What makes the Honda S2000 so special?
Posted by LeadershipOld1857@reddit | Autos | View on Reddit | 170 comments
Every car person I know either loves the S2000 or doesn't get it.
There's no in-between.
It's a 4-cylinder, no turbo, basic interior, weighs almost 3000 lbs, and was just a Honda when it came out. On paper, nothing special.
Early 2000's cars, and still a clean ones go for $30-35k and some of them hitting $60-80k!!
I see them in my morning routine on bringatrailer.com, carsandbids.com, and berniedaily.com - always priced higher than I expect.
So what is it actually? VTEC at 9000 rpm? The chassis? The fact that Honda hasn't built anything like it since? Or is it just nostalgia pricing because we know there'll never be another?
Curious what people who've actually owned or driven one think.
Professional-Put4394@reddit
It's the favourite of Vicky Butler-Henderson. That's all you need to know..
Unusual_Piano7118@reddit
Rear wheel drive.
high revs.
Light weight.
Boy, that was really hard to figure out.
WhiskersPixynipples@reddit
Also for the time, that engine made the most HP per liter/CI, than any other naturally aspirated engine in production…… If I remember correctly.
jointdawg@reddit
You're right. That's a biggie
JP147@reddit
Why is it a biggie outside of Japan where they tax cars based on engine displacement?
I would have thought power to engine weight is what matters.
bse50@reddit
Power is power, however a well designed engine can be appreciated in its own right for its engineering solutions.
jointdawg@reddit
You would think that. But earth's gravitational pull can change everything
--DoReFuckMi--@reddit
Also driver centric, and the engine is excellent to modify. And it's just a freaking Honda!
epic676@reddit
This thing has a giant engine bay for a 4 cylinder
--DoReFuckMi--@reddit
This too. Don't like the engine and want more out of the car? K24 swap it and itll be like nothing changed size wise
lo_mur@reddit
I mean that’s only an extra 200-400cc, most cars will accommodate that
bkilian93@reddit
They knew what they were doing.
crozone@reddit
I hear you can fit $100K under that hood!
hawksdiesel@reddit
This time
AutisticPizzaBoy@reddit
The S2000 is an excellent car. That said, it's also a victim of the 90-00's Japanese era hype like the NSX & Surpa before it. I would definitely say F&F & games like NFS helped shape these icons!
At some point these cars get "out priced" of the marked. You're definitely spending more towards buying a pop icon than the car that it actually is.
I personally think cars like the S1 Elise is a much greater car, minus the transmission. While being worth half the price of a similar condition S2000.
Dedward5@reddit
My wife had an S2000 and I never really liked it that much, I however have an Elsie S1 and it’s an infinitely better drivers car.
AlgernusPrime@reddit
It’s the shitty JDM fanboys, like myself, that is now grown up and have a bit of disposable income to burn. I’d love GTR R35 or a NSX, but not enough to drop 6 digits on a clean one. Whereas, I picked up my Cayman for the same price as a S2K. While I adore the S2K, but I’d take a Cayman with the mid-engine over the VTec engine any day.
WillTheThrill86@reddit
Its ironic as im far from a JDM fanboy but when i bought my s2k they were better value at time than used porches. But at current prices? I'd likely get a Boxster 987. I love my s2k but i think the JDM world is weird and fetishises cars like s2k too much.
Dan000@reddit
porch? genmay?
Eyehopeuchoke@reddit
Solid choice. I went e93 m3 (convertible) over the s2000 because it was years newer and almost the same price.
AlgernusPrime@reddit
Beautiful car, I still have my e92 335i with FBO in the garage. It’s a classic design, yea, we’re old.
Eyehopeuchoke@reddit
I just got rid of mine after going fbo! I was tired of the maintenance. It was such a beautiful car though!! Maybe I’ll go back someday.
AlgernusPrime@reddit
Tell me about it, I went through 2x Waterpump thermostat, 2x VCG, 2x OFHG, HPFP, oil cooler, and the list goes on. It’s just a blast and such a sleeper on the straight.
twinturbos@reddit
This is exactly why people love the s2000, lol. None of that headache.
