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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  Perfect - 2000 Honda S2000
  By jgormley - July 15 - 2:00 am

  This car is Perfect in almost every way Only complaint is the plastic rear window. But most of the time the top is down anyway.

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  Pure sports car - 2000 Honda S2000
  By eclipse - July 15 - 2:00 am

  Bottom line: Best affordable sports car

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  Honda S2000 - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Astrojet - July 15 - 2:00 am

  What a great car! If it werent for the bad gas mileage, it would be as near perfect as any 2002 model could get.

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  Features - 2001 Honda S2000
  By cowboy - July 13 - 2:00 am

  Over all excellent car, bur a little small inside for men over 6 feet or heavier than 240 lbs

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  right on honda - 2002 Honda S2000
  By ken baxter - July 13 - 2:00 am

  This is the best and by far the most fun car I have owned and I have owned a lot of cars. You do not drive the s2000 you ride it. It feels more like a bike than a car. I am so impressed that I have traded in my 2000 model for a 2002. Carry on Honda!

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  My S2K - 2002 Honda S2000
  By toddmh - July 12 - 2:00 am

  I love this car

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  THE BEST CAR ON THE World !!! - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Todor - July 11 - 4:56 pm

  THE BEST CAR ON THE World !!!

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  2001 Honda 2000S - 2001 Honda S2000
  By Abbottr - July 11 - 2:00 am

  Great fun drive, go kart handling, most comfortable sports car ever driven. Closest Ill get to Formula 1!!! Great value for money. Outperforms overpriced/overhyped Boxter and ugly sedate Z3.

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  Best all around roadster - 2001 Honda S2000
  By Starpaf - July 8 - 2:00 am

  Amazing drive, best cornering on the market, best shifting on the market and basically loads of fun...the downfall...do not drive more than 2 hours...tires wear quick...very quick!

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  Great Performance Car w/ no frills - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Borteg - July 8 - 2:00 am

  I gave it 10s on everything except interior design and comfort. If youre over 5 8" and over 160 pounds, it will be a tight and short fit, but well worth the snugness and shortened visual height (w/ top up). Wish it had seat height adjustment. No need to repeat what everyone has said about the remarkable engine and even more remarkable body and handling characteristics. A pleasure to drive, and I love blowing away BMW Z3s, M Roadsters, Audii TTs, and Porsche Boxsters (including the Boxster S!). Unbelievable peformance value, but need to find an honest dealer. Bought mine for 2K over MSRP last year.