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:

• 

  Fab Car - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Blackdragon - May 23 - 2:00 am

  Bought this in January and love it to death. Amazing control and performance - looks fantastic too. Has been driven daily and still gives me a smile each time I hit vtec

• 

  exotic speeder - 2000 Honda S2000
  By success - May 19 - 2:00 am

  best roadster ever! If you appreciate connecting with the road.... this is the car for you!

• 

  What A GREAT Car! - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Axel3693 - May 7 - 2:00 am

  I had to get this car, it is so great, for the low cost, you get so freakin much! Me and my wife go out all the time cruisin just for fun.

• 

  Nine months later... - 2002 Honda S2000
  By FFSkip - May 5 - 2:00 am

  What started out as a weekend/good weather-only vehicle has now developed into "I-gotta-drive-it-every-chance-I- get" kinda car!!! Now, I crave that distinct 6500-9000 VTEC range. Tires go relatively quickly, but these and the car make amateurs like me look like F1 drivers. And if you spend a fair amount of time in VTEC, youll be adding oil. Thats a small price to pay, IMO. Then theres the whole "What- kind-of-car-is-that?" thing that makes you feel even better about your purchase. You will get over some people asking if its a Miata, because some will think its a Boxster. Both are wrong AND you can take both!

• 

  Jekyll and Hyde - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Zeniac - April 27 - 10:00 am

  This car is an absolute blast to drive, I test drove many different cars before deciding on the S2K. It is almost as much fun as my Triumph Speed Triple, but also lets me bring home a few groceries. Road noise and a harsh ride are a part of the character of a roadster thats more than offset by the S2000s precise handling and sweet drivetrain. Though some complain about torque, if you drive it like a motorcycle (rev like crazy), the V- Tech L4 provides more than adequate output in an open top, RWD roadster with Honda reliability and good resale value without one on every corner. Way to go Honda!!

• 

  Most Fun per Dollar! - 2004 Honda S2000
  By dht - April 27 - 10:00 am

  Total reliability, great handling and acceleration, and a reasonable price make this the sleeper deal of all deals for sports enthusiasts! Beats the pants off Boxsters, Z4s, etc.

• 

  Love this car - 2002 Honda S2000
  By ksm1998 - April 24 - 2:00 am

  This car is so much fun to drive. I have driven and owned many cars and for the money, this car cannot be beat. Even below 6000 rpm the car is quick, but hit 6000 and you FLY. Drives like it is on rails and very comfortable (I am 61").

• 

  Amazing - 2000 Honda S2000
  By 9000REVS - April 22 - 2:00 am

  Driving my car is my favorite part of everyday. This car is everything you could ever want in a sports car. Handling, power, 9k redline, convertible, new technology, and much more... all with an average of about 25mpg. Below 6k rmps this car is great driving, extremely fun, and still has enough power to get you where you need to go. Above 6k rmps (VTEC) is like a roller coaster ride. The car rockets fowards as you watch the digital speedometer climb, the rev limiter lights up and you know its time to shift for another 3k rmps of powerful sounding, head jerking, adrenaline rush.

• 

  If I could Id give it an 11 - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Coleman - April 17 - 2:00 am

  I have owned most euro. sports cars over the years and this Honda is head and shoulders above any of them. I was in the market for another German Spotrs car and while at the dealership I spoke with another consumer who couldnt stop talking about the S2000, reluctent to buy a Honda I went and drove one anyway and the rest is history, the fun factor is an 11.

• 

  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).