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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  A beauty - 2004 Honda S2000
  By spunk - May 18 - 2:00 am

  Fantastic car....top notch. This is the perfect car for guys who need speed and looks. They look even better when you put a hard top on them.

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  honda - 2004 Honda S2000
  By LaurenBartram - May 18 - 2:00 am

  its awesome !! i love it we drive it every day n its good for other things too if u know what i mean ;-)

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  Fun yet not comfortable - 2004 Honda S2000
  By bobby98 - May 18 - 2:00 am

  I love this car, its sporty, fun, small, convient to park, yet its not a comfortable ride and its not road trip friendly....other then that its a great car.

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  AWSOME CAR - 2004 Honda S2000
  By mikem3412534 - May 18 - 2:00 am

  This car is a wonderful verry comfortable car. I would sugest it to everyone!

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  Best Bang For The Buck - 2004 Honda S2000
  By plittie - May 18 - 2:00 am

  This car is the funnest car to drive for under 35K bucks, no doubt.

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  S2000 - 2001 Honda S2000
  By atul - May 17 - 2:00 am

  i test drove a boxter and it couldnt hold a candle to the S2000

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  Only Real Drivers Need Apply - 2001 Honda S2000
  By Darksol - May 11 - 2:00 am

  This is a sports car... If you want anything other than that look elsewhere... This is a car for those people who love to drive their cars, and not just for day to day transportation. There are many fabulous roadsters on the market today, but in my humble opinion this car is the best combination of speed, style, value, and fun!!!

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  S2000 at 1 Year - 2001 Honda S2000
  By James Z - May 6 - 2:00 am

  Ive owed BMWs and other sports cars and this one without a doubt is the most fun to drive. A little weak in the low in power range but you forget all about that when the rpms rise above 6500. I have experienced no problems with the vehicle and other than me wearing a set of rear tires off nothing other than normal maintaince has been done. I would highly recommend this car to anyone.

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  The best car. - 2000 Honda S2000
  By loganschert - May 4 - 2:00 am

  The Honda S2000 has to be the best all- around car. Precise handling, 0-60 5.2 sec. and 1/4 in 13.8sec. bone stock. The scream of the 9,000rpm redline keeps you on yours toes. Nothing can compete. For you S2000 needs go to s2ki

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  2000 Honda S2000 - 2000 Honda S2000
  By Larry Saccone - April 28 - 2:00 am

  The car is a blast! Most fun I have ever had driving! Honda reliability and ferrari like performance!