Does The Honda S2000 Deserve its Legendary Reputation? (JDM Legends Tour Pt 3)
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- Опубликовано: 21 ноя 2017
- Ask anyone about their favourite performance car, and someone is going to mention a Honda. They might be the butt of many jokes about Grandad's motoring choice - but there is no denying the fact the company has made some truly brilliant cars. From the Integra Type-R, to the NSX, you can never quite work out what the Japanese giant will do next.
In 1999, Honda released the S2000 - their take on the compact sports convertible segment traditionally dominated by the Mazda MX-5. The beating heart of this car though was one of the most iconic NA engines of all time - the stonking, 9000rpm F20C.
Nearly 20 years on, how does this legendary car feel to drive on some great British B-roads?
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In my opinion, the S2000 is the best Honda ever and one of the best Sports Cars of all time.
I agree. Also feeling your profile pic and username.
Well said
Yeah - epic profile name
Lettuce be serious for a moment. Would you rate it higher than the NSX?
@@kevtalbot137 Why not? It's more affordable, prettier and more usable.
proper sports car which deserves it's iconic status, nice review
+Roger Bailey Thanks Roger
I ordered mine new from the Melbourne motor show prior to its release in 1999, I just loved the bonnet and front wheel arches the way they flair like a cobra snake from som angles. When I received deliver and drove it for the first time I fell in love with everything else about the car. I decided to never sell it and still own it today. So far it only has 78k km on the clock and is in complete original condition as I only drive it occasionally. Still love and feel special every time I take up to winding hilltop back roads.
That's incredible 😊
I’ve had mine for 15 years and still love the handling and the high revs. It still gets attention.
Dealing cars for years, Drove a lot of the good ones but the S2000 is the best all rounder out there, price performance reliability convertible cool factor fun factor it’s just got it all
Having owned my S2000 for 5 months now, I fully agree with the points raised. The low down torque isn't great, but the pull through the rev range is very linear, there's no punch from the vtec, it's a nice smooth progression. I absolutely LOVE my little car.
I had a white ap1 and still remember the first time I hit the 9k red line. That rock hard chassis, razor sharp handling. The s2000 made you a better driver but you always had to respect the car. That tight cockpit made and digital speedometer made you feel like a race car driver. The gearshift was special .. I can go one forever... I loved that car and still think about it to this day. selling it was the biggest regret I’ll have to live with.
I still have mine after 15 years.
i love my ap1, best car ive ever had
I agree! And I've had some good ones...
I will reiterate what the last 2 posters said. A fantastic sports car that I still get my thrills driving, even after 13 yrs of ownership!. Great vid!
Nice review! I have an S2000 and have watched nearly every review on youtube. This is among the best for sure!
What year is yours @wvjon75? I've had my AP1 for over 12 years (and 180 000km!). I will never part with it...
S2000s look so good in real life too
A 2018 version would be epic. C'mon Honda!
No it wouldn’t probably have a hybrid or turbo with no vtec sound
Birmingham racing you are correct ! They just don’t know how to just stretch and make it just a little more modern body shape not kill it like the Supra did ! Like c’mon man it’s not that hard . Call it the S3000 with a 3.0 liter with a 11 thousand rpm redline! Just putting the redline at 8? Which is what an SI reds at ! Please keep it simple and don’t change much . Minimal list ! Please for gods sake Honda get your shit together. My 08 coupe is a piece of junk ! And 160 bhp is bs for an ex -navigation model with premium wheels and sound system!
there is one, it's called the s660
Will it be another “American muscle car with Italian design”? No thanks, don’t tarnish the S2000’s legacy
No one nailed the roadster like Honda did with the S2000. It’s so aesthetically pleasing and a real drivers car.
The best automobile ever built by mankind.
I always wanted an S2000 and I’m gutted I never bought one when they were cheap because now I’ll almost certainly never be able to afford one.
I mean what other car out there has 240hp out the box with fantastic reliability, build quality, revs to the moon, it’s convertible or hardtop and comparatively speaking still quite cheap, I love them.
If Honda did build a new S2000, it would probably come with a turbo engine, and horrible looks. Better to let the S2000 remain the legend it is imho.
