Honda s2000

The Honda S2000: Do One Thing

The Honda S2000 was built to do one thing, and do it well. No luxury tourer or multi-seat family wagon, this car was made to drive. The one-of-a-kind roadster from Honda has gone from concept to production – and back again. First introduced in 1999, the S2000 – or S2K – started its life as an exciting concept entry for the Tokyo Motor Show. Today, it has been relegated again to the wishful world of concept cars, and with some pretty impressive renderings floating around the Internet, it only leaves one wondering if Honda will ever bring it back for real.

S2K – In A Class All Its Own

What made this car so unique was that it packed a walloping punch, and it did so with a 4-cylinder engine. Mounting it just behind the front axle meant a perfect 50:50 weight distribution ratio and lower rotational inertia. The S2K didn’t have anything fancy to weigh it down or distract from the task at hand. Just pure, high-revving, corner-hugging excitement. And no other similar car came close. It was a pared-down, no-nonsense, Miata-smoking sports car. Its raw and unapologetic style was retained through the years, though it certainly saw its share of performance and comfort upgrades as time went on. Die-hard S2000 enthusiasts talk of the car’s value in “smiles per gallon.” If you’ve driven one, you’ll understand exactly what they mean.

The End of The S2K

Honda ended the S2000’s run in 2009. During its 10-year lifespan, the car had amassed a worldwide fan club, who were sorely disappointed with the decision to stop production. Some special limited-production models were released to commemorate the final run, many available only in overseas markets. These, of course, were quickly snatched up by some lucky few. The S2000 was the real deal — and it proved its mettle year after year by being named best value or best all-around sports car by such auto-industry gurus as Edmunds, Top Gear, J.D. Power, and Car & Driver.

Buying a Used S2000: What To Know

If you’re upset about not being able to get your hands on a new S2000, take heart in knowing that you can still find a used model. Keep in mind that these are vehicles made to be driven with passion, which is great as long as routine maintenance is kept current. Do your research and bring any used car you’re thinking of buying to a trusted mechanic for the low-down on what you’re getting yourself into. In the case of an S2000, you should most definitely head to an authorized Honda dealership. Also, always insist on history reports and maintenance records before agreeing to anything.

If you’re looking for parts or accessories to rebuild or customize your S2000, come see the techs in our parts department. These are Honda people. Highly trained experts who are passionate about what they do. If you’re starting an S2K project, they are exactly who you want to talk to. Visit us at Crown Honda in Pinellas Park, Florida — proudly serving our friends in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater.