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 S2000 Rated - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Rainman xxx - October 2 - 2:00 am

  This is a fun car to drive, lots of power with great gas milage. It is a great looking car and a super value for the money. The car seems to hold its value as I check the used prices. I dont see many of them around, so it will catch your eye. I bought it, and like it.

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  Honda S2000 - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Mary Hodges - September 27 - 2:00 am

  A very fun car to drive, plenty of pep. A real head turner. my 5th Honda

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  Oh what fun.... - 2004 Honda S2000
  By JordanO - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I never saw myself buying a small 2- seater until I saw my friends S2000. I went to the dealership and within 10 minutes of the drive, I fell in love with this car. The performance is amazing. The car handles/corners better then any vehicle I have ever driven. The best part about the engine is when it hits 6200 RPM and the VTEC kicks in. You get an addition boost into the seat and then the S2000 transforms into an F1 racer. The interior is fantastic. The leather smell and the aluminum panels really give this car a high dollar touch and feel. I really have no complaints about the S2000, I highly recommend this car!

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  My S2999 - 2004 Honda S2000
  By airmaxs11 - September 27 - 2:00 am

  The S2000 is such a beautiful car I love it so much....it is fast and sporty and has a unique design. The only bad thing about the car is it sucks on gas

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  S2000 is awsome - 2001 Honda S2000
  By rc7579bu - September 25 - 2:00 am

  Ive been driving mine for a month and I think Im in love!!!

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  2000s - 2004 Honda S2000
  By kurt ranno - September 24 - 2:00 am

  Best to drive and the best to gaze at.

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  kick some german axx - 2003 Honda S2000
  By spitfire - September 18 - 2:00 am

  this is an amazing street legal race car. plunge the gas padle and drop your clutch, the roar from the exhaust will make you believe you are in a rocket, a topless one. steering is perfect, handling is precise, braking is stable and powerful to say the least. this is one car that has all the major components perfectly orchestrated each time you sit behind the wheel. there is simply no better sports car one can buy for $35K.

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  I love everything about it - 2003 Honda S2000
  By Ravi - September 18 - 2:00 am

  superb car with all the features and performance you can only dream in other roadsters.. no matter what you are driving now you need to change your driving style.... you need to drive this beauty with high rpm keep your rpm between 6-8000 (remeber red line is at 9000)

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  You get what you pay for and much more - 2003 Honda S2000
  By ready2go - September 18 - 2:00 am

  This is the best true sports car for the money, period. We all know what it is not so dont be confused about what you are buying, this is not a cargo carrying sport sedan. This is a sports car. An excellent sports car. I considered a Boxster S (used) and still could not justify the extra money over this car.

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  I love everything about it - 2003 Honda S2000
  By ravi - September 18 - 2:00 am

  superb car with all the features and performance you can only dream in other roadsters.. no matter what you are driving now you need to change your driving style.... you need to drive this beauty with high rpm keep your rpm between 6-8000 (remeber red line is at 9000)