2005 Honda S2000 User Reviews

Pros

Fun fun fun, good look, handling, good power, smooth i-vtec, wonderful manual transmission

Cons

nothing

Purchased As Used

Gosh, this is a fun car. I used to have a Miata. As far as the fun factor it's about the same but this car is much faster than the Miata. The build quality seems to be better than the Mazdas. I love the screaming sound of the i-vtec when i push it. If you drive it like you drive regular cars then it's very boring. It's only start getting fun when you start playing with it.
I also had the 2005 RX8. The S2000 is a little faster but not much. Handling and stability at high speed at twisty roads wise, i might have to go with the RX8. The gear box is about even. The RX8 is easier to live with daily driving due to softer suspensions. The rotary engine of the RX8 is, of course, much smoother than that of the S2K is. But overall I still give the S2K just a little higher point than the RX8 because of reliability, convertible, and easier to maintain. The bottom line is the S2000 is a very good car, good look, good handling, fast enough to be called sports car, extremely well built, reliable, and of course.........fun! Get one if you can b/c this will be the last year of her production. You won't regret it....read morehide

Pros

Looks, feel, performance and attitude

Cons

still looking...

Why would you buy this car? I'll tell you why. You just got some extra cash and you want the unbelievable handling of the top end sports cars and the price and reliability of a Honda. I bought my 05 in May and have racked up nearly 40k in just 9 months. I can’t stay out of this thing and I can’t help but love the looks I get. I put vertical doors on it and 19" chrome. A stock wing is in the works and this thing is the best looking car on the road... PERIOD! It’s faster then that silver boxter I took up the hill in 5th gear and I topped it out at 156 flat and cold... without engine work or anything. I’m happy with it… to say the least. Its truly a dedicated sports car so its not for the family but if I had a buck for every knucklehead that saw me on the street, wanted to take it a light or two and grossly underestimated the crisp, sharp power and giddy-up of this little monster before and after the v-tech kicks in, I’d have a payment all but made! It’s like nothing you expect and everything you were hoping for! And off the line or at 6th is fast… I mean fast, and handles tight and responsive, no slop and no play. In just getting my second set of rear tires cause nothing I ever experienced is as exhilarating as drifting around a smooth wide sweeper… Yeah, its worth what I gave for it!...read morehide

Pros

One of the best transmissions in the world, Fast, SOO SOO COOL

Cons

Small Trunk but who cars. 2 less horsepower than last year

Honda is known for Reliable Cars. Not really known for fast cars (ecexpt for the Acura NSX). Honda is known for boring cars. (like the Civic). Latly Honda has been introducing some funky cars like the Ridgeline (a full size plastic Tonka toy). In 2000 Honda Introduced the Honda S2000 (I know I still dont get the 2000). It is one of best lookings Cars Ive ever seen. Forget about the Slow Miata MX-5. Forget about the overly expensive BMW Z4 or the midlife Crisis Proche 911. Forget about the ugly,girly Pontiac Solisitc. Know that the S2000 is your dream Roadster. First off the Honda packs in 238 (2 less from last year and the same as a RX-8) from an inline 4 engine. Still, It is un-turbo or supercharged. It goes Nowhere to 60 in around 5 and a half seconds. My favorite thing about this car is the Transmission. It has one of the best Transmissions in the world....read morehide

Pros

Handles like nothing you have ever driven under 80k. This car is a dream to drive.

Cons

True Sportscar Roadster, Looking for a Smooth Ride, Get a Family Car!

Not meant for a smooth ride. If you looking for that, get a family or a wannbe sports car. True F1 Formula Racecar technology incorporated. This car totally is awesome, I promise it will turn heads and people will ask you questions and even want to have pictures taken close to or even in it.

True you can find a faster car; you would have to pay 40k more to get it. Handling is second to none as it hugs corners like gum on your shoes. Gas mileage is decent at 25 hwy. I get more in this small tank. The engine is Screamer. Even though I would never do this again, 2 gear at 80mph (not paying attention) and yes, the system prevented it from blowing up. With a top speed of 162mph, above 100mph, very stable and downforce is extreamely good, even with top down. Off the start acceleration is a little slow but formulas do the same. But once you’re on the road, watch out!

Great joy to drive radio is a little drowned out by road noise and air noise. Recommend headrest speakers. Would recommend this car over ANYTHING the other car manufactures offer. Want to turn heads; this car will do it guaranteed!

As I said, don't complain about rough ride or noise. If you are a true racing/roadster enthusiast, then this is the car, if you are a wannbe, just don't be around when a S2000 is in the area....read morehide

Pros

This car is a true roadster..Engine screams at high rpm..A real gem

Cons

Can't find one ..Compared to competitive off sets

Nedd to rev engine first gear into second to get smooth transition..I have a 2003 which works into the 2006 model..Corners extremely well .. Tires don't last that long..approx. 20m kms..
Mazda tried to dublicate it but no such luck..Most of you find it hard to get in and out..Yes ..its a sports car !!! Best buy for the Money .....read morehide

Pros

Handling, Brakes, Engine, Value for the money, top build quality

Cons

The usual for a convertible sports car: noise, blind spot (top up), trunk space

I have had this car for 5 years now and over 60k and it's just as good and tight as new. Other than regular scheduled maintenance and new tires (Bridgestone S-03s are great) all this car has ever needed is gas and some oil!

