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2008 Honda S2000
2008 Honda S2000
Racy Roadster
The Honda S2000 puts performance first, and makes few compromises in the name of comfort or practicality.
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The Honda S2000 is geared toward spirited driving rather than leisurely cruising or comfortable daily commuting, even though it is just as user-friendly and reliable as every other Honda. Its potent four-cylinder engine demands a heavy right foot for optimum performance — it must be revved high to take advantage of its power.
With that in mind, the S2000 blows away most other four-cylinder models. For instance, the S2000 has about 40 percent more power than the base Mazda MX-5 Miata or the base version of the Pontiac Solstice. It even puts out more horsepower than some V6 engines from European competitors — although those engines may offer more torque, which provides better acceleration at lower speeds.
Unfortunately, the Honda S2000 is not very comfortable for travel on imperfect roads or long trips on the highway due to its exceedingly sharp and responsive suspension and steering systems. Nor does it insulate occupants very well from engine, road, or wind noise
That said, the S2000 is addictive. It has one of the best manual transmissions available in any car and a sophisticated suspension. It has perfect front-to-rear weight distribution. All of those factors conspire to create smile-inducing performance and handling. The short-throw six-speed manual gearbox is the only transmission available and remains a joy to operate, with a level of precision and a satisfying feel that are virtually unrivaled.
Stability control (which Honda calls Vehicle Stability Assist) is standard. Like other such systems, it automatically adjusts throttle and brake input to thwart a loss of control or traction.
Like many two-seaters, the interior can be a tight fit for tall or portly riders, and trunk space is limited, with room for a couple of duffel bags and little more. With the powered soft-top down, there is a lot of wind noise and turbulence in the cabin. Unlike a growing number of competitors, a power-retractable hardtop is not available on the Honda S2000.
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Four-wheel disc antilock brakes, air-conditioning, a limited-slip differential, power accessories, a CD stereo, keyless entry, leather upholstery, and a glass rear window with heating element are all standard.
You want a two-seat convertible that approximates the experience of driving a race car; you like to participate in amateur racing events; you’ll willingly sacrifice comfort for sharper responses; you’re a Honda fan and want the company’s sportiest car.
You’re not willing to sacrifice comfort for performance; you’re looking for a plush weekend cruiser or comfortable daily commuter; you can’t drive a stick shift; two seats and a tiny trunk don’t cut it.
Tall and portly occupants will find the interior tight; getting inside requires some contorting, especially with the top up.
When Honda launched its S2000 two-seat roadster, appropriately enough, back in 2000, the convertible market was in a state of expansion, with a variety of automakers adding small and sporty ragtops to their lineups. Mazda started the trend with its MX-5 Miata in 1989, which was a modern approach to the classic European roadsters of the 1960s. The S2000 took a more contemporary tack, with sleek styling and its cutting-edge technology. The original S2000’s 240-hp 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine offered the most power per liter of displacement of any non-turbocharged engine on the market at the time. It was also the first vehicle in generations to include a push-button starter mounted on the dashboard, a feature that evokes race-car technology and has since been co-opted by a variety of manufacturers for use not just in sports cars, but in luxury sedans as well.
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