GPWS2@reddit
The S2000 is a mid-engine car that is closer to 50/50 weight distribution. But given the choice it would be hard to choose between the two.
thisismiller@reddit
I agree and disagree at the same time. Definitely it’s priced higher due to the aura around the car. But I also think you can look at other cars which are even more out priced for what you get. Namely any vintage or air cooled Porsche, but there’s also the BMW M3 I’m aware of, both the E30 and E46 are priced higher than what you get from them. Of course that’s just my opinion.
AutisticPizzaBoy@reddit
More things can be true at the same time. The aircooled Porsches have definitely suffered the same fate, but for different reasons.
Funk5oulBrother@reddit
You forgot the most important one
It has a happy face.
M3tl@reddit
also one of the highest power to displacement ratios, at least for the F20s
LeadershipOld1857@reddit (OP)
Fair. But Miatas are all of those too and they don’t go for those prices. Something else is going on.
boturboegt@reddit
Don't forget they made like 1 million plus miatas. The s2000's were in far lower numbers, and was a much more expensive car from the get go. It's also a better car overall IMO, and I mean that without taking anything away from Miata's, as they are fantastic drivers cars.
twinturbos@reddit
Well said
dragunow80@reddit
Which Miata is light and revs high ?
jawnlerdoe@reddit
All of them are light. Significantly lighter than the S2000.
The NC2/3 and ND2/8 both have redlines close to 8k.
IKnowUselessThings@reddit
So not 8k? So over 1k less than an S2K and still make significantly less power?
jawnlerdoe@reddit
Still high revving.
Still similar power to weight because the S2K is a boat compared to an ND Miata.
IKnowUselessThings@reddit
Comparatively, not really which is the point.
So you're comparing it to a car that's 17 years newer? That's possibly the worst argument I've seen for an MX-5 being comparable to and S2000 yet.
jawnlerdoe@reddit
lol, every comment you move the goalpost even further. Have a nice day 👍
ciaranr1@reddit
YouArgueOverPointlessThings
IKnowUselessThings@reddit
YouDoTheSame
ciaranr1@reddit
Fair point!
FreidasBoss@reddit
NB Miata was significantly lighter.
dragunow80@reddit
If you look at the size of it she should be no more 1800lbs.
LeadershipOld1857@reddit (OP)
Miatas are light (NA is like 2200 lbs) but they don’t rev like an S2000. My point was more about the recipe being similar, RWD, manual, 4cyl, 2 seater - but the market treats them really differently. S2000 is 3x the price for a clean one.
dragunow80@reddit
My Miata is 2500lbs, it's got ford engine in it and that makes it neither light nor revving high. I still don't understand where's the weight as it's so tiny. I like it but wouldn't compare it to s2000 which I didn't drive. I would make comparison with Celica which was bigger, lighter, had high revving engine etc. think Miata got Americanised.
neverenoughguitars@reddit
I just looked it up cuz I didn't know but I guess there's over a 1,000,000 Miatas out there and then the S2k only had prediction numbers in the 113,000 range. I'm not dogging on you or anything though. I think that it's a special car for Honda as well, as for Mazda, absolutely the Miata is special but to most car guys the Miata pretty much IS Mazda and know that they are good cheap fun vs the Honda being this rare sort of thing for the company to be doing at that time and especially in the states.
george2597@reddit
Miatas are still being made. In my opinion, scarcity is probably most of the reason for the cost. It was only produced for about 10 years ending in 09.
StinkySoggyUnderwear@reddit
The Miata is a fun car that became Mazda’s backbone.
The S2000 came about as a halo car to display Honda’s engineering capabilities in a time when they were coming out of an era where they just transitioned from being an economy brand to being known for performance. So it’s built to be special.
Ottomatik80@reddit
Because they made thousands of times more Miatas than S2000s.
A Miata is a blast and equally a great drivers car, but the S2k has a bit more soul in my opinion.
cannedrex2406@reddit
For many people, the S2000 is just a bigger Miata, which appeals for those who think a Miata isn't enough
Captain3leg-s@reddit
They still make miatas...
