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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  Just sweet - 2002 Honda S2000
  By TurboTrix - October 20 - 2:00 am

  I just bought this car, its nothing short of fun

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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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  Great so far - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Romano - October 13 - 2:00 am

  Beautiful car. Have recieved more looks and inquirires about this vehicle than any other car Ive ever owned

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  Hardcore True Sportscar - 2002 Honda S2000
  By carsrcool - October 8 - 2:00 am

  If you are wanting to be pampered or looking for luxury, look somewhere else. Want edgy, connected handling, performance, and a unique engine/drivetrain, then this is the car for you. The 6 speed is as precise as anything out there...at any price. And the experience of increasing torque from 6to 9k RPM is unlike anything else you will drive.

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  THE BEST CAR - 2002 Honda S2000
  By JASON HOBDAY - September 30 - 10:10 am

  YOU CANT FIND MORE CAR FOR THE MONEY. IT ROCKS!!!!!

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  This car is awesome!!! - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Kalcium - September 30 - 2:00 am

  Forget Z3/4, Forget SLKs, forget the 350Z, forget TTs, even forget Boxters (not Boxster S though), THIS CAR IS AMAZING. Its like a motorcycle on four wheels. On the fun to drive and reliability scale, its off the charts. Clearly though it does not have accord reliability, but its still a VERY stable and dependable Honda.

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  Hiway 1 California - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Blueeyes - September 30 - 2:00 am

  I just took possesion of my new 2002 S2000. As if anticipating the arrival of my car, the weather cleared and the sun shined brightly for my first road trip. We drove the car through the Santa Cruz mountains and on Hiway 1 north of Santa Cruz. What a head turner. People of all ages gawked at the car wherever we went. Some open mouthed! Twisting roads? No problem! This car behaves as if chained to the road like a roller coaster. Awesome!!!!!!!! Through the mountain roads, I led a pack of BMW enthusiasts. They tried to keep up but you know!

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  I is a college Grad - 2002 Honda S2000
  By owUdoin - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Happy B-day to me!And I graduated!I need a head turning,heart pumping,juices flowing,girl just smiled at me!,neighbors are coveting,wanna a ride girls?,high fiving,G- forcing,ragtop!I found it! Heres a toast to all S200 owners! P.S.....After you park it,how many times do you look back to admire?

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  A Champ Car for the Street - 2001 Honda S2000
  By Spider - September 26 - 2:00 am

  9000 Rpm usable redline is a beautiful thing. The sound is sports car music. The seats make me feel like Mike Andretti or Montoya in that carbon- fiber tub. The power rush through the Rpm band feels like an F16 Fighter Jet! The handling is superb thanks to those sticky Bridgestone S-02s and tight suspension. The shifter feels like a trigger to unleash more power! Honda please, please, please dont stop making this machine!

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  Great Car - 2002 Honda S2000
  By cntrlflgrrl - September 23 - 2:00 am

  Great all around! Especially for the price. I still smile everytime I get in.