JohnnyNr5 I don’t think they’d change the looks too much but I agree with what you’re saying
Honda still makes the S series in japan. The S600.
I want a 10k redline I6 that sounds like the 80s CBX motorcycle. That's the only way to really improve on the S2000 formula.
Just like the 2004-2005 Honda Rune 👍🏻
Greatest sports car ever.
I used to own one of these; they're fantastic cars. I sold mine like an idiot and plan on buying a second one soon!
I saw the sun poking out there- wish you could have driven it at least a bit with the top down and talked about that in your review. I feel driving with the top down in this car is the difference between a good time and an amazing time. Other than that great review and can't wait to see what else you have in store!
Update: bought another one. Couldn’t help myself. I’m keeping her for good.
Just picked up a 06 Rio Yellow this past weekend and in love :)
I love hearing from new or returning owners! I sometimes feel like I'm weird for how much I still love mine. People just can't understand until they drive one and drive one properly.
I agree with everything you said, minus the stereo being good 😀
2003 owner here. I find the stereo quite good for a factory unit in a car with tiny, thin doors. Only problem I've found is you can't hear the full quality unless you pull your leg inward and away from blocking the driver side speaker; Well, that and if the top is down and you're going over 25 MPH ;)
And the steering feel; this was Hondas first electric steering and it's pretty lifeless.
I’ve had a 06. And 07. The stereo is beyond terrible and the tops rip. I went they
Three tops in 100k miles. But I loved both of them
Great review. I was so impressed when a friend let me drive his I bought one. Lots of people seem to dislike the steering (and stereo) but I agree with you.
Really great review. Looking forward to the next installment
Will keep my AP1 always. It goes to my daughter. A truly fine, fast, great steering, stable, handful of hustle with more than adequate turn-in.
Great, honest review as usual. Love your videos.
Thanks Eric
Love this car. Brings back memories
Don't forget the CRX Si. I had one from new in 1991. Red....of course. That car was unbelievable. You could literally fit two mountain bikes in the back.... Good fuel economy, 110 hp, great handling, brakes, and you could park it anywhere. I bought a Honda S2000, MY2000 (AP1) back in 2007......red....of course......and I still have it to this day. I have only lightly modified it with Skunk2 headers, Clutch Masters Q300 heavy duty clutch, Invidia TP, catback, and 18" O.Z. wheels with Pirelli PZero rubber. It's brilliant. I love driving it to this day. Since it's purchase in 2007 I have acquired a Subaru WRX STi (2008), a Gen V Viper GTS (2013), and recently a Corvette Z06 with 07 package (2017) as seen in my avatar. I can say without question that I have no intention of selling it after 10 years of ownership, and having other "superior" cars to drive. There is something very special about the S2000. It's a classic for sure............
How do you like the header Lee? I'm looking to put one on my AP1 when I have the motor out this winter (clutch, mounts, and a few others...). Thanks for any input! Keep enjoying the car!
I miss my 1991 CRX Si every day! Sold it after 16 years and 321k trouble free miles. I have an 06 S2k now.
Well said. The crx are very often used in track class for 1.6l front wheel drive, an excellent platform and very light. I had one. You are spot on re the space in the back. Can literally take a washing machine. They were a small van. I think the design team wanted the car to work for a young person in their first home who would often have access to only one vehicle.....ps, now to go check the classifieds !
Absolutely loved mine, so much fun to drive.
I pre-ordered a 350z prior to 2003 when the car was coming out. Several months later I drove an S2000. I really think that if the S2000 came in a coupe, that would have been my preference. Anyone that wants a true sports car on a budget, I think this is the best offer under $20k (if you don't want the hassles/expense of the E46 M3, like I have dealt with as well as many others). I can't fathom how some one could drive a miata or a BRZ and actually buy it when they could buy a used, mint condition S2000 for less. Its a proper sports car and not a teenager car.
Is this not a coupe? It's two doors?
james baker nope. It’s a convertible.
The top spec ones come with a hardtop
S2K and MX-5 despite they are both roaster, they are very different car
I test drove a 350z and a s2000 and bought a s2000 it was much more fun to drive
I’ve owned 2 of these a 2001 and a 2005, only car I’d own again, I’d have another in a heart beat such a good car that really excites if you know how to drive them properly.
