Honda S2000 VTEC Used Car Review | Video + Article

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kingr
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Honda S2000 VTEC Used Car Review | Video + Article

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We get behind the wheel of the Honda S2000 (S2K) and experience normal aspirated power with VTEC at 9000RPM! This classic is appreciating in value and offers exciting performance with the roof down. With pinnacle Honda engineering and one the worlds highest output per litre normal aspirated engines - this classic is a bucket list car that you should strongly consider buying if you are in the market for a sports car.

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The nineties and early two-thousands were the golden age of Japanese supercars. Petrolheads had too many options from many manufacturers - Toyota had the Supra and Celica, Mazda had the MX5 and RX7, Nissan had the Skylines and Z cars, Mitsubishi had the GT0 and Honda had the NSX and S2000. While many cars on that list didn’t make it to South Africa, one of the ones that did was the phenomenal Honda S2000. It's regarded as a classic driver's car, and examples in good condition are starting to fetch high prices - well above the recommended retail price.

Origins

The Honda S2000 is based on the Sports Study Model (SSM) concept car that was unveiled in 1995. Despite being a parts-bin special, it had a stylish look thanks to being designed by the Italian company Pininfarina who also designed some memorable Ferraris like the Testarossa, F40, and F50. It had the trademark long bonnet with short rear-end and was powered by a 2.0-litre, five-cylinder VTEC engine and a five-speed automatic transmission derived from the legendary NSX. The SSM was noted for having a partition between the driver and passenger seats, and for its futuristic LCD display. It also had the driver-centric cockpit that's one of the S2000's hallmarks.

The S2000 was released in 1999 to celebrate Honda’s 50th anniversary. It had a lot of hype to live up to mainly because Honda had already built the jaw-dropping NSX and had a successful relationship with McLaren in Formula 1, winning three titles with the great Ayrton Senna.Its name is based on the displacement of its two cylinders, emulating the Honda S500, S600 and S800 roadsters of the past. Upon release, the S2000 received wide acclaim from the motoring community thanks to being a brilliant driver's car. The high revving front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout with 50/50 weight distribution made it exceptionally fun to drive. It’s also great at cornering thanks to the independent suspension (front and rear) and limited-slip differential (LSD). In the course of its life, the Honda S2000 won many accolades, and even at its age, it's a car that's suffered from little depreciation. We take a look to see if the Honda S2000 is still relevant today.

Fast Facts
  • Price: Approximately R220 000 to R270 000
    Engines: 2.0 litre and 2.2-litre naturally-aspirated
    Gearbox: 6-speed manual
    Fuel economy: 9.9 L /100 km combined claimed
    Power/Torque: 177kW/ 207 Nm (2.0 L)
    Seating Capacity: 2
    Loading Space: 140 L
Interior

The interior of the Honda S2000 is sparse with a typical nineties style. There is an abundance of black hard plastic with tasteful silver accents around the dashboard and centre console. While the seats are leather, they are quite small and can only move forward and back. Larger occupants have a difficult time getting in with the limited space, not to mention tiny seats. The steering column is also non-adjustable, but behind the wheel, these limitations are hardly noticed.

Something that stands out with the Honda S2000 compared to most other cars is that its interior is built to be driver-focused, with little thought given to the passenger. The entire instrument panel and all the control buttons are angled towards the driver to provide a "cockpit effect". From a driver's point of view, the effect is fantastic, and all the buttons are placed in a user-friendly manner and are easy to reach. Unfortunately, storage space is almost non-existent. The Honda S2000 doesn't even have a cubby, and passengers have to make do with a small centre console storage area and a storage box located between the two rear seats. The roof can open and close in a mere six seconds, but this car is really meant to be driven with the top down and feels cramped when it's up.

Another trademark feature of the Honda S2000 is the digital instrument cluster, which was far ahead of its time. Even now, it still looks good and adds to the cockpit-like appeal. Unfortunately the same can't be said for the sound system. Being an old car, there's no USB, navigation, or any modern features. What is had is an old-style radio and CD player that's thankfully hidden behind a silver cover.

Exterior

Despite its age, the Honda S2000 still looks elegant and graceful with upswept headlights sitting above the stylish bumper with large air intake. The long, sleek bonnet looks sporty, and it has a perfect stance on the 17-inch rims. The short rear-end features twin exhausts sitting under some very nineties-style angel-eye tail lights. One of the keys to keeping the Honda S2000 looking good is the simple design and classic lines that are without some of the creases and excess found on some other Japanese sports cars. The Honda S2000 was a dedicated roadster, and no hard-top was ever produced.

Engine and Gearbox

The Honda S2000 has the legendary F20C engine featuring an aluminium block with fibre-reinforced cylinder liners and Honda's VTEC system. It's one of the highest revving engines ever made, quickly hitting its 9000 RPM redline and setting the record for having the most displacement per litre until the Ferrari 458 eventually beat it. The engine was designed almost from scratch from the Honda S2000 and was discontinued when the car was discontinued. The six-speed manual transmission has a sporty, short shift lever and has quick, precise changes. It encourages the driver to push the revs to the maximum before changing up to the next gear. One of the drawbacks of the Honda S2000 is that the gears are known to grind after many years of use, be sure to test drive one from cold and allow the gearbox oil to warm up before thrashing the car at 9000rpm!

