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 2nd S2000 - 2003 Honda S2000
  By ImaBlonde2 - November 5 - 2:00 am

  The 2002 S2000 was a great car but the 2003 seems to be just a little nicer. The seat is far more comforatable with lots of leg and hip room, stereo sounds little nicer, interior lighting is better design, and other little things like that. Still handles like a dream, shifts smoothly, excellerates quickly, it is fairly quiet inside considering it is a convertible. I am tall and with the top down can still wear a golf visor without the wind whipping it off my head, which my 2002 used to do. Had my silver 2002 for a year, but when I went to get the oil changed they had a yellow 2003 on the showroom floor. Love at first sight!

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  Honda S2000 - A Great car all around - 2003 Honda S2000
  By monkey dude - November 4 - 2:00 am

  The handling is incredible. This car never gets old. Every time I get into it, it seems its like the first time i ever drove it. Just incredible car all the way around.

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  My 40th Birthday Present :) - 2003 Honda S2000
  By Patricia Wingenfeld - October 28 - 2:00 am

  I love my 2003 S2000. I have to say that this was the best purchase I have ever made. I have a silver/red interior that looks just as hot as it rides. People constantly wave and stop me at red lights to share their opinions that this vehicle is spectacular. I agree with them. I utilize this car as my "Sunday Afternoon" vehicle rather than my primary mode of transport. In FL where the rains can be torential, the S2000 rides a bit low for flash flooding roadways. Also, I have found with the spoilers added on, the ride is so low to the ground that any road debris is a danger...2 times in the body shop to date. I love my S2000. You will love yours too.

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  Awesome car! - 2003 Honda S2000
  By Speed-ball - October 28 - 2:00 am

  My husband bought this car for me for my birthday! Best present I ever recieved. Its so much fun to drive.

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  Buy this car! - 2003 Honda S2000
  By Margaritasnsun - October 28 - 2:00 am

  This is a kick ass automobile. Not only does it look good it performs to the max. Forget about the boxster, this car is the choice. People look at it and dont know what it is, but they want it. And the BMW? try fitting your clubs in the trunk - youll need a tow package to carry them. Not with the S2000, mine fit perfectly! What else could you ask for. Handles the curves like a slot car.

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  almost perfect - 2003 Honda S2000
  By s2k fan - October 28 - 2:00 am

  a true drivers car,absolute pure performance.if your looking for all the creature comforts of todays modern luxury cars go buy a 3 or 5 series BMW,but if you like the thought of almost 9k shifts ,screaming motor,back road driving,this is your car!

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  Its a blast!! - 2000 Honda S2000
  By Luvtoact - October 23 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my car for over a year now and still love every moment Im in it. If you want speed in a car, this is the one to buy. Plus it turns heads everywhere you go. The only problem is that everyone wants to race me. Oh, well.

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  my car - 2003 Honda S2000
  By flrodeo - October 22 - 2:00 am

  I just brought a s2000 . I have always owned dually trucks. I got it for my birthday . Its great my girlfriend drove it and brought one the next day. thanks for the great car. It s fast too.

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  Driving Machine - 2003 Honda S2000
  By spkrmakr - October 22 - 2:00 am

  I was unsure when my wife wanted a 2- seater sports car. We picked the S2000 because of seemingly good value for the dollar spent. This car is fast once you learn to drive it. Well made and a "true" sports car. Highly recommended!

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  Its a BLAST! - 2003 Honda S2000
  By BLAST - October 20 - 2:00 am

  This is really a race car and its fabulous!