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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Evil Nasty - 2003 Honda S2000
By hondacare - June 16 - 10:00 amThe S2000 is the picture of absolute perfection! There are great lease specials right now!
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Love our Lolita in her red dress!!!! - 2006 Honda S2000
By Jim - June 10 - 8:06 pmHow much do you need to love a car to give her a name? We recently bought a red 06 with only 8K miles on her. We are a family of Hondas - when my spouse bought her CRV in 2005 I sat in a s2000 in the showroom and said "hey babe Im gonna buy you one of these" I knew that one would end up in the garage eventually. All my Honda experiences have been excellent, 2 Civics, said CRV, and now the S2K. What a car! It just DARES you to drive it. The gearbox is butter, the sound is magnificent, the interior is Honda simple, the seats are comfy. Styling is understated, but menacing in an anime sort of way. Mash the throttle in second, spool her up to 7K rpm and hold on! Turbos are for whimps, baby!
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A Blast - 2004 Honda S2000
By BW - May 31 - 9:01 amI had wanted this car since it came on the market. The sound of the exhaust, its strong, sporty appearance. All of its lure comes to life once you are behind the wheel. Im a 1970s TR6 owner, so in being a sports car purest, the S2000 is marvelous fun. The cars handling is perfection and makes you hunt out winding roads for afternoon drives not to mention how much fun just driving to work can be. I enjoy every second behind the wheel. If you want an exciting ride, this is it!
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One awesome machine! - 2003 Honda S2000
By speed racer - May 4 - 10:00 amThis car is pure fun, plain and simple. It could have a bit more lower end torque but its still a mean machine. From the moment I took it for a test drive... I was hooked! Its a little cramped with the top up but, at 59" its not too bad. If I really had one complaint... Storage space is a problem. No glove compartment and trunk room to speak of. Just a great car though.
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One awesome machine! - 2003 Honda S2000
By Speed Racer - May 4 - 10:00 amThis car is pure fun, plain and simple. It could have a bit more lower end torque but its still a mean machine. From the moment I took it for a test drive... I was hooked! Its a little cramped with the top up but, at 59" its not too bad. If I really had one complaint... Storage space is a problem. No glove compartment and trunk room to speak of. Just a great car though.
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Hondas fun machine - 2003 Honda S2000
By Newtquist - April 29 - 10:00 amPure sports car. Boxsters, Z4s, Miatas and TTs are mere pretenders to the title compared to the Honda S2000 exquisite driving experience. Before you spend stratospheric amounts for a convertible,(yes, even all the way up to Ferrarris) you really need to drive this machine first. If you own a Ferrarri, you also need to have one of these in your collection.
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The S2000 is THE Convertible - 2003 Honda S2000
By Austins2k2003 - April 29 - 10:00 amCar and Driver, Road and Track, neither is wrong. The S is the roadster like no other. The 9000 RPM redline is amazing!
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Quite the head-turner - 2003 Honda S2000
By tbe721 - April 29 - 10:00 amAs being a convertible doesnt attract enough attention, the S2000 is quite the head-turner. Because of Hondas limited production of the model, there are few on the road and people are always doing double-takes. Its an all- around great car - fast, fun, beautiful, reliable. Being such a hot- looking, two-seater makes it almost an impractical luxury but, hey, its Honda - so "impractical" is just not possible!
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Best Roadster Ever - 2003 Honda S2000
By s2000cabrio - April 29 - 10:00 amHandling= awesome Body Style= beautiful Engine= think 9,200 RPM & 120HP/per liter. Gearboxes= the best in the world
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brakes - 2003 Honda S2000
By ren - April 29 - 10:00 amit runs on fumes very well which is why i say it is reliabale.