McKnackus@reddit
It is also discontinued, unlike the Miata.
420_E-SportsMasta@reddit
S2000 revs higher and has more power while still being a relatively lightweight 2 seater. They also built more Miata’s than S2000s
Unusual_Piano7118@reddit
High revs.
NIRDSS@reddit
Its like a better miata. Everything you said plus 50/50 weight distribution, something that you can use to its full potential continuously and it was a lot cheaper when they came out. Its just a great great car by honda
twinturbos@reddit
I love my s2000, but the Miata is noticeably lighter and that counts for a lot
gmmech@reddit
don't forget the nearly equal 50/50 weight distribution
Dadskander@reddit
That's because it's technically a mid engine car, people just get fussy about the classification when it's front-mid, but the engine is behind the front tires.
Ombortron@reddit
Yeah the front-midship design is often a bit overlooked, there are some very well balanced chassis out there because of this design philosophy, from the Miata and S2000, to the bigger 350 / 370Z and their G35 and G37 cousins, and the RX7 and RX8 too, and in a different vein the G70 and Stinger. And of course a bunch of fancier cars too lol.
Legend13CNS@reddit
I think people really under appreciate the front-mid designs because they haven't driven cars that came before without that. If you start driving early 90s front-engined, RWD performance cars it becomes obvious real quick how different 60/40 weight distribution is from 50/50.
tubawhatever@reddit
50/50 or near 50/50 really makes cars more fun to drive and so many people who swap Miata or S2000s completely upset that balance.
wikipediabrown007@reddit
Your comment was informative and then unnecessarily snarky and mean
itsamurdermarge@reddit
Not just manual, one of the best manuals ever
Actuarial_type@reddit
I can’t say it’s the best manual ever made. But I can’t say that it isn’t.
elvenazn@reddit
MX-5 latest generation is finally scratching the surface of what the S2000 was - combining power to weight ratio enhancements
snowtato@reddit
Miata + power
curiousbydesign@reddit
Why be a dick with the last sentence?
gdubnz@reddit
Vtec goes bbbbbbrrrrRRRRRRAAARRRRP!
WhiskersPixynipples@reddit
And, It just kicked in, Yo!
natek11@reddit
Fairly reliable too
Iamthe0c3an2@reddit
Miat with a k-series
Sirlacker@reddit
I mean look at it. Amongst everything else said here about it's mechanical side, it's a piece of art.
Ottomatik80@reddit
Have you driven one? I had mine for almost a quarter million miles and used it as a DD. It is the definition of a drivers car. It’s not particularly fast, but it handles and is more than fast enough for a street car.
Beyond all that, it’s a Honda with late 90s Honda reliability.
LeadershipOld1857@reddit (OP)
Haven't driven one but I daily'd a Toyota 86 for years. Same idea - it's slow on paper, perfect on a road. Best daily I've owned. And you can get a clean much newer 86 for what S2000s cost now, which is kind of the puzzle. Same recipe, different prices.
Any-Actuator9935@reddit
The 86 is great, but a totally different experience.
The s2000 engine and transmission, despite their age are a different class, and it feels like it when you are staying in the power band (which is narrower than 86, however more room to play with power from 6-9k rpm.
Outside of things like interior rattles etc, the car feels composed like a modern sports car despite being 26 years old, completely different than the contemporary nb Miata which is also great but feels like an unstable tin can in comparison.
Puzzled_Elephant_190@reddit
I drove GT86s at work while I owned an S2000. The Toyota felt like a blunt object next to the Honda scalpel. Steering, gearshift, throttle response, engine noise: all so full compared to the Honda. The interior of the GT86 is also dull and cheap feeling in comparision. The Toyota was also much less tail-happy, which should be a positive, but somehow isn’t.
Ottomatik80@reddit
You’re comparing a choice Chuck roast to a prime ribeye.
Go drive one and you’ll understand.
LeadershipOld1857@reddit (OP)
The Chuck roast / ribeye line got me. I'll find one to drive - anyone here with an S2000 want to meet a stranger from the internet?
