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 206 - 2006 Honda S2000
  By s2kguy - November 22 - 3:23 am

  The car is very fun to drive. The performance is second to none for a 4 cylinder car. It is very nicely built and very to maintain.

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  Major cosmetic defect on my S2000! - 2007 Honda S2000
  By ddanont - November 14 - 10:00 pm

  Hi Everyone, I just wanted to warn you about my S2000 experience. This past weekend, I bought a brand new 2007 S2000 from a dealership in Loma Linda, CA. I took a night delivery, so I couldnt fully inspect the vehicle, particularly the interior. Over the next 2 days as I spent more time in the car, I noticed "bumps" on the dashboard. Think swells, each the size of the top of a pencil eraser. Some were larger, totaling about 10 of them. I pressed on these bumps & found voids underneath (as opposed to the usual firm sponge). I attempted a swap, but the dealership will not work with me, & the car had less than 300 miles on it. I am now stuck with a $33k car, waiting to be disassembled.

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  9000 RPM in 3rd gear 100 MPH and 3 to go! - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Alan - October 21 - 5:33 am

  I loved my S2000! You have to look at what it is you are purchasing. a 2 door sports car. The car rides harsh, has a lot of road noise, and is not much fun with the top up. That being said, put the top down on a nice day, rev the heck out of the engine and put a wide grin on your face. For this car to require no more then fluid changes and tires it is amazing. I purchased the Honda extended warranty thinking that something had to give. 5 years later and 25,000 summer miles I never had a need to use it! If this is the car you desire I prefer the 2002, and 2003 model years with the 2.0 engine and glass back window with interior improvements over the 2000 and 2001. Later years had the 2.2 engine

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  VEHICULAR - 2004 Honda S2000
  By beccadda - September 8 - 10:00 am

  THIS IS THE BEST CAR YET!!!

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  What More Could You Want? - 2003 Honda S2000
  By speedboy - August 28 - 9:31 pm

  This car is just about perfect, but know that it is a small, purpose-built sports car and does one thing very well - put a smile on your face. Better ride than a Miata but can still be choppy because of the short wheelbase, can out-accelerate 99% of anything on the road, bulletproof reliability, corners incredibly, chassis rigidity normally associated with steel I-beams, beautiful engine sounds that get even better the closer it revs to 9K rpm, even the top seals well. I even drive this thing in the snow with Blizzaks and it is useful. Like most Hondas, for the price this car is a no-brainer. Like a pair of favorite jeans, as the miles roll by this car just fits me better and better.

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  Darrels Honda - 2004 Honda S2000
  By darrel Winslow - August 28 - 10:00 am

  It is the funnest car I have ever owned. I feel safe when driving on the freeway or on county roads. And I certainly get noticed alot..

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  a little engine that can produce 240hp - 2005 Honda S2000
  By EASTCOASTWARRIOR - March 8 - 1:20 am

  a fun a to drive for a sub-33 grands, no other roadster in this class can beat the s2000 for value, reliability, performance and styling. Interior is a little cramping for a full grown adult, but if one can get acustom to it will find the car is rewarding to drive around tight corners and on open roads. The engine is noisy but not punishing, it sounds like a formula 1 sport car with full potential to beat most 4 and 6 non-turbo cylinders cars. The 6 speed manual trans. is flawless, it is very rare on a sub 33 grands. Inaddition, it handle the road very well with top up or down. Very well balance car. It can be a huge improvement with a little more investment on aftermarket tuning accessories.

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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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  fun but touchy - 2005 Honda S2000
  By PBaller2005 - December 26 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is realy small especially for a 6 foot guy like me. This car runs at extremely high revs and wants to stall just @ 3,500 rpm. everything in it is real tight and sensitive. the interior could have been thought out a little better cuz its pretty cramped. Makes funny buzzing noises because of the high rpms. handles great though, most likely due to its size. Amazing power for just a 2.2 liter, especialy the turbo charged version. Good exterior design. Have to be experianced in order to bring out the cars full power.

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  Tight, fun and ready to run! - 2004 Honda S2000
  By M32S2K - December 17 - 8:12 pm

  I had to replace my 1998 M3 coupe and agonized for months for anything else with such near perfect combination of sharp handling, power and decent fuel economy. There were many worthy considerations including the g35 coupe (too heavy), the Mazda Rx-8 (too soft), and even the Mini Cooper S (too cute). But just one test drive in the S2000 snapping through the gears and carving up corners with surgical precision and the choice was easy.