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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  Fun Car - 2005 Honda S2000
  By Bill - May 16 - 4:06 am

  The S2000 is a totally reliable and fun car to drive. We have done a 900 mile day and were ready to get back into it the next morning. No problem!

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  hondas has done it this time - 2005 Honda S2000
  By sterney - April 25 - 10:00 am

  the raido quility is ok but need inprovment but over all it is my fravit car out of all my cars which include lexus, mini,audi and bmw

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  Pocket Rocket - 2004 Honda S2000
  By jassfan - March 30 - 2:00 am

  This has made me quickly forget my Mustang GT. I tried the 350Z, Infinity I35 Coupe and the Mazda rx-8. They just dont get it. You want a real sports car that isnt compromised, then this is the car for you.

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  Fun for a ride , Dont Take it home - 2002 Honda S2000
  By sportscarnut - March 4 - 7:23 pm

  only for the sadist on anything longer than a 15 minute trip no heated mirrors uncomfortable seats no concept of sound deadening (dont try more than 35 with a cell phone even with top up) Quick if revved right/dog if not (153 ft lb of torque even though 240 horse) Ever wonder why you see so many of these advertized used even though only 5000 of these made per year? Turfed this one out for vette, lost my shorts on it but my best descision with this car was cutting it loose.

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  S-2000... a winner! - 2003 Honda S2000
  By Sandy Shuster - March 4 - 10:00 am

  The best bang-for-the-buck in sports cars. Awesome handling, acceleration and quality. Needs nothing. Super fun to drive and everything works to perfection.

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  awesome - 2003 Honda S2000
  By johnw - February 28 - 10:00 am

  most fun driving a car i have ever had and that includes driving RX7s, MGB, Spitifires and Corvettes

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  my s2k - 2002 Honda S2000
  By john l. - February 14 - 10:00 am

  WHEN I BOUGHT MY S2000 IN JUNE OF 2001,I DROVE MY BOSSES SLK AND I HATED IT! I THOUGHT THE S2000 WAS A FASTER NICER AND LESS IN PRICE CAR THEN THE SLK!SO FAR I ADDED DC SPORTS HEADERS,BORLA CAT BACK EXHAUST,AND A INJEN INTAKE.WHEN I HIT VTECH ALL I KNOW IS THAT WHO EVER IS IN THE CAR BETTER COVER THERE EARS CUZ ITS LOUD!!!!!! I LOVE THE S2OOO AND WOULD NEVER GET RID OF IT! ANYONE THAT HASNT DRIVEN ONE PLEASE DO!! I SELL NISSAN AND I CANT WAIT TILL THE 350Z,BUT I WOULD NEVER GET RID OF THE S2K FOR A NISSAN! IF YOU DONT HAVE ONE GET ONE!!!!!!!!

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  2004 S2000 - 2004 Honda S2000
  By JTW - January 4 - 2:00 am

  It has been a fun vehicle to drive. The car is like all other Honda products I own, high quality and very tight. It has plenty of pep and is an eye catcher.