Edward_highmore@reddit
lol a couple years ago I was having a discussion on here with an mr2 owner, turned out we lived 30 minutes from each other so we met up and he drove my s2k and I drove his spyder
420aarong@reddit
That’s awesome I’d love to meet up with you guys
maxpowerz2@reddit
Where you at?
yudo@reddit
Cruising in a convertible with a K20 under the hood hitting VTEC with an Invidia Q300 exhaust is something an 86 will never be able to replicate unfortunately
Dedward5@reddit
Diddnt like the one my wife had. Feels Like your driving a barge with that long bonnet and sat at the back, engine was gutless low down and I never had much confidence in the handling.
I’m sure the hype is just from people who hadn’t driven them. I’m not saying they are terrible cars or anything, just not GOD level.
MichaelAuBelanger@reddit
When it came out it was not super special. Now any rear wheel drive manual is coveted. And that's it.
Ancient_Persimmon@reddit
It was definitely special when it came out:
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15142081/2000-honda-s2000-archived-test-review/
We were collectively salivating for several years while it got teased and was an instant bucket list car for a lot of people.
MichaelAuBelanger@reddit
Well I was there and could have bought one but for what would have been $70k in today's dollars for 240 Hp didn't really get me interested. My Prelude was $50k in today's dollars so another $20k didn't seem worth it for 40 Hp
Ancient_Persimmon@reddit
If that was your calculus to make the decision, it was never aimed at you in the first place.
MichaelAuBelanger@reddit
That's just basic math not calculus. And I guess not. Thanks
twinturbos@reddit
I think his point was, it's not about raw power numbers with this car. If that was your priority, you would have bought a Corvette or something. It's about high revving, balanced chassis, smooth shifting, technical, top down driving pleasure.
LeadershipOld1857@reddit (OP)
This is the most honest answer in the thread. It was a nice car at launch, priced ok. The legend status came later when nothing replaced it.
Ancient_Persimmon@reddit
It was the most anticipated automotive release of its year for anyone who liked cars, mostly because nothing was quite like it before it went on sale either.
MichaelAuBelanger@reddit
Correct. Today I would and do LOVE this car.
rdm55@reddit
Remember when these were almost cheap for a few years?
Puzzled_Elephant_190@reddit
That’s when I got mine, sold it a decade later (for a profit) because I was emigrating
LeadershipOld1857@reddit (OP)
Yeah like few years ago you could get a clean one for $15k. Wild to think about now. Same story with FD RX-7s and Supras.
B_Boudreaux@reddit
Same with Tacomas and 4Runners of that era. Ridiculous how expensive they have become. Shoulda bought one 10 years ago.
Nxion@reddit
7-10K no problem
Puzzled_Elephant_190@reddit
Do you know why MX-5s are great? Do you find them a bit too… sweet? Honda FIFY
007AU1@reddit
9K RMP
Traquer@reddit
They don't make it anymore. When they were around every corner I never really cared about it. Drove one and it was nice, but I was like it's too nice for a track car I'd rather use my Miata. But the S2K was a better Miata, and certainly a better sports car. Nothing like it anymore now.
twinturbos@reddit
There's stuff like it... Gt86, ND, even cayman gt4/boxter Spyder.... But nothing exactly like it
Traquer@reddit
Yup. GT86 isn't that good, ND is great but it's a "Miata", and the older German stuff is great but many people are worried about maintenance. You're right older Boxsters and Cayman S type cars aren't toooo expensive and are better in every way than the Honda, except for reliability I guess.
A GT4 would be a dream, that's my next sports car ideally. I've owned a bunch of Miatas, a few M3s etc.
Legitimate-Lab9077@reddit
9k RPM
norf937@reddit
Lightweight Honda & its rear wheel drive.
The end.
stoned-autistic-dude@reddit
Eh, it’s not that light. A stock ND Miata weighs 2400 lbs whereas the S2000 weighs a bit under 2900 lbs. It’s actually kind of a boat for what it is. Mine weighs just about 2700 lbs after swapping on Öhlins (saved maybe 60 lbs), gutting the soft top (about 90 lbs), and getting a lighter exhaust (saved like 45 lbs).