Great video.
The Honda S2000 is very wicked quick in the canyon and mountain-country roads.
great review!, ive owned an ek9/98 spec jdm dc2/turbo ep3/accord type s and so on and the s2k is the best driving honda by a country mile, i regularly drive my gf's one and its great, although it does feel the slowest of the performance vtec engines due to the torque, the older b18 in the dc2 felt more of an event although they are around 200kg's lighter
I’m glad they released the the 2.2 litre version here in North America, changed the stroke from 87mmx84mm (9k redline) to 87mmx90mm (8k redline), with some bolt ons the strokier f22c gives some good torque response much lower in the power band. It’s nice cuz you don’t have to flog the engine above vtec engagement to have a zippy responsive throttle feel
f22c is just stroked version of f20c. Block is identical, so all it takes is a stroker kit with f22 crank and any F20c S2k will get that torque and displacement.
I've got a prefacelift Honda Integra Type R you can review next year if you're interested. I'd like to hear what you have to say on it as I have just watched 3 of your videos and you give very good insights. Your channel deserves more subs and views. Keep it up!
I should add it's the DC5 so an early 2001 model that came after the DC2 and so is in fact JDM
+aevans148 That would be amazing! Drop me a line on jayemm89@gmail.com
Also regarded by some as the most dangerous Honda ever made kinda makes me love it even more
8:11 - what a suspension!
Fantastic car. My '03 is the only car I've ever regretted selling.
I'm a lucky man, and seeing comments like yours here make me realize it all the more. I've bought and sold a few weekenders since my early retirement, but have a feeling I won't be parting with my new-to-me 2003 any time soon - if ever. Just found it - a barely-driven AP1 with just 14k miles and love it. Feel so lucky to have a car that, for all intents and purposes, is akin to time traveling 15 years backward and having a brand new S2000. Weekend car and I keep it spotless, so feels like a new car every time I hop in. What a joy
My dream car !
Hey jay, loving these videos. Do you prefer this car to the gt86 you reviewed? it would be interesting to hear your opinion on how the two cars compare to each other.
Very different cars indeed. I think I would be tempted to modify both, as each feel like they would benefit from a bit more torque
12:35 I can hear Clarkson saying "Maniac!"
Haha me 2 😂😂
I want one
If you ever considered doing reviews on classic tractors I could have a word with my dad as he has a few
Checking the clearence at every 45000km is actually only 50-80 pounds in sweden at the dealer, got a quote yesteray actually! It´s only a 45-60 minute job, he said at the desk.
Epic 🚗 car!
Did the AP1 face lift get the chassis changes of the AP2?
Love my ap2, but have to disagree on the stiffness of the suspension. It's quite a rough ride in anything but a smooth road.
Spring rates changed several times during its run. 2004 was introduction of new engine in us market, transmission and suspension changes, steering ratio change compared original s2k and all those minus the engine did occur to facelift AP1 in europe/japan/australia. Then came removal of cable throttle and introductin of electronic one with traction control in 2006 with another set of changes to spring rates. CR was end of the line change and mostly brought back original ap1 turning and final drive ratioes on top of superly stiff suspension plus aero. Roads in uk are quite bouncy and rough, if he says its quite ok he probably drove ap1 from years that had the softest suspension so most likely 2006+.
"Open sports", dude! You don't know the real S2000 until you drove it hard with softtop down!
+LosEblos I don't mind driving with the roof down when it is cold, but it would have been tricky to hear me I think! Was breezy enough as it was
Breezieness isn't the point. The car sounds and feels very different with top down. And it is designed and heated good to drive at any time with top down, even in very low temperatures. You should have done it ;) Believe me!
+LosEblos Fortunately the car impressed even with roof up, which should say as much about it as anything
I drive my 2002 S2k every single time with roof down, except it rains.
Never driven a facelift S2000, but heard its not that pure as the preface.
Thanks for the right explanation of AP1 and AP2 👍
The entire time, I was wondering how on earth your voice was so clear with virtually no interior noise, as it is not a quiet car interior the top up. Some electronic wizardry going on there?
