@@fantabuloussnuffaluffagusmy dude, you probably weren’t even alive during the 08’ financial crisis. During the 2000’s people were struggling to put food on the table let alone splurge on a new sports car. Many auto manufacturers killed off models during that decade.
It's actually sad how honda could've destroyed the miata. Even before people started fanboying and loving the S2000, i always loved it. I loved it because it was the same concept as a miata, but with a high redline, VTEC, and more power. Even today, the S2000 has more power than the GR86, which competes with the miata.
Honda would not have destroyed the Miata. Mazda would have just upgraded the horse power and redline in order to keep the sales coming. As it turned out they did not have to.
A brand new S2k was 33k ...in today's market it would have been around 59k msrp , that's why the Miata is the answer. A brand new ND2 is faster than a s2k and has the highest rev line for a Miata at a fraction of the cost of what a new gen s2k would fetch for let alone how big every Honda car is now I can only imagine the size of a new s2k would be as well as heavy, another reason why the Miata cnt be destroyed
@@sharthun2009 i referred to you saying mazda would have upgraded power to compete with the s2k. They would have not done this since the cars do not really compete with eachother. The only reason why the nd2 gets compared to the s2000 is because now after 23 years mazda, with technological progression naturally caught up without making the car much more expensive. But if honda would have continued making the s2k it probably still would compete against the porsche boxster.
With every year that goes by I'm glad I got mine when I did. It was immediately a classic in the making, and years later it still holds up, in every respect. Honda will NEVER make another car like it again.
@@agrippa1234agreed my aunt has 1 i moved for her. At 6’2 220lbs it wasnt great for a 3 hour trek. My dads miata is even smaller. BMW z3 is only compact sports car i fit in comfortable. Enough so that ive owned 2. Just have to swap to a slightly smaller steering wheel the old ones are large pizza size
@@agrippa1234 lol legit. I think it may have been made for asian folks. (am asian, fits like a glove. nothing but complaints from my tall non-asian friends lmao)
Cool that you featured the S2000 but you left out a lot of details about the car. The engine is not even the most exciting part of it, that car was more about balance, chassis stiffness and handling which really made it stand out. It was faster than the standard Boxter S on a track while being much cheaper and no camparison to a comparable Z3 / Z4. Those who say that the car was too expensive need to really get their facts right because for the tech it had it was way too cheap! Just a few example, how many cars in that price range had a double wishbone suspension, basically a monocoque style chassis, a 50/50 weight ratio while basically mid engined (fron-mid engine), aluminium hood, the shortest (and apparently best according to many auto jurnalists) shifter in any production car and then there is the engine that made 250hp NA (in Japan, 240hp in the rest of the world) only the F22C with the 2.2l made 237hp instead of the full 240hp. Plus the reliability made it really exceptional comared to the Boxter.
@@biggiesmalls7939 haha wouldn't say that, i also hava GR Yaris and used to drive a M2competition. Would love to have a C8 Corvette and 992 GT3 or Cayman GT4 ... i love every car brand and concepts there is no right or wrong but the S2000 is kinda special to drive for me based on my experience with cars, even though 9000rpm doesn't really excite me anymore ... a couple more RPM's would be nice xD. But yea i know all these things about all my cars i owned as i like to do the research on what i buy. The GR Yaris is even more of a nerd car tbh.
I mostly agree with you, but Gordan Murray and a few other engineers have claimed that the lotus Elan has the best Manuel of all time. Matter of fact he was pissed that he couldn't replicate the feel of the Elan on his McLaren F1. I don't know if Gordan has driven a s2000 but he said that the e30 M3 and his own NSX came close to the Elans manual. The only little drawback to the S2000 is that the steering isn't the best. Not the most communicative. But other then that it really is the greatest roadster of all time. It was Mr. Uehara retirement gift to the company and to fans. they put so much engineering into the car, they knew they weren't gonna make money on it. If you really think about the s2000 is basically a topless e30 M3 Evo 2.
With age/surgeries, etc I owned an first gen Miata new, an S2000 for a whole week I am now on my 6th Vette (C7 Z51 7MT Conv) and still think of it as my elephantine Miata/S2000. As much as I love it, it's not as much fun to drive as the first two, can't even take it close to 100% but with a jar of vasoline and a running start I'm good to get in and go!
Nah you would not be happy with the s2000. You like big engines for going in the straights. The s2000 is a dog going on the straight but it's quick overall on the track with corners and some straights.
04 Rio owner here, 7k miles when purchased in 2012. Daily drove it for four years and now it sort of sits with 48k on the odometer. Contemplated selling it but just can't. Love the car.
Check this and pause this video at 0:40, the Jetta that raced the Honda S2000 is also parked on the side. Took me many years to notice that, I wonder what was that about
Loved my '05 S2K. Fit like a glove, amazing handling (as a roadster even compared to coupes), wonderfully smooth shifting MT, responsive throttle (before eControl) and simple understated beauty. Z4 3.0 and Cayman cost more for purchase and maintenance. Corvette did not have overall quality/reliability and Miata was too low on HP for my taste. 350z/G35 and RX-8 were considered too. All boils down to what your needs/desires are plus how much dough you can lay down. Honda made an excellent contribution to the world of sport cars!! Hope they come back with more.
The S600 had a rev limiter in the form of centrifugal cut off switch in the distributor rotor, if you changed it to a standard rotor it would rev to 11,000 rpm.
Thanks to Johnny Tran from F&F, the S2000 became my dream car. Bought 2003 Suzuka Blue in 2006 and sold it in 2015 after putting 32K on it....not a fast car by any means, but fun to drive.
And I owned an '04 for a whole week. Bought it new at Honda of Auburn but my chronic back and size (6'2") could not deal with the compressed cabin space. Nicely though, the dealer took it back (I only put 110 miles on it), very classy.....it was sold the next day
Btw it is so often the case that Honda designs many of their cars with a 5ft10 max height for comfort, while Chevrolet, VW, Volvo and possibly others allow taller men to fit perfectly fine. I hate this!!! It is hard to modify seats yourself but not impossible.