It’s a great car but it wasn’t exactly all that light stock. Unfortunate truth.
twinturbos@reddit
Ohlins save 16lbs, max.
AlgernusPrime@reddit
It’s comparable to my Cayman in weight, and I think that’s pretty lightweight in terms of power/weight ratio.
stoned-autistic-dude@reddit
Compared to the Miata, it’s a boat. A Cayman also has a more refined interior and a full chassis with a roof. The S2000 doesn’t.
AlgernusPrime@reddit
To be fair, almost any car feels like a boat compared to a Miata. I had 2 NAs and it’s as close to a go cart as you can get with a car.
thisismiller@reddit
I have replaced my suspension with Ohlins too… but dude did I really shave 60 lbs? That seems hard to believe.
What exhaust did you get?
thisismiller@reddit
Sorry to be the dude that fact checks you, but Ohlins advertises 16 lbs of savings, not 60.
stoned-autistic-dude@reddit
I weighed both boxes side by side. The Öhlins all together for all four corners was 45 lbs, and the OEM struts and springs with perches and such was about 90 lbs.
wrongwayup@reddit
When it came out, 200hp out of a 2l was absolutely insane
mixer73@reddit
Rose coloured glasses. Can't suck the skin off a custard.
invltrycuck@reddit
Near perfect 50/50 weight balance and the sweetest high revving engine ever put in a machine that was affordable for the masses
sweetrobna@reddit
They didn't make very many. Miata has sold about 10x as many. Even in years when they were both available miata outsold it
bigkekett@reddit
So not for the S2000 but I tried your pricing game and it’s cool
400Volts@reddit
High revving, lightweight, manual, rwd
Mugen887@reddit
I'd recommend this video, he does a pretty good job of explaining it.
FindingUsernamesSuck@reddit
Honda is kind of like the Toronto Maple Leafs. They have a deep fan base of people who know they shouldn't have expectations, but let themselves get disappointed anyway.
All the neat stuff - double wishbone suspensions, variable valves, cool sounds, amazing packaging - in Civics and Accords. Stubbornly, for more than 40 years now.
Over the course of those 40 years, they've only given in twice ever. The original NSX and the S2000. All Honda's ingenuity in a sports car, FINALLY. And it's as great as everyone imagined, they did an excellent job.
And then they just ended it all and went in this hybrid efficiency direction and RWD Honda fans have been blue balled ever since.
Today the Maple Leafs secured the first overall pick in this year's draft. They should be excellent, but they won't be. I still have to watch them though.
demonkeyed@reddit
Amazing engine (intake sounds and revs high, so nice, even taking one apart is a dream)
Great transmission
The digital dash
Clever interior with neat cubby storages and heat controls for top down mode
Good seats
Reliable
Even the top is nice
Raynenean@reddit
He’s got at least 100k$ under the hood lol
marrymemercedes@reddit
I’m saying this not as a Honda fan boy but as a car guy who usually leans more to the European side.
The S2000 was really special. It was a car dedicated to having fun in. RWD, the highest hp/litre naturally aspirated motor for a production car, manual transmission and it did what it set out to do really well.
Legend13CNS@reddit
Of all the cool cars I've had a chance to drive over the years, the S2000 is probably the highest on the list as far as "must be driven to be understood". The spec sheet is one thing, but once you get behind the wheel on a mountain road, on a sunny day with the top down, the numbers don't matter and it all makes sense. "Hey did you know the Miata is actually lig..." gets drowned out by 9,000 rpm and the fun you're having.
LeadershipOld1857@reddit (OP)
That’s it I think. It wasn’t trying to be a GT or a track car or a luxury thing, it was just trying to be fun and nailed it. Hard to find a car since that’s that focused.
Tumble85@reddit
Well, Miatas have existed for forever.
Initial-Relation-696@reddit
old mg guy here, no they havent
FreidasBoss@reddit
It really is a rather special car. As much as people like to compare it to the Miata, they’re very different.
