The Honda S2000 Is A Surprisingly Great Daily Driver (For Me)

"Michael Cohen" (hofmeisterkinky) 12/11/2019 at 17:34 • Filed to: honda s2000, V-Tec, VTEC Yo, Convertible, daily driver, F20C

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The first Honda S2000 came out over 20 years ago in 1999. It was a sensation !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and still holds its own against the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! today. There’s been a lot written and filmed about it since. I’m not sure there’s a lot left to say about them on track or in the canyons. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ( !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! !) and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! of my favorite writers have owned one at some point. One thing I’m not sure a lot reviewers take the time to convey is what a pleasure one can be as a daily driver—with some qualifications.

I’ll start where everyone does, with the engine, a two liter naturally aspirated four cylinder that revs to 9000 rpm and makes 237 hp. (For North America in 2004, Honda gave the facelift version a 2.2 liter that didn’t rev as high but made more torque.) That may not sound like a lot of power today but in 2000 a V8 Mustang GT made 260 hp and was slower to 60 and the quarter mile. So naturally, when one gets in a Honda S2000 for the first time the thing to do is wind out the engine. Blessed with VTEC, Honda’s variable valve timing system, a second larger cam shaft comes on at around 6000 rpm and the engine really wakes up. I won’t go into details about the chassis details suffice Honda put as much work in there as they did the engine. Again, if you’re an enthusiast you’ve probably heard this story.

What you may not have heard is how good the S2000 is at just being a car around town. I wouldn’t recommend an S2000 for its luxury and comfort alone, duh. That’s not why I have it. I have it because it’s fast enough to be fun, I can push hard on the streets at legal speeds more or less, and the handling is sublime. Having said that it’s marvelous daily, not in spite of it the reasons it makes a great sports car but perhaps because of them.

I’ll start with the steering which is as precise as anything I’ve ever driven. Steering may the most underrated part of luxury; the thing that makes some sports cars more luxurious than some luxury cars. Let me sidetrack here with a Lincoln Navigator. I drove one on a trip to Utah last year. The rental place was out of stock on my usual budget sedan but they were nice enough to offer me a ‘Gator for just $15 extra per day. The Lincoln checked almost every box for luxury one could imagine—plush lush leather seats with heating and ventilation, big infotainment screen with CarPlay, etc. The engine was powerful and the tranny fast. The problem was the steering was so vague, so Mario Kart, that I couldn’t be sure where the thing was going. Even driving straight on the highway I was constantly—and more important consciously—tugging at the steering wheel. In the S2000 I just look where I want to go and the car seems to go there on its own. Track guys say that the electric steering rack of the S2000 doesn’t communicate when the front tires are losing grip. I’m sure they’re right but in almost any street driving, the lack of tire feel through the steering doesn’t matter.

The ride of the S2000 isn’t soft like the Navigator but it does have double wishbone suspension front and rear which means that the handling is fantastic (see above: steering) and the ride is also compliant. (This is true of Miatas.) It’s a shame more cars don’t have double wishbones. I’m not that technical but I’m told they are more complex, take up more space, and are expensive than typical McPherson struts. This is also illustrates something that I love about purpose-built sports cars, as opposed to, say, hot hatches or a BMW M sedan. The ride and handling are built in. The S2000 doesn’t start life as an entry level car that is then handed to another division called, M, N, AMG, etc. to make it sporty. It doesn’t have to be !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! in order to handle. (I’ll acknowledge that some of the modern adaptive suspensions like GM’s magnetorheological dampers do deliver on handling and comfort.)

The seats of the S2000 look sporty and well bolstered but the operative word is “look”. They don’t actually hug you in place so under hard cornering you end sliding on the slippery leather between the door and the transmission tunnel. Most guys who seriously track these end up installing aftermarket bucket seats. Having said that, the stock seats are comfortable.

The build quality of these Hondas is fantastic. They’ve held up far better than Porsches and BMWs of the early aughts. If you’ve been in those cars lately, you know this is faint praise. The grab handles are still tight. Buttons click with a positive, well, click. The doors close with a satisfying thunk.

Careful readers will note I made a qualified statement about rattles—the interior. The soft top and its metal latches are the biggest noise makers though I don’t hear much from them with the top down. I’m usually listening to music so I don’t hear them at all. When I’m not listening to the stereo that’s because I’m driving hard and listening the induction noise aft and exhaust rear—again, I don’t hear the rattles. Driving top up is a different story. Not only are there rattles but the thin top seems to transmit and reverberate noise. I’m not sure it’s louder than top down but its a bad buzzy sound. In my case, it matters not. I only drive with top up if its raining or a passenger is complaining. Since its not the car I use for driving in the rain or transporting people for anything but short trips, it’s not a problem.

