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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  Best Convertible Ive ever driven!!! WOW - 2005 Honda S2000
  By RodneyMullen - July 31 - 9:21 pm

  This is an absolute sling shot! I had no intentions of ever buying a car of this class and style, yet I was intrigued at the price and had to test drive. SOLD INSTANTLY! I had to have it, if youve never driven this vehicle go do it now... You will never regret the money spent I promise!

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  gotta love it - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Suzette - July 29 - 11:40 pm

  I have owned this car for 3 years and I still love driving it. the V tech thrills me every time it kicks in. And the responsive handling is fun on winding roads. I love this little jem.

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  8000 zoom heaven - 2005 Honda S2000
  By Jim Bell - July 27 - 2:27 am

  Just sold my 1967 XKE Jag to slip my nearly 80 year old body into this S2000 baby. This is a true Sports Car Roadster as defined by 1950/60 standards, (i.e., not a touring convertible with 6 cup holders. The beautiful 6 speed close ratio gear box is so quick, with just a twist of the wrist. This is a keep the revs up car, but oh so sweet between 6000/8000 revs. It belies me how the cam shaft design upon reaching engine 6500 rpms, kicks in like the old time superchargers. They only built 7200 of the S2000 a year at the Susaki racing factory, perhaps Japans best kept secret. Hope they continue with a 2006 model, if not the 2005 is destined to become a collecter car before its time.

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  2005 S2000 - 2005 Honda S2000
  By McnBcn - July 26 - 12:30 pm

  Very fun to drive. Best handling car Ive owned. Great acceleration and top-down fun! Beware huge blind spots with the top up. Not a long distance hauler. About two hours is the max before you want to get out and stretch your legs. Better fuel economy than expected. Measured over 27 mpg with several short trips & some mixed highway driving. The stereo stinks, but apparently has gotten better than on past models.

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  Best Sports Car for the Money! - 2005 Honda S2000
  By Mike - July 21 - 11:12 pm

  I have wanted one of these cars since they came out almost 6 years ago. This is without a doubt one of the best handling, convertible sports cars out there. Must be a reason that Car & Driver voted it number 1 in a comparison test for 2004 and also rated it as one of their choices in their Top 10 annual category. The only things that I would change is the tonneau cover design, and I think the interior needs more storage space. Other than that the car is perfect.

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  FUN FUN FUN - 2005 Honda S2000
  By Tiffany - July 19 - 5:14 pm

  This is the most awesome stab and steer car since the Corvette. Streamlined exterior with minimalist interior all goodies within a fingertip reach.Not good for a large/tall person. Short geared, high whiny rev. Access to gas tank cover in an odd place. However it is the perfect convertible-easy top and you cannot go wrong with Honda dependability.

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  s2000 2005 - 2005 Honda S2000
  By ratrunner666 - July 19 - 5:03 pm

  An amazing vehicle, especially for the price. Ideal combination of performance, handling, and solid construction. What more could you want?

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  Yellowjacket - 2001 Honda S2000
  By markndfw1 - July 18 - 4:29 pm

  We just purchased a used yellow S2000 in Houston. We are so happy with the car and it is so much fun to drive. It complements our G35 6MT sports car. There is nothing like a convertible and Honda quality is the best.

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  Nothing finer or more fun. - 2003 Honda S2000
  By harrisrjr - July 13 - 2:00 am

  This is the most responsive vehicle I have owned since I had a 1969 MGC GT...6 speeds forward (overdrive in 3rd and 4th). This car is tremendous fun. I cant imagine better price/performance ratio than this car. R

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  The S2000 - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Sam Uren - July 11 - 2:29 pm

  I have had an S2000 and is was superb, apart from when I hired one in America. The handling was desgined for comfort, and so completely destroyed the agile feeling that you get from a UK car. Buy a British version for the best enjoyment of an S2000. [PS, you also get more kit with a UK car]