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:

• 

  there are much better cars out there - 2003 Honda S2000
  By HondaMan - July 4 - 2:00 am

  I have always owned Hondas. I wish I hadnt got this one. I had a flat, and the tire wont fit in the back. All the power is at the very high RPM bands. it is cramped inside. There is no low end torque to speak of. Man what a waste.

• 

  The Swetest thing - 2003 Honda S2000
  By CoRkY - June 29 - 2:00 am

  This car is awsome

• 

  Mid-Life? - 2005 Honda S2000
  By JWal - June 23 - 1:43 pm

  I have wanted an S2000 since they came out. At that time, I settled for an Accord since I still had teens in the house. Well, I just hit 40 and what better gift to give myself! I love it! I dont take it grocery shopping because of the limited space, but I truly enjoy cruising around. It has met and exceeded my expectations. And I have had so many compliments on it already. I know I made the right choice!

• 

  Fun Car - 2005 Honda S2000
  By Bob - May 2 - 6:13 am

  This is my fifth convt - I also still drive an RX-7. I thought the RX-7 was fun to drive until I got my hands on this machine. Right after I got it I took it on a week long trip up through NY, NH, MA, NYC and back to MD. It was a fab experience on all types of roads including tpks and NYC traffic and some very heavy rain in RI with no problems. I really enjoy its tight handling, road feel and ease of shifting. I did and still have difficulty getting the convert cover boot to snap in place. Dropping the top is certainly a lot easier than it is with an RX-7. I also like the acceleration reserve at high speeds - when Im at 70 or 80 I can easily step out and pass anything else on the roa

• 

  Cant wait for spring - 2004 Honda S2000
  By dbaberant - April 24 - 2:00 am

  Very happy with my S2000. Plenty has been written about this car and it lives up to all of it. Great performance for the price.

• 

  Great Fun!! - 2004 Honda S2000
  By G Miller - April 24 - 2:00 am

  Car has the power,stopping ability,and fits like a glove.

• 

  fun car - 2004 Honda S2000
  By ssgaspass1 - April 19 - 10:00 am

  Great car! A little loud inside even with the top up and windows closed. Convertible top very easy to use. Rides like a true sports car and has the power to prove it.

• 

  Dream Car - 2005 Honda S2000
  By Jim C - March 23 - 10:00 am

  This car is fun! It performs like a racehorse, always ready to run hard. Its really a problem going slow. The build quality is excellent, its styling is something that will look as good 10 years from now as it does today. This car is real tight and handles better than any car Ive ever driven. As a toy its great, not recommended as a "commuter car". This car is what a sports car should be, fast, well handling, beautiful. If youre looking for something to cruise the strip in and look good, look elsewhere, but if you want to have fun carving mountain roads, this car may be for you.

• 

  Just what I needed! - 2004 Honda S2000
  By notoverthehillyet - March 12 - 2:00 am

  In rating this vehicle, I kept the scores relative to what it is: a well built, high performance, great looking, seat of the pants sports car. No frills, just pure excitement on the right roads. If you are looking for a touring sports car to drive on Interstate highways, Id recommend a 350Z, G35 or Z4 over this car. I love it so far, and go through withdrawals on days that I dont drive it. BTW- its definitely made to be driven hard on good roads, but have a good radar detector with you.

• 

  A Fun Car - 2004 Honda S2000
  By scotsman39 - January 22 - 2:00 am

  It is just a really fun car to drive. My wife would rather ride in it than her Mercedes.