@@jamesmedina2062 anecdotally that makes sense as I owned a CRX, a TSX though maybe the Accord, especially later gens were made for bigger Americans....interesting
Agree. Bought a z4si instead because of my size. No regrets other than I sold the car with the typical depreciation while the s2000 would have brought in close to the original purchase price.
@@MiguelGarcia-vj7oo The Fujitsobo exhaust is ultra quiet. So instead of hearing only fart cans, I hear the great sound of the engine (~95%) and the other (~5%) is the exhaust. How do I know? The previous owner had fart cans for exhausts.
I’m 52. I grew up with Honda being the leader of good looking cars. And then i look at the recent civic type R with lines going everywhere, fake vents everywhere. Man Honda has sunk in the looks department. Genesis/Hyundai has taken over the reigns in the good looking cars department.
@@agr_ wow, you sure need some schooling. What does a Suzuki Hayabusa sound like? What does a Honda Fire Blade sound like, what does a Honda S800 sound like? My point is, small engines RIP and sound awesome.
@@someyoungguyjohnson7239 With those specs, no wonder it got canned. Kei car limits are 0.66 liter and about 70 hp, so it wouldn't even qualify for the tax advantage in Japan.
Good Buddy's Dad had one, and to this day, i say, its one of the most amazing Handling Cars i have ever driven. As soon as you got used to the Steering-ratio, that is. If they would have made it S3000, this would be as legendary as the Supra / GTR today. The engine was amazing, but it just felt and sound like a well tuned Civic (apart from being RWD obviouly). I had a M3 (e36) back then, and getting back into the M3, the torque and gears were just so much more satisfying. We always wanted do a engine swap. but his Dad never got on board with that. He did bought a turbo-kit later, but never driven it after that. Looked sketchy following them them through the mountains..
Fun listen on the drive home in my '06 Laguna Blue S2000, top down after a tornado watch passed and the sky cleared. Hit 8200 rpm a couple times with some light wheelspin. Hard to describe, wish I could bottle the experience of this car and sell it.
I almost bought a minty 5K mile red S2000 and on the way to buy it stopped to look at a Boxster S that I sort of considered as well. After test driving it, I bought it instead. I sort of always regretted not getting the Honda because I figured I could always get one later but didn't plan on them stopping production and the prices going way up.
So many Fine Cars! .. what happens with me sometimes is instead of trying more of them out, I get something and fall in love with it so much that I keep it for years and years lol.
I love high revving cars. Sadly, there are none produced today below 50k. High revs as Jay Leno points out, are a lot of fun, and in today's world where the highway patrol is everywhere, you are much happier screaming around at 60 MPH in a car like this.
I had a 2001 that I did a GT35r custom turbo kit on. Still my favorite car to this day. I had an NA1 and I sold it, didn’t like it. Currently have 08 911 S, 13’ Gallardo and 23’ Huracan - still miss my s2000. If there is ever a successor I’m getting it.
S2000 is a Bucket list car. I'm a Big Block Chevy guy that dd's a 8th Gen Civic Si tuned to no redline. Everytime i see an s2000, my knees weaken. Same with the new type R civic.
The S2000 is a perfect example of how the media dominates people's opinions. To the last one, every single magazine out there compared this to the Miata. If I want a fun little cruiser, fine, Miata. The S2000 is an enthusiast car. But the thing that always pisses me off is all the hate Honda gets. Then we get videos like this one. Honda never meant for this to be long term production. It was a celebration of everything Honda is. This car was never talked about the way it is talked about now. Now that it's gone, every one gushes and wants one. Just to molest it and track the remaining life out of it. Videos like this one are just a way to get views.
@@umaireg6 The interior is good enough. The biggest interior advantage the S2000 had was the seats and I've remedied that. My Z06 feels like an S2000 on steroids. It feels light and nimble, it will pull lateral G's, it brakes hard, and it accelerates hard. At the end of the day, I'd never trade my Vette for an S2000. My Z06 is just way better overall.
I had an 06 AP2 for 6 years. It was a car of extremes: sublime shift, addictive VTEC, awful steering, and downright dreadful trying to do the GT thing. I loved my time with it, but no regrets going to a 2004 911.
I had the opposite problem at 6’1”. My knee kept hitting the steering wheel and center console in the 350z. Made it iffy to get from gas to brake. S2k fits me beautifully.
@@SkunksterPlaysPoorly you probably have longer legs than me then. I've got a longer torso. My inseam is actually 31, which is on the shorter side for a guy over 6 feet. I fit perfectly in the Z. It felt like I was in a fighter jet made just for me. Maybe it was the width of the S2K that was my issue, since I'm also in the 250lb range. I just know that I couldn't move in the car at all. And rather than feeling snug in a cockpit like with the Z, I felt like I was being squeezed hard. Either way it worked out for me. I enjoyed the change of pace that the Z and it's torque gave me. The car I owned prior was a 95 Integra GS-R, so I would have just been trading up to a higher output VTEC with rear drive had the S2000 fit me.
I’ve convinced two people to buy one of these. Back in 2006, one of my friends still has his. I think im absolutely priced out of the S2000 market now… looking at the ‘18+ ND after I get bored with my ‘93.
Still have my 2005 UK GT (i.e. hardtop version) - bought in 2007 when my brother-in-law suggested a Boxster instead- glad I didn’t 😅 The ‘S’ has done a mere 33k but makes me smile just hearing the engine 😊 Sadly it doesn’t see much action these days but I knew it would be a keeper 🤩
I have a 2002 s2000 and yes for a 4 cylinder car it gets 1/2 the gas mileage you would expect from a 4 cylinder. I rarely rev it out and light on the throttle and 19 mpg is about as good as it gets.
