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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  Awesome car - 2003 Honda S2000
  By s2k - December 15 - 2:00 am

  This car catches peoples attention. Once you get past the break-in period and are able to take the car through the entire RPM band, the car is so much fun to drive. The sound from the exhaust is better appreciated with the top down and the car handles incredibly

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  Bang for the BUCK!!! - 2003 Honda S2000
  By Febrezee - December 4 - 10:00 am

  The Honda S2000 out hanldes everything in its price class and Is and absolute dream to drive top down!!! -JB-

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  Fun to drive pocket rocket - 2005 Honda S2000
  By Al R. - November 23 - 11:36 pm

  I enjoy my S2000 to the limit. The seats are as comfortable as any seat could ever be. The power isnt bad at lower RPMs but the car is awesome when revved to 6800 RPMs. Brakes are very good, the car handles like nothing Ive ever driven before. The Prelude was a fun car to drive, but a Prelude could never satisfy anyone that has driven an S2K! The S2Ks mileage is extremely good considering how much power it has and how I end up high revving it fairly often. It has all the power you need to come up any hill in any gear you choose without losing speed.

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  Best sports car for $30k - 2007 Honda S2000
  By hadeed - November 16 - 2:07 pm

  This is my second Honda S2000. I used to own a Silverstone model year 2004. I sold the Silverstone to a friend and bought a New Formula Red model year 2007. Both cars have been daily drivers. I live in Michigan and drive my car all year round...including snow. The S2000 is simply bullet proof. With snow/winter tires on it, it handles even the worst days in winter and Ive never been stuck. With proper summer tires its a champ at the racetrack. All this and I still average 24mpg mixed city/hwy, and about 29-30mpg on the highway. Honestly, this car is the most fun for the money, period.

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  The Ride of My Life - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Woody Woodson - November 11 - 10:00 am

  The minute I saw this car on the road I had to have it. I called my brother (he works at a Honda dealership out of town) and asked the price and then told him to wrap it up and deliver it. From the day I took delivery, it has been the ride of my life.

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  busting out - 2004 Honda S2000
  By stan weliever - November 11 - 10:00 am

  This car has destined to be a classic. It has all the quality that honda is known for and world class sports car handling and power. It holds a curve as well as any car Ive been in and the 240 hp VTEC is just too big a temptation to resist. The buckets seats are remarkably comfortable for extended periods and you WILL want to drive it for long periods.

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  Road Rocket - 2003 Honda S2000
  By g-man - November 2 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car in Chicago and drove it home to Texas. The tight suspension flattens out on the road. The handling is excellent and when you hit the power zone 5500 and up, it feels like a turbo is kicking in. For the price this is undoubtedly the best sports car for the money. On the way home had the pleasure to hook up with a Porsche Boxter. We played with each other for a while and then went to it. This little Road Rocket walked away from the Boxter. We backed off well over 100 (130 speedometer) with plenty off pedal left. Sometimes I need to remind myself its a Honda!

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  Miata on Steroids - 2002 Honda S2000
  By TMorrow - October 9 - 10:00 am

  To anyone interested in buying the S- 2000.It does have some short comings in creature comforts. However, it is the most fun Ive had in any of my 13 cars. It is almost like a four wheeled motorcycle.If you can find one, drive it. If you have to pay over MSRP, do it. I did and I sell them. Its worth it. Break it in right.This is the highest quality Honda I have ever seen and Ive been around them since my 88 CRX Si. I traded cars with my friend Jorge, for a day, and his Boxster is no match....Dont bither spending $10,000 more for a Boxster / SLK / TT, etc...The M-Roadster has a little more guts, but the S-2000 makes it all up in the corners.

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  Brake-In is crucial - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Jason C. Wang - October 9 - 10:00 am

  Althought S2000 has a perfect transmission and gearbox; the clutch need to be brake-in before you can have optimal performance. The acceleration difference between 1000 miles and 6000 miles is extremly significant.

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  Lapsed BMW owner - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Hondarules - October 8 - 2:00 am

  Just picked up my 2002 S with silver/black. What a car! I have owned a 97 328i and 00 540i, and I can tell you that the S is the most fun of the three (with much lower maintainance costs). The engine is a blast, but the suspension is what puts it over the top. Cornering at 40 mph is dream, interior is minimalist and slick. I am sick of paying the status prices according to BMW, Mercedes and Audi. They do make excellent cars, but nothing they make in a roadster can touch the S (having driven the M roadster, SLK, and TT). If you love to drive, this is the car.