News

Oct 02, 2023

10 Things We Love About The Honda S2000

More than a decade after being discontinued, the Honda S2000 is still the most

More than a decade after being discontinued, the Honda S2000 is still the most revered budget roadster among car enthusiasts.

When we talk about dream cars, a handful of go-to examples come to mind. Vehicles like exotic supercars, movie muscle cars, lightweight sports cars, and hot hatches all are excellent examples hereof. But if we had to narrow the list down to just a select few cars, there is one timeless Japanese sports car that always makes the cut, the Honda S2000.

Sure, we all hear non-stop about how the car community raves over the Honda S2K, but what's the hype all about? Well, you're in luck. Today we'll be addressing exactly why this topless Honda sports car is so beloved and sought-after. Let's get right to it, shall we?

One of the Honda S2000's highlights is hands-down its powertrain. Underneath its hood lives a naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine that features Honda's legendary VTEC system and garners the title of being one of the best four-cylinder engines ever built.

There were two different S2000 models, the AP1 and the AP2. The AP1 inhabited the legendary F20C motor that had a displacement of 2.0 liters and put out up to 247 hp and 161 lb-ft of torque. The AP2 on the other hand engulfed the F22C1 engine that had a displacement of 2.2 liters and generated 239 hp and 163 lb-ft of torque. The Honda S2000 also adheres to the Japanese car company's impeccable reliability, therefore, it will go down in history as one of the few cheap-to-maintain proper sports cars.

Just as the engines varied between the AP1 and AP2, the redlines did obviously too. Spoiler alert, they are both comically high-revving powertrains nonetheless.

The AP1 could rev up to its excruciating redline of 9,000 rpm, and the AP2 could scream up to 8,200 rpm. This really makes you contemplate whether a few horsepower more is worth it at the expense of such a glorious song.

The go-to sports car recipe goes as follows: Rear-wheel-drive, lightweight chassis, nimble handling, stellar looks, a manual transmission, and a near-50/50 weight distribution. Does the Honda S2000 check most of these boxes? No, it checks them all, and even more.

The Honda S2000 has a curb weight of around 2,800 lbs, has a six-speed stickshift, is of course rear-wheel-drive, looks like it's aging backward, and has a near-50/50 weight distribution. Did we mention it has a retractable top, an exquisite exhaust song, and gifts the driver with an obscene amount of joy too?

Seeing a car with a manual transmission in 2022 is as scarce as finding an albino unicorn. Luckily for us, the Honda S2000 existed between 1999 and 2009, back when standard transmissions were still all the craze.

The Honda S2000's transmission wasn't like any old stickshift though, there's something special about it. The distance between the gears was short, there was a thorough mechanical feel to it, and obviously, the shifter itself looked ultra-cool too.

Related: 10 Greatest Everyday Cars On The Market Today With A Manual Transmission

It's no surprise that the Honda S2000's interior wouldn't be up to scratch with a modern luxury limousine's, like the interior of the Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost, but then again, it's magnificent in its own right.

The S2000's focal point is the driver, and this ideal translated into the cabin space as well. The seats are properly bolstered, the digital tachometer stares at you face-on, all the controls are slightly tilted towards the driver, and there's a huge lack of modern technology. But that's a good thing...

Since there are virtually no experimental 2000s-era features like a sluggish infotainment display involved in the Honda S2000's demeanor, this meant it would never show its rightful age.

Think of tattoos for example. Sure, having a tribal tattoo on your bicep was cool back in 2005, but in 2022, trends change, and your flabby tribal tattoo only reminds you of all your questionable decisions back in the day. Luckily, the S2K accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do, and does nothing more.

Related: These 10 Cars Were Cool 20 Years Ago... Unfortunately, They Didn't Age Well

Apart from the Honda S2000s mighty powerplant, there are an endless amount of customization options to choose from that alter the looks, driving experience, and overall character of the Honda S2000.

Take for instance Johnny Tran's Honda S2000. That's an example of just how iconic an S2K can be. That said, you're not limited to anything, and can go balls-to-the-wall over the top with your build too.

As we've mentioned, the Honda S2000 adheres to all the go-to sports car attributes, and even goes beyond that a tad. As a result, the Honda S2000 drives like an absolute dream.

Whether the top is up or down, the engine roars into your ears, the chassis feels planted, and the wheels communicate to you directly through the steering how much grip is available. On top of that, the Honda S2000 can reach 60 mph from a standstill in just over 6 seconds, making it rather light on its feet in a straight line as well.

Just take a step back, and look at the broad picture. How many rear-wheel-drive sports cars exist nowadays that offer an excessive amount of driver involvement? Wait, wait, let's rephrase that statement.

How many affordable rear-wheel-drive sports cars exist nowadays that offer an excessive amount of driver involvement? That's what we thought. The Honda S2000 is a symbol of a forgotten time in the automotive world.

Related: These 10 Cars Changed The Automotive Scenery Forever

Back in 1999, a new Honda S2000 would have set you back $8,800 ($15,677.73 today). Just a few years back, you could have picked one up for a similar amount of money, but in 2022, the task seems near impossible.

To prove our point, have a look at this 2008 Honda S2000 that sold on Bring a Trailer. It's a black soft top S2K with just 2,500 miles on the clock. Want a guess on how much it sold for? $71,000... and Honda S2000 prices are bound to go up even more as time passes.

Marnus Moolman is a young aspiring automotive writer from South Africa who is making a name for himself, despite his young age. Currently, he is studying to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting to pursue his lifetime dream of running his own automotive detailing establishment.