Handling. Oh man, the handling on this car is sublime. I've taken it all over the hills up here in NorCal and down Highway 1, the 92, and down to my old LA stomping grounds where I took it up and down Topanga Canyon, Malibu Canyon Road, Temescal Canyon, Kaanan... basically everywhere that is twisty and has lots of dips. I'd taken these routes many times when I sold cars in Boxsters and 350Z's and all manner of BMW's, and this was a completely new experience. Never once did the car feel like it was at its limit; it always felt confident, stable, and eager.

The redline is surreal... it just keeps going, and going. The great thing about the engine setup is that unlike other sports cars, the clutch and the torque is managable enough that it's still a very well-mannered, easy car to drive around cities (I work in San Francisco). You don't dread hills because of the shortness of the shifter or that you're going to accidentally unleash 400 lb/ft of torque into the bumper of the car in front of you (ever driven a Porsche GT3?)

The wow-factor of the car is a shameless ego-boost. It doesn't matter that it doesn't sit on LED-lit 24's or have a $200,000 pricetag: the car has a magnetism on it that gives people pause. Everyone from little kids who have played it in Gran Turismo and Forza, to middle-aged guys who gaze at it thoughtfully when they walk by in the financial district on lunchbreak, to young women sitting in front of cafes and kids in lowriders... there's something about the carefree, adventurous nature of the car and its aggressive but understated lines that really arrest peoples' attention.

There's also, of course, the reliability. If Honda's known for anything, it's their ability to make an engine that runs seamlessly forever. After talking to people who have taken their S2000's over 100k miles I've got no doubt that this really is their crown jewel of technological and engineering prowess.

The stereo is unequivocally the worst factory car stereo I've heard in a modern car (two paper cone speakers and a cheap, simple Honda CD deck) and it skips sometimes when you hit a bump... If you want to improve the sound quality you can have two more speakers installed into the plastic pieces behind the seat but that requires cutting, and they'll be muffled by the seat regardless. The clear plastic back "window" makes it impossible to tell if the car behind you is a Crown Victoria when the top is up (which is rarely, for me). I'm a tall guy (6'2) and my best friend is taller (6'8) and with our seatbacks back as far as they'll go, the rub against the roll bar... also, because of my body (I have a really long torso), it just so happens that most street lights on a two-lane intersection are perfectly obscured by the A-pillars and mirror. But the stereo issue can be rectified, and the other things aren't enough to detract from the fact that this is a really, profoundly amazing car.

Wow. The Honda engineers really knew what they were doing when they made this car. I remember the first time I saw one in 1999 I was blown away and didn't believe that it was really a Honda; I also didn't know how much I trusted them to make a rear-wheel drive sports convertible, coming from a German/English sports car purist family, but, eight years later, I find myself a proud owner of one.

This is the sort of car that a huge number of people *wish* that they had the carefree, adventurous personality to buy. Even eight years after its release, nearly every time I go out, the car gets comments, even in its somewhat-benign gunmetal grey on black color scheme (which I keep polished to a mirror shine with Meguiar's NXT). "Magnificent," "beautiful," "gorgeous," "hot," "sweet," "tight," "perfect," "dope," "hyphy (hey, I live in Oakland)," and the misplaced but well-meaning "cute" (usually handed down by middle aged women). We're taught that when we grow up, we need to throw away all those desires we have in place of things that "make sense." My last car, a 2000 VW Jetta GLX, "made sense" with its four doors, five seats and ample trunk space. It was a great car, and it saved my life in the accident that let me get this car. But at the end of the day, I'm in my early 20's, I'm single, and I don't have kids, so why shouldn't I drive this car? I don't need to move a couch every day and I'm not driving four other people about town or buying groceries for ten. And even when I am, I still want to have this as "dad's car."

There's a certain feeling that you get when you climb into the tight cockpit, unlatch the soft top, and flip the switch to move the top down, then push the big, red "start" button to the left of the steering wheel; if you at all appreciate cars, you'll get it. The transmission hump is high, and the shifter - with its extremely short, precise throws - is within effortless reach. The first time you take this car out and you get on to a freewway offramp where the posted speed is 25, and you take it at 50, and realize that you have only moved the wheel 30% of where it can go and you've got a lot more speed to gain, you've changed as a driver. When you take it out and you're racing someone and they shift and you've still got 4k of usable power left, no other sports coupe is going to cut it for you.

