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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  WOW S2K - 2004 Honda S2000
  By slweinstein - January 21 - 3:42 pm

  As close to roadster perfection as you can get for under $60,000. Rarely does a sportscar outperform your initial expectations this one does!

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  Great Roadster Value - 2000 Honda S2000
  By bhunau1 - January 13 - 2:22 pm

  I purchased the S2000 used from a friend. It only had 12000 miles on it. I have owned sports cars in the past. I drove a Fiat 124 Spyder and a Nissan 240Z. This car is the most fun you can have sitting down. I find myself looking for places I have to go in order to take a drive. I put the top down even when its cold because its so much darn fun. If you like a soft ride and a quiet running engine this is not your car. It roars like a lion at 5000 rpm, but so what, if you want quiet theres lots of other boring choices, but you would regret it.

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  da s2000 - 2002 Honda S2000
  By dherhsthj - January 12 - 8:46 pm

  Well the s2000 is a extrordinary vechicle the speed are enormus but mine is different cause i supped mine up.

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  Reminds me of a MG A Twin Cam - 2004 Honda S2000
  By W&G S2K - January 12 - 1:21 pm

  I just purchased an S 2000, after considering a BMW Z4. This car is a hoot, and in my opinion a much better value as a true sports car than the BMW. When I was in college my roommate had a new MG A Twin Cam. Yes, I am over 65! Any way, the MG, as I recall was red lined over 7000 RPM, and it would screem at high revs, just like the S2K. I recall that most of those MGs experienced a total engine failure after about 10,000 miles. Everything about the S2000 is great except the cover for the top (its a chore to put on properly). I am also disappointed in the lack of oil pressure and electric gauges.

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  Gotta Have Factor - 10/10! - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Spike - January 11 - 8:13 pm

  This is as impractical but as much fun as a motorcycle. Its got clean lines and turns heads all the time. This thing revs like my R6. I have to admit that I need to take some driving lessons w/ this car since its very unforgiving and I have had a couple of close calls when I sled the rear-end, it was a result of my inexperience with sports cars though. Im very satisfied w/ this car.

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  2004 Suzuka Blue - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Gixxer 1000 - January 3 - 8:21 pm

  I just went from a Miata to the S2000 and am glad I did. I am 6 tall and did not fit well in the Miata. Fit, performance, quality and styling are my top prioroities in my selection of the S2000. I hope to enjoy it for many years to come.

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  AWESOME RIDE - $ WELL SPENT - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Pretndr357 - December 31 - 2:00 am

  This is the first sports car I have ever owned and I am very impressed. I own 4WD for inclement weather, but when the sun is out and the roads are dry, this is an awesome ride. The handling is amazing and the control you have in the cockpit is nothing but reassuring when you are navigating curves across the Virginia mountains or touring down a country road. It takes off like a rocket and stops on a dime. Makes driving anywhere just pure fun!

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  What a Machine! - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Southside - December 26 - 10:00 am

  This is a true sports car. Not the most comfortable for day to day but who cares?

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  Excellent Car!! - 2003 Honda S2000
  By jmckneely - December 12 - 2:00 am

  I have had my car for about a month now and the car is excellent. I have no complaints. The car still turns heads when you drive it down the road, and it performs incredibly!!

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  Best Engineering Ever - 2001 Honda S2000
  By S2kTarga - December 5 - 3:17 am

  9000 Rpms dump the clutch!!! And redline again, i have driven this car like this for 56,000 miles and had no problems. I also track my car (scca) all stock i can keep up with an bmw m3.