CloudsTasteGeometric@reddit
High revving VTEC, and extremely workable powerband, lightweight, incredible transmission, planted and nimble handling…the list goes on.
None of these on their own are sufficient for an all time classic. But in concert with one another? It’s a nearly perfect sports car.
TheOGCJR@reddit
It’s impossible to hate if you get to drive it at speed in some twisties.
VlNDAZZLE@reddit
I mean haave they made another gen after?
Rubaiyat39@reddit
It epitomized the essence of the joy of driving - and did so while being incredibly understated. And because it was the truest drivers car maybe ever made it didn’t appeal widely and didn’t sell in massive numbers. But if you knew, you knew.
Dr__Nick@reddit
You have to enjoy the sound of an insane lawnmower, from what I remember of my test drives back in the day. Otherwise seemed like a lot of fun.
Mcook1357@reddit
It’s a legit hard try at a Miata clone. Most Miata clones are solid because everyone was trying to match the amazing work Mazda did.
RobertFahey@reddit
The same thing that made it tiring. The high-rpm requirement.
troubledbrew@reddit
It's the only Honda that takes a different oil filter. Basically every other Honda made takes the same oil filter part number besides the S2000.
Rapom613@reddit
It’s nimble, sharp, communicates well, well balanced, great brakes, one of the best shifters ever, one of the best 4 cylinders ever (ap1 revved to 9k in 2000) excellent hp/L, 50/50 weight balance, lightweight, and it looks good (to my eyes anyway)
Plus there hasn’t really been anything like it since.
slingshotroadster@reddit
Impossible to say u til you’ve driven one (for a while)
Arrgh98@reddit
Similar to a Miata but better
Sideworths@reddit
The engine with the right oil changes and the road ahead
mightyMirko@reddit
It’s the weight distribution and the steering control not only with the wheel but also with the foot (gas and brake)
StinkySoggyUnderwear@reddit
The S2K was built as a halo car to display Honda’s engineering capabilities in a time when they have just proven to the world that they can build world class performance machines.
It was the ultimate display of the combination of light weight, good suspension, good drivetrain, mated to a high revving inline-4 with a transmission geared properly to have fun the Honda way.
thingamajig1987@reddit
People are absolutely obsessed with Honda for better or worse, and this is a pretty unique Honda. If someone isn't a Honda fan, it's not likely to convert them, but Honda people go nuts for it. My friend had one with forged internals and he swore up and down he could beat my 3000GT even though I beat him every time we raced. He always had an excuse lol
PurpleSausage77@reddit
I missed the boat when I could get them for $8-12k, wouldn’t get one nowadays. C6 Corvette heck 2014-15 or so C7 Corvettes I’m seeing go for what people want for S2K. C6 Vettes weigh not a whole lot more considering. You mod the C6 a little and it will have modern day performance. I just watched Misha with his newly modified C6 and he’s going after Porsche GT3 performance in a manual transmission car lol.
I love my Toyota 86 1st gen. Last year picked it up for $10k usd with 17k original miles. Tons of parts out there new and used for it, for decently cheap. Mine had light body damage otherwise like a brand new car. Fixed roof, flat 4 low in the engine bay, 50/50 weight distro, mechanical LSD. However the engine isn’t nearly as fun as a high revving Honda. I’ll be doing tune/header on it to get \~190 to the wheels at least, while giving it the UEL flat4 rumble and getting rid of the torque dip.
I’d be looking at K swaps and lightweight GM V8 swaps. Or 2nd gen 86 FA24 swap that can make 230whp with just header/tune (265hp crank).
Initial-Relation-696@reddit
on Cars and Bids right now there is a 20 year old miata going for $12000, arent manufacturers watching what people are paying good money for at auctions,older low slung wagons bmw mercedes volvo selling very nicely. I have had mg's 280z and bikes, they all put a big smile on your face. That 2000 would be a blast.
TheGuyDoug@reddit
Who could possibly "not get it"?
I could understand if it's not high on one's list, but what's not to like about it
lord_miller@reddit
I learned to drive stick on an S2K. Amazing car, got into quite a bit of trouble with it up in the mountains. Racing downhill, carving winding roads.