Oddly, with the top down, the engine takes on a well-oiled sewing machine-like sound, and the car seems to take on an air of perfectness that might even take you aback.
Would love to see you back in an S2000! Let me know if you’d like to drive a modified NA 1999 Japanese import with 145k on the clock 👍😂
That is one sexy car
Hi jay emm, any chance of a review of the Honda powered k20 Elise? As that engine in a car that handles and rides as well as the Elise would be worth watching.. also it would be good to get a comparison of both the Toyota powered Elise and a one with Honda powered?
As always, if I get the chance I will
The last great Honda is a bit harsh! The current and previous Civic Type R' s are amazing motors!
+Dj Mercenary The FK2 didn't get that much love when it came out, although the FK8 is doing better.
Dj Mercenary there's nothing amazing about a 3200 pound civic sorry and way slower than the competition and 2wd
Henry Ovalles that's the only issue I have with this kind of a topic. It's subjective. I love my EP3 civic. And bar the gear ratio problem that was referred to in this video have no gripes with it. But I'm well aware others feel that it's a piece of shit. It's all down to the person.
but they look like an unflushed abortion
Front wheel drive hatchback though
i had a 06 and 07. i was at a gas station and a guy came up to me and wanted to buy it…and he was driving a jag ftype r conv. w 550 hp! wow
Is there a place to rest your left foot while cruising? Something jeremey clarkson used always check. And how is the lump on the floor. Is it annoying?
Now that is how a four pot should sound! 😍
I don’t understand how they haven’t made a new one yet
Costs too much to develop a bespoke sports car for relatively few sales. Most people cannot appreciate these cars, they just want diesel powered pseudo-SUVs.
AP1 and AP2 was not an engine designation but chassis and suspension changes. the U.S. market received the AP2 first (04) with the F22C that eventually Japan got, but the European markets got the AP2 with the F20C throughout it's production run.
what made the S2000 special it was a bespoke Honda, there were no other Honda's that shared it's chassis, engine, transmission, even down to the "in wheel" double wishbone suspension design, was all for the S2000. if Honda decides to revive the model I guarantee it will share the same motor with the new CTR and it won't be as bespoke as the S2000 from 00-09.
I've had my 06 AP2 when it had 2 miles and it now has 187k, and there isn't a day that it doesn't make me feel like I'm going for pole position in Monaco.
Easter egg: when they were designing the S2000 they had a large top view picture of Ayrton Senna in his mclaren honda MP4/4. the single seater like the position of the seats where the door panel and transmission tunnel acts as extra bolsters to the position of the shifter, and even down to gauge pods. look at onboard footage of Senna in Monaco and you will see their inspiration.
AP2’s were never sold in Europe
A classic like the 2004-2005 Honda Rune
You know your stuff, Mister. Whether it is VWs Gorgeous Corrado or the even more gorgeous S2000, specialist sports derivatives cost money to make rather than make money. Ten tears ago, I was stupid. There was a 58 plate (almost new then and with almost no miles) S2000 for sale for less than £20K.
I had the money and had always loved its pure design and I faltered. The worst thing is that I knew that I was being stupid. Even my partner thought so.
Aw mate I feel bad for you! Never too late...
I really want bronze Mugen MF10s for my AP2..
Class like prelude crx nsx Integra civic type r
S2000 or mx5 ? that's like saying pussy cat or tiger, I've had both and there is no comparisons anywhere apart from the two seats and the country of origin. The Honda is a proper car no joke.nice vid J. Happy Christmas.
best car for the money
10:34 (Boogie woogie, woogie!)
the rear left brake rotor is cracked
You should be comparing this to the BMW Z4 3.0...mot the M3...and 180 for an oil change is STEEP...it's the Ultimate variation of the 2-2 in the Accord Type R from late 90s
Is this charcoal Grey i love that color
Ed A
Chicane silver metallic.
This color is only on 2008-2009 models.
Told that it's too quiet for a sports car? At wide open throttle it was louder than a Ferrari 355. One of the loudest of its time actually. F1 might hold the crown there.