The shifter of the S2000 is a masterpiece. If there’s a better one I haven’t used it. Invariably any current or former owner will use the S2000 shifter as the benchmark to judge all others. It’s simply a joy and when I’m not winding out engine because I can’t always “ !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ”, I find myself short shifting just so I can rev match down shift. (The pedals are perfectly spaced for heel and toe.) As with the steering, the precision and confidence of shifting the S2000 makes it luxury in way that, say, BMW and its vague shifters don’t. There’s none of that worry of “am I going into fourth or second here?”

Another element of luxury is torque, that feeling of easy power. The S2000 doesn’t have it. The 237 horsepower engine makes just 151 lbs feet of torque. I’m ok with that. I don’t want the S2000 to be a luxury car, not totally, and it will remind me of that every time I pull away from a stop light and have to hit 5000 RPM to keep up with modern minivan. And I’m not talking about drag racing, just regular driving.

The top itself, rattles notwithstanding, is another example of Honda really putting in the extra effort. To put down the the top, you engage the parking brake, undo two latches, hold a switch for six seconds, and voilà, top down. On a typical day of going to the office, lunch, running errands, and sometimes picking up a kid, I can find myself putting the top up and down at least 10 times.

Fall is my favorite time of year for driving and if there’s a myth that convertibles are for warm weather the S2000 explodes it. The S2000 blocks out wind and cold nearly as well as my dad’s Jaguar F-Type, those sticker for over $80k new. The Honda doesn’t have the Jag’s heated steering wheel or seats but it does have a set of vents specifically for top down. I first thought it was gimmick but it really works. Tomorrow the forecast is set for 45 degrees in suburban Chicago and it may be the last day before the S2000 goes into the garage, not to return until Spring. Writing that I’m on the verge of tears because I’ll miss the damned thing so much. Temperature concerns per se aside, an S2000 is not made for salted streets. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

Where the S2000 can be knocked as a daily driver or road tripper is on the highway. My car sounds tame cruising up to 45 mph but at highway speed, the revs really climb and the noise becomes ear bleeding. 85 mph spins the engine to 4500 rpm. If I did daily highway driving I don’t think I would have this car or at least use it for that purpose. A BMW Z4M roadster or whatever $20k buys in Boxster would make more sense. Alas, most of my driving is below 50 mph so the S2000 stays a great daily—for me.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Michael Cohen 12/11/2019 at 18:07

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Great post. Bay Area highway commuting is exactly what made me sell my 03 AP1. Miss that car terribly today, in hindsight.

I honestly don’t even remember that top down heater setting - I should’ve paid more attention to that car while I had it! 

Michael Cohen > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 12/11/2019 at 18:15

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Everybody who has sold one talks about how much they miss it. Bay Area highway commuting  is less than ideal for an S2k.

Jesus Arias > Michael Cohen 12/11/2019 at 18:42

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Someone at my school wants to buy an S2K. but first he wants a daily driver (he is thinking of getting an Accord).

LJ909 > Michael Cohen 12/11/2019 at 18:53

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I would love to own an S2000 . Have always loved it since I was a teen. But pricing on them (like most JDM models like old Evo’s and STi’s) are insane. A lot of the examples that can be found are close to if not 20 years old now. And pricing only goes up from there. Its very hard to find an S2000 under $10k now, and even harder to find one that’ s unmolested and been revved to shit.

And that’ s another and probably the only think I don’ t like about the S2000. You gotta rev to bejesus out of it to get its power.

Michael Cohen > Jesus Arias 12/11/2019 at 19:00

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The S2000 is a daily driver :)

Michael Cohen > LJ909 12/11/2019 at 19:16

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I agree with everything. I would add :

They’re expensive for a used Honda. It’s kind of nuts that a 20 year old car that was $30k new is still $15 at least for a decent one. The prices are high but they will probably hold their value even if driven a lot of miles. Depreciation is a cost too. An ND Miata is almost as good imho but will depreciate.

Some mods are good. I didn’t get into all the mods on my car but I think every one is an improvement on stock. Others like the aftermarket coilovers that came with my car are bad but I was able to sell them for like $700. Used stock parts are cheap if you want to replace mods.

