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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  Love it! - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Sailor - April 24 - 2:00 am

  I have driven it for 2 1/2 years, driven coast to coast, and 35,000 mi. per year. I have been in an accident, hydroplaneing, at 70 mph and walked away after hitting the concrete freeway divider, returning to the highway doing a few 360s then back to the concrete divider hiting it with the rear of the car. Damage? all sheet metal except the doors were replaced, I drove the car to the side of the road to clear traffic. No radiator puncture no oil leak. Frame was 3 drgrees out of alignement after it left the shop it was 0 degrees out. It has never been back to the dealership for any repair or fix anything.

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  Its good to DRIVE again - 2001 Honda S2000
  By SCoach - April 5 - 2:00 am

  After owning a BMW some years ago, the itch hit for a fun to drive car. This is my first convertible. This car is an absolute blast to drive for an enthusiast. Not certian it would be for a non-enthusiast. Its quick, light on its feet, and surprisingly economical. I had wanted a 911 for many years, but this is more practical, cheaper, and truly just as fun. Reliability seems to be better too. And servicing will be cheaper.

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  NO OTHER LIKE THIS ONE - 2001 Honda S2000
  By SHANNON MCDONALD - March 29 - 2:00 am

  Unbelievable! For performance, I have yet to see any car with a natural aspirated four cylinder (or six) come close. OK, the 350Z isnt far behind, but I drove both vehicles with a bias FOR Nissan before deciding on the USED Honda. Sorry Datsun enthusiasts, but the Honda has the heart of high performance two- seaters, much like the 240 had in the 70s. I have put 40,000 miles on this car and still get a thrill every time I push the start button. Life is definitely better at 9000 RPM.

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  Awesome - 2003 Honda S2000
  By jao611 - March 26 - 2:00 am

  Car rides rough and is not easy on the back if youre over 6 Ft. Not biult for drag racing but fast over 6K RPMs. So beautiful Im afraid to drive it. Some annoying rattles in roof.

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  S2000 LEASEE - 2003 Honda S2000
  By DANNY SANDOVAL - March 25 - 2:00 am

  GREAT LINES, EXCELLENT HANDLER, LOVE THE KICK OVER 6000 RPMS. EYE CATCHER. LOOK FORWARD TO THE FIRST WARM DAY WHEN THE SPEEDY TOP CAN COME DOWN. HAVING A BLAST.

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  My S2000 - 2003 Honda S2000
  By vel7wil - March 25 - 2:00 am

  At 46 this is the most fun Ive had driving a vehicle in quite a while. This is the purest definition of the phrase "driven".

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  PURE PURE SPORTS CAR - 2003 Honda S2000
  By S2000 - March 13 - 2:00 am

  How many PURE sports cars are out there you can buy right off the show room without some modification. S2000 is it & much cheaper then those exotic namebrands. No doubt the best two seater open top REAL sports car for the buck & out performs those priced $10K or more.

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  Almost a Ten - 2003 Honda S2000
  By dww - March 12 - 2:00 am

  All great...except a shudder at top end of clutch release. Dealer replaced entire clutch mechanism, but it is still there. Now what?

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  This car impresses - 2001 Honda S2000
  By zman1 - March 9 - 2:00 am

  This car is for the driving enthusiast, one who appreciates sports car engineering, with an engine that can red line at 9000 rpms you will have nothing but fun out running everything on the road except some of the elite.

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  reason i get up - 2002 Honda S2000
  By mdilly - March 6 - 2:00 am

  Ive always wanted one since my 00 prelude went bye-bye. 6 seconds from coupe to convertable. 6 seconds from 0 to 60. 2nd gear is a blast 3rd gear will do 100mph. I am 62 and 225 pounds long legged but can drive 200 miles in this car without killing me. Not comfortable but can withstand it because of the fun factor of diving. Everyone wants to race you. 20+ mpg in the city. read warranty manual closely. only carries 400 pounds including passengers.