Doesn't sound louder than a 355 to me
JayEmm on Cars My info is derived from a sports car comparison test from 1999. Pretty sure it was Road and Track or MotorTrend. They did a decibel comparison. 94 for the Honda 91 for the F355 if my memory serves me right. I read it a few years ago.
It's very likely USA and EU got different exhaust systems. The 355 is pleasantly vocal once the valve opens
JayEmm on Cars- Good point. I forgot to mention it was interior decibel.
Even if Honda did release the S2000 again, it will never have a naturally aspirated 9000rpm engine due to treehuggers... but it would be interesting to see if they can still build a car that weighs about the same as the original. In japan you can buy an S660 which is a midengined, turbocharged car that succeeded the Beat from the 90s.
I want to see an S2000 comparison with the Mazda MX-5 RF (specifically the Launch edition with BBS wheels), but can't find any video on youtube haha
What are the black things under the headlights of all UK S2000s?
Headlight washers
@@JayEmmOnCars Is that required by law in the UK? Seems weird on a car like this in a rainy country.
great cars shame the TAX man hits the later ones with a £500 tax bill :-( making a £12k car expensive to own.
btw, Electric steering on these, even though you would never know it. Such great "feel". I almost wouldn't mind getting one, just so I don't put miles on my 911.
I think the opposite the gearbox is decent but the engine is magnificent.
S2000 + 2.4L stroker Kit = @300+ HP AND....lowers the torque band a 2-3 thou RPM....now you’re talking
Loved my s2k but outgrew it extremely quickly due to the extreme lack of torque.
Curious to hear that a Lotus owner thinks the steering feel is good. Evo magazine has always maintained that the steering is vague, which I never understood.
+Martin Dobie No, i read the forums people criticising it but I think they bashed it because they wanted to hate on electric steering
The S2000 actually has a very unique electric steering system which I believe they patented. It's shaped like a push tube and feels just like hydraulic steering. It is a very interesting design. The feel is anything but vague. In fact, there is pretty much no way you would know its electric without being told or getting under the hood (bonnet).
I've owned my ap1 for 7yrs and the steering is more muted than other cars I've owned including more modern cars. But the chassis is extremely rigid and communicative so you know what the car is doing always
+9000Redline When I had done this review I looked up other reviews and saw people criticising the handling. I agree the chassis will help transmit the feel, and overall I felt it was decent if not perfect
The look alone is enough to give it a legendary status, the high revving engine and that gearbox make it nothing but certain
Owners 3rd s2000 and he didn’t know it had electric steering, not your typical S2K owner…
Now that you've sold your Elise, have you should consider this car to 'replace' you Elise? :D
Would love to hear you opinion on the comparison between the s2000 and RX7. I currently own a s2000 and am tossing up wether to sell to buy an RX7.
+joshua brien Very very different cars, personally I would have an RX7, easier to make swift progress
Did he say 180£ for an oil change? It takes conventional 10w30... Old Hondas hate synthetic.
That's main dealer prices, and I am fairly sure you should run this on fully synth?
JayEmm on Cars Appreciate the reply brother, but 300+ dollars for an oil change is insane. I'm a mechanic, and I assure you Honda recommends conventional 10w30 or 5w30 for those, depending on operating temperatures. VTECs burn oil, it's just a fact. Synthetic is so fine it just burns it faster. If anyone is charging 300 dollars for a conventional oil change they're flat-out thieving.
£180 is about $230 right now and that's a very reasonable price in the UK for a *main dealer* service - sure if I asked a local independent to do it that's way too much but its not the same
Too many restrictions for an S2000 in 2019 (at least in Europe)
Most Euro 4 cars are OK, late cars should be Euro 4
“In the early 1990’s... the Integra and Civic were the go to cars.”
No they weren’t. In the late 1990’s and early 00’s they were.
The S2k also revs to over 9k, not 8,800.
If this car is as good and beloved as people claim it is, why on earth didn't it sell in massive quantities? I'm just trying to understand what the hell happened.
people want to be seen driving a badge when they buy an expensive toy.
The last great honda is a Crx si then S2000 and i had and own both.