I have the same car. As a daily commuter, driving it like a civic, I can average 26mpg/tank. On track pedal to the metal, 9000rpm could drink lots of gas. Ended up doing less than 10mpg. The car’s vtec gave it duo personalities. If you want economy, stay below 6k rpm to avoid engaging vtec.
S2K might have been an odd niche for the time, lacking BMW or Porsche pedigree, but it's performance vs reliability ratio remains unbeatable. Ferrari and now Porsche have finally exceeded S2K hp/liter, barely. But you can put over 400k miles on an S2K just changing oil and consumables, and valve adjustments. That ain't happening with any P or F cars.
I was just collecting a bunch of video clips of all the friggen S2K spin outs and off track excursions. These are by far the car I see facing the wrong way at the track the most
My son just sold a black 2001 with 96K on it after he had went over it with a fine tooth comb and a lot of hours invested in bringing it back up to standards........
Great video loved it. Have a 01 gpw, best car ever. Btw when you mention push to start you show an RSX not s2000, just sayin. $21000 MSRP, one in decent shape still goes for that, in great shape, a lot more.
As a mid-priced, high performance, convertible sports car, the S2K always held a very small part of the car market. As you discussed, price wise it fell between the Miata and the Porsche which both offered more in terms of comfort, sound systems etc. With the drastic decline in new vehicle purchases in 2008, all auto companies had to focus production on their more popular markets.
Honda made the 6 speed manual so good that when the S2000 came out every manufacturer bought one. At the time of release Porsche 911 owners complained that the shift was to long between gears. Porsche had Honda consult and improve their manual trans. I had a Yellow AP1, Put a Paxton supercharger, Hondata ECU, Spoon suspension and HKS exhaust
Always admired the car , never had the pleasure of driving one. Still, a huge Honda fan. Simple reason,,,I bought the first Honda Accord , in 1976. Right off the first truck delivery at my local dealer. Silver over black it was an absolute dream right out of the gate. Everything fit perfectly , ergonomics were ideal and it ran like a Honda! I don't think I've ever owned the car that turned more heads. Honda only offered cvcc peanut cars before this and it was a real breakthrough in design and engineering. Just like BMW came to market with the 2002, Honda stepped into the scene when most manufacturers were still building clunky cars. Kudos to Honda for never losing their way.
I Almost bought one till I sat inside. It was a little too small. So I ended up buying a Civic Si which I loved but man I wish I would have bought a S2K
I don't think we'll ever see another naturally aspirated S car. The S2000 was never intended to compete with the Miata, but rather the BMW Z3 & the Porsche Boxster. I imagine many people lost interest in the car while still in production because unlike the Z3 or the Boxster, it remained relatively spartan by the standards of the day. While some refer to the later AP2 car with the larger 2.2 liter engine as the Americanized version, it also wound up replacing the AP1 in Japan as well. I believe both the S500 & S600 featured a 9,500 RPM redline. The redline of the F20C engine is 8,800 RPM, while the rev limiter kicks in at 9K RPM.
I've driven one and it has a nice shifter and handling for its weight, but I found a classic Mini to be more fun to drive although a deathtrap if ever in a car crash. In reality a 600cc sportbike makes most cars boring. Weight is the enemy of fun motoring.
Disagree, I’ve always had and raced sports bikes, just sold a panigale V4s and the S2000 is way more fun. You don’t need to be going ridiculously fast to have a smile on your face, 80kph around a corner feels like 150kph felt on the panigale. Also there feels like there’s much more going on, a superbike it’s effortless with shifting, braking and acceleration, it all happens in unison, the S2000 feels like choas in the best way when you’re driving it!
The only thing the TL will outdo the s2k is in the straight acceleration and that is a drivers race honestly.. other then that the S2k outdoes the TL in every way.. I own both and love the TL but the TL is not a sports car.
When Honda built NSX, they were choosing between a supercar and roadster sportscar. So when their 50th anniversary approached, they decided to build the roadster they passed up on before.
My favorite hond of all time I built cb7 h22 with 276 hp naturally aspirated but my dream car is to build a s2000 naturally aspirated build with around 340 hp🤤😩
The S2000 was and is Honda's stamp that car enthusiasts will always enjoy driving and customizing. Anywhere in the world if the S2000 rolls up , anyone will already know it's a Honda Sports car. The only Honda made sports car sold in manual transmission... If I was a rich person I'd have 2 of the highest end models in my collection... With 2 Acura Integra Type R....
Honda has been disappointing me for years. Why dont they make a full size pickup? Imagine the marine outboard they could build if they wanted to. No more 2 stroke dirt bikes? What! And last but not least what happened to the Trx450R? The best race quad ever created
back in 2003 my therapist took me for a ride in his s2000 during one of our sessions, He wanted to show me how fast the s2000 was compared to my 99 firebird ...he hit well over 100 on the freeway in columbus,oh,,, i was scared shi*less,,, s2000 definitely faster than my firebird,, honda claims it has 240HP ! I would say it felt like 340 HP,,,best therapy session ever !!
Is sad not long lived just was my best cabrio car love the lines and engine,with rear wheel drive I believe was amazing, love one day drive one or own one but thy are going out 😢and not meany be around
I literally thought it was a lady's car when I watch 2fast 2furious. Now I'm proud of it 😁🤘. Too it's the only rear wheel drive Honda JDM car still rolling The streets. Honda S2k
The thing with mass production Sport Cars. Specially is the car gets good rates. The car company will stop production just so that car can collect value. So the company don't make many just for that reason. Hooe thus help.
Yes the small block chevy is legend. They put them in everything. They make the most power for the size. Google the ls weight and f22 weight. You will understand then.
With today's "building curve" aside, what if HONDA made a higher HP/Torque I-6 to upgrade the S2K (and potentially other models)? Sadly, we will never know as we are being forced to rely on our A/C Power Grid...😢
No. There were plent of boosted s2ks. The compression ratio is too high to add a lot of boost. Not made for it. Still didnt touch the C5 Z06 bone stock. You go nod for mod and add a supercharger to a C5 Z06 Honda has no chance. I've owned s2k and later a Corvette. Anybody who compares the two probably just hasn't owned a Corvette
@@AnonAnon-qi4ts both of you are right. But what this guy means is that if the factory had put out a nice boosted S2000 it would have competed with more upscale and powerful competition.
