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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  S2K is a Dream Machine - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Mike Vermillion - May 6 - 7:16 pm

  The Honda S2000 is a front engine rear wheel drive convertable two seater, and yes, it is a HONDA! This car is amaizing, it handles like a dream, is very quick, and you can drop the top in about 5 seconds. My main dislike is the radio. The radio is completely inaudible if the top is down and you are traveling over 45 mph. the lower marks I gave the S2000 were for interior design and comfort. The radio is bad, and this car is not made to be comfortable, but to be driven hard.

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  Great little car - the envy of all! - 2005 Honda S2000
  By Howard L. - May 5 - 12:42 pm

  A really fine car. I was convinced of its great handling ability when I had a blow out on the interstate at 75 mph. Car swerved only slightly and I was able to bring it to a safe stop on the shoulder.

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  S2000 - Perfect 21st Century Roadster - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Charles Glenn - May 4 - 10:00 am

  Undoubtedly the best bang for buck in terms of lightweight roadsters. Through it is not as luxurious as its competitors, the fact that the reliability, performance, and price of the S2000 has Porsche, BMW, and Audi on their knees makes it a wonderful purchase.

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  honda s2000 - 2004 Honda S2000
  By mbb5577 - May 4 - 10:00 am

  my experience with my honda is a blast, i cant believe the power it has for a 4 cylinder. i admired this car for 2 years before i bought it, and i must say it didnt let me down. its the first time ive ever owned a honda, but im sure it wont be the last.

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  Italian classic improved - 2005 Honda S2000
  By jeffrey - May 3 - 12:10 am

  This car is flawless. The exterior is sexy and the interior as well done as my last 911. What a fun, reliable and quick car to drive!

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  Top Down Tenure - 2005 Honda S2000
  By Thomas Curtner - May 1 - 11:33 am

  Being a sports car junkie has its downside, as one is continually judging the vehicle in possession against the sum-total of past experience (time to trade AGAIN, sigh). Its tough, when past experience also includes stock/mod race cars. However, the Honda S2000 delivers in so many categories, and the sheer joy of the driving experience is magnified so completely by this motorcycle-on-wheels that Im simply laughing too hard to concentrate on convincing you to try one! Seemingly innocuous, feels like many other superb handling sports cars, UNTIL the driver decides to push it. The Honda becomes a rocket pack youve strapped on...rain or shine, its simply superb. Outrageous, F1 level fun!

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  2005 Honda S2000 - 2005 Honda S2000
  By cyneron - April 30 - 11:04 am

  The S2000 is a fun car to drive and you can hardly wait to get behind the wheel. My wife uses the car as a comuter car and gets about 30 MPG. When I drive the mileage is somewhat lower as I run the car through it paces. Be prepared for foolish challenges on the road even from the most unlikely vehicles. A light touch of the gas and all challengers loose interest. Quite a little car. Quite a little car, Hondas done their home work.

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  The one you want - 2005 Honda S2000
  By Tim - April 29 - 12:26 am

  If you want to get the most bang for your buck, look no further. It is quality inside and out. No problems, except the factory bridgestone tires do wear out pretty quickly. For long drives, I actually perfer to take this car as opposed to my wifes SUV. And with good packing, you can fit a lot into its trunk. But if you were really concerned about trunk space, you wouldnt be looking at roadster. To sum it all up, this has been the best car I ever bought.

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  My 4th S2000 - 2005 Honda S2000
  By Ken - April 28 - 1:59 pm

  Cant beat this car for bang for the buck. Will outrun anything on 4 wheels in the canyons and most bikes, too. Plus doubles as a daily drive. Great gas mileage, low maintenance costs.

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  S2K Your Life Away - 2005 Honda S2000
  By NC Raskal - April 26 - 6:28 pm

  Have had a Toyota MR2 and a BMW Roadster. Got a great deal on a little red S2000 with only 900 miles on it. This car is a well-built, pure point-and-shoot driving experience. Remember its a 4 cylinder and youll understand why it seems short on low-end torque but dont forget it likes to run on higher revs. It gets perky 4-6+K RPM range. Great short throws. Unlike the BMW, Honda dispenses with the heated seats and other perks - this S2K is a drivers car. Have fun. And S2K your life away!