People who lament the road noise, the firmness of ride (I purposely bought the 2000 model because of this), or the lack of things like heated, massaging seats are simply driving the wrong car: there's a difference between a sports car and a sporty car. This is a sports car. An Infiniti G35 is a sporty car; so is a Z4, to compare it to another 2-seat convert. Both those cars are excellent in their own right and throw down respectable, even excellent, numbers in terms of acceleration and track times. But both those cars have aesthetically pleasing interior treatments, they're filled with pretty woods and carbon fiber dash treatments, they've got pretty-looking and functional GPS systems, they've got massaging butt-warmers and seamlessly integrate your bluetooth Blackberry into their sound systems so that you can have a discussion with your business partner over who has the best latte in town as you're driving from point spreadsheet to point HDTV. But this is a sports car: it weighs nothing. It has minimal sound deadening, and the dashboard has a surprising lack of frills and is centered around the driver (a friend of mine commented, after we'd been driving for about an hour, that she realized everything on the dash was in front of me, and not within her reach). If you talk on a cell phone in it, even with the top up, be prepared for lots of "huh?" and "wait, say that again?"

I had it parked in front of a Hotel in LA and had left it with the top down while I was chatting with some friends and an attractive woman with her boyfriend commented that it was "beautiful" as they walked by; they stopped and looked, and I jokingly offered that they could sit in it if they wanted. The boyfriend made a few disparaging comments about it in relation to his BMW 330ci, and I shrugged them off... finally, he asked how much it was and when I told him, he scoffed "oh yeah, I could buy one of these." And my answer, which made his girlfriend smirk, was "yeah, but you didn't." And that just about sums it up... it's the sort of car that everyone wants, but that everyone has convinced themselves doesn't make sense. You either get it, or you don't.

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I used to work in car sales, so, everything... Z4, Z3, RX8, the FD3S RX7's, MR2, 350Z, Miata, Boxster, you name it. The only thing that compares and betters this car in the sub-$100,000 range is the Lotus Elise or (drool) Exige, but it's a bigger step in the other direction from the above cars in terms of comfort and amenities. The handling on the S2K shames all of the above cars; and even in situations where acceleration is superior (350Z, I'm looking in your direction) the handling as well as the surreal-high redline puts it back on top in every track test that's ever been done.

For the price, it is as good as any roadster you can get. It is powerful and corners excepptionally well. You can downshift at 80MPH and accelerate, rapidly. It rides very comfortably. We get about 26 miles per gallon, which makes it fairly economical for a car with so much power. It actually has a fairly large truck. We were able to fit a rolling duffle suitcase in it.

It eats up rear tires every 10 - 12,000 miles. My older model has a plastic rear window, which is difficult to see through.

I purchased my 2001 S200 from a dealer in October, 2005. At the time, it had just underr 6,000 miles on the odometer. It rides and handles incredibly well. I took it for a trip around Colorado last fall. It was fantastic driving in the mountains. I wouldn't recommend one for driving in the snow, however. The power makes it hard to control. We drove ours every day and have put over 30,000 additional miles on it. It has never used a drop of oil, between changes.

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Ford Mustang, Mazda Miata

The best gearbox I've ever used. There is no other vert sports car in the $30k range that you can get with this performance.

kinda flaky in the rain; just need to take more caution being a rear-wheel drive. A slight blind-spot top-up, but just adjust your mirror correctly and look at window when turning. useless cupholder

I purchased this car brand new with 177 miles on the clock. Simply put, there is nothing else you can current get at this price range with this performance and feature. Right now, Honda is practically giving these cars away (last year production around the corner), and they are a bargain to be had. You've read all the other reviews about the car's prowless around the track and the quality-built. It's all true!

I won't repeat the same facts, but my angle is all about price-to-performance (otherwise, everyone would be driving an Enzo). Right now, a fully-loaded new Mx-5, Solstice, or Sky would cost almost as much as a new S2000! Why would you pay for that much for a convertible that isn't even in the same performance league as an S?

