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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  Honda 05 S2000 - 2005 Honda S2000
  By Simon - November 16 - 10:51 am

  From car fanatic and previous owner of numerous sports cars, nothing comes close to the thrill ride of the S2000, unless youre willing and able to spend 50k or more. This is a car you must learn how to drive to appreciate its performance ability. It will stir your power-pursuing soul and defy gravity with every crooked country road. Audio is poor, but I would rather listen to the engine and exhaust note of this formula 1 bred sibling, depending on how hard you want to push it. And it likes to be pushed. Lack of low end torque is not an issue, once you become one with Vtech. I have owned 5 new Honda products over the last 10 yrs, all have been great. Im always being asked, what is this?

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  Love that S2000 - 2004 Honda S2000
  By vernfin - October 19 - 6:08 pm

  This car is all about performance. If youre looking for cushy luxury it isnt for you. But I get out of the car with a grin every day and the howl it makes over 7000 rpm is pure joy.

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  My S2K - 2005 Honda S2000
  By Greg - June 26 - 10:13 pm

  Great car! Fun to drive! Had it for just over a year now and I love it. Its quick, sticks to the road like it has glue on the tires, handles very well. Although its my 1st sports car, I drove many others before I bought. The S2000 was by far the best choice.

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  A True Value Packed Roadster - 2005 Honda S2000
  By C.G. Godlewski - June 10 - 10:26 pm

  I traded an 01 MR2 for the Honda S2000 after a test drive. In september 2004, I ran from hurricane Ivan, my first chance to drive the S2000 the distance between Fort Walton Beach Florida and Harrison Arkansas. I made the trip straight through in 20 hours stopping only for fuel, food and coffee lots of coffee. Highway 65, between Little Rock AR and Springfield MO, has all the Ozark mountain twisties anyone would ever want. The S2000 swooped and sang through the old highways curves at more than twice the posted limits and did it well enough to make this smilng sexagenarian glad I owned an S2000.

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  Miata? - 2005 Honda S2000
  By Niwee - June 5 - 1:24 pm

  Doesnt anyone feel like they are looking at a Miata when they approach this car? Also, when sitting in the bucket seats for about an hour my back really starts to hurt. I love the ride--but not sure about all this hype.

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  Update - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Helios - June 4 - 12:45 pm

  Ive had this car since February 2002, and it still puts a huge grin on my face. Even after three years of driving over potholed roads, the chassis is still tight - slight shaking of the passenger seat is the only tip-off that the cars not brand new. Engines stronger than ever shifters still a dream to operate. Ive installed a larger wind blocker for better top-down driving. I also removed the tray holding the tools for an extra cubic foot of trunk space. This cars therapy on wheels. It lacks the amenities of the competition, but its a quality piece of work that rewards a focused driver.

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  Review of my S2000 - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Dwarflord - April 24 - 2:26 pm

  Very tight inside, in fact it is close to being uncomfortable. Because of the high revving engine and convertible top, this car is very loud inside. The car is fun to drive on curvy roads but you have to keep the rpms high to enjoy the vtec engine. This car is quick, but does not feel like it due to the lack of torque on this vehicle. Quality is typical honda, so no disappointment there.

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  Suzuka Blue - 2005 Honda S2000
  By Mnakano4 - April 15 - 6:29 pm

  This car is sick and poised at the same time. The limited slip rear provides much fun on tight corners. And with each day I become more impressed by her abilities to carve the curves. This is a car you wear but as the scenery flies by, you forget about the compact size. And once you hit 6,500 rpm... she hits power-band much like a CR 250. When will Honda provide us with an eight cylinder monster?

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  s22c - 2004 Honda S2000
  By s22c - September 17 - 2:00 am

  Its a stiff ride with a nice 6spd tranni

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  serious fun in a roadster - 2004 Honda S2000
  By hirev - June 15 - 2:00 am

  so far after 8000 miles and 6 months this car is near perfect. just oil changes. no oil use. dont beleive what others say about no low end torque. this car goes, and handles, and has a great ride, even for distances. the build quality is excellent. lows:crappy stereo, cramped interior room, twitchy oversteering at limit takes time to master...highs, performance, build quality, features, a/c, gearbox, brakes, engine, rigid mid/front engine designed chassis is second to none. and when you vetc it just screams from 6,0000 to 8200 rpm. this car is not for everyone, just serious roadster carnuts who can appreciate this limited production hand built honda.