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:

• 

  awsome - 2004 Honda S2000
  By derriek - May 18 - 2:00 am

  it is great i love my car

• 

  Great little car - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Ricky P - May 18 - 2:00 am

  When i bought the car i did not know what to expect i was only 17 . I hade been building a 500hp mustang since i was 14 so the s2k was totaly diffrent.Bottom line this car rocks it takes turns like a slot car and sounds like an f1 car .I love this car to deth shur it wont run a 10 second 1/4 mile but it makes up for its lack of horse power with pure top down hard driving fun.

• 

  HONDA S2000 - 2004 Honda S2000
  By SUZIQ53 - May 18 - 2:00 am

  GREAT ALL OVER, FUN, LOVE THE CONVERTIBLE, WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO SAY!!!

• 

  Girls just wanna have fun - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Debic2000 - May 18 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had the car since May and in the summer its the best - but I live in the Northeast and aside from the fact that its rear wheel drive, it really just doesnt like the cold - its noisy and an even harder ride than normal/

• 

  Awsome car - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Em - May 18 - 2:00 am

  Best car I ever bought. Hottest car I ever bought.

• 

  S2000 - simply a blast to drive - 2004 Honda S2000
  By carman101 - May 18 - 2:00 am

  In general the car is lots of fun. Plenty of power and the sound of the engine above 4K is highly pleasing. Complaints about the low end torque are hardly noticed with the rev-happy engine.

• 

  awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2004 Honda S2000
  By //////////////////// - May 18 - 2:00 am

  this car is great.i have had this car for less than a year and i already know thatthis car is sporty and great to drive as well as comfortable. If i had to get another car i would get the honda s 2000.

• 

  Love this car!!!! - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Sarah W - May 18 - 2:00 am

  This is the best little sport coupe on the road, and the price is just right!

• 

  honda S2000 experience - 2004 Honda S2000
  By michael muniz - May 18 - 2:00 am

  i enjoy the vehicle alot its an eye grabber.the honda S2000 takes turns like no other vehicle that i have driven.

• 

  s2000 - 2004 Honda S2000
  By puffngeorge - May 18 - 2:00 am

  handles nice,nice power, could use some more thoe.all around very nice neat comfurtable ride made from honda. I would buy another S2000 anyday. I would recondmend thid car to any one.If you like hondas then this is definaantly the car for you.