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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  My dream car - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Oscuro - August 31 - 2:00 am

  My weekend car for the past 10 years was a 90 RX7 conv. Took an S2k for a 30 min. test ride in July over winding roads and fell in love with it. Great on turns and fab acceleration - especially in third gear. Interior very well designed and trunk very adequate room for a sports car. Had some difficulty fastening the cover over the top when it is down, but its in place. To my taste, the styling beats all the other two seat convertables.

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  Love it!!! - 2004 Honda S2000
  By captroynsteph - August 31 - 2:00 am

  Before I got my S2000 I thought that excellent performance required 8 cylinders and a $50,000 price tag. I was wrong. I had a Vette before this car. The Honda is more reliable and every bit as much fun to drive.

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  The best "British" sports car ever - 2004 Honda S2000
  By bob Nuttmann - August 29 - 2:00 am

  Wow, what a pleasure it is to drive this car. I have not had so much fun driving in years. This is what MG and esspecially Triumph would be selling today if they had kept improving the MGB and TR6 for the last 30 years. This is a roadster for those that want to experience the drive. It is absolutely not an isolation chamber to get you from point A to B with little involvement. I have taken this car for one 1000 mile road trip. Several hundred miles were on curvy two lanes. That was big fun. What was not fun was bumper to bumper through LA on the way home. In my opinion this is not a good commuter car.

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  After years of searching... - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Titan11 - August 27 - 2:00 am

  Well, just bought an 04 Silverstone with red/black interior. Holy crap is she beautiful! After years of stupidness thinking between the Boxster, 350Z, Z4 and M3s, I made the right choice by buying this beauty. The car speaks for itself and is an amazing example of what engineering can do and how badly it is lacking in American cars. I woke up this morning, kissed my wife first, kids second and the car third. I love this thing.

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  Oh my !!!! - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Bobby L - August 26 - 2:00 am

  This is with out a doubt one of the finest vehicles in the world.

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  S2k is A OK - 2001 Honda S2000
  By shannonh - August 25 - 2:00 am

  great car, fun to drive mine hits 163 MPH totally stock never a problem after 41k miles except for going through 3 sets of tires its not very practical for families, but just leave the kids at home and head for the hill country!!!

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  OUTSTANDING SPORTS CAR - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Paul Parker - August 19 - 2:00 am

  Pick up on this car is great, though A little small for a 6"2 230 man it still has its on way to tell you dont worry.

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  Great Car for the right person - 2004 Honda S2000
  By shockwave - August 12 - 2:00 am

  Have had the car for 3 weeks. Very fun to drive. Lack of low end torque is a problem. Very quick when revved high. 0- 60 times of under 6 seconds only with good driver and really slamming it through first 2 gears. Extremely quick after 4000 rpm. Seats a bit uncomfortable. Car is stunningly beautiful and will be a classic (perhaps soon last S might be made in 2005). I dont really miss storage because we have a van. Long trips are a no no. Handling is the best in its class. If you like torque and quick starts get a mustang or 350Z.

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  honda s2000 - 2004 Honda S2000
  By s2000 - August 12 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my s2000 for almost 2 years. It is very responsive, quick, easy to drive, fun, and I have no regrets about buying this car. I would definitely recommend one to anyone who wants a REAL sports car!

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  S-2000 - Theres nothing else like it! - 2004 Honda S2000
  By flhdhunter - August 10 - 2:00 am

  The S-2000 is one of the sexiest, fastest, smoothest shifting sports cars on the planet. A car with a 9,000RPM redline coupled with blinding speed, awesome handling, and a banshee like howl abouve 6,500RPM, yet still giving you 20MPG city - 30MPG highway....how can you go wrong? It is a BMW Z-4 and Porsche Boxster killer for about 15-20K less than the German autos. Add 6K worth of toys - a supercharger, Brembo brakes, shock tower supports, and an upgraded clutch, and you have almost 400HP in a 2,800lb car - this combo will definitely eat 911s and Ferraris with aplomb.