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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  S2000 - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Laurelwood Lou - June 9 - 2:00 am

  This will be a classic sports car. The low-end torque has been greatly improved and the Honda quality is evident. It is great fun to drive. The 6-speed transmission shifts flawlessly.

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  s2000 are serious - 2004 Honda S2000
  By DC samuels - May 26 - 2:00 am

  man i will just say that the car is mad fast and mad lovely. nice rims and everything very nice looking car. nice color its a nice car you can drive just love to hold on to it just can"t stop driving.

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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.

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  service of honda is very poor - 2003 Honda S2000
  By kay - December 4 - 2:00 am

  i love the car..i get many compliments on it.after all they only make 5000 of them a year and people dont really know what kind of car it is..but the motor blew at 4k miles and honda did not want to warranty it..the dealer ships were very poor on fixing things and three times i brought it in for service..they damaged my car...from the bumper to the fender to the front lip spoiler..bronx honda...and curry honda..the best service i ever gotten is rushneck honda in tarrytown...and honda told me that they did not want to warranty the blown motor..

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  Pros and Cons - 2001 Honda S2000
  By G.Brown - September 4 - 2:00 am

  Excellent car but, DO NOT try to make it something its not. A Detroit muscle car. Expensive mistake. Driven properly its the most fun car Ive owned. Tops Mazda RX-7, Toyota Supra and Pontiac Trans Am. Will definitely purchase again.

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  S2000 RAW POWER/CONSTANT SHIFT - 2003 Honda S2000
  By Vicki - September 3 - 2:00 am

  Great sports car for the purist. It is not a car that is fun to drive unless you are driven to SHIFT and race everyone. Pure High Tech design in engine and drivetrain. For the Purist that wants NO Frills

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  A Modern MG-B - 2002 Honda S2000
  By KAD - April 4 - 2:00 am

  I drove MGs and Triumphs for over 15 years. This S2000 is basically a modern MG-B/Midget (psychologically) with an oversized engine, leather, air conditioning, and vastly improved handling. Oh, by the way it also is ultra-dependable. The British automobile industry would still be in business if they had manufactured anything close to the S2000 (and they fired Lucas, the Prince of Darkness). A lovely car, a joy to drive. A bit tight, badly placed interior storage, acceptable low-end torque, and a horror in the snow. Easily a 9 on a scale of 10 (Ive never driven a 10).

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  4 Wheel Superbike - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Kevin Ledbetter - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Closest thing to a superbike on 4 wheels. This little vehicle handles like few others. The low polar inertia helps the grippy tires to change directions effortlessly. Four wheel anti-lock disc brakes stop the car as fast as any other street vehicle. Below 6000 rpm the engine is just another 4 cylinder, but when the big cam lobes kick in at 6-grand, youll think a couple of solid rocket boosters went off. silky-smooth 6-speed transmission keeps you in the power range when properly used. Loads of fun to drive. Rock solid Honda quality, through and through.

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  Engine Problems! - 2000 Honda S2000
  By bbsilver - March 20 - 2:00 am

  At least the 2000 and 2001 model have had a series of electrical and mechanical issues. Oil starvation, oil consumption, ECU failure, spark plugs backing out to name a few. Serious issues with bent valves as well. The problems are mostly quality control and design issues (some are driver error). Some of the problems lead to catastrophic engine failure. Honda is starting to deny valid warranty claims for technicalities. Engine repair is extremely costly due to lack of aftermarket parts and low quantites. s2ki.com for other testimonial.