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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  NICE SUPER POWER CAR - 2003 Honda S2000
  By hrv - September 12 - 2:00 am

  This car is a bomb.. best manual car i have ever drive.. i love this car

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  THERES NOTHING LIKE A HONDA! - 2003 Honda S2000
  By JETTGIRL - September 6 - 2:00 am

  IM A HONDA LOVER....I HAD A 1998 HONDA CIVIC LX WHICH WAS A GREAT CAR....NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT....I TRADED IT IN FOR THE SEXY HONDA S2000. LOVE THIS CAR...ITS TROUBLE FREE LIKE THE CIVIC, DRIVES AND HANDLES GREAT....LOVE IT, LOVE IT ,LOVE IT!!!

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  Great Graduation Present! - 2003 Honda S2000
  By smssws - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I love this car! It is so fun to drive, except in the rain. It does tend to scare me in the rain, but other than that it handles like a dream. My husband can always tell when I have the top down and music on, because I never answer my phone.

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  Sweet Ride - 2003 Honda S2000
  By Sculptor - September 4 - 2:00 am

  The preformance of this car is amazing. It handles like the cars in the $60,000 range. The handling on the curves are its better features, it tuck into the curve, like there is a groove in the road made for it. The more you challenge the engine the more it likes it. The high red line makes for a different drive then any other vehicle I have owned before. It has two personalities, one is a well built nice driving little two seat with a sweet look, then your get it into the 6.5 RPMs and it is a monster. It can scream through curves. red lines at 9000 RPMs. it is a car you have to "REALLY Drive" to understand and appreciate!

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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 GREAT TOY - 2003 Honda S2000
  By TODD ONEILL - September 3 - 2:00 am

  ITS A GREAT CAR TO HAVE AS A TOY. I REALLY DONT KNOW HOW IT WILL DO IN SNOW? THATS WHY I KEPT MY SUV. COMFORT OK BUT SOME CONTROLS HARD TO REACH IE. GAS CAP RELEASE AND GLOVE COMPARTMENT. BUT WHERE ELSE DO YOU PUT THAT STUFF? OVERALL FUN TOY!

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  Perfect Sports Car - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Mugen S2k - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Its just as fun now as it was when it rolled off the showroom floor, best car for the money(PERFORMENCE) the looks, the "ohhh is that a porsche", and the 9 thousand RPM redline is to die for, ill never own anything else till they stop making it. TRUE INDY INSPIRED CAR, this car was not made for picking up the kids, it is a true street legal race car.

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  Its A Wonderful Toy! - 2003 Honda S2000
  By Diogones - August 30 - 2:00 am

  This is my third summer as an S2000 owner and the excitement hasnt diminished one bit! It drives and performs like new with the exception of the rear tires. Those had to be replaced at 13,500 miles. The tread was completely gone and Im not an abusive driver.

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  Impressive - 2003 Honda S2000
  By Tommyboy 9966 - August 29 - 2:00 am

  Get in, buckle up ,drop the hammer and enjoy the ride, this car is as fast as it looks. Let the wife drive it around like Grandmas Civic then get in and drive it the way it should be, driven hard.. Has plenty of power up top to compete with most V8s on the road. Very rigid frame leads to awsome handling , and incredible breaking with a second to none gearbox that makes it a blast to drive. Try one , youll get hooked.. Many other Roadsters dont compare as the Honda was rated #1 in Road and Track!!!