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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  Ideas - 2003 Honda S2000
  By Nate2003 - April 29 - 10:00 am

  I enjoy the roadster!

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  s2k dominance - 2003 Honda S2000
  By venom s2k - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Overall the s2000 is the most fun convertible under $100,000 to own. This car has everything that the the others have, but for under $35,000, which is why I am the proud owner of one. The s2000 has great performance, a tastefully styled interior which fits the car, and a bold exterior and distinct exterior which makes people on the street say, " what kind of car is that!!!"

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  honda s2000 the best - 2003 Honda S2000
  By shinds - April 29 - 10:00 am

  great ride and handling,

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  best car in the world - 2003 Honda S2000
  By wade and jay - April 29 - 10:00 am

  this is a very fast car i would recommend it to anyone who loves driving extremely fast

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  Wow - 2003 Honda S2000
  By daveiedoo - April 29 - 10:00 am

  TOO MUCH FUN for a Japanese Car

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  perfect - 2003 Honda S2000
  By shaun - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Just buy one you will be happy and amzed!

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  First Place Convertible - 2003 Honda S2000
  By Sang Jun - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Switched from an 2001 BMW M5 to a 2003 Honda S2000 and it has been a blast to drive since day one. It has perfect balance of power and handling. Only "flaw" is the stereo/cd but... who needs stereo when you are driving with top down? I rather listen to sweet sound of VTEC.

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  Super toy daily driver - 2003 Honda S2000
  By khdavis - April 29 - 10:00 am

  My s2000 is the finest sporty car I have owned. Fit & finish is what is expected from a honda product. The price is very competative for the product. Anyone looking for the fun head turner car, the s2000 is it.

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  Honda S2000 - 2003 Honda S2000
  By Scooby - April 29 - 10:00 am

  This is the most exciting and fun to drive car on the market. The transmission is flawless and exact. The body is solid and remains flat in the corners. The build quality is top. The cars ergonomics superior to any other. This car is right off the race track. If you are a driving enthusiast, you will love the Honda S2000.

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  Street Bike with 4 wheels - 2003 Honda S2000
  By chuckd05 - April 29 - 10:00 am

  The Honda S2000 had me from the first time i drove it. Its a true sport car feel with a 9k rpm revving motor that screams when you get on it, but is quite and perfect for regular traffic driving when not in Vtec. I can not put down anything about the car except for a poor factory stereo system that is hard to hear with the top down. That was an easy fix for me with an aftermarket deck and some tweeters on the pillars. I love it and reccomend it to anyone.