Revving the shit out of it for power is the fun of it. I get that torque is fun and way more livable for a daily driven car. I want a Camaro SS bad.

I love S2000s so much that I would drive a jank $10k example because they’re just that good.

My car is worth more but the paint isn’t great in some parts and there are dents I’d like to care if. The cosmetic issues don’t make me enjoy it any less. In fact I don’t worry about car as much if it were pristine  and just have fun driving it.

LJ909 > Michael Cohen 12/11/2019 at 19:28

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Yea the pricing is insane. The cheapest one I found in my area was an ‘06 with 144k on it for just under $11k. And only go up from there even if they have salvage titles.

SOME mods are good I do agree with you there. But others are just dumb and more looks than anything. I’d still love to have one though. But I’d probably be just as happy with a Solstice GXP or a Miata. But you car is great. Hold on to it for as long as you can.

Jesus Arias > Michael Cohen 12/11/2019 at 19:41

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Too bad an S2000 has the MPG of a V8.

Michael Cohen > LJ909 12/11/2019 at 19:51

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It’s such a beautiful design from the factory. I don’t get all the things people do with body kits and carbon fiber...

I got in just before prices shot up. Mine was around 55k miles. It wasn’t the most clean. It had five owners and the clutch wasn’t great. I paid like $12.25 I think.

I love the car on its merits but it means more to me than just a thing. It’s a never sell for me. 

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Michael Cohen 12/11/2019 at 20:04

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I rented an s2k once on Turo. I am an avid miata enthusiast so I had to try it. Comparing it to my Miata, the s2k is a way nicer “car”. Like it just feels more well put together, has more power, and everything inside is so much nicer. But in terms of raw fun, the s2k just required so much more work and could not really be enjoyed while dailying around. The Miata is slow enough and geared to where its still really fun in 2nd and 3rd gear at 30-60mph. I felt like the s2k needed to be at 6k+ plus just to have ANY fun and it was not really really fun until you were breaking laws. It was more like my STi in that sense but the Subaru at least has torque for days due to the turbo so its still fun while going slow. In other words I would LOVE to have an s2k as a dedicated track car but for the daily drive? Would much rather a Miata. But as noted by others, the price makes it stupid to track a good quality s2k and I really do not want to deal with the headaches of a janky one. Even a perfect miata is half the cost of a janky s2k so its a no brainer at that point. 

Michael Cohen > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 12/11/2019 at 20:39

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I was renting an S2000 on Turo when I was deciding what car to get. I got to drive it back-to-back with an NB. I had a glorious drive in that Miata and it was a tough decision. The Miata is the way more fun car at lower speeds. I remember doing a u-turn and thinking what a blast it was. The S2000 gets compared to the Miata a lot because they’re Japanese four cylinder roadsters but the Miata is so much lighter. It’s like comparing an S2000 and a 350Z. I  would have been happy either way. I’d love to have an NA or NB one day.

Poor_Sh > Michael Cohen 12/11/2019 at 20:49

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My top 3 wants for a second car go:

S2000

RX-8

Miata

But, the S2000 as everyone is saying is way too much $ for a 2nd car for me, the RX-8 is just not a risk I’m willing to take, so... Miata. But I might cross-shop a solstice and 986 Boxster (bad idea but... Porsche fleet!)

Michael Cohen > Poor_Sh 12/11/2019 at 21:17

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These are first cars ;)   A larger car is the second car. Actually the RX-8 is a legit four seater. I would have reservations about it mechanically. With its double wishbones and high revving engine I think of like a four seat S2000 coupe that has the smoothness of BMW in line 6. Its brilliant. I just wish it were bulletproof like the typical Honda or Mazda.

Poor_Sh > Michael Cohen 12/11/2019 at 21:30

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You sane people are all alike. Cayman = car 1. Small roadster = car 2. Practical life be damned.

SmugAardvark > Michael Cohen 12/11/2019 at 21:31

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I agree with your assessment. I had my S2000 for 3 years, with about a year of that pulling daily duties.

Worked fine for eve ryday driving, but the droning can get tedious at highway speeds, especially with a non-OEM exhaust.

Michael Cohen > Poor_Sh 12/11/2019 at 21:38

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Haha. My second car is a Mini Cooper. 

Fuckkinja > Michael Cohen 12/11/2019 at 22:06

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Very well written. Great article  

I have been looking for a beater Honda  for a while. So far no luck at my price range. The Honda makes more sense than the Miata too me. 

