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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  Love my S2000 - 2000 Honda S2000
  By JohnA - August 6 - 2:00 am

  Nothing but great fun.

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  owesomee - 2002 Honda S2000
  By mizrak - August 6 - 2:00 am

  this car has no limitation on speed.

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  SWEET RIDE - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Lelandro - August 5 - 2:00 am

  A week before I test drove and bought this car, I tested a Corvette. The Hondas handling, feel for the road, and pure fun was far superior and at a much, much lower cost. Like the NSX, Honda knows how to build a sweet ride.

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  But New In Sioux Falls South Dakota - 2001 Honda S2000
  By BlackH20 - August 4 - 11:29 am

  Everyone in Missouri wanted $5K over sticker, but Vern Edie Honda in Sioux Falls sold me a nice grey with red interior S2000 brand new and trained it down to Kansas City. Now 17 years later I have 29,000 miles on it and the value is going over the price I paid for it. Granted I drive it for fun, pleasure and it sits in a temperature controlled garage. As I hit my 60s I will say by bones are as forgiving as they were in my 40s, but I am so glad I didnt choose the Porsche Boxster or Audi TT, both considerations at the time. Went for the true sportscar, basic and made for one that loves driving. Strange that those cars are worth about $5-8K now. Repairs, never had one yet, just change the oil every year, scheduled maintenance (time not mileage) put some Stabil fuel additive and a battery trickler and I am all set. Have a few fancy Mugen Carbon fiber tops I have added (they have been about half price the last 5 years since many or gone), gives the vehicle a nice coupe look, the other a fastback that is really an eye-catcher. Its a hobby, not a car for use and its a lot of fun. Had to switch to Haggerty special insurance for $30K. The stick is not one to train someone to drive stick shift, failed with two daughters (maybe the teacher). A great stress reliever to take out on the backroads and rare enough many people ask me "what is it", especially with one of the Mugen tops on. Update 2018, still running strong, up for Winter, prices are approaching original MSRP on eBay, glad I didnt by the Audi TT, BMW Z roadsters or Porsche Boxster. Purchased another Carbon Fiber fastback top (since retailers are clearing out stock on a car not made for the past 8 years), got it for less than half price from the original $4700. Also purchased a flat bottom steering wheel (6 ft 1 in). Gives a completely different look to the car than the other top, that I have had for close to 18 years now. Looks like it will just be a keeper, no electronics to save you like todays sports cars, you need to know how to drive and save yourself when you make a mistake. Keeping all the original equipment, which most the car is, car has been great fun, have to insure through Haggerty with prices actually rising now.

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  S2000 The Good, The Bad, and The Pretty - 2002 Honda S2000
  By stanhan - July 30 - 2:00 am

  This is one fun car to drive. If you want to rev, shift and run through the twisties this car is for you. It made me forget about my long lost motorcycle and even the C-5 I sold a couple years ago. In stock form I think it offers just about every feature you could ask for. With its reliability, power convertible top, and performance, there simply isnt anything close for the money (why do you think dealers can mark them up and wont EVER sell them under sticker???). Dont expect the raw power of a V-8. The rear-end was defective ($7,000!). Honda stepped up and repaired it under the factory warranty.

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  Great Car, Lousy Transmission - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Jeramy - July 29 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in December of 2001. Lust at first sight and Love at first drive. After six wonderful months with the car the transmission went sour. The dealership where I live, Allen Honda in College Station, TX claimed the car had been abused and therefore would not be covered under warranty. For sure, I drive hard. But... The car has never been on a race track, I have never missed a shift at high rpm, etc. etc. FYI, the Honda Customer Service rep. told me that shifting at redline can be construed as abuse?!?! Needless to say I will never own another Honda for the rest of my days.

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  Watch out for the tranmission - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Luv2drv - July 27 - 2:00 am

  Overall the car is great. However, you got to watch out for the transmission. Not built for the power of the car. Lots of recalls on the transmission, and Honda is not supportive of issues with the transmission because of the numerous problems with it. Other than that, it drives great, looks great!

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  Honda S2000 - 2002 Honda S2000
  By gdw - July 25 - 2:00 am

  If you want a drivers car, not a luxury car, this is the one. This car is made to be driven hard, but still is fun cruising the town. But take it on a twisty road, and it comes alive

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  2002 honda S2000 - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Geoff Jr - July 25 - 2:00 am

  I had a race with my friends boxter and enjoyed an awsome victory celebration. This car is the most awsome car i have ever driven and owned. I have read every review on the internet before getting this car and it is better than I had dreamed. The 2002 is far more refined than the earlier models but one thing is the same the explosive engine at high RPMs.

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  Honda S2000 2002 - 2002 Honda S2000
  By toto122 - July 17 - 2:00 am

  I have had the car about 5 months and it was run perfectly. The fit and finish is excellent. The transmission and engine are extremely smooth and feel like a formula I race car. The 9000 rpm red line really is a different experience. It takes a little getting use to the powerband being in the 5500- 7500 rpm range. Not a lot of space but then again I didnt expect much. I did upgrade the speakers and add an amplifier to ensure clearer sound at highway speeds with the top down.