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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  Best Sports Car under $60K - 2004 Honda S2000
  By David4UCLA - July 29 - 2:00 am

  Motorcycle excitement on 4 wheels.

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  unbelievably fun - 2004 Honda S2000
  By F1 fan - July 27 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my car for almost a month, and its my daily driver. I went from driving a Civic to this, so I was a little apprehensive at first about living with this car on a daily basis. After the first week, it was clear -- this car is worth every penny I paid for it. Its unbelievably fun to drive, has an amazing gearbox (almost unreal how smooth shifting it is), is rock solid, and I get so many looks from other people. Passing situations are also a breeze, if you see a hole in traffic, you can get there with this car. The engine sounds amazing also, I love to rev this baby! And best of all, its a Honda, so you know reliability wont be a problem

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  So good I bought two! - 2000 Honda S2000
  By A-man - July 25 - 2:00 am

  I went looking for a sports car in 2000. Drove the new Lexus, Audi GT and Boxter first. Then drove the S2000. Loved every second driving it. Fast, go- kart handling and dependable! I live 50% of my time in England. I went and found a 1999 Red S2000 with 1500 mis on it (little old lady thought it was too hot for her...sat in her garage). The backroads of England were made to be driven by this car. What a blast! 3 years on with two S2000s (for the price of one Porsche)and not one complaint!

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  Honda S2000 - 2004 Honda S2000
  By PolySail - July 23 - 2:00 am

  My wife decided to have herself a sports car for her birthday. One of her colleagues recommended the Honda S2000, earning my lifelong indebtedness. Within an hour of our drive to the dealership, she had her car. Weeks later, she allowed me to drive her home in it following an exhausting week at work. Wow! What fun! No wonder she chose to drive it all the time. (We have two other vehicles.) Its everything I ever wanted in a muscle car in my youth combined with the sporty cars I always coveted as a young adult. Now, at this stage of my life, Id have to say that it compares favorably to Viagra.

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  top down greatness - 2004 Honda S2000
  By rodester driver - July 20 - 2:00 am

  Only two negatives, no storage room on the interior and you need to rev the engine past 3000rpm to get any power from a stopped position otherwise this car is great to drive, lots of power once the engine rpms are up, classic road feel, smooth gearbox, very comfortable driving position in nicely contoured sport seats and great handling. Buy it in yellow so everyone can see you coming down the street.

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  Fun, fun, fun - 2004 Honda S2000
  By mddavis - July 14 - 2:00 am

  I have had my S2000 for 2 years. I enjoy driving it today as much as I did when I first got it. What a driving machine! Cornering, acceleration, stabilty (even at HIGH speeds), great six speed and all at a great price. There are only a couple of negatives - not much luggage room or interior storage, not much torgue. However, overall, a great car!

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  beautifully done car - 2004 Honda S2000
  By cycads - July 7 - 2:00 am

  In every sense when evaluating a car as tofit and finishthis car was a 10! ditto for fun when driving and arriving. One (1) fault- trunk would not hold one (1) set of golf clubs let alone two (2). And I have Japanese clubs! and bag! Mine was actually a 2000 leased for 3 great fun car years.

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  Smile and drive - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Hans Pustelnik - July 7 - 2:00 am

  This car is a blast to drive. I ride Ducati motorcycles and this Honda S 2000 is so far the only 4 wheeler that puts a smile on my face. I have tried other cars including the Porsche Boxter and the S 2000 got my vote!!!!

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  Fun to drive - 2004 Honda S2000
  By MC Lieb - July 7 - 2:00 am

  I have enjoyed driving my S2000. Of course, its my "toy" car and its great driving along the beach.

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  Fun unlimited - 2004 Honda S2000
  By hopkinsfranman - July 4 - 2:00 am

  I have had my S2000 about 9 months now. It is lots of fun to drive. Very smooth shifter. Wonderful handling. More than enough power. Stepping it down into Vtec once in awhile is loads of fun. For the money I couldnt find a better sports car.