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Honda S2000 Buying Guide

Probably second on any Honda enthusiast’s wish list, trailing the legendary NSX, is the S2000. This affordable, high-revving, fun-to-drive 4-cylinder coupe made a splash when it was first released in 1999. Its 2-litre, naturally aspirated engine (N/A) put out 237hp (247 in Japan). At that time, that was quite an accomplishment and held the title of the highest horsepower (hp) to litre ratio of any mass-produced, N/A engine. Even by today’s standards, 124hp/litre is still an impressive number. Over the years, the S2000 won praise for its reliability and performance from respected publications such as Road & Track, Car and Driver, Jalopnik, and J.D. Power and Associates, to name a few.

While the engine is the highlight of the S2000, commonly referred to as the “S2K”, there is more to this little coupe. It came with a tuned suspension and a 50/50 weight distribution that gave it excellent handling characteristics. As a result, S2K’s are popular to this day among car enthusiasts and racers alike. As a result, SCCA type track events are where this car shines. There are also plenty of aftermarket parts available from mild to wild to squeeze every bit of power out of its 2-litre (later 2.2) engine. Thus, if you are looking for a track warrior or weekend fun car, the S2000 will not disappoint.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Fun to drive and impressive power from a N/A four-cylinder
• Good handling characteristics
• Affordable and reasonably priced, clean used models can be found for less than $20,000 USD
• Lots of aftermarket performance parts are available
• Quite reliable despite being a sports car

Cons

• Underpowered by modern standards but can be fixed with a supercharger kit
• Clean, unmodified, and accident-free S2000s are becoming more expensive and difficult to find
• Can be somewhat unforgiving for inexperienced drivers, prone to fishtailing. Poor traction in wet conditions
• A fairly stiff ride which might be uncomfortable for some
• Some parts and repairs can be expensive, especially engine and transmission

Common Issues

S2000 is quite reliable. Most issues are usually related to how well the car was maintained (or lack thereof), and how it was driven. An S2K that has been modified or raced is likely to have more problems than a stock one. Not to mention, accident damage is common, and like any used vehicle, it should be inspected before purchase. With that said, here are some frequently reported issues with the S2000.

High oil consumption is a recurring theme for many 1999-2003 models. Consuming a quart per 1000 miles is not unheard of, although many times this is related to driving habits as VTEC motors tend to consume some oil at higher RPMs. However, it could also be a sign the motor is due for a rebuild which can be costly. Oil consumption issues were largely fixed by 2004 and did not affect the 2.2-litre (F22C1) engine.

A second problem which affected the early production 2-litre (F20C) was cracked intake valve retainers due to overrevving the engine. Usually, it was a cumulative effect over time, but should the retainer fail, expect to be in for some expensive engine repairs. Fortunately, the solution is fairly easy and cheap, with parts costing less than $200 and can be done with basic hand tools in your garage. It is usually advised to replace the valve retainers when buying a used 1999-2003 S2K. The F22C1 came with upgrade retainers and did not have this issue.

Lastly is the timing chain tensioner, especially on high-mileage motors. Like the valve retainers, it’s a fairly inexpensive and easy fix. Fortunately, you’ll usually have an audible warning such as a ticking or tapping sound coming from the engine at idle well before it fails. There are stronger, aftermarket tensioners available that address this issue as well.

Average Prices

The S2000 has held its value and will likely become more expensive over the years as demand increases. Clean, accident-free, and unmodified models along with the Club Racer and the JDM-only Type-V and Type-S sell for a premium. Pricing typically ranges from $15,000-$25,000 USD.

Comparable Alternatives

There are not many directly comparable alternatives that were convertible and came with a N/A 4-cylinder engine in the $30,000 price range when new. The closest spec’d competitor is the Mazda MX-5; however, it was cheaper and had less horsepower. The BMW Z4 and Nissan 370 Fairlady are similar in terms of performance and were available as convertibles but had 6-cylinder engines.

• Toyota MRS
• Mazda Roadster (Mazda Miata)
• Honda Beat (Read our Honda Beaty Buying Guide)
• Nissan Fairlady Z Convertible
• BMW Z4

Models and Specifications

The S2000 was produced from 1999-to 2009 with two engines offered depending on the year and market. Horsepower specs were as follows: 237 for the 2-litre (F20C) used in NA from 99-03 and the EU from 99-09, 247hp for JDM models from 99-05. The 2.2-litre (F22C1) 237hp engine was used in all North American models from 04-09 and 239hp for JDM models (06-09). A 6-speed manual transmission was the only option available.

1999-2003 Honda S2000 (AP1)

All versions received the F20C with JDM models having an extra 10hp due to a slightly higher 11.7:1 compression ratio.

Over the course of four years, there were several minor changes. Starting in 2001, an aluminum hardtop was now available. This was followed in 2002 with the plastic rear window being replaced with glass, the stereo was upgraded, and there were some minor suspension tweaks.

In addition, there was a JDM-only Type V produced from 2000-to 2007. The main feature of this model was an optional variable gear ratio steering (VGS). What this did was continuously change the steering ratio depending on the vehicle speed which improved handling and made parking easier. The suspension was slightly modified to complement the VGS as well.

2004-2009 Honda S2000 (AP2)

In 2004, the S2K received a refresh with several updates. The North American models now received the larger 2.2-litre engine followed by Japan in 2006. All other markets continued to receive the F20C through 2009.

The wheel size increased from 16” to 17”, and the suspension was tweaked again, mainly the shocks and spring stiffness. The front lip and rear bumper were redesigned along with the headlight and taillight assemblies. Starting in 2006, drive-by-wire throttle and electronic stability control were introduced.

In 2008, a Club Racer (CR) model was offered in the US. This was essentially a track-ready version of the S2K. The main features of the CR were: a lower ratio steering rack, darker colored wheels, stiffer suspension, weight reduction mods, chassis braces, and a revised body kit and rear spoiler. In terms of weight savings, the stereo and A/C were optional, and the spare tire and jack were removed which made the CR approximately 90lbs lighter than a standard S2K. All models were hardtop convertibles and a total of 699 were made in 2008 and 2009.

A JDM-only version known as the Type S came with the above options although the suspension was slightly softer as it was more intended to be a streetcar. A total of 1755 of these were produced from 2008-to 2009.

Sales Numbers

It should be noted that 2010 and 2011 sales numbers were leftover 2009 models that were still on dealer lots.

FAQ

Sources

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_S2000
• http://s2000.club/
• https://www.edmunds.com/honda/s2000/2006/review/
• https://garagedreams.net/buyers-guide/buying-a-honda-s2000-everthing-you-need-to-know
• https://www.carscoops.com/2018/07/honda-s2000-everything-need-know-buying-used/
• http://www.speedhunters.com/2020/07/why-you-should-buy-a-honda-s2000/

How to Import a Honda S2000

Read our ultimate guide, How to Import a Car from Japan.

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