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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$9,000 per cylender? - 2002 Honda S2000
By Al Frank - May 25 - 2:00 amWhen I got in the cockpit I first got a positive impression of the car, but given time, other things came to my attention. The Cars performance would satisfy me if the price was around $25,000 because lets face it: 240 horses isnt extreme power by anybodys standards. I was dissappointed by the cars lack of power more than anything, although other aspects of performance were better.
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A honda motorcycle with doors!!! - 2001 Honda S2000
By diburrom - May 23 - 2:00 amThis car is a motorcycle w/ doors!! It handles so well that I am surprised when I have to use my brakes. Also, it is definitely an eye catcher, all for $29K. No Porsche, Audi, or BMW is as a complete package as the S2000. It is not my everyday driver but it is a great way to relax, especially around 6000 rpm. Buy one if you can find one, rumor has it that 2004 is the last year of production...I can definitely see collectible written all over this one.
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This is a roadster to love! - 2002 Honda S2000
By bumper - May 22 - 2:00 amThe S2000 is everything the 60s British roadsters aspired to be . . . but without all the fussing to keep them running. Throw in cornering ability that was unheard of back then, an engine that revs to 9 grand, and every trip to the store is an adventure. Some have groused about a lack of low-end torque. This may be true if you are comparing it to a V8, but next to many other cars, the Miata for one, the Honda has more torque. Certainly power below 6K is not awe inspiring, but it is adequate. Above 6K - - unbelievable!
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My new s2000 - 2002 Honda S2000
By roadracerray - May 22 - 2:00 amI researched all the top performing cars...based on price and performance...there is not better value out there than the s2000 in my opinion. I was able to purchase a brand new 2002 model for about 2k under sticker, so I know the value will retain itself in the future. Im just breaking the engine in so I havent pushed the car to its performance limits but I know I will love it when I do. Mine is blk/blk
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No longer want a viper - 2002 Honda S2000
By mdewind - May 21 - 2:00 amI know that sounds crazy, but after testing a Viper, Boxter, and NSX, I had to settle with S2000 - its faster then the Boxster (which I just proved the other day), it turns tighter then the NSX which I didnt think could be possible, and its just more then 40% of the cost of the Viper. The S2000 is actually a little difficult to learn to drive correctly, it really does require practice to shift quickly and keep the RPMs up between 7500-9000 but who else short of indy cars can say that they get to do that.
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Purist Sportscar - 2002 Honda S2000
By kadeshpa - May 20 - 2:00 amThis car is my weekend warrior toy. I used to have a sportsbike but got tired of always having to "suit up" before going anywhere. Sold the bike and got this "sportsbike with 4 wheels". The feeling of this car is definitely that of a sportsbike. Handling is exceptional. I LOVE THIS CAR!!!
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True Sports Car - 2002 Honda S2000
By hondas2000autoxx - May 19 - 2:00 amThis car is simply awesome. I test drove several competing vehicles, including bmw m roadster, mercedes slk32 AMG and porsche boxster s. The fun factor on the honda beats them all - you cant help but to smile when driving this car. Mercedes comes automatic only, so though a bit faster than S2000, a sports car with an automatic is an oxymoron, and Mercedes felt heavier/less nimble. The 2002 BMW M a bit faster than Honda as well, but loses on handling, as Ive helped to prove on the autocross circuit. Boxster S very similar performance, and some say easier to drive Boxster S faster, but a good driver in each car, and its anybodys race, drag, track or autoxx.
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would I rather have a porche? - 2000 Honda S2000
By RSS7 - May 18 - 2:00 ami was going to buy a boxster s before I drove the S2000. I had been driving a Z3 2.8 when I test drove the Honda. After driving the Honda, the Z3 felt like a truck. The car is solid, fast, comfortable and very reliable. All I have done is change oil and tires. The bimmer was always in the shop for one little thing or the other. Not this car. Would I rather have a porche? Well, the boxster may have more cachet, but nothing drives like the S2000.
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FUN - 2004 Honda S2000
By PrincessKrys1022 - May 18 - 2:00 amI LOVE TO DRIVE IT
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yeah - 2004 Honda S2000
By MoNtY dAlE CrUeY ll - May 18 - 2:00 amThis car is so cool. I love it, i drive it all the time and its great on gas and it handles so well not to mention that it looks fantastic.
