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 "TEN" - 2003 Honda S2000
  By Este - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Faster than any car on the list for 32K, plus Honda quality. Have to spend over a 100K on a Porsche 911 Turbo to get this performance. Remember, this is only a 2-liter engine.

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  The Long Way Home...... - 2003 Honda S2000
  By mike33 - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Since purchasing my 2000 Honda S2000 more than two months ago, I find myself often driving the long way home from work. Everything about the S2000 just feels right. From the exotic exterior to the fit like your favorite jeans interior, the Honda S2000 is an amazing car. I traded my 2002 RSX Type-S in for a Honda Certified 2000 S2000 with 12 thousand miles over two months ago. Being that the car is my daily driver, I was concerned that the while the car would be fun to drive, it would deliever a rough overall ride. So far the car only feels slightly stiffer than my last two Hondas (GS-R and a RSX-S)and is very easy to drive around town in.

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  Its everything they say it is!!! - 2003 Honda S2000
  By mercedguy - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Absolutely the funnest car ever built. Takes me back to the days of my MGBs, only with the comforts, conveniences and reliability of a Honda. Quite a few people dont even know what it is! But they are all impressed with its looks and styling. Dont use for everyday commuting and grocery store runs...this is strictly a fun, take-to- the-mountains, "getaway" car. Its everything the reviews say it is. The engine SCREAMS!! It is so fun its almost scary. You want to go faster and faster thru the corners, and it just STICKS to the road. Keeps the adrenaline going for sure. Best car purchase Ive ever made.

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  excellent ablities and very fun to drive - 2003 Honda S2000
  By drkhoury - April 29 - 10:00 am

  i have owned C5s, M3s, VR4, eclipses, camaros and now i have finally settled on the S2000...witha greta price tag youget many high performance ablities ...trust me for all you speed demons you will definetly love this car, and so will She.

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  MY02 Spa - 2003 Honda S2000
  By HoopJester - April 29 - 10:00 am

  The S2000 is not for most people. It is a car dsigned for a true car enthusiest. Ive driven most 2 seaters, the TT, Boxter, Z3, Z4, and the new 350Z. Each of the cars has their own up and downs, but for my money its Honda all the way.

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  Best driving experience... - 2006 Honda S2000
  By john carlton - April 17 - 4:25 pm

  S2000 is almost 10 year old now and still I would not change it with a brand new Z4, Miata, Solstice, Sky and even a Boxster. Unlike most cars, S2000 is a purpose built driving machine. Engine, transmission, and chassis is not shared by any other model. Engine is small, light and powerful. Best manual transmission available in ANY car: short, precise, excellent feel. Chassis is so stiff, the rear tire was also raised when I was jacking up the front! The engine is located completely behind the front axles, and the rear is a tad heavier than the front. The steering response is unreal immediate response to any steering input. S2000 is designed to give you the utmost driving satisfaction...

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  WOOOOOOOOOOOO! - 2003 Honda S2000
  By mothrtruckr2 - March 28 - 2:00 am

  With minor flaws this is one of the most enjoyable cars i have ever owned

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  unbeatable value - 2002 Honda S2000
  By jfc - March 20 - 6:00 pm

  Bought a new suzuka blue for 2k UNDER sticker! Drove boxter, TT, miata, wrx and mr2 spyder. No better streetable race car available anywhere close to that price.

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  first sports car - 2004 Honda S2000
  By jdg - March 19 - 12:11 am

  The S2k is my first and maybe my last sports car and I love it. It is the most beautiful car that I have owned. Mine is black on black, which in my opinion is the best color for this car. It goes down the expressway like it was on a rail and it rolls down the city side streets with all eyes on the car.

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  Do you like to drive? - 2006 Honda S2000
  By motosuzi - February 21 - 4:47 am

  If you love the driving experience, this is the car to buy. I wouldnt advise anyone to buy it for comfort or the sound system. Honda threw in some nice leather seats and a stereo for people like me who drive it to work everyday. I just wish I could get to the curves more and mute the stereo and listen to the engine. Its an amazing little car.