LeadershipOld1857@reddit (OP)
For anyone curious about the pricing thing - I built a daily car price guessing game (berniedaily.com) where you guess what cars actually sold for at auction. S2000s are one of the most consistently over-guessed cars on there. People price the legend, not the market.
Dangermouse454@reddit
“This fools running a Honda 2000!”
It_Is_What_It_Is1001@reddit
It has the best feeling shifter I’ve ever experienced. Revving to 9k with a lightweight, nimble car is bliss.
StandupJetskier@reddit
Proof Honda CAN do it, if they even pay attention....instead we get endless Acuras and no RWD chassis or real performance variants of other models. The occasional R is just an excuse for dealers to charge Mercedes money for the two they get.
newoldschool@reddit
perfect balance between power and control
LeadershipOld1857@reddit (OP)
Yeah that's the thing. Modern sports cars all have too much power for the road. What's the last car that had that same balance? 86/BRZ? ND Miata? Genuinely can't think of many.
newoldschool@reddit
86/BRZ was decent but the power delivery wasn't as smooth as the s2000
the Nd Miata isn't as dynamic
the s2000 was the last of the 90s front engine rear wheel drive formula that Japan perfected with the rx7, s13/14/15
the z is around but the front end feels a bit too heavy with the v6
the original formula was to have a light rev happy engine far back in the engine bay like a proper race car
ChuckoRuckus@reddit
For the time, it was a Miata on steroids
Left4DayZGone@reddit
I mean, look at it
EmperorUmi@reddit
I owned an ‘07 AP2 that I traded in for an ‘08 AP2 CR. I owned both for ~2 years.
I own a Lotus Elise now, but in between, I owned some whatever-ass cars.
The S2000, for most people, is as close to a street legal go-kart as you can get. It’s comfortable to get in and out of, it revs to limits only really seen in sports bike and super cars, and the top can be dropped within 7 seconds.
The trunk isn’t necessarily spacious, but it has enough space for most people to carry around whatever daily items they want.
It also looks sooooooo fucking good. These cars were initially released in 1999 as a 2000 model year, and there’s no one who can convince me that it wouldn’t still look modern by just changing the headlights & taillights. The design is timeless.
Dr_Kerporkian@reddit
“It’s the only car known to man that will make a Miata owner shut the fuck up.” - RCR
balthaharis@reddit
One of the very few rwd hondas
CurrentlyEatingBagel@reddit
Growing up I always thought it was one of the coolest cars I’ve seen. There’s something neat about a small two seater that’s made for fun. It feels like it was a time when they made cool looking sports cars for the people. If I could afford one I’d scoop one up in a heartbeat. Not as coveted but I’d put the following in a similar category:
MR2 Spyder
Del Sol
Saturn Sky (mainly styling wise)
plumriv@reddit
200 hp from two liters.
Joeyjackhammer@reddit
High revving, rear wheel drive roadster with a stick made by Honda. Pretty self-explanatory
Narf234@reddit
About 120 horsepower per liter…that is insane coming from a naturally aspirated engine. PLUS, it’s a Honda AND it shifts like a dream.
Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit
Nothing
Herr_Poopypants@reddit
I owned an 01 and it’s still my favorite car I’ve owned. It was just such a fun drivers car that loved to be pushed hard. It also had one of the best feeling gearboxes I’ve ever driven.
It was/is just an overall solid car too, doesn’t feel cheap, and is actually really reliable
madsoul@reddit
Probably the nicest gear shift ever used. You can flick through the gear with a confidence I’ve never seen in another car. That and the 240hp, 9k rev limit, in a light car.
StatementOk470@reddit
I think it’s all of the above tbh.
LeadershipOld1857@reddit (OP)
Yeah probably. Just feels like the sum is bigger than the parts with this car.
StatementOk470@reddit
Yeah you said it yourself: pretty much nobody ever did anything like it again, apart from than Mazda and maaaybe Toyota (MR2 Spyder), and the cars that followed a similar recipe have enjoyed cult followings.
Max_Downforce@reddit
It's a driver's car. Exists to bring driving joy.