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Michael Cohen 12/11/2019 at 22:15

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My friend has a heavily modified S2K CR, I have never been in a stock one but his seats are stock and I thought it was a nice place to be. I got a TSX wagon and I like how fun it is to drive, the only drawback to commuting into SF in a low car is you can’t see much ahead sometimes to judge lights.

Michael Cohen > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) 12/11/2019 at 22:20

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I live in Chicago. What are hills?

Michael Cohen > Fuckkinja 12/11/2019 at 22:21

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That’s very kind of you!

I love the Miata. It came down to Miata or S2000 for me. 

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Michael Cohen 12/11/2019 at 22:21

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Flat places freak me out, I’m from Hawaii so I’m used to pretty dramatic elevation changes. 

Michael Cohen > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) 12/11/2019 at 22:40

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Which island? I’m going to the big one in a couple weeks. One of my favorite places in the world. 

M.T. Blake > Michael Cohen 12/11/2019 at 22:42

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Good stuff. They’re easy to stall the first time you get behind the wheel. I luckily didn’t but it certainly wants more rpms than anything else with a clutch other than a motorcycle. 

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Michael Cohen 12/11/2019 at 23:02

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Well my family has mostly been on the Big Island since the 1850's but my mom became the director of a school on Oahu so I have lived there, I went to Punahou like Obama. I hate Oahu now, Kauai is my favorite I would say. Have you been to Kiholo Bay with the old fishing pond? Some flooded lava tubes near there to swim in as well. I like that place. 

Michael Cohen > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) 12/11/2019 at 23:12

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I’ve never been and hasn’t heard of it. Looks amazing. We go the Kohala Coast. I can’t believe I never knew about it. 

Michael Cohen > M.T. Blake 12/11/2019 at 23:15

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I had a test drive with one and I think I stalled it like three times. I  totally forgot about that. I’m not a good manual driver but pretty used to the S2000 by now. 

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Michael Cohen 12/12/2019 at 00:43

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Lots of turtles go in the old fishing pond, a lava flow broke it open to the sea. But sharks can’t get in there so they like it. You can swim around and see them. Off the beach going down towards the Paul Mitchell Bali house there are a few lava tubes that are flooded, cold water but there is a ladder in one to get in and out.

Michael Cohen > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) 12/12/2019 at 01:05

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Definitely going. Excited! 

JDM Flip Flops > Michael Cohen 12/12/2019 at 09:46

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Holy crap , this writeup was so awesome to see! I had to make an account just to let you know how excited I was to hear your two cents on dailying one of these! It’s super super sweet to hear so much insight on something most people would prefer not to do by choice (which is why many agree the S is better in a two-car garage).

To live with these cars every day it genuinely 100% is a “ your experience may vary” type deal. After about 7 months of ownership so far for 7 days a week in Florida stop-and-go traffic, my own 2002 has been an absolute godsend to me ; I wouldn’t change a single word in this article.

M.T. Blake > Michael Cohen 12/12/2019 at 10:07

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The S is a tricky car at first. I’d love to have one someday. They’re still expensive. I don’t suppose they’ll ever come down much. Very desirable. 

Matt West > Michael Cohen 12/12/2019 at 10:50

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Daily driven and track beaten! I’d argue that the electronic power steering has plenty of feel and great feedback even at the limit. Albeit a lot of that is dependent on on your tires (wider and square feels waaay better than staggered with stock 205s up front). These cars are fantastically fun in the snow too! Been through a few Colorado winters with mine and a nice set of snow tires on spare wheels goes along way. Religious pressure washing after each storm is a must for salty roads however.

Also the S2000 is plenty powerful to get in trouble. Source: my checkered driving record.

Great article, people can’t forget about these amazing  cars!

Michael Cohen > JDM Flip Flops 12/12/2019 at 11:30

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This is unbelievably kind! Thanks. 

Michael Cohen > Matt West 12/12/2019 at 11:32

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Thank you! I agree about the tires. I didn’t get into the mods but I have 245s on all four corners. I did that at the same time I added Ohlins and the feel and turn in was improved over stock. Since I did that all at once I’m not sure how much is due to the tires or the shocks. 

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > Michael Cohen 12/12/2019 at 13:13

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how’s the ride quality on the Ohlins?

Michael Cohen > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire 12/12/2019 at 13:19

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I believe it’s probably better than stock. My car came with Megan coilovers and the Ohlins are much better than those. I would have to compare the Ohlins to stock back to back. They’re very popular on S2ki.com.