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:

• 

  03 S2000 Owner - 2003 Honda S2000
  By SlvrStoneS2k - December 3 - 2:00 am

  This car has surpased all of my expectations. Honda has done a terrific job with this car, it is what everyone says it is and more.

• 

  Whats Not to Like? - 2003 Honda S2000
  By one1bmwnut - December 1 - 2:00 am

  The screaming 9000 RPM engine is a heavenly sound that awakens me every morning to prepare me for another day! Ive heard criticisms that the engine evenually wears on one because of noise and high RPM requirements. Quite to the contrary, after 5500 miles, the four cyclinders thrilling sound still awakens the teenager within me. Suspension and ride? Absolutely incredible! No shakes and not as harsh as the M Roadster. Tight and firm! Build quallity? Second to none! No irritating returns to the dealership. Looks? Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but Ill take it over BMWs Z4 any day of the week.

• 

  clutch @ 11400 - 2003 Honda S2000
  By ibis49 - December 1 - 2:00 am

  I have 11400 miles on this vehicle and the clutch is sliping to the point the car is not drivable. Honda is saying it is normal wear and tear to have this problem. They are charging me $1,025.00 to put in a new clutch as they will not cover it under warranty as a defect. In 35 years of driving, I have never had a clutch go out in 11000 miles. As far as i am concerned Honda is not living up to its hyped up reputation. I am selling the vehicle and buying one that I can drive and have a company stand behind its product. Randy pope

• 

  Sweet Ride - 2003 Honda S2000
  By I.Buzz - November 30 - 2:00 am

  This car is a head turner...looks good standing still....even better going zero to 60 in no time flat! Quick shifts. Just wait until it really kicks in at 6500RPMs.

• 

  Fantastic Ride - 2003 Honda S2000
  By martha - November 30 - 2:00 am

  This was the best car I have owned by far. The handling is superb. I always have the top down...as long as the sun is shining. Unfortunately, I have to put it up in the winter but it just makes it all the sweeter to drive in the summer.

• 

  Oh What A Car!!!!!!!!!!! - 2003 Honda S2000
  By HondaMoma - November 30 - 2:00 am

  Nothing but a fun car. Good performance, fast, and LOOKS GOOD!

• 

  BEST Convertib le Roadster - 2003 Honda S2000
  By MEllen - November 30 - 2:00 am

  This car is stunning! It is so much fun to drive. It handles speed and turns so well. You can put it up next to the more expensive roadsters and I bet you will think the quality is far superior. I raced a BMW roadster and left them still waiting on me. This is a GREAT CAR!

• 

  everything i ever dreamed of, but more - 2003 Honda S2000
  By Larry Skillzs - November 30 - 2:00 am

  Ive had it for 4 months now and everytime I step into the drivers seat and turn the key I love it even more. I raced it all summer(including 8g neutral drops)and the only car that beat me was a e55 amg. I paid for those neutral drops in late sept when my clutch blew and i paid out 1800 for a whole new tranny =). Ive read the reviews and people complain about heated seats, power seats, blah blah. This is a true sports car, period. If you want all that stuff the s2000 is not what you are looking for. I really feel the only sports car that can give you the same feeling as you feel in the S is a ferrari

• 

  S2000 Review - 2001 Honda S2000
  By JOES2K - November 30 - 2:00 am

  A very nice surprise. I bought the 2001 S2000 in March 2003, with 3,900 miles. It is my recreational car and not used for daily commuting. It exceeds my expetation for performance and driving fun. I have owned several sports cars in the past and the S200 ranks on the top of my list for fun, performance and affordability.

• 

  Great Bang For The Buck - 2003 Honda S2000
  By Durty Sanchez - November 17 - 2:00 am

  Get over it HondaMan. So you hit something and blew the tire, thats not the cars fault!!! This car has amazing performance for the price, blew the doors off of my friends Boxster that comes with a sticker thats $10k higher!!