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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  Hondas ROCK - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Paterick - December 17 - 2:00 am

  This car has been one of my dream cars for as lond as i can rember.And know i own it there is nithin wrong with this car but it needs to be made in aoutomatic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Sleek and sexy - 2004 Honda S2000
  By RogersRocket - December 11 - 2:00 am

  Just purchased a 2000 S2000. Vehicle has 20,500 miles on it. This car is well built and drives like a dream. Only draw back is plastic window in back and a pain putting boot over top. Stereo could be a better quality sound. Honda should have put the speakers in the side panel of door. This is a fun vehicle to drive that performs well and seems to be of good quality. Highly recommended. Worth every penny.

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  rating my car - 2003 Honda S2000
  By birdman7 - November 16 - 10:00 am

  car wears tires quick

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  Amazing Car for the Price - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Manuel J Pereira - November 2 - 10:00 am

  I have no complaints about this car. If youre in the market for a reasonably price roadster with more power than a Toyota MR-2 or Mazda Miata the S2000 is the car for you.

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  2004 Honda S2000 - 2004 Honda S2000
  By swjskiier - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Just picked up one from the first shipments from Japan! The handling on this years model is very nice with the larger tires. The retuned suspension makes the car glued to the road. A great bang for the buck! Dont expect much from the stock radio though, the sound quality is terrible! The seats form nicely around you if you are of average build. Ive found that its a bit difficult to get into the car if you are tall (6 or over). Ill add more to this review (if I can) once I break in the car!

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  what a car - 2003 Honda S2000
  By bobby hull - September 3 - 2:00 am

  Let me tell you i have had alot of sports cars in my day hell i used to have a miata collectors edition that thing was alright not much power but nice looking but after i got this s2000 it just rocks my world for its price. It also take corners very well nothing i could normally do with any other vehicle with that price.

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  S2000 makes the heart throb - 2003 Honda S2000
  By s2000 - September 3 - 2:00 am

  For the comparatively small amount of money, this rocket brings a lot of excitement. It is an extremely fast car for a 4 cylinder: the 9000 RPM redline is atrocious. IÂ’ve hit it a few times and itÂ’s quite an experience. ItÂ’s a very light car so the acceleration gets the heart pumping fast. It is kind of like strapping a rocket between your legs. You get the sound, acceleration, and feel of doing so. On dry days, it grips the road like glue. Shifting and steering are superb. ItÂ’s a loud car, so if your looking for peace and quite, buy a Buick.

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  the S2k - 2005 Honda S2000
  By spp - July 5 - 1:13 pm

  the car is just balls out fast, fun to drive and great for the summer for the nice day out on the beach

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  Top Honda - 2005 Honda S2000
  By Robert - June 29 - 3:53 pm

  The car can best be described as a motorcycle on four wheels. It has all that any pure sports car should have after reviewing the g35 coupe it had some advantages over the s2000 but when you get behind the wheel of this honda it gives you a totally different feeling.

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  Most Fun Ever - 2003 Honda S2000
  By charlie corvette - June 3 - 2:00 am

  The Honda S2000 is the most fun to drive car I have ever owned. My nickname for this car is "My streetlegal formula one racer" License plate for my sandstone silver car is "QCKSLVR".