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 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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  Luv this car! - 2002 Honda S2000
  By HiFlyer - August 29 - 2:00 am

  Anyone who says they need more torque doesnt know how to drive a high-rev machine. You can spin the wheels forever at a dead stop forever if you care to waste rubber. Shifting is smooth at all revs but dont try to skip gears at hi-revs. Tires dont wear...get the Dunlop super sport assymetrics at Tires.com for great wet/dry traction, anti-hydro and (relatively)long life...much better than the original Bridgestones. I wouldnt change much of anything.

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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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  Awesome Vehicle, MUst Get - 2002 Honda S2000
  By STan - August 19 - 2:00 am

  This is a very nice car. It has great fuel economy. And also has a powerful engine that has a 9 redline.

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  Outstanding Car - 2000 Honda S2000
  By slbutler - August 18 - 2:00 am

  Honda really outdid themselves with this car. There is nothing like it on the road. When the VTEC kicks in at 6000 RPM, you get a kick in the A$$ that stays with you until you redline at 8900RPM. What other car allows you to go 63mph in second gear and be able to maintain that speed without damaging the engine? Im not sure how fast it will go, but I do know the self test of the drivers all digital display shows a 2 as the first digit of the three digit speedometer.

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  s2000 is the best - 2001 Honda S2000
  By S2000burner - August 18 - 2:00 am

  This is the fastest honda you ever can get stock. Stick a supercharger on the baby and it will really shine. It burns boxsters and bmw zs and gives those supras and challenge

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  Very new S2! - 2002 Honda S2000
  By FF2Skip - August 11 - 2:00 am

  After test driving one, I bought one not for the looks, but for its superb handling. I begged my wife to test drive it. Golf clubs fit in the trunk unlike the MR2. Seats are reassuringly firm, supportive when cornering hard. After 200 miles, I still havent found a comfortable position to rest my left arm for any extended period of time (freeway driving). As everyone has already noted, running this car at such high rpms is different- the ear has to adjust. Top operation is quick and easy. Its amazing that so many people do not even know what it is! Guess they havent seen "Fast & the Furious."

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  Havent experienced much better.... - 2000 Honda S2000
  By firstngoal - August 9 - 2:00 am

  Ive wanted an s2000 since they came out - and it has surpassed my expectations. Im absolutely crazy about this car... quick, agile, sporty - just a total kick in the butt to drive.

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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.