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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  New Thrill Car - 2004 Honda S2000
  By brilliantbeaute - September 19 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car for fun. It is impractical for families (ha-which is why I bought it). You get the tremedous fun of a 2 seater convertible matched with the reliability of a Honda. Also, the 6-speed for those of us who like to drive fast is wonderful! It is a little small for my husband who stands 64, but great for me. I LOVE this car!

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  the best damn car on tha planet - 2003 Honda S2000
  By jeaser - September 17 - 10:00 am

  this vehicle is the most smoothest running honda ever produced with a slick style and high performance, i give it a perfe

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  BALANCING ACT - 2003 Honda S2000
  By Sophisticated Driver - September 17 - 10:00 am

  In low RPM, the S2000 drives like a normal car. Select a lower gear and press the gas pedal, a smile will come upon your face. It doesnt get better than this!

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  THIS BABY COULD USE SOME TORQUE!! - 2001 Honda S2000
  By 9000 RMP BABY!!! - September 13 - 2:00 am

  The motor is truley AWUSOME! at 120HP per litter you can go wrong! Buy it could use some more torque it you know what I mean! Since I install my Comptech SC which dyno at 389 hp at the wheel and 377 fttq .I have smoke Z28, SS, Cobra, M3, S4, Vette, Boxer, 300Z, Supra, Rx7, etc.of the line! This baby does 12.4 et @ 127mph!

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  One Great Roadster - 2002 Honda S2000
  By hammer down - September 10 - 2:00 am

  S2000 is a great roadster. Fun to drive with excellent handling, stylish headturning looks and reasonably priced to boot. Puts a smile on my face every day.

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  Greatest Car Ever - 2002 Honda S2000
  By shemp - September 10 - 2:00 am

  I have lusted after this car for 5 yrs since I laid eyes on it seeing it as a concept car. I finally got the chance to purchase one this past fall. I test drove over 50 vehicles trying to find one that would make me change my mind about buying an S2000. Both my parents and my girlfriend pleaded against the S2000, but there was no car that made me feel the way I did behind the wheel of what I consider an "F-1 race car with an extra seat." I LOVE THIS CAR.

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  Outstanding - 2000 Honda S2000
  By oksurb - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Coolest car Ive ever seen and/or driven. Handles impeccably. the car cas often gotten knocked for not having much low-end power, but I think that is a plus as it makes driving in stop-and- go traffic much easier...and the "juice" is definitely there when you need it. I wish I oculd have two of them...one to drive to death, and one to just look at every day!

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  Love my convertable..lifetime dream! - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Pharmacist - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I have wanted a convertable since 1953. The S2000 is my first and the true joy of driving has been revealed. I really do make up excuses to drive somewhere just to get behind the wheel. What a delight!

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  Test drive it first! - 2001 Honda S2000
  By J Miller - September 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought mine when the thing was so hot many dealers were not allowing test drives... This would have been a mistake if I were over 6 foot 3.

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  Best Value on the road - 2002 Honda S2000
  By frussell - September 5 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for 4 months and it gets better every day. I bought it on- line and paid $200 over invoice. I had to travel an hour to get it but it was well worth it, local dealers were all sticker or sticker +. After driving Z3s and Boxsters this is faster, better handling and I dont see 5 on the way to work every day.