Safety

The Honda S2000 harks back to a different age of cars when they weren’t as safety –orientated as they are now. There are only basic safety features like seatbelts, driver and passenger airbags, and ABS brakes. There is no traction control or any other modern driver aids. While the lack of aids may be disappointing for some, it is appealing for those wanting a purer driving experience without inconvenient screens and beeping. The Honda S2000 received a four-star NCAP test rating when it was released.

Drive and Handling

The S2000 is like the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Below 6000 rpm it is a smooth and civilised car that will leave you wondering what all the fuss is about. Above 6000 rpm it unleashes the savage brute from within. The Honda S2000 is a car that begs to be driven fast and to be revved hard to get the best out of it. The bottom-end torque is a bit weak, but the incredible top-end makes up for it. When pushed, it obliges the driver with a fun-factor that's hard to beat. Unlike many sports-focused cars, the Honda S2000 has superb dampening thanks to the double-wishbone suspension, and it feels soft and comfortable to drive. The brakes, while adequate, only use a single piston and might not hold up to continuous thrashing at track days. Even at speed, the car remains glued to the road, and the accurate steering makes the driver feel connected to the car. There's no doubt that this is a driver's car, but not necessarily a high-performance car. On paper, it can't match the figures of many other cars out there and isn't geared towards drag racing or the track. Its primary purpose is to give the driver a thrilling driving experience with the wind blowing through the cockpit matched with 911-like handling capabilities.

Watch our in-depth video review of the Honda S2000.


The Verdict

They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and that is definitely the case with the Honda S2000. It is a car with a very specific use and with limited practicality. For some, it's a cult classic, and for others, it's a primitive car with no space.

Pros
· Great looks that still turns heads
· A fun factor that’s hard to beat
· Old-school naturally-aspirated rear-wheel-drive car with a manual transmission
· Top-down cruising
· Well-built and reliable
· Brilliant handling

Cons
· Only comes alive at 6000 rpm
· Limited space and storage space
· No modern safety features
· Outdated infotainment system
· Lacking in refinement

The Honda S2000 isn't a great daily driver because of the lack of practicality and space. The seats are small, and the interior can feel cramped. The small boot and limited interior space also limit its day to day uses. Many drivers also prefer the tech features found in modern cars and won’t want to go back to using a CD player. The Honda S2000 is more geared to being a weekend car that’s very simple and easy to drive. Yes, it lacks many of the bells and whistles of more modern sports cars, but that’s the whole point. While it is a fantastically quick roadster, it is still a Honda underneath and maintains its reputation for reliability and build quality. The sheer drivability of this car, combined with its great looks, has made this car into an icon in the motoring world.

Conclusion

Yes, the Honda S2000 is a cult classic that's fun to drive, and they have been holding their value well over the years. That said, is it worth buying a Honda S2000 over similarly priced rivals? Decent examples will set you back around R220 000 to R270 000 for models in the 2005 to 2007 range. In that price range, there are some modern used alternatives like the Toyota GT86 or Nissan 370Z. Moving away from Japanese cars there also other great choices like a used BMW Z4, E46 M3, or even a Porsche Boxster. At the end of the day, it comes to personal preference, and for some, it will be an easy decision to buy such a cult car. For others, there are more refined options available.

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kingr
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Re: Honda S2000 VTEC Used Car Review | Video + Article

Post by kingr »

Article added.
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Re: Honda S2000 VTEC Used Car Review | Video + Article

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Re: Honda S2000 VTEC Used Car Review | Video + Article

Post by Rascal69 »

Great detailed write up... S2000 is one of those cars that you have to appreciate for what it is... a very small fun engaging drive with superb handling and feel behind it... they have loads of aftermarket parts available to make them look and drive better than stock... My only gripe with it was that its got too less power/torque in stock form for this 2 seater, manual transmission, front engine, Rear wheel drive with LSD configuration.
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kingr
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Re: Honda S2000 VTEC Used Car Review | Video + Article

Post by kingr »

Thanks for the kind words buddy.

The S2K is amazing, for what it is. I really enjoyed reviewing it and was actually pleasantly surprised by the awesomeness of the car.
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Current:
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- 12" Toyota Hilux D/C 2.5tdi 4x4 (tow car / vacay)
- 2020 Mini Cooper S Clubman (swambo)
- 80" VW Mk1 2 Door Golf 8vt project 192wkw/314nm

Ex: 07" G5 GTi, 13" ST180, 03" Mk4 2 door 1.8T Stage 2, 07" Velo 1.6, 83" Mk1 GT 2.0 8v MP9, 87" Mk1 1.6 CitiSport, 88" Mk2 2.0 16v, 83" Mk1 GT 1.6 + 40 webers
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