@@AnonAnon-qi4ts . I'm not talking about some Backstreet " Tuner " job . I am talking about a Properly Engineered FACTORY INSTALL . And in the end , we are talking about 5 litres versus 2 litres . Corvette is inevitably somewhat heavier , thirstier , destroys tyres faster , Etc .
@johncunningham4820 Chevy DID do a FACTORY supercharged Corvette and it made 638 hp. That car in 2009, the same year the S2000 got sent off to the graveyard.
The Only thing I liked about the S2000 was nose the rest of the design was garbage, the Engine? Now that's a different story it was Beast. I know people will think different but the 89 CRX to me caught my attention More, I even lovd the ones I had in manual the 89 Honda accord fastback hatchback coup and a 1993 Honda accord ex two door coup, they are Correct on the stick shifts they were bad ass, I lovd my Hondas until they got Smashed into by an idiot who didn't know how to drive her lifted truck, my heart was broken, so I went back to Muscle cars, but one day I will buy those again and light the Road up.
Suffered the same problem as the Toyobaru. It was just too slow. The "it's all about the handling and driving experience!!!" crowd can repeat that all they want, but the car was just too slow compared to the competition. The fact that they kept it on the market as long as they did was astounding, considering how few they sold.
Know whats funny? Pop in that engine and everything into even a friggin honda of today and it will sell like a muthafucker. I swear. Or imagine a friggin honda fit or something with it lmao.
Japanese in fighting and deal making has denied a lot of cars the popularity and spread they deserve. It started with the 240Z versus the 2000 GT...A trade off for the Land Rover and Patrol.
They can literally start production today and not change the design. That body was ahead of its time.
They couldn't sell enough of them to make it viable in 2009, why would it be any different today?
they cant it wont meat the updated regulation. headlights are too low and it has to hold its own weight upside-down. wish they could pump out more.
Absolutely. A little paneling refresh, but just throw the chassis and block on the assembly line, and gucci
@@fantabuloussnuffaluffagusmy dude, you probably weren’t even alive during the 08’ financial crisis. During the 2000’s people were struggling to put food on the table let alone splurge on a new sports car. Many auto manufacturers killed off models during that decade.
@@agr_ Dude, I started working for a living in the '70s. I've seen a couple of boom-bust cycles. You seriously thought I was under 15? LOL.
It's actually sad how honda could've destroyed the miata. Even before people started fanboying and loving the S2000, i always loved it. I loved it because it was the same concept as a miata, but with a high redline, VTEC, and more power. Even today, the S2000 has more power than the GR86, which competes with the miata.
Honda would not have destroyed the Miata. Mazda would have just upgraded the horse power and redline in order to keep the sales coming. As it turned out they did not have to.
@@sharthun2009 not really. The miata is a more budget oriented car while the s2000 was much more premium and expensive.
A brand new S2k was 33k ...in today's market it would have been around 59k msrp , that's why the Miata is the answer. A brand new ND2 is faster than a s2k and has the highest rev line for a Miata at a fraction of the cost of what a new gen s2k would fetch for let alone how big every Honda car is now I can only imagine the size of a new s2k would be as well as heavy, another reason why the Miata cnt be destroyed
@@user-jt6nw6wm5q So my point remains valid. The Honda S2K would not have destroyed the Miata market.
@@sharthun2009 i referred to you saying mazda would have upgraded power to compete with the s2k. They would have not done this since the cars do not really compete with eachother. The only reason why the nd2 gets compared to the s2000 is because now after 23 years mazda, with technological progression naturally caught up without making the car much more expensive. But if honda would have continued making the s2k it probably still would compete against the porsche boxster.
With every year that goes by I'm glad I got mine when I did. It was immediately a classic in the making, and years later it still holds up, in every respect. Honda will NEVER make another car like it again.
For the price, it had supercar parts/engineering but geez was it tiny inside...couldn't even try a different seat at the time, none available then
@@agrippa1234agreed my aunt has 1 i moved for her. At 6’2 220lbs it wasnt great for a 3 hour trek. My dads miata is even smaller. BMW z3 is only compact sports car i fit in comfortable. Enough so that ive owned 2. Just have to swap to a slightly smaller steering wheel the old ones are large pizza size
@@agrippa1234 lol legit. I think it may have been made for asian folks.
(am asian, fits like a glove. nothing but complaints from my tall non-asian friends lmao)
@@agrippa1234 I wanted a used one, but hell I am too tall for it. Dang it.
Or the integra type R
Cool that you featured the S2000 but you left out a lot of details about the car. The engine is not even the most exciting part of it, that car was more about balance, chassis stiffness and handling which really made it stand out. It was faster than the standard Boxter S on a track while being much cheaper and no camparison to a comparable Z3 / Z4. Those who say that the car was too expensive need to really get their facts right because for the tech it had it was way too cheap! Just a few example, how many cars in that price range had a double wishbone suspension, basically a monocoque style chassis, a 50/50 weight ratio while basically mid engined (fron-mid engine), aluminium hood, the shortest (and apparently best according to many auto jurnalists) shifter in any production car and then there is the engine that made 250hp NA (in Japan, 240hp in the rest of the world) only the F22C with the 2.2l made 237hp instead of the full 240hp. Plus the reliability made it really exceptional comared to the Boxter.
You obviously are a die hard Honda s2k fan lol
@@biggiesmalls7939 haha wouldn't say that, i also hava GR Yaris and used to drive a M2competition. Would love to have a C8 Corvette and 992 GT3 or Cayman GT4 ... i love every car brand and concepts there is no right or wrong but the S2000 is kinda special to drive for me based on my experience with cars, even though 9000rpm doesn't really excite me anymore ... a couple more RPM's would be nice xD. But yea i know all these things about all my cars i owned as i like to do the research on what i buy. The GR Yaris is even more of a nerd car tbh.