If you priced a Boxster with options, it would DOUBLE what an S2000 would cost (remember, the S2000 has only one trim-level, so it's easier to negociate). Do you seriously think that the performance of a Boxster can justify its premium over the S2000?

If you are looking for a brand-new roadster, the S2000 is currently the best deal in town.

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350z

Looks, handling, gas milage,power when you need it

Nothing really

I have read all the reviews about the negatives of the S2000 and have found most of them not to be all that valid. One of the biggest is the ride. I have the first year which is considered the roughest and over the majority of roads the ride is very comfortable. The other commonly held belief is that it is not a good daily driver. I drive it every day and I find it as easy as any other car, the drivetrain a little on the noisy side but not that bad. They say it is low on power but running around town, it has all you need and the Mr. Hyde side of it is available whenever you need it. I like the simplicity of the cockpit and the layout of the controls. The plastic rear window on the 00 is a little bit of a pain in the butt but if you protect it it stays perfect looking. I use the top cover all the time because I don't try to push in those snaps and it stays on fine. Finally to those who say it is tough to get in and out of, hey don't get fat. I'm over 6 feet and have no problem, Love this car,

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BMW 740Il (My other car)
Mazda Miata

--This car is a rocket! Great handling and feel! --Unbelievable gear box! --Sharpest looking sports car on the road. --Good sound system (not great but good) --Excellent brakes, best I've EVER driven. --Sharp eye catching wheels. --It's a Honda -- all artound quality is very very good.

--Do not frive in the rain. Trust me on this. --Rear visibility is poor as with most small convertibles.

If you're looking for a fun car that looks and drives better than roadsters costing 10-15K more, this is it. This car is more like a race car than sports car -- when you reach 6000 rpm's it explodes. I'm not an expert driver but I can take turns at 60 that most cars take at 30 and still feel in control (honestly!!). I test drove the new Z4's and the Boxster, but even discounting the price difference the S2000 was my clear choice.

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-- 2003 BMW Z4. The Z4 didn't handle or brake nearly as well as the S2000, and it was much luder.

Handling is excellent

lack of power, lack of space, and very poor visability.

I just went and test drove an S2000 and a 350Z, and my conclusion is that the S2000 is weak. Drive it hard or just dont drive it at all. The comprimise on space is just not worth the mediocre acceleration.You really have to wind the thing out to get it going. Its worthless below 6500rpm and questionable through the rest of the rpm range. In my opinion the 350 beats the S2000 hands down in all catergories. It pulls strong through the entire rpm range, and you dont feel like your driving a match box on wheels.

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350Z

For 30k this is the hottest car on the planet unless you want four seats or a huge wing, but I prefer a convertible. It also reduces your need for therapy and stress management. It really does bring you joy.

Sometimes it would be nice to push a button and have a cushy ride and a little more storage, but only if it didn't take away from the cars visceral, tactile feel.

