2003 Honda S2000 Consumer Reviews
Most Helpful Reviews
Positive Review
My take on the '08 S2000 after 18 months of ownership: Driving/Performance: A. City: I use the S2k as a daily city commuter to get to work in downtown DC. It is an agile city car for zipping around traffic. I used to drive an XJR to the office, and despite the XJR's superior comfort and 420 HP, the S2K runs circles around it in city traffic by virtue of its diminutive size. At the other end of the spectrum, compared to most other small cars, the S2K is a visceral ride given its rorty rev-happy engine, slick close ratio shifter and excellent dynamics. The convertible top remains the fastest in the industry with its 6 second retract/raising time, and lowering it on the way home after work transforms it into the ultimate decompression chamber. BTW I use it top-down a greater percentage of the time in DC than I used other 'verts in Miami. B. Country Roads: The S2K truly shines on winding country or mountain roads with excellent balance and driving dynamics. The engine truly sings on open roads skipping along between 5K and 8K RPM. Reliabiity: Absolutely Zero problems in 18 months and my first service was free. Quite a change in cost of ownership from some great Euro sportscars I owned before the S2K. Looks: The exterior is timeless. Not especially attention-getting, but very clean and purposeful. The interior dash is dated with the LCD instrumentation, but it is functional. Comfort: If you are looking for serious comfort, you are not looking for a true sports car that effectivel transmits road nuances. Having said that, the S2K has well bolstered seats that are ideal for its mission as a sports car. I fit well despite my 6'0" 190lb frame. The smooth leather steering wheel falls easily and comfortably to hand for active driving. Pedals are well spaced for heel and toeing, and the dead pedal is well placed too as is the shifter (one of the best factory shifters on the market...I have installed after market shifters on three previous sports cars I've owned..this one needs nothing). The trunk is actually roomy for a car this size, with enough space for a weekend trip for two. Build Quality: This car is tight as new after 18 months. I had a squeek from the roof a few months ago that was readily cured by applying grease. I can eek a squeak out of the seats on very bumpy roads when driving aggressively, but that is a rare sound. Value/Competitors Comparison: If you like to get involved with your driving and are looking for a pure sports car at a reasonable price point and low maintenance, this is could be your car. At the time I bought the S2K the Nissan 350 was less the sports car and more a GT car (although the 370 is leaning more towards the sporting side). I looked into GM's Solstice and Sky-- nicer exterior designs but aweful interiors and the driving dynamics don't compare. The Miata costs less and offers a convertible hardtop, but it falls short engine-wise compared to the 2K. The base Z4 was boring to drive The Lotus Elise is a truly visceral sports car with a fantastic design (I owned one) and even better driving dynamics, but it is at a higher price point, the body consists of two clamshells that are expensive to replace ($8K each) with minor hits and there is less interior room (although I fit fine in the Elise too). The Boxster is also an excellent ride (I had an '04 S version) with a great design inside and out, better materials throughout and much greater trunk space...but all at a higher upfront price and higher mainetnance bills. Is the S2K better car to drive than a Boxster S? No. But it may well be the better car to own.
VS
Critical Review
I, bought this car because of the reputation. Well, after awhile this car is nothing but continuous service department issues. No warranty!! It makes cost really exspensive.
2003 S2000 Reviews
Showing 8 of 434 reviews.
Purchased new in 2001. and the smile on my face has not disappeared. Open air cruising, go kart handling, rev screaming 9000 RPM redline, classic roadster look, what’s not to like? I’m in my mid 70’s still wearing tires out at 8000 miles…though I may want to ratchet that back…. Only bad thing is the car is certainly going to outlive me!
Driving it never gets old
NONE - literally!
Bought the '04 in '07 w/30K on it - I've driven it almost 100K Mi. and it has NEVER ceased to amaze me. I have a '65 Shelby Cobra replica w/420 HP and I MUCH prefer to take the S2000 out, for so many reasons: It's not a drag car, it's for the corners and for sliding ... extremely stable and predictable, w/great MPG and can easily sustain 85/90 MPH on long road trips with comfort; it's also the legend of reliability, even when driven hard, which is what it's designed for. This site does not verify ownership, but if it did, my bet is that there would be zero negative reviews - you can't own this vehicle w/o smiling every time you drive it, see it or think about it... and the style is ageless - the posture, stance and profile is stunning (the only thing I have EVER done is tires and oil [I think I changed the radiator fluid once, but can't remember; still on the original clutch] - the one complaint: power supply on the console is dislodged AND the heat on your left arm is like a blow torch).
Handle ability
Too hot in the summer with black seats
You don’t need to go fast because the Honda S2000 is so low to the ground. It handles smoothly but use 2 hands on the wheel for maximum control. My black seat gets hot so I park in the shade with the top up. Yea, it’s fun.
everything
None
Bought new in 2002. Still feel the same rush of excitement everytime I drive it. After 21 years of ownership, the only expence on the car ( besides routine maintenence ) was replacing the master cylinder on the clutch ($250.00). What a car. Everything original.
Amazing to handle, fun to drive, reliable
Fuel Economy, Comfort, Small Trunk, A bit slow
Well, this could be a very biased review, since I have owned my second hand 2007 S2000 from 2012 (almost 10 years now) It's not my daily drive, yet I do sometimes use it for work for a full week (around 50km Back and forth to office). Mine is GCC specs so it has the 2.0 ltr and goes up to 9000 RPM (Where all the fun sits). I kept mine stock , so I know how it feels, yes a bit sluggish at low RPM , yet I enjoy driving it. Now am married with 2 kids, so I go out mainly by my self. I enjoy it, strangely the thrill of driving it from day 1 till year 10 didn't fade out. I still feel like a kid with a new toy everytime I ride it . What I love the most about it is the way it handles and the gear shifts that respond smoothly to your speed (which isn't always the case with some manual sports cars). Yes it might not be the most practical car ever, but it's a car that you want to keep in your sitting room forever. Also, it's becoming unique, and the design aged very well. Never had serious mechanical or electrical issues. Built quality is what you expect from Honda. It's a bit tricky to handle so I recommend keeping the Stability control always on. Once the RPM crosses the 6K line, the thrill is amazing especially when the top is open.
Drivetrain, chassis, quality, handling
Snug cabin (as to be expected)
Have had my 2003 (AP1) for 4 years and love it more with each passing day. Sublime drivetrain. Shifts are a thing of beauty, as are the revs climbing as high as 9,000 RPM! Chassis is tight yet very comfortable. I can’t imagine anything more fun on backroads than an S2000 with the top down. Driver and machine are as one. I could go on, but let 5 stars and review title suffice. If you’re considering one, don’t hesitate.
Fantastic handling, responsive.
My S2000 is absolutely my favorite car in over 50 years of driving! I LOVE to drive this car. It brings true joy to motoring.
I would recommend for corners straightaways all ar
Zero cons
Awesome car super fun to drive I would recommend for corners straightaways all around cruising and track