@@biggiesmalls7939 my car go swiftly 160, wreck it buy a new one. My crew run run run
@@MrLazlness see, now that's why my name is what it is.... You're actually quoting lyrics that are very relevant to the subject. 10/10
I mostly agree with you, but Gordan Murray and a few other engineers have claimed that the lotus Elan has the best Manuel of all time. Matter of fact he was pissed that he couldn't replicate the feel of the Elan on his McLaren F1. I don't know if Gordan has driven a s2000 but he said that the e30 M3 and his own NSX came close to the Elans manual. The only little drawback to the S2000 is that the steering isn't the best. Not the most communicative. But other then that it really is the greatest roadster of all time. It was Mr. Uehara retirement gift to the company and to fans. they put so much engineering into the car, they knew they weren't gonna make money on it. If you really think about the s2000 is basically a topless e30 M3 Evo 2.
People are obsessed with HP and 0 to 60. Just enjoy any sports car for its handling. Get over the speed obsession.
As a muscle car enthusiast, I will admit that at one time I wanted one of these.
They are so cool! I totally agree 😸❤
With age/surgeries, etc I owned an first gen Miata new, an S2000 for a whole week I am now on my 6th Vette (C7 Z51 7MT Conv) and still think of it as my elephantine Miata/S2000. As much as I love it, it's not as much fun to drive as the first two, can't even take it close to 100% but with a jar of vasoline and a running start I'm good to get in and go!
@@agrippa1234 ☺☺☺
I just drove my first one this year. I love my v8’s but a s2000 is very special and has lots of soul.
Nah you would not be happy with the s2000. You like big engines for going in the straights. The s2000 is a dog going on the straight but it's quick overall on the track with corners and some straights.
04 Rio owner here, 7k miles when purchased in 2012. Daily drove it for four years and now it sort of sits with 48k on the odometer. Contemplated selling it but just can't. Love the car.
How is that related?
@@stolenchaser Because it's still one of the best cars in the platform category ever made.
That's why.
@@jeffl1484 How is it one of the best cars in the platform category ever made? Source? What? And how is that related to the *video*
@@stolenchaser Why does it matter to you? I own one and have for over a decade. It's one of quite a few that I own in fact, keep trying though, cope.
@@jeffl1484 I just want to know how it's related and how it's one of the best cars in the platform category ever made.
The BEST stick shift man has ever built~! 👍
Check this and pause this video at 0:40, the Jetta that raced the Honda S2000 is also parked on the side. Took me many years to notice that, I wonder what was that about
Lmao just noticed good eye
Can't see the Jetta, am I blind 😢
@@ralicahristova2244 no you not, just maybe start the clio from 0:36 and pause multiple times.
@@atlegangletsoge6165 I can clearly see the white golf mk3
@@ralicahristova2244 nah fam, I doubt that's a golf. And even if that were So, why does it gotta look so much like the The Jetta?
Loved my '05 S2K. Fit like a glove, amazing handling (as a roadster even compared to coupes), wonderfully smooth shifting MT, responsive throttle (before eControl) and simple understated beauty. Z4 3.0 and Cayman cost more for purchase and maintenance. Corvette did not have overall quality/reliability and Miata was too low on HP for my taste. 350z/G35 and RX-8 were considered too. All boils down to what your needs/desires are plus how much dough you can lay down. Honda made an excellent contribution to the world of sport cars!! Hope they come back with more.
The S600 had a rev limiter in the form of centrifugal cut off switch in the distributor rotor, if you changed it to a standard rotor it would rev to 11,000 rpm.
Thanks to Johnny Tran from F&F, the S2000 became my dream car. Bought 2003 Suzuka Blue in 2006 and sold it in 2015 after putting 32K on it....not a fast car by any means, but fun to drive.
Seeing as you sold it, what's your new dream car now? Or you replaced it with an AP2?
Races are won in turns.
I would also like to know what you sold it for
I plan on buying an S2000 in October..
And I owned an '04 for a whole week. Bought it new at Honda of Auburn but my chronic back and size (6'2") could not deal with the compressed cabin space. Nicely though, the dealer took it back (I only put 110 miles on it), very classy.....it was sold the next day
In Colorado there is like a 3 day cooling off period for a sale and a mileage limit. But that can probably vary based on the dealer.
Btw it is so often the case that Honda designs many of their cars with a 5ft10 max height for comfort, while Chevrolet, VW, Volvo and possibly others allow taller men to fit perfectly fine. I hate this!!! It is hard to modify seats yourself but not impossible.
@@jamesmedina2062 anecdotally that makes sense as I owned a CRX, a TSX though maybe the Accord, especially later gens were made for bigger Americans....interesting
Agree. Bought a z4si instead because of my size. No regrets other than I sold the car with the typical depreciation while the s2000 would have brought in close to the original purchase price.
Timeless car 👌
01 S2000 here. New clutch, new tires, Fujitsobo exhaust and beautiful paint. Such Ana amazing driving experience and unmatched shifting precision.
Almost all modern 4 cylinders have a terrible exhaust sound especially Hondas. The s2000 has such a brilliant intake/ induction sound why mask it?
@@MiguelGarcia-vj7oo
The Fujitsobo exhaust is ultra quiet. So instead of hearing only fart cans, I hear the great sound of the engine (~95%) and the other (~5%) is the exhaust. How do I know? The previous owner had fart cans for exhausts.
I’m 52. I grew up with Honda being the leader of good looking cars. And then i look at the recent civic type R with lines going everywhere, fake vents everywhere. Man Honda has sunk in the looks department. Genesis/Hyundai has taken over the reigns in the good looking cars department.
Daily drive one for 10 years and 160,000 miles. Greatest car ever.