If you are a follower who is just buying a car as a status symbol, DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER. If you like a cushy ride and quiet serenity while driving, DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER. If you like it a little rough, a little hard, a little loud, and a little furious, then keep reading. All the articles I read about this car before buying my S2000 almost scared me away. Miniscule torque, lousy radio, rough ride, loud... Understand, most of them ended on a positive note but I thought this car may be too serious, even for a car enthusiast. I mean, I love cars but I don't think I am a masochist. I bought the car after driving it for ten minutes. A little rough? Maybe. A little loud? Not with the top down (which is how it should be!). Stereo? I was pleasantly surprised. Here's my summary (opinion) of the issues people have mentioned. Ride: This car rides firmly but on average roads it is more than acceptable. I live in Atlanta where some of the inner city roads are very bad. Admittedly, these roads will beat you, but they are VERY bad. Once out of the two-three inch pot holes you will not complain about the ride. Especially when you hit your first fast sweeper or “S” curve. I have taken drives up to 4 hours so far with no discomfort. The car does fit like a glove which is wonderful. I consider the ride a tactile feel, like running your hand over a wooden table. It makes you sure of the surface. Noise: With the top down you can hardly hear the car over the wind and traffic. It's as loud as any other convertible which isn’t bad at all. With the top up it's a little noisy but it’s definitely acceptable, turn on the radio if you want to cover it up. Stereo: They must have upgraded the system for 04-05 because I think it has excellent sound quality for a stock system. It’s easily better than the Monsoon system in my 01 Jetta and others. Of course, wind and traffic noise that come with an open top make it difficult for sound quality in any car. I do not plan on buying the headrest speakers but I'm sure they would improve the sound further if you need more. Torque: I haven't owned a big V8 in many years so the low speed oomph for me is more than enough and more than I have had. After reading the articles I thought I would have to rev it to the moon. Not so. I can tool around at, or below 3000 all day long. On that note, you may find yourself driving one gear lower than you do in previous cars around town (unless cruising), but that's not because you have to, it is the nature of the car. It puts you that much closer to the joy. Now that we've discussed the "weak points" of this car let me continue on. As stated in many other articles, this car has two personalities. It has the “quiet one” that you cruise around in while on the city streets. I like to think of this as the "Everybody deserves to see how hot this car is" mode. It truly is more beautiful in real life than the pictures can do justice. Then when the road opens up and you get up the nerve to hold that pedal down there is the "evil twin". Once you pass 6000 the clothes come off and there is leather underneath! #&@* yeah!!! (and I don't cuss often). Those of you who love, or are going to love this car know, I mean "really" know what I'm talking about. It is exhilarating, it is what driving this car, or any car, is all about. Rough ride, loud, poor stereo, WHATEVER!!! You don't care at that moment in time how much noise you're making (and what a beautiful sound it is!) or who is watching, you are euphoric! YYYYYEEESSS!!! When you finally convince yourself to let up if your not laughing from the pure joy of release, you are at least grinning from ear to ear. So large in fact, slobber is almost dripping out of your mouth. Facial expressions like this have probably only been made in the privacy of your own home. Some people may look at you funny at the traffic lights but who cares, you have become an exhibitionist. No longer are you a voyeur, you are the Star!! Best of all I can afford this car (new) at 30+ years old. I get to play with the big boys (Porsche, Corvette, BMW) for a fraction of the price. I am also very biased, and consider my car to be more beautiful than the others. It is certainly more rare (Mine is Sebring Silver with the Red/Black interior) which draws a lot of attention. Before anyone gets upset, all the previously mentioned cars are the best in the world, period. I'm just ecstatic that my 30k car is in the same category! Don't take my word for it, read Road & Track July "Best All Around Sports Car", or Car & Driver "Top Ten". The RX-8 is in the same price range and also an excellent car but it's not a convertible and doesn't have the "evil twin" that I love so much. If you are in the market for a pure sports car, DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER. Go take a drive; you'll understand what I'm saying. It will change you. "Honey, have you seen my nipple clamps?”….

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None really... 01' Jetta GLX, 04' Mazda3 S

-9000 RPM -eye catching girlie magnet -beats anyone in the turns -SECRET COMPARTMENT (dont let them tell you there's no glove box) -comfy seats (fits me like a glove)

-expensive to install bling like LCD's due to small dash and convertible top. -takes premium gas only (which is heading toward $3 as of 4/1/05) -fast, but not for drag racing (you'll never beat a mustang or corvet, or camaro, even with turbo)

This is a Great Car!!! If you really want the best model year, get the 2003. I say this because this still has the 9000 rpm redline, but you still get the glass rear window. [You'll find out that if you get the plastic window, people will cry and moan about how it gets cloudy (as if you want to drive with the top up anyway)] If you read the s2000's reviews, you'll hear a lot of moaning and groaning about the lack of a glove compt. and the bumpy suspension. But these reviews are written by the same guy who writes the reviews for the luxury cars, SUV's and Minivans. If you want a car that can TEAR IT UP on the turns and still attract a lot of attention (especially female attention) the s2k is your best bet. The suspension is a little bumpy because it is specially designed to give you the best traction in the turns. Also what the reviewers dont know is that there is a secret compartment in the s2000 big enough to fit a 6 disc cd changer in, so their complaints about the lack of a glove box is only founded until you discover this "super secret glove compartment". The seats are comfortable for anyone under 6'6". I have a friend who is 6'6" and he fits, but its a little tight. If you want a REAL SPORTS CAR, get the s2000. If you want a plush interior with all the frills, get a minivan or a boxter. Although, if you get a boxter, you won't be able to keep up with your friends in their s2000's. You also won't have nearly as much top down, 9000 rpm, babe cruising fun. The s2000 cruises nicely at 3000 rpm getting up to 26 mpg; but when you're ready to show off a little, wind that baby up to the 6k rpm line and the V-tech kicks in and gives you a noticable surge all the way to the 9k rpm line. The car gets up to 60 mph in second gear, about 5.5 seconds after launch. I saw a race between the boxter, the BMW M3, the Nissan 350Z and the s2000. The Boxter couldn't keep up at all. The driver did comment on the comfy interior though. The Z won. The s2000 came in close second and the M3 came in third. I do, however, think that the s2000 could have won, but the camera car kept it from passing on the turns (where the s2000 had a noticable advantage over the z) All in all, you will never have more fun driving another car. This car is really eye catching and its pretty good on gas, but best of all, it is FAST and FUN!!! The only car I that might compair is the Nissan Z.

