Pros
- Incredible driving experience.
- Typically superb Honda build quality and reliability.
- Values seem to be ever increasing.
- The sound, the shift feel, the balance.
Obviously you shouldn’t buy an abused or badly modified S2000 unless you want it as a project car, but besides that, there are very few reasons you shouldn’t buy an S2000.
In terms of topless performance cars, the S2000 continues to nail the brief. Immense driver engagement, superb dynamics, an...
Available new from 1999 to 2009, the S2000 was Hondas small rear wheel drive driver focussed performance roadster. Think of it as Honda’s take on the iconic Mazda MX5 Miata, only far more serious.
To many the S2000 represents something of an exclamation point for the golden era of Honda.
When the S2000 arrived back 1999, Honda had been on winning streak of performance cars with the like of the Prelude, Integra, CRX and obviously NSX however with the S2000, they attempted to blend retro-convertible sensibilities with, for the time, high-tech engineering and lessons learnt from an incredible back catalogue.
The rest of the recipe was near textbook perfect sports car, small size, lightweight, a 50/50 weight balance, superb transmission feel and suspension engineering shared with the sublime NSX.
However, this is a performance car and many that drive them can run out of talent rather quickly so checking for accident damage and abuse is absolutely critical.
In terms of the model range, here in Australia there was the single variant across two generations, the original AP1 from 1999 to 2003 and then the revised AP2 from 2004 to 2009.
The AP2, while visually almost identical short of slightly larger wheels and a very subtle facelift, received a host of revisions under the skin.
From adjustments to the suspension tune to mechanical updates and additional features, it is still up for debate if these changes enhanced or degraded the S2000 experience.
Available new from 1999 to 2009, the S2000 was Hondas small rear wheel drive driver focussed performance roadster. Think of it as Honda’s take on the iconic Mazda MX5 Miata, only far more serious.
To many the S2000 represents something of an exclamation point for the golden era of Honda.
When the S2000 arrived back 1999, Honda had been on winning streak of performance cars with the like of the Prelude, Integra, CRX and obviously NSX however with the S2000, they attempted to blend retro-convertible sensibilities with, for the time, high-tech engineering and lessons learnt from an incredible back catalogue.
The rest of the recipe was near textbook perfect sports car, small size, lightweight, a 50/50 weight balance, superb transmission feel and suspension engineering shared with the sublime NSX.
However, this is a performance car and many that drive them can run out of talent rather quickly so checking for accident damage and abuse is absolutely critical.
In terms of the model range, here in Australia there was the single variant across two generations, the original AP1 from 1999 to 2003 and then the revised AP2 from 2004 to 2009.
The AP2, while visually almost identical short of slightly larger wheels and a very subtle facelift, received a host of revisions under the skin.
From adjustments to the suspension tune to mechanical updates and additional features, it is still up for debate if these changes enhanced or degraded the S2000 experience.
Available new from 1999 to 2009, the S2000 was Hondas small rear wheel drive driver focussed performance roadster. Think of it as Honda’s take on the iconic Mazda MX5 Miata, only far more serious.
To many the S2000 represents something of an exclamation point for the golden era of Honda.
When the S2000 arrived back 1999, Honda had been on winning streak of performance cars with the like of the Prelude, Integra, CRX and obviously NSX however with the S2000, they attempted to blend retro-convertible sensibilities with, for the time, high-tech engineering and lessons learnt from an incredible back catalogue.
The rest of the recipe was near textbook perfect sports car, small size, lightweight, a 50/50 weight balance, superb transmission feel and suspension engineering shared with the sublime NSX.
However, this is a performance car and many that drive them can run out of talent rather quickly so checking for accident damage and abuse is absolutely critical.
In terms of the model range, here in Australia there was the single variant across two generations, the original AP1 from 1999 to 2003 and then the revised AP2 from 2004 to 2009.
The AP2, while visually almost identical short of slightly larger wheels and a very subtle facelift, received a host of revisions under the skin.
From adjustments to the suspension tune to mechanical updates and additional features, it is still up for debate if these changes enhanced or degraded the S2000 experience.
Body style:
Engines:
Power:
Torque:
Transmission & drivetrains:
Fuel consumption:
Length:
Width:
Height:
Kerb Weight:
Body style:
Engines:
Power:
Torque:
Transmission & drivetrains:
Fuel consumption:
Length:
Width:
Height:
Kerb Weight:
Body style:
Engines:
Power:
Torque:
Transmission & drivetrains:
Fuel consumption:
Length:
Width:
Height:
Kerb Weight:
Warranty:
3 years/80,000kms
3 years/100,000kms (from 2002)
Servicing:
6 months/10,000kms
Obviously you shouldn’t buy an abused or badly modified S2000 unless you want it as a project car, but besides that, there are very few reasons you shouldn’t buy an S2000.
In terms of topless performance cars, the S2000 continues to nail the brief. Immense driver engagement, superb dynamics, an immensely tuneable and responsive platform, Honda’s exceptional build quality and reliability and values that still seem to continue to rise, not only is an S2000 one of the all time great performance cars, it could very well end up being an investment.
We actually argue that this makes for a far more intelligent choice over a boat load of far more exotic alternatives.
Just please be careful of dodgy ones, make sure it has a faultless history and have a thorough pre-purchase inspection carried out, if it ticks all those boxes, yes, buy one and if you can’t buy, just find a way to at least drive one.
Obviously you shouldn’t buy an abused or badly modified S2000 unless you want it as a project car, but besides that, there are very few reasons you shouldn’t buy an S2000.
In terms of topless performance cars, the S2000 continues to nail the brief. Immense driver engagement, superb dynamics, an immensely tuneable and responsive platform, Honda’s exceptional build quality and reliability and values that still seem to continue to rise, not only is an S2000 one of the all time great performance cars, it could very well end up being an investment.
We actually argue that this makes for a far more intelligent choice over a boat load of far more exotic alternatives.
Just please be careful of dodgy ones, make sure it has a faultless history and have a thorough pre-purchase inspection carried out, if it ticks all those boxes, yes, buy one and if you can’t buy, just find a way to at least drive one.
Obviously you shouldn’t buy an abused or badly modified S2000 unless you want it as a project car, but besides that, there are very few reasons you shouldn’t buy an S2000.
In terms of topless performance cars, the S2000 continues to nail the brief. Immense driver engagement, superb dynamics, an immensely tuneable and responsive platform, Honda’s exceptional build quality and reliability and values that still seem to continue to rise, not only is an S2000 one of the all time great performance cars, it could very well end up being an investment.
We actually argue that this makes for a far more intelligent choice over a boat load of far more exotic alternatives.
Just please be careful of dodgy ones, make sure it has a faultless history and have a thorough pre-purchase inspection carried out, if it ticks all those boxes, yes, buy one and if you can’t buy, just find a way to at least drive one.
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Please note that pricing information is subject to fluctuations in the automotive market.
Information correct as of September 23, 2022.
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