I remember Honda toyed with the idea of an S1000, a much cheaper, lighter, 1.0litre 120 HP 9,000 rpm version. I wonder whatever happened with that?
It probably sounded like a Prius that’s why.
@@agr_ a 9, 000 rpm Honda motor would sound like a Prius?!? Are you high or just clueless?
@@someyoungguyjohnson7239 if it’s only 1 liter yes
@@agr_ wow, you sure need some schooling. What does a Suzuki Hayabusa sound like? What does a Honda Fire Blade sound like, what does a Honda S800 sound like? My point is, small engines RIP and sound awesome.
@@someyoungguyjohnson7239 With those specs, no wonder it got canned. Kei car limits are 0.66 liter and about 70 hp, so it wouldn't even qualify for the tax advantage in Japan.
The S2000 was available on the company car list of the UK company that I worked for, one of the managers got one, she said it was insane
Good Buddy's Dad had one, and to this day, i say, its one of the most amazing Handling Cars i have ever driven. As soon as you got used to the Steering-ratio, that is.
If they would have made it S3000, this would be as legendary as the Supra / GTR today. The engine was amazing, but it just felt and sound like a well tuned Civic (apart from being RWD obviouly). I had a M3 (e36) back then, and getting back into the M3, the torque and gears were just so much more satisfying. We always wanted do a engine swap. but his Dad never got on board with that. He did bought a turbo-kit later, but never driven it after that. Looked sketchy following them them through the mountains..
Fun listen on the drive home in my '06 Laguna Blue S2000, top down after a tornado watch passed and the sky cleared. Hit 8200 rpm a couple times with some light wheelspin. Hard to describe, wish I could bottle the experience of this car and sell it.
That blue interior is sick
I almost bought a minty 5K mile red S2000 and on the way to buy it stopped to look at a Boxster S that I sort of considered as well. After test driving it, I bought it instead. I sort of always regretted not getting the Honda because I figured I could always get one later but didn't plan on them stopping production and the prices going way up.
So many Fine Cars! .. what happens with me sometimes is instead of trying more of them out, I get something and fall in love with it so much that I keep it for years and years lol.
I love high revving cars. Sadly, there are none produced today below 50k. High revs as Jay Leno points out, are a lot of fun, and in today's world where the highway patrol is everywhere, you are much happier screaming around at 60 MPH in a car like this.
I had a 2001 that I did a GT35r custom turbo kit on. Still my favorite car to this day. I had an NA1 and I sold it, didn’t like it. Currently have 08 911 S, 13’ Gallardo and 23’ Huracan - still miss my s2000. If there is ever a successor I’m getting it.
S2000 is a Bucket list car. I'm a Big Block Chevy guy that dd's a 8th Gen Civic Si tuned to no redline. Everytime i see an s2000, my knees weaken. Same with the new type R civic.
Thanks for this video. Honda makes fantastic cars.
The S2000 is a perfect example of how the media dominates people's opinions. To the last one, every single magazine out there compared this to the Miata. If I want a fun little cruiser, fine, Miata. The S2000 is an enthusiast car. But the thing that always pisses me off is all the hate Honda gets. Then we get videos like this one. Honda never meant for this to be long term production. It was a celebration of everything Honda is. This car was never talked about the way it is talked about now. Now that it's gone, every one gushes and wants one. Just to molest it and track the remaining life out of it. Videos like this one are just a way to get views.
This was awesome to see! I’m such a fan of the S2000! My 2005 AP2 is my baby!
We're riding with ya.Great video.
I have a 800whp Corvette Z06 these days, but I still miss my S2000.
You should have kept it. The interior quality on the vetts just doesn't come close
@@umaireg6 The interior is good enough. The biggest interior advantage the S2000 had was the seats and I've remedied that. My Z06 feels like an S2000 on steroids. It feels light and nimble, it will pull lateral G's, it brakes hard, and it accelerates hard. At the end of the day, I'd never trade my Vette for an S2000. My Z06 is just way better overall.
I'd buy a c5 alongside my s2000. I just don't know if it's something I'd like to wrench on myself
@@umaireg6 C5's aren't too bad to work on. Anything big like removing the drivetrain can be done with the help of a buddy.
My boy had an LS swapped S2000 and it was one of my favorite cars until he crashed it. RIP the LS2K
I had an 06 AP2 for 6 years. It was a car of extremes: sublime shift, addictive VTEC, awful steering, and downright dreadful trying to do the GT thing.
I loved my time with it, but no regrets going to a 2004 911.
The awful steering is because of ap2. Ap1 has better steering
Eh, I always liked the S2K, but at 6'2" I couldn't fit in it to actually drive it. So I got a 350Z instead. Loved it. Wish I still had it.
You can lower the seats with diff rails
@@wilsonshum6252 or you can just buy a car that fits you to begin with. So I did.
I had the opposite problem at 6’1”. My knee kept hitting the steering wheel and center console in the 350z. Made it iffy to get from gas to brake. S2k fits me beautifully.
@@SkunksterPlaysPoorly you probably have longer legs than me then. I've got a longer torso. My inseam is actually 31, which is on the shorter side for a guy over 6 feet. I fit perfectly in the Z. It felt like I was in a fighter jet made just for me.
Maybe it was the width of the S2K that was my issue, since I'm also in the 250lb range. I just know that I couldn't move in the car at all. And rather than feeling snug in a cockpit like with the Z, I felt like I was being squeezed hard.
Either way it worked out for me. I enjoyed the change of pace that the Z and it's torque gave me. The car I owned prior was a 95 Integra GS-R, so I would have just been trading up to a higher output VTEC with rear drive had the S2000 fit me.
@@Xoulrath_ That’s probably it. My inseam is more like 32 and 180ish lbs. Glad we were both able to find sports cars to follow up our Integras.
The Mitsubishi Evo also kicked its butt for around the same price tag.
