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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  2 words: fun and quality. Love it! - 2005 Honda S2000
  By JJ - October 1 - 4:58 pm

  Overall feeling of solidity. Amazing seats. Great trunk space (golf clubs or weekly groceries for 3-4 people). Convertible top fast (unlike 350Z) and both latches can be locked/unlocked with one hand. Front end wont scrape (driveways) if careful-nice surprise considering how low car is. Can buy near/ under $30K if you play email game with dealerships. Lively & exciting ride at highway speeds. Excellent seat/pedal/shifter/gauge relationship (Im 62", fit perfectly & can see 100% of gauge cluster-amazing job Honda!). Xenon headlights great at night. Beautiful high-quality interior. Very nice ignition key. High-strung & more race car-like compared to relaxed/pampering Boxster.

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  Fun To Drive - 2000 Honda S2000
  By Justin - September 19 - 5:22 pm

  The handling for this car is amazing for a convertible. The steering wheel and pedals are perfect in placement. The shifter has the shortest throws out of any of its competitors. It brakes 70- 0 in 162 ft. which is in the exotic car range. The only thing this car lacks is torque, but it has the highest horsepower for per liter, 120, than in any other mass produced street car.

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  This is such a nice car - 2005 Honda S2000
  By Ale - September 19 - 1:44 pm

  Im 17 and this is my first sports car. I think it handles better than any BMW or Lexus and the car takes turns like a dream.

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  Fun to drive - 2005 Honda S2000
  By jimmy - September 16 - 3:42 pm

  For the price and performance, it is the best value in its class. The handling in this car is exceptional, and since there arent that many out there you get a lot of looks.

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  Instant Classic - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Natey Nate - September 15 - 5:59 pm

  The car was purchased as my weekend fun car. I have a 96 accord Ex which is my daily driver. But when I get behind the wheel of this little pocket rocket, I just loose my mind. There isn’t any other car I would consider on my S2K and I looked at the BMW Z4 as well as the Porsche Boxster but could compare to her.

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  My Dream Came True - 2002 Honda S2000
  By SoonerEd - September 15 - 3:15 am

  Since my high school days (many years ago) I have always wanted a sports car. For one reason or another I never got one. I retired two years ago and last month I purchased an 02 S2000. I think I have died and gone to heaven. It is a blast. It gets a lot of looks. I realize I have not had it very long but plan to come back to this site in a year and write a glowing report. It fits my needs perfectly. I was not sure about the Suzuka blue at first but it is growing on me. Impractical for everyday perhaps but for a fun car it is great.

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  Finally--One to Keep - 2005 Honda S2000
  By LouisM - September 14 - 9:17 am

  This is hands down the most fun car I have ever owned. Gorgeous styling--and, no, it cannot be mistaken for a Miata-- terrific handling, one of the sexiest engine notes imaginable (especially post 6200 rpm), high performance gearbox and shifter, incredibly precise handling/cornering, Honda reliability, a 30k price tag, plus the fact that you see relatively few of them on the road make this a most desirable car. I love it when, as it often does, people ask at lights or at the gas station what Im driving. To a person they say they never heard of the s2000 and that they love the looks. I have to agree with them. I will be keeping this one a long, long time.

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  im getting another one! - 2004 Honda S2000
  By jayw - September 14 - 2:00 am

  i leased a 2001 s2000 and am planning to get another! i just drove a 2004 and dont know if the power is improved or not. overall, this is a great car! i love that there arent many of these on the road. for the $$, its the best buy out there in the covertable market.

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  Hot Honda S2000 - 2004 Honda S2000
  By benjammins2000 - September 14 - 2:00 am

  This extremely more car than the sticker price. Everyone wants to look at this car. The handling is great, accelleration equal or better than cars twice the cost. Honda Engineers hit a home run with the 04 S2000.

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  2nd time around - 2005 Honda S2000
  By Truepink - September 3 - 1:23 am

  Ive always puzzled over people who bought the same car twice, that is until I had an accident in my 2001 S2K. I didnt think I would be happy in anything else, so I went ahead and bought the 2005. I cant help but be in a good mood when I take this car out on the road, its the best handling car I can imagine. I do miss the 9000 Rpm scream, but I dont need as many aspirin now.