I had an 1990 CRX Si (over 200k miles). In 2002 I wanted a new car looked at the Miata (NB) and MR2 Spyder and Audi TT. I liked my CRX better, went to Honda dealer to buy another Civic... maybe a 2001 Prelude (they were being heavily discounted). I saw my next car a 2002 S2000 (sebring silver, red interior). It's 16 years old next month (01/2018), it only got about 65,000 miles on it.
No comparison bro. Both great cars but the s2000 is in another league
Useless in the wet.
Back in 2003, here in the south East we had a long and very hot summer and on one weekend we had these flash storms with heavy rain.
My friend at the time was a recovery truck driver, and I can remember him telling me that on that weekend, he was called to several ( or quite a few) accidents on country roads, all involving these cars, which had taken their owners by surprise and spun out in the wet and ended up in fields, ditches and wrapped around trees. I always rememberd that, and so won't consider buying one.
+green grass Tyre tech has definitely improved a lot in the last 15 years, I suspect not as many of those drivers were going as sensibly as they claimed either
They’re fine in the wet and on the snow, just don’t drive like a dick. They’re very dynamic, if you remember that and drive accordingly, you’re fine!
Did the EU cars get different stereos? The stock stereo in my S was absolutely dreadful.
Let's face it, if you want to drive the S2000 and keep it and yourself happy, you drive in lower gears and keep the revs up....., or don't complain about no torque.
compared to a Roush Mustang or any 6 cylinder BMW M car from the same time period - no, they do not ......
this guy could put a glass eye to sleep, great car
Si.
Fantastic car very skittish do
Best part about it ;)
good engine, good gearbox too but its made of chocolate... did the owner of this s2k tell you to not drive it quick or what, you drove it like i imagine my nan would
It was driven brisk enough. You don't see all the driving in the edit
@@JayEmmOnCars nice reviews mate
Thankyou
I did sound dampening for my 2005 s2000
I like your vids but really really wish you wouldn’t repeat very very so often.
I need to carry a thesaurus.
JayEmm on Cars you really really do and it would be very very appreciated by me. ;-)
So Japanese horses are a bit weaker than British horses?
Only in the S2k. Feels like a Honda civic until 2.5k from redline.
I laughed when the new MX-5 (Miata) came out. Here we are, 17 years since my S2000 was built, and it will kill a brand new MX-5 for a fraction of the cost............Honda really got it right. Mazda needs to take some lessons.
Can't really compare a used an a new car though. Not exactly a surprise that a used car is less expensive than a new one...
Although MX-5 and S2K are both roadster, they are very different car. MX-5 is light weight, low speed acceleration and great handling at slow speed corner. It is so easy to drive that, next door pensioner can drive it, auntie annie can drive it, a school leaver who just a license could drive it, on the other hand the S2K is asking you to rev it high to squeeze all the power, it would probably shine more in a track. They are focusing on very different audience (driver) and i think that's why MX-5 become one of the best selling car
Couldn’t disagree more, sales figures alone suggest Mazda have been getting it right since 1990. The s2000 is a fine car but it’s cramped, the engine whilst a gem needs to be thrashed constantly which gets tiring and used prices are silly.
@@Jabber-ig3iw the engine doesn't NEED to be thrashed, sure the peak power is at the top end. However, it's quick enough out of VTEC
Jabber 1974 The reason the used prices are ‘silly’ is because it’s better than a lot of new cars of the like such as the MX-5 and the GT86, and it is rare, no longer manufactured, and engineered better.
They MADE THE HONDA TYPE R. Last GREAT HONDA MY ASS! the TYPE R CIVIC IS ONE OF THE FASTEST CARS IN THE NURBURGRING. FASTER THAN THE $150,000 NISSAN GTR AROUND THE TRACK!
LIke the car, this review needs to get to the fucking point
Half of the people in the comments praising this car have 99% probably never driven this car I have and it’s utterly overrated and slow 💩
Have you ever driven one at Autocross or Track? I have & I can tell you they are very fast in the right hands.
sure bud @@Daniellihomes
If you roll it over your head gone and it’s slow honda forgot supercharger
Its reputation not it's.
"a certaing brasilian racedriver"? You cant say he`s name? Let me help you :) Ayrton Senna