I’ve convinced two people to buy one of these. Back in 2006, one of my friends still has his. I think im absolutely priced out of the S2000 market now… looking at the ‘18+ ND after I get bored with my ‘93.
The King's of Internal Combustion Honda ❤️
Still have my 2005 UK GT (i.e. hardtop version) - bought in 2007 when my brother-in-law suggested a Boxster instead- glad I didn’t 😅 The ‘S’ has done a mere 33k but makes me smile just hearing the engine 😊 Sadly it doesn’t see much action these days but I knew it would be a keeper 🤩
S2000 is an awesome car, shame they shut it down. But I have a 300 whp ND1 and not much can match it pound for pound.
the rev gauge in the s2000 was meant to mimic the one in the mclaren-honda mp4/4 f1 car.
I have a 2002 s2000 and yes for a 4 cylinder car it gets 1/2 the gas mileage you would expect from a 4 cylinder. I rarely rev it out and light on the throttle and 19 mpg is about as good as it gets.
I have the same car. As a daily commuter, driving it like a civic, I can average 26mpg/tank. On track pedal to the metal, 9000rpm could drink lots of gas. Ended up doing less than 10mpg. The car’s vtec gave it duo personalities. If you want economy, stay below 6k rpm to avoid engaging vtec.
If you're worried about MPG get yourself a Prius.
@@edgarpoe517 That’s why I have a motorcycle I hardly even drive my car anymore
S2K might have been an odd niche for the time, lacking BMW or Porsche pedigree, but it's performance vs reliability ratio remains unbeatable.
Ferrari and now Porsche have finally exceeded S2K hp/liter, barely. But you can put over 400k miles on an S2K just changing oil and consumables, and valve adjustments. That ain't happening with any P or F cars.
I was just collecting a bunch of video clips of all the friggen S2K spin outs and off track excursions.
These are by far the car I see facing the wrong way at the track the most
My son just sold a black 2001 with 96K on it after he had went over it with a fine tooth comb and a lot of hours invested in bringing it back up to standards........
Great video loved it. Have a 01 gpw, best car ever. Btw when you mention push to start you show an RSX not s2000, just sayin. $21000 MSRP, one in decent shape still goes for that, in great shape, a lot more.
I loved this car from day one. And as a lover and driver/owner of classic Hondas this car is on my car bucket list
I used to have a 2005 Sebring Silver S2000. I loved that car.
What is variable geometry steering?
As a mid-priced, high performance, convertible sports car, the S2K always held a very small part of the car market. As you discussed, price wise it fell between the Miata and the Porsche which both offered more in terms of comfort, sound systems etc. With the drastic decline in new vehicle purchases in 2008, all auto companies had to focus production on their more popular markets.
Honda made the 6 speed manual so good that when the S2000 came out every manufacturer bought one. At the time of release Porsche 911 owners complained that the shift was to long between gears. Porsche had Honda consult and improve their manual trans.
I had a Yellow AP1, Put a Paxton supercharger, Hondata ECU, Spoon suspension and HKS exhaust
AP1 was the best handling machine that put more smiles 😃 on my face than any other vehicle.
Always admired the car , never had the pleasure of driving one. Still, a huge Honda fan. Simple reason,,,I bought the first Honda Accord , in 1976. Right off the first truck delivery at my local dealer. Silver over black it was an absolute dream right out of the gate. Everything fit perfectly , ergonomics were ideal and it ran like a Honda!
I don't think I've ever owned the car that turned more heads. Honda only offered cvcc peanut cars before this and it was a real breakthrough in design and engineering.
Just like BMW came to market with the 2002, Honda stepped into the scene when most manufacturers were still building clunky cars.
Kudos to Honda for never losing their way.
5 cylinder vtec sounds crazy
I Almost bought one till I sat inside. It was a little too small. So I ended up buying a Civic Si which I loved but man I wish I would have bought a S2K
Its predecessors the s600 and s800 were also able to achieve 9,000 rpm
If I didn't find a good deal on my Terminator, I would have snatched up one of these for sure. They are so cool! 🤠🙌
I've owned my AP1 for 11 years. Love it so damn much.
I don't think we'll ever see another naturally aspirated S car. The S2000 was never intended to compete with the Miata, but rather the BMW Z3 & the Porsche Boxster. I imagine many people lost interest in the car while still in production because unlike the Z3 or the Boxster, it remained relatively spartan by the standards of the day. While some refer to the later AP2 car with the larger 2.2 liter engine as the Americanized version, it also wound up replacing the AP1 in Japan as well. I believe both the S500 & S600 featured a 9,500 RPM redline. The redline of the F20C engine is 8,800 RPM, while the rev limiter kicks in at 9K RPM.
If they bring it back, I hope they do an in line 6 engine
are they just reuploading videos now?
I had one in the mid 2000s and loved it! But it nearly killed me with the tail-happy nature.
They fixed that in the AP2, and also gave it a hp bump.
I love my suzuka blue 02
I've driven one and it has a nice shifter and handling for its weight, but I found a classic Mini to be more fun to drive although a deathtrap if ever in a car crash. In reality a 600cc sportbike makes most cars boring. Weight is the enemy of fun motoring.
Nice, I watch your 1/64 videos
Disagree, I’ve always had and raced sports bikes, just sold a panigale V4s and the S2000 is way more fun. You don’t need to be going ridiculously fast to have a smile on your face, 80kph around a corner feels like 150kph felt on the panigale. Also there feels like there’s much more going on, a superbike it’s effortless with shifting, braking and acceleration, it all happens in unison, the S2000 feels like choas in the best way when you’re driving it!
Loved 😍 my miata on steroids, 02 Suzuka Blue AP1 💙
The Mazda Rx8 got 238hp out of 1.3 liter rotary and also had a 9000 rpm redline!
I just destroyed one of these with my 3.2 Acura tl the other day.. if the s2000 comes back it better be both e ok electric and turbo charged.
The only thing the TL will outdo the s2k is in the straight acceleration and that is a drivers race honestly.. other then that the S2k outdoes the TL in every way.. I own both and love the TL but the TL is not a sports car.