Razor sharp cornering, high reving VTEC engine, world class gear box, F1 inspired racing cockpit, shorter gear ratio than previous generation S2000. Over all better all around torque output.

Not super fast in straight line. Little poor visibility for rear.

Awesome is a dull word of a choice for describing the experience you'll encounter with 04+ S2000. New styling, increase of 2.0 to 2.2 displacement, reinforced chasis, slick metallic upgrade of instrument pannel and console, and bigger tires with 17" alloy wheel is like dressing up regular already sexy Angelina Jolie in to a tomb raider custom and making her into a Lara Croft. Not too many people are fanatic about power output and the uncomfortable ride S2000 provides. I agree and I tell those people "True and you don't deserve to drive S2000." If you are looking for a muscle car with a big torque that will leave 1/4 mile of tire mark on straight away than you won't have fun with this car. Because like all Honda its not really designed for Drag racing. Don't get me wrong S2000 can hold its own place for accelalation but may fall short to some of other cars out there. However, if you are like me and don't really care about brute strength alone, and more intrigued about taking the turns as fast as possible and enjoy widening the gap or tailgating M3 or EVO. for example on a curvy mountain road is feeling of GOOOOD those of Exstasy. S2000 is for a few selected motor enthusiasts who refuse to take turn on posted safe limit. Try turning your car in 65MPH+ on 25MPH posted zone. However, don't expect to become Michael Andretti just by pilotting this bad boy. The rigid chasis and good power output makes S2000 a corner eating machine. But when you are not too careful with throttle, despite of 50/50 weight distribution the car is little more gear towards oversteer. However, depending on the driver, like me for instance. Would appreciate Oversteer any day over a Understeer. At the extrme limit the car is very hard to control unless you are skilled at throttle control, and steering. For daily driving it's okay, because it gets pretty good gas milage. However, for just daily commute do not buy this car because you will be tamming the racing spirit this car is born with. Despite the rough rides, uncomfortable seats, loud engine noise and lousy streo system. You get a one hell of a driving machine. I never cared about comfort anyway. Actually I hate comfortable cars. If you are motor enthusiast and thrive to get better this car will make you better or make you cry like a little baby. If you can't even heel & toe right don't bother getting this car. It's not for ammatures.

You get two cars for the price of one. Below 6k RPM you have a gas sipping Civic. Above 6k RPM you have a blast.

The biggest problem I have had is convincing people to take the car above 6k RPM when I let them drive. I think they might be scared they will get bitten by the 'gotta have one' bug. The only problem the car has had is the top's inability to fully retract when the temp goes below about 35F. The dealer says you are not supposed to put the top down when it is cold. Um...huh? It is a convertible silly... besides, what is the heater for then?

Just a quick note for the folks who have problem with the stereo. I too was dismayed with the weakness of the radio at highway speed. I added an 8" Bazooka tube in the well in the trunk shortly after buying my car and you would be amazed at the improvement over the full range of sound. It does not rattle grannie's dentures as you drive by her house but you can hear 'Radar Love' clearly at 135 MPH with the top down at 2am on I-85. Of course, this was tested on a closed course as driving that fast is illegal and that would be wrong! ;)

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85 Euