Honda S2000 | Spotted
Been touting the S2000 as a future classic? Now it is...
It was never any great shock to find the Honda S2000 in various 'future classic' listicles, even when it was still in production. Why? Because it so perfectly fit all the criteria typically associated with future desirability. Here was a fast, pretty, exciting and yet reliable two-seat roadster, one with a screaming engine, little in the way of fripperies and distractions, plus the enviable reputation of having never been replaced. Nothing works wonders for values like people wanting what they can't have.
Even as S2000 production came to an end a decade ago, it was clear that cars like it wouldn't continue for much longer. The world was mired in an economic downturn, which Honda responded to even more drastically than most, killing all of its fun stuff, and emissions regulation was becoming harder to get around. Even then, less than 30mpg and nearly 250g/km of CO2 was a tough sell, especially when cars like the Scirocco R arrived with another 20hp, 35mpg and comfortably less than 200g/km.
But, of course, that's flipped on its head as a secondhand purchase. The turbocharging and downsizing revolution has continued in earnest, making the S2000's blend of talents even more appealing. The F20 2.0-litre engine was remarkable in its time; nowadays it feels like a race car engine, liberated from torpid turbo response that afflicts so many cars, and sufficient reason on its own to buy the car. Especially so when matched to that sublime six-speed manual gearbox.
That the S2000 was never the very best driver's car is becoming less and less relevant as Honda (and the world) moves away from relatively simple, back-to-basics drop tops. Nowadays only the MX-5 replicates it, for which Mazda should be applauded. As something approaching a classic - the original having arrived 20 years ago, don't forget - the S2000 can be celebrated for what it offers as a weekend proposition rather than what it lacks as an everyday sports car. And the prospect of 9,000rpm, that gearbox, a simple, driver-focussed interior and the ability to drop the roof in just a few seconds must hold some considerable appeal in a contemporary world.
The S2000's significance and cult status now mean the days of good £5k cars are gone; this car is the most expensive currently available, one of the 100 very coveted GT Edition 100s, and it'll set you back £25k. With less than 30,000 miles and looking just as good as it would have in 2009, it's the best of the bunch as far as Honda's revered roadster goes.
Debate will rage as to whether the S2000 can now be worth what it cost new, though the general appreciation in secondhand values demonstrates the market's fondness for it. A Mazda RX-8 has an equally thrilling drivetrain, and is actually the better car to drive, but its dire reliability record has ensured values have remained in the gutter. Moreover, even the very best Mk1 TTs are only being advertised at £15k, with the same money also buying a late, low-mileage 350Z. Even a BMW Z4 M Roadster with similar mileage to the S2000 is less money, which says a lot about how in demand the Honda currently is.
All of which might suggest now isn't the time to buy an S2000, and that it's currently a sellers' market more than anything else. That said, the affection and enthusiasm for it doesn't look like waning any time soon, and may even strengthen as the car moves further into classic status. While it may cost more than ever to get into an S2000, it's probably looking a safer place for your money than it hybridisation won't happen in the mainstream again; any chance to experience it will surely only become ever more of a selling point. And what more excuse do you need than that?
SPECIFICATION - HONDA S2000 GT EDITION 100
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: 2009
Recorded mileage: 29,000
Price new: £29,086
Yours for: £24,995
Almost bought a new one of these in 2003 but just couldn’t quite gel with it. The engine was too much like a sewing machine and the handling was poor in the wet and the odds of successfully driving with a bit of oversteer were low given the nature of the Vtec engine. Lovely gearshift though. Narrow seats.
Article text has been mangled in the final paragraph:
While it may cost more than ever to get into an S2000, it's probably looking a safer place for your money than it hybridisation won't happen in the mainstream again; any chance to experience it will surely only become ever more of a selling point. And what more excuse do you need than that?
Any chance PH could get rid of the dog that mangles all the manuscripts before they make it onto the website?
The price is more than I'd be prepared to pay although as I've said with other mint cars, if that's the model you want then it has to be one of the cleanest low mileage cars around. I can appreciate that if you want the best of a model that's desirable to you then the price is what it is.
keeps me awake and with a good exhaust system it sounds epic too.
it needs to be driven to move but in the corners etc not much will make you smile as much as this. It seems to be marmite, some people love the engine others dislike it..
