects in unbelievable.

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  S2k - 2003 Honda S2000
  By S2K - February 24 - 2:00 am

  Wonderful car, consider I drive over 35,000 miles per year. It does have a rather harsh ride, compare to my old Prelude and Integra GSR. Nevery the less, it is a beautiful machine. If paying cash for the car, should look into a low mile used NSX.

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  9REVS - 2000 Honda S2000
  By Justin - February 21 - 1:37 am

  The Honda S2000 is everything in one package affordable, stylish, and a hell of a lot fun to drive.

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  Just plain fun to drive - 2005 Honda S2000
  By rob o - February 20 - 12:33 am

  The only down side so far has been that I can only share the driving experience with only one person at a time.

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  I love Hondas! - 2003 Honda S2000
  By Rob Owens - February 18 - 2:00 am

  This is the greatest car Honda has ever built. Including the NSX. The technology and engineering that went into developing this car is first class. It is not for people that want plushness, amenities, and creature comforts. This car is for the pure driving experiance. Honda took roadsters back to the basics with this car and hit the bullseye!

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  S2000 Review - 2003 Honda S2000
  By Eddie Pryor - February 18 - 2:00 am

  I own this care and it is fun to drive. The overall handling is exceptional. Getting in and out of the car is a pain. Also, the 0-60 time is not fast enough for me. I would definetly recommend this car for anyone who likes to ride with the top down.

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  Its a Gas Gas Gas .... - 2000 Honda S2000
  By TriggerMn - February 17 - 2:18 pm

  This is one of the all time must drive cars. The level of entertainment and confidence this 2 seeter inspires is amazing. You feel like you are on the track just going down I5. For a long drive take earplugs or headphones, ragtops just are not the quietest things on the road. My wife even likes it!!