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- Engine, performance
- Excellent handling
- Lightweight chassis
- Good fuel economy
- Cramped cockpit
- Very small trunk
- No automatic transmission
The Honda S2000 is Honda's interpretation of a pure sports car and reviewers feel it is a very good effort. They give credit to Honda's racing experience, an 8,000-rpm redline and light curb weight for providing a track-ready roadster that can compete with more expensive rivals.
The S2000 has changed little since its 1999 introduction, and auto writers clearly feel it's ready for an update. Despite its older design, there's no doubting the S2000's outstanding handling, responsive steering and rev-happy 4-cylinder engine that achieves 237 hp without a turbo or supercharger. Unfortunately, that power comes at particularly high engine speeds, which requires a very active driving technique, reviewers say. Several note newer models that offer more: the pricier BMW Z4 (*est. $36,400 to $42,400) and Porsche Boxster (*est. $45,800 to $59,900), and the less expensive Mazda MX-5 Miata (*est. $20,635 to $28,060).
The best review of the Honda S2000 comes from Edmunds.com, which describes the many good qualities while pointing out that many newer alternatives may be worth a look. We also found comprehensive, well-organized road-test reviews at Kelley Blue Book, The Car Connection, Cars.com and ConsumerGuide.com, although none of these involve head-to-head comparisons.
Our Sources
1. Edmunds.com
Editors note the Honda S2000's strengths and weaknesses, and make a few insightful comparisons to competitors. Editors acknowledge that the S2000 is a well-done sports car, with strong performance and great handling, but note its aging design.
Review: 2008 Honda S2000 Review, Editors of Edmunds.com
KBB emphasizes the Honda S2000's performance-oriented purpose and Honda racing heritage, but also note that usable torque is basically absent at lower RPMs.
Review: 2008 Honda S2000 Review, Editors of Kelley Blue Book
3. Cars.com
Cars.com includes the Honda S2000 on its "Best Bet" list; its review is a good descriptive road test, and includes a summary of pros and cons. The review links to a reprint of a Washington Post test of the S2000 CR for another perspective.
Review: 2008 Honda S2000 Review, Editors of Cars.com, Oct. 18, 2007
This review is a short, descriptive write-up that emphasizes the 2008 Honda S2000's role as a "purist's sports car, with the resulting compromises in room and refinement." Handling and overall performance are highlights, but the interior and trunk are cramped.
Review: 2008 Honda S2000 Bottom Line, Marty Padgett
ConsumerGuide.com briefly rates each detail of the 2008 Honda S2000, describing its pros and cons and listing its specifications and equipment. In a total of the numerical ratings, the S2000 comes up with the same score compared to the average of all other sporty/performance cars.
Review: 2008 Honda S2000 Review, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com, May 28, 2008
6. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
Editors of Consumer Reports base their current report on test of a 2005 Honda S2000, which is not significantly different from the 2008 model. One unique aspect of Consumer Reports is its data on historical reliability, as compiled in large owner surveys.
Review: Honda S2000 Review, Editors of Consumer Reports
This relatively short article gives a good summary of the 2008 Honda S2000 CR model. CR stands for Club Racer, and is a stripped down, lighter version intended for the race track. The engine is the same as the standard S2000.
Review: 2008 Honda S2000 CR, Editors of AutoWeek, Aug. 21, 2007
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