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 this car - 2002 Honda S2000
  By hillview - July 2 - 2:00 am

  Great car ... love to drive it ... love to look at it ... LOVE to drive it ... test drive this car and you will buy it on the spot.

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  POCKET ROCKET - 2002 Honda S2000
  By colindowney - June 29 - 2:00 am

  THIS CAR IS EXCITING TO DRIVE...A SPORTSBIKE WITH COMFORT.

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  Fun to drive - 2002 Honda S2000
  By JefnLra - June 24 - 2:00 am

  If you want a fun car with lots of stares - this is the one!! It has great pick up speed but not too much torque so you can drive fast without feeling your heading for light-speed. Handles well around corners. Easy to use automatic convertible system. Not a lot of extras in the inside- its simple. just a great driving car!!

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  Honda S2000 - 2001 Honda S2000
  By KCH - June 23 - 2:00 am

  Car has performed superbly, with excellent fuel economy (26.5 mpg). Handles like a car on a rail. Mechanicals flawless and looks always turn heads!

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  Just two things left off - 2002 Honda S2000
  By sbsundevil - June 21 - 2:00 am

  Id had my red S2000 for quite some time now. Ive driven from Santa Barbara to Las Vegas several time, to the Red Woods, and San Diego. A treat every time I get to drive it. And in my opinion..... a Red S2000 is the only real S2000.....!

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  Trashed Compacted - 2001 Honda S2000
  By Geogrman - June 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car looking for a fun weekend car. Unfortunally every time I drive it I leave in pain. This car is bumpey, feels like it has no shocks, has a terrible suspension. If your looking for a cheeply built four wheel motorcycle, this is your car.

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  The Definative Sportscar - 2002 Honda S2000
  By DLTabor - June 18 - 2:00 am

  IÂ’ve been driving sports cars for decades, but the Honda S2000 is the most impressive vehicle IÂ’ve driven in the price range. IÂ’ve tried every other modern car in its class (Porsche Boxster, Audi TT, BMW Z3, Miata, MR2), and none of them create as much pure excitement, hair-raising speed, and surgical handling as the little Honda. My MGB has not been out of the garage since I brought the S2000 home.

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  For those who were wondering.... - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Mulligan - June 15 - 2:00 am

  Just got my S2000 and it has exceeded expectations. This vehicle takes getting used to.....its bumpy, loud, and a little tight inside (esp if youre 61). However, I wouldnt trade it for anything! The acceleration after 6000 rpm is incredible and it doesnt even break a sweat when cornering @ 45 mph. And for those who were wondering: 1. just enough room in trunk for 1 set of golf clubs (ping hoofer bag) 2. plenty of head/leg room for driver/passenger up to 62 3. great gas mileage 26-27 mpg ciy. 4. if youre self conscious then dont buy one b/c everyone STARES!

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  1 month anniversary - 2001 Honda S2000
  By Rayh - June 13 - 2:00 am

  Its everything I ever wanted in a car and just a little bit more. I truly do look for a longer way home. This car is so powerful and fun to drive. The day after I picked it up I drove across country with the top down, racked up almost 3,000 miles. It was great, but if you dont want to draw attention to yorself stay out of one of these. Most people did not even know what kind of car this was and it seem to draw a crowd where ever I parked it. I drive it as an every day driver and I love it.

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  Sweet - 2002 Honda S2000
  By 2Ting - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Words wont do this car justice. Just imagine, nice sunny day around 70 degrees, top down, cruising the highway at 80...shifting down to pass slow driver....vtec kicks in...BLAM.