Honda S2000: Spotted
Need some wheels for the four-day weekend?
The Honda S2000 has aged remarkably well, don't you think? If it were launched today, it'd need little more than a pair of day running lights and an infotainment screen to look cutting edge. Of course, the youthful look contrasts somewhat with the traditional hardware tucked underneath, given the high-revving naturally-aspirated four-pot engine and manual gearbox that typified Honda's glory days.
When it first launched back in 1999 the world was given an attainable sports that could spin its 2.0-litre engine's internals all the way to a rather exotic 9,000rpm. Oh how joyful that trait was. But it came with drawbacks, because without the assistance of a blower or hybrid gubbins like today's sporty stuff, the S2000 had to labour through a lacklustre bottom and mid-range, making its driver wait for a peak of just 153lb ft at 7,500rpm and 243hp 800 revs after that.
Honda's ying was the performance kick delivered by the longitudinally-mounted four as it entered its famed VTEC (y0) zone from 6,000rpm; the yang was living with the car day-to-day, as it didn't provide the muscular mid-range performance some might have expected from a two-door drop-top. It wasn't for everyone, then, but for those who loved its peaky performance, the S2000 followed the Civic Type R into Honda's hall of legends for its powertrain alone.
In the right circumstance, it was an excellent handling machine as well. Since the car was conceived from the off as a convertible, its internals were packaged neatly around its rigid X-bone-based monocoque structure to give it a 50:50 weight distribution and 1,260kg kerbweight - with the former helped by the motor's far back placement under the bonnet, which made it a front-mid-engined machine. It also meant that the S2000 offered more exciting performance than the less powerful Mazda MX-5 and MG F of the day, so long as you loved the thrill of a very mobile chassis.
The power delivery of the S2000 could made it spikey if you got greedy on the throttle with some steering lock on, so it demanded respect, especially in slippery conditions. But when you did nail a corner, the experience was exceptionally satisfying. Anyway, later versions were dialled back so they exhibited a more trustworthy nature, plus, the engine's top-end character was also reduced so power came in more smoothly. You could say this all helped the S2000 grow into its skin.
Today's Spotted is a 2007 car, so gets all of those changes, but its previous owner has upgraded both engine and chassis to provide it with even more focus. The 75k-old car now has a carbon fibre air box, which should give the already vocal 2.0-litre a glorious induction growl under load. And it rides on Ohlins DFV coilover suspension, which is high quality kit, with Mugen bushes and matching geometry, so the car ought to provide enhanced S2000 dynamics and responses. It also suggests the previous custodian really knew their stuff, which bodes well for the condition of the rest of the car. So while this £10,250 example is far from the cheapest, it stands strong as one of the finest we've seen.
SPECIFICATIONS - HONDA S2000
Engine: 1,997cc, 4-cyl
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 243@7,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 163@6,500rpm
MPG: 28.3
CO2: 236g/km
First registered: 2007
Recorded mileage: 75,000
Price New: £25,995
Yours for: £10,250
Click here to see the full ad.
I wouldn’t recommend one as an everyday car though as I find it hard work when not in the mood compared to a modern FI car and the revs sit at roughly 4K on a dual carriage way at ~70 which feels wearing at times!
For the price of 1 TTRS I get 2 cars.
I can't wait, pick mine up next week as its in the garage now getting a service and alloy wheel refurb. Ideally I wanted it for this weekend but no point rushing, I'll be keeping it for a long time!!
I bought my car on viewing it, like I viewed this one. Trust me, this one had seen a hard life.
I'm not sure how likely it is that you'll ever be in a position to buy a car from me so no need to worry on that front!!
I bought my car on viewing it, like I viewed this one. Trust me, this one had seen a hard life.
I'm not sure how likely it is that you'll ever be in a position to buy a car from me so no need to worry on that front!!
I booked a train to see this one, but decided not to go when the seller insisted I took cash with me then lied about where the nearest bank was. Blatantly a trader pretending to be a private seller.
Enquired about the grey one and just missed out!
Had 3 lined up to view on Sunday but they all sold on Saturday. Low mileage examples are in huge demand at the moment.
Pick it up next week, I can't wait!!
Ohlin suspension at £2k & Im pretty sure it's a PasswordJDM intake £500 (gives 10+Hp + 12ftlb tq) spends money on geometry an by looks of it decent tyres is often a much better person to buy a car from than a someone selling one for only marginally less that's been run on a shoestring budget consisting of potentially 15year old steering/suspension/brake components just good enough to pass an MOT .
Also, the guy selling wasn't the owner who had done the modifications, the car had been traded in and this guy was a trader. Things just didn't stack up for me
I just love it how you're all balled over with the advert without viewing the car!! If you were an employer and I was to send you my CV full of fairy tails are you automatically going to give me a job?!?!
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