If I felt the need for a new car now (which I don't) it would be impossible to find another car that does as much for the same amount of money other than a new S2000. A friend who bought his S2000 in '00 like me ended up buying a new 2005 model and dropping a supercharger in it (and upgrading the suspension), which is really the only serious upgrade one should consider on this car.

Most of the gripes with the first generation model have now been addressed in the new models: glass back window, upgraded stereo with an extra set of speakers, tweaked suspention to tame it a bit at the limit and now 17" wheels. The enlarged engine does even give it a bit more torque under the magic 6k mark where you spend most of your time in day to day driving. But I'd rather keep my manic 9k red line and eventually drop a supercharger in there (around $5k) to really get some extra grunt. The 2.4l may be a bit quicker than the 2l but it does not _feel_ quicker. And let's face it a big part of the fun of this car is listening to it the top down at red line in second where you feel like you're driving a race car at top speed even though you're only going 60 (:. That feeling more than makes up for the lack of torque below 6k (not that it's completely gutless there mind you (imagine a Civic Si), just don't expect V8 power unless you're past that magic 6k and into the power band). It's that Jekyl/Hyde personality of the VTEC engine that makes this car so endearing.

I also absolutely love the brakes, once youre used to them every other car's brake will feel lame in comparison (same goes for the gear box), limited slip diff, and ... lack of traction control (yes, I don't mind ABS but don't like ESP), although I could live with a bit more steering feel.

As for the cons, they are the same as for any convertible sports car: noisy, tiring long distance, stiff, large blind spot when the top is up, small trunk, low ground clearance, etc... Nothing you would not experience in a Boxster, Z4, Miata, etc... I would even say the S2000 is pretty balanced in that respect, not being especially bad in any of those areas. It has more trunk than a Miata, more ground clearance than my old Alfa Spider, etc...

In conclusion it's definitely a driver's car, and you will need to work it (and maybe some talent) to drive it really fast, but it's still civilized enough to be a good daily driver. And you can't beat the value for the money !...read morehide

Pros

Redline, Handling, Driver's Car and Features, Like riding a motorcycle

Cons

would love this car if it could pull a sub 5 sec 0-60. Crap Stereo.

I test drove all the competitors, and a few cars into the 90K range. I can reasonably afford a car up to about $65K without being silly ("you know, the guys who drive their Viper up to their doublewide trailer."). I put the car away in the winter and drive my Cherokee until the roads are washed of Salt (live in Northeast). For kicks, I installed a titanium strut bar and a Cross bar aftermarket...that is all that I have done and it made very little difference truthfully.

I have always wanted the Porsche to convince me and thought the 997S would do so. So, why am I still driving that 2004 S2000 which now has 22K miles. Here's why no other car has won me over...yet:

Lotus Elise: A real screamer, but I drive my two seater almost every day. There is not enough of an increase in performance to trade off for the discomfort of that car. Plus, my guess is that there will be maintenance problems.

Mustang: Handling is like a pig in comparison. Very big and different car.

Corvette: I tested the 04 and found it seriously lacking. The Z06 may be the big winner, but I am concerned that the handling might not be there. The z06 is on the possible purchase and get rid of the S2000.

Viper: never tested.

Porsche C4S (2003): Was willing to get this car...but I have just as much fun in my S2000 for a third of the price. Could not pull the trigger.

Porsche Turbo: This car is insanely fun and fast and well put together, but is out of my price range. 100K plus

Porsche 997S: Just not compelling enough to spend 80K vs. my 30K roadster which continues to be a blast in the twisties.

Mercedes E55: This car almost did it...and was worth blowing my budget. I tested it and told the guy: if you will give me this car for 70K...I will buy it right now. Alas they wanted 75K and I walked. Wow what a car.

BMW M5 2006...not tested yet, but the car sounds awesome. Outside of the price point for me though.

350Z: I preferred the screaming 4 cylinder. Still a good car and great competition.

I hope this is helpful. I am a lifelong superbike rider...this car is the closest I have found to the experience for a reasonable amount of money. If I win the lotto, I will buy the Ferrari. Until then...nobody has made a car that is more fun to drive for the money. This I am absolutely sure of. Best Regards, O...read morehide

Pros

fast car, very good handling

Cons

the top make too much noise, and interior is too small,a little dangerous when you drive in the rain

I bought this car brand new as a 05 model. so far i have about 3000 miles on it and i love the car.good fuel economy for a true sports car. but the fact that the top makes a lot of noises which bothers me. I recommend this car for anyone.

Pros

performance, handling, great looks,

Cons

none, what a beautiful machine

This is a fast high quality machine that is a pure sports car. If you want a "whimp car " spend more on a BMW.

Pros

Go Kart handeling, ripping acelleration, formula 1 sounds

Cons

interior leg room could be better, but, Hey I'm 6'4,

A thrill to drive every time I get in it, looks good with top up,looks great with top down. Few people seem to know what it is or who makes it. Mid life Fix for me and much cheaper than the competition, this is my 5th new Honda purchase in 7 years, they all have been great cars. There are those that say it rides rough, I have not noticed that at all, after all it is a sports car. Zoom Zoom Zoom is for girls, wam bam is the S2000 crank it up....read morehide