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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  Cool. - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Jun - June 2 - 6:46 am

  Cool.

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  Tremendous Second Vehicle - 2004 Honda S2000
  By adguva - May 27 - 7:40 pm

  Bought the 2004 S2K as a second vehicle to add a fun alternate to the fully owned, practical SUV. Tried a few competitors, but the S2K came in ahead of them all. Performance, for the price, lays all the others aside (save possibly for the Nissan 350Z). The S2K has become the vehicle of choice, but for bulk errands and carting the (large) dog around. The car is not for family convenience, but driving pleasure. Even a short commute is enhanced by the fun and, frankly, driveability of the S2K. Clearance (into work garage ramp and driveway) were no problem (slow and at an angle) for city driving, but the fun comes in on the open highway. Watch your speed - it takes you past legal w/o thought.

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  Ill Take Two! - 2005 Honda S2000
  By tikigod24 - May 22 - 7:08 pm

  If you are in the market for a 2-seat sports car, look no further. This car is the best bang for the buck EVER! At least daily people at the stoplights roll down the window and compliment the car, no kidding! The car not only has the straight line performance after 3000 RPM, it corners like no other car could! The only drawbacks are a rough ride over pot holes and I wish the fuel economy could be a tad better. Other then those two issues, this car makes me want to get up in the morning for the drive to work!

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  find a reason to go to the store!! - 2005 Honda S2000
  By Jon-david DiMaggio - May 19 - 2:07 am

  This is such a fun vehicle to drive that I have had to make up reasons to run to the corner store. Honda has really put together a high performance machine that is very sleek and good looking. The handling is extremely tight and smooth.

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  Great buy - CD Player problem? - 2005 Honda S2000
  By Matt - May 16 - 12:18 pm

  This car is a winner. It rides great for a sportscar, handles exceptionally well and has enough power to remind you that it is a sportscar. Gets decent gas mileage also.

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  Excellent Sport Convertible - 2005 Honda S2000
  By Donald K Cariaga - May 15 - 8:20 pm

  The S2000 is an excellent sports car that does not carry the large price- tag. The handling, acceleration, and stopping ability is great. The interior though not plush, is very nice. The top can be deployed very easily and a hard top is also available. Similar to the corvettes of old. It brings back memories of the way sports cars were in the past without the loss of gas milage. It is plenty fast and brings back the delight in just driving....An excellent automobile.

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  Car perfection - 2001 Honda S2000
  By DouglasJ - May 14 - 7:48 am

  Having owned MANY cars of all types, this one is still my favorite to drive. Its raw, you are connected to the road, and its a blast. Incredibly reliable, 85K miles and only replaced the thermostat. I have a street-legal turbo kit making 300 wheel horsepower and have surprised many cars thinking they would walk by. Ill never sell . . . . ! !

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  I Heart my S2K - 2005 Honda S2000
  By jcyoung - May 13 - 4:31 pm

  After twelve months and twelve thousand miles, I still love this car and look forward to driving it. Last fall, I drove the six hundred plus miles to Santa Fe in under nine hours and arrived totally fresh. Then, the experience of having the S2K on the Sangre de Cristos mountain roads.......sheer pleasure. If you love sports cars and do not mind a little noise, this is the car to own. If something were to happen to it, I would run to my Honda dealer to to get another S2K. Fabulous ride.

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  Honda S2000 Roadster - 2005 Honda S2000
  By Elaine - May 13 - 2:20 am

  I recently purchased this car,and have found this car to be very outstanding in not only performance but style and comfort also. I receive many compliments on this car and would refer this make to any one looking for an inexpensive sports car that handles like a dream.

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  cheaper than a vette - 2005 Honda S2000
  By ibchiliman - May 11 - 11:26 pm

  This car is incredibly nimble and quick. It goes where you point it, responds instantly to throttle imput and stops fast. The ergonmics are excellent, pedal location, gear shift placement and throws, hand and arm placement are all natural and comfortable. I am 5,11 tall, 190 lbs and fit fine. Because of its size, luggage/storage space is at a premium.