Honda has lost it.
When Honda built NSX, they were choosing between a supercar and roadster sportscar. So when their 50th anniversary approached, they decided to build the roadster they passed up on before.
A lady in Florida has one it has 30 k miles and only drive it in weekends
2002 and 2003 will be the most desirable years. S2000 CR is not far behind
My favorite hond of all time I built cb7 h22 with 276 hp naturally aspirated but my dream car is to build a s2000 naturally aspirated build with around 340 hp🤤😩
The S2000 was and is Honda's stamp that car enthusiasts will always enjoy driving and customizing.
Anywhere in the world if the S2000 rolls up , anyone will already know it's a Honda Sports car. The only Honda made sports car sold in manual transmission...
If I was a rich person I'd have 2 of the highest end models in my collection... With 2 Acura Integra Type R....
Essplain "V5 Engine" please
Honda has been disappointing me for years. Why dont they make a full size pickup? Imagine the marine outboard they could build if they wanted to. No more 2 stroke dirt bikes? What! And last but not least what happened to the Trx450R? The best race quad ever created
I had 3 S2000s, and wish I had one again.
Deff need a new s2k as the miata holds its place regardeless but the s2k was its own class imo and they deff need to bring it back
Won't happen. Too many safety parameters to meet with today standards
Honda S2k is still my favorite vehicle next to CRX Si
back in 2003 my therapist took me for a ride in his s2000 during one of our sessions, He wanted to show me how fast the s2000 was compared to my 99 firebird ...he hit well over 100 on the freeway in columbus,oh,,, i was scared shi*less,,, s2000 definitely faster than my firebird,, honda claims it has 240HP ! I would say it felt like 340 HP,,,best therapy session ever !!
I LOVED that car. I was just to dam tall for it. What a classic timeless design. Honda hit a homer with this car.
Is sad not long lived just was my best cabrio car love the lines and engine,with rear wheel drive I believe was amazing, love one day drive one or own one but thy are going out 😢and not meany be around
The s200 was honestly futuristic for the 1999/00 model years.
I literally thought it was a lady's car when I watch 2fast 2furious. Now I'm proud of it 😁🤘. Too it's the only rear wheel drive Honda JDM car still rolling The streets. Honda S2k
I don't know about greatest sports car in history but it was great. Wished Id bought one when they were available
Honda needs a new light weight RWD gasoline powered sports car… and Toyota needs to bring back the MR2!!!
The thing with mass production Sport Cars. Specially is the car gets good rates. The car company will stop production just so that car can collect value. So the company don't make many just for that reason. Hooe thus help.
It may not perform like the corvette, but its a Honda and will last forever. How reliable are corvettes? are they any good?
Yes the small block chevy is legend. They put them in everything. They make the most power for the size. Google the ls weight and f22 weight. You will understand then.
With today's "building curve" aside, what if HONDA made a higher HP/Torque I-6 to upgrade the S2K (and potentially other models)?
Sadly, we will never know as we are being forced to rely on our A/C Power Grid...😢
I snap-oversteered an AP1 F20C into a telephone pole once. rip 😓
A Small Turbo added , by the Factory , to an S2K would have put the Corvette back in it's box . 350 bhp Go-Cart . That came with Premium Suspension .
No. There were plent of boosted s2ks. The compression ratio is too high to add a lot of boost. Not made for it. Still didnt touch the C5 Z06 bone stock. You go nod for mod and add a supercharger to a C5 Z06 Honda has no chance. I've owned s2k and later a Corvette. Anybody who compares the two probably just hasn't owned a Corvette
@@AnonAnon-qi4ts both of you are right. But what this guy means is that if the factory had put out a nice boosted S2000 it would have competed with more upscale and powerful competition.
@@jamesmedina2062 . Thank You . That IS what I meant . A FACTORY JOB , properly re-engineered .
Not some Backyard Bolt-on .
@@AnonAnon-qi4ts . I'm not talking about some Backstreet " Tuner " job .
I am talking about a Properly Engineered FACTORY INSTALL .
And in the end , we are talking about 5 litres versus 2 litres .
Corvette is inevitably somewhat heavier , thirstier , destroys tyres faster , Etc .
@johncunningham4820 Chevy DID do a FACTORY supercharged Corvette and it made 638 hp. That car in 2009, the same year the S2000 got sent off to the graveyard.
Could you imagine what a 5 cylinder 9000rpm motor would've sounded like.
Probably somewhat like the RC211V race bike which had a ~1 liter V5.
The Only thing I liked about the S2000 was nose the rest of the design was garbage, the Engine? Now that's a different story it was Beast. I know people will think different but the 89 CRX to me caught my attention More, I even lovd the ones I had in manual the 89 Honda accord fastback hatchback coup and a 1993 Honda accord ex two door coup, they are Correct on the stick shifts they were bad ass, I lovd my Hondas until they got Smashed into by an idiot who didn't know how to drive her lifted truck, my heart was broken, so I went back to Muscle cars, but one day I will buy those again and light the Road up.
Suffered the same problem as the Toyobaru. It was just too slow. The "it's all about the handling and driving experience!!!" crowd can repeat that all they want, but the car was just too slow compared to the competition. The fact that they kept it on the market as long as they did was astounding, considering how few they sold.
Know whats funny? Pop in that engine and everything into even a friggin honda of today and it will sell like a muthafucker. I swear. Or imagine a friggin honda fit or something with it lmao.
"And a deliberate move to ignore input from marketing people"
Dude why are so many people making videos about this car as soon as I want to buy one. The prices are going to get so high now.
Man I want a S2K so bad but imma broke boi (for now)
I wanted one so bad until I sat in one and didn't fit.
I love my S2000
Japanese in fighting and deal making has denied a lot of cars the popularity and spread they deserve. It started with the 240Z versus the 2000 GT...A trade off for the Land Rover and Patrol.