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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  Superb - 2000 Honda S2000
  By chris avery - March 16 - 2:00 am

  This is quite simply the most outstanding road race car ever produced THe driving experience is exhilirating and quite frankly breathtaking

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  fun car to drive - 2005 Honda S2000
  By heat2575 - February 5 - 4:16 am

  great looking car with outstanding performance: nimble, quick, responsive. cant really complain about its handling. you will be amazed how fast this car can go with just a 2.2 liter engine. however, it does require revving up the engine to 5600 rpm or else it feels much like a 2.2 accord. 161 lb/ft of torque just doesnt do the job. 20% more torque will be the perfect combinations for its 240 hp. stereo system has to be upgraded. rims are nicer with 17" on 04s and 05s but honda should replace them with more racey looking rims, the design on those stock rims looks kinda sissy. i know i am being very picky here but thats what review is all about, right?

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  CANT HANDLE 9000 RPM - 2000 Honda S2000
  By O-MEGA36X - January 15 - 2:00 am

  Incredible car for a sports car-most amazing 4cyll and I beat 8cyll. ugly mustangs gts all the time--just like a nice car like this should. Should make it with a permanent non- convertible option which will also keep the weight down-its heavier than it looks. Engine sounds incredible. Car was once mistaken for an exotic car and not a honda. Supercharged option should be considered for rediculous speed. Nice controls and dash board-car is a little cramped but you can expect that.

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  Great car, but not for everyone - 2002 Honda S2000
  By MR KQ - November 30 - 10:33 pm

  When every dealer around was gouging customers I found one that sold the car at sticker price - no hassles. Performance is terrific, but the ride on city streets is almost unnacceptable and the engine make a lot of (not unpleasant) noise. But, once at speed (and if you own an S2000 youll be at speed any chance you get) the car is in its element. The ride smooths out and everything just feels right.

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  little things - 2002 Honda S2000
  By carlover - November 26 - 2:00 am

  Not many miles but some things obvious quickly. Door doesnt open wide enough, makes it hard to get in and out. Several rattles, something I never thought I would say about a Honda. Shift from 1st to 2nd is rough, sometimes almost impossible in the cold. If you get a bumper scratched and need to paint it, good luck, they dont go back on properly again. This is a summer, top down, short drive toy car. Used that way its a 10. Drive it every day and you may come to hate it.

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  Uh, Hello Mr. Eddie Pryor... - 2003 Honda S2000
  By Helios - October 17 - 2:00 am

  Its nice that you like your S2000, but you might want to know just why the car is so exceptional. Honda built the S2000 as a 50th anniversary present to itself to commemorate its Formula One racing heritage. Theyve always been the best at squeezing maximum performance from small (i.e. light) engines -- so no, a "supercharged V6 or V8" was never part of the plan. Believe me, Honda knew what it wanted: theyre the worlds largest manufacturer of engines. P.S.: if you cant drive it fast, give it to me!

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  new S2000 - 2002 Honda S2000
  By dundonrl - September 1 - 2:00 am

  great weekend/alternative car.. it has enough power for around town, and above 6000 rpm really wakes up when the VTEC enables the high lift lobes on the cams

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  The perfect secondary vehicle - 2002 Honda S2000
  By s2kterpnut - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Perfect non-primary car for top-down, sporting fun. Everything one would expect from a first-rate sports car: powerful high-reving engine, great handling, rigid chassis, good brakes and sticky tires. Manual tranny, rough ride, noise and limited storage make this a poor daily commuter though.

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  Freakin Awesome! - 2002 Honda S2000
  By kwyxand - August 23 - 2:00 am

  This is the most fun you can have outside of sex! The power surge that you get when the VTEC cuts in takes you from "driving the car" to "just holding on" is a rush! And the handling was a pleasant surprise... my Acura TL-S feels like a boat now. Thr controls are easy to operate and well positioned for the most part... Im not real fond of the cup holder in the console since it interferes with shifting when there is a 16oz cup in it. And the stereo is just okay. It could benefit from a few more amps and better speaker placement... the CD also has skipping problems, probably from the stiff suspension... not a sign of the quality unit that I expected.

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  Drive to believe - 2000 Honda S2000
  By Serg - August 7 - 2:00 am

  9k, the tach flashes and shift... only on this or a race car... it also turns and stops (in case u need it). Had a BMW M Roadster and when compared to the S2000... feels like a u-haul.