On the right road, in the right conditions, it was fantastic (they both were); but in the wet, the cold, or in traffic, it was a pain in the arse. No torque, clutch like an on/off switch, and tricky if grip was limited.I fell out of love with it in the end, as I wasn't getting to drive it enough in the right conditions, and by the time I'd got to somewhere with the right conditions I was fed up with driving it.
The constant sniping on S2KUK forum about chocolate engines due to crank end float in some 09 model year engines didn't help either, even though my engine was confirmed as ok by Honda UK there was always the worry in the back of my mind that it was about to go bang. Nothing ever went wrong while I owned it, it was totally reliable and felt very solid, but the niggle was always there.
But, I will never forget the feeling and the sound of revving it to 9,000rpm, the (S2K cliche alert) rifle bolt gear change, or the feeling of blasting through the Alps with the top down and the sun shining.
I PX'd it against a C63 in 2014, and got £12,500 for it. Ouch, looking at prices now. But £500 over CAP clean at the time. Oh well.
Would I have another? Probably yes, despite everything negative I've said about it. Would I spend £25k on it? No way. I paid not much more than that for a 987.2 Cayman S about a year ago, and that is much more usable, better handling, and quicker across country.
Just miss the wind in what little there is left of my hair...but I didn't want a Boxster.
Loved the car, a few little modifications and drove across Europe in it. Was expensive to tax and parts like dampers were silly expensive too for what they were, but really did love it and used it everyday for 4 years.
Not sure I'd have one now though, whilst great on a b road it became a chore on British motorways and ultimately why I got rid. For a blast it was awesome though, even if a turbocharged hatch would disappear nowadays the feel and event of reving out to the red line and the gearbox action was lovely.
Slowly talked myself in this reply to wanting another one.
I remember when there was an abundance of these for £5k. There was even an awful mint green coloured one locally that did the rounds on the local for sale groups changing hands for a few grand each time. It had a huge Halfords spoiler and desperately needed valve stem seals doing according to one of the more honest ads I saw, but I only ever saw it driven by a succession of quick fix owners for a few months each time. How I regret not snatching it up and saving it now!
Would love to drive one to see just how tricky they are to drive. I remember being at a Honda UK ran trackday in our NSX and it was hilarious watching them spin everywhere. I'll never forget following three of them: the guy in front spun and the other two panicked, lifted off and sympathetically spun in beautiful, almost orchestrated tandem.
And yet, you watch the Best Motoring videos and the modified ones look rapid. I mean, how can you go wrong with front-engined, rear wheel drive, a naturally aspirated engine revving to 9,000rpm and that gearbox?
Is something actually 'wrong' with the car, or were there too many people coming from safe FWD hot hatches who couldn't drive for toffee?
Almost bought a new one of these in 2003 but just couldn’t quite gel with it. The engine was too much like a sewing machine and the handling was poor in the wet and the odds of successfully driving with a bit of oversteer were low given the nature of the Vtec engine. Lovely gearshift though. Narrow seats.
I was looking to trade up from my Mk1 '5 at the time for something a bit more grown up and mildly more practical.
For the 10k at the time to change I just could not see where the money went. Certainly not in the driving experience.
Passed on the car, but still have the OldFiver
I certainly wouldn't call the chassis "snappy", although it's slightly less benign than an MX5.
they can bite and with vtec at 6k can spit you out randomly but I haven't had any issues with mine.
it is a facelift 04 one with "less snapy" geo and ohlins/wider tyres and good alignment so makes a difference but car is very predictable.
- Powertrain is brilliant, although a different airbox might make the note a little better.
- Handling can be tamed substantially with the right geometry and some additional bracing (no need to change springs/dampers, although there are people that do
- It's quite possible to steer on the throttle without disappearing into the scenery, you just need to remember the pedal isn't an on/off switch.
Would I pay £25k for one when that would get me a (in most regards better) 981 Boxster-S? No. Sorry...I'm a Honda fanboy (to a degree), but that's stretching credibility.
Almost bought a new one of these in 2003 but just couldn’t quite gel with it. The engine was too much like a sewing machine...
keeps me awake and with a good exhaust system it sounds epic too.
it needs to be driven to move but in the corners etc not much will make you smile as much as this. It seems to be marmite, some people love the engine others dislike it..
I really like these, thought they were cool when they came out and still think they’re cool. Love the simple, understated but pretty looks. Used o see a fair few around, but they seem pretty rare these days.
As much as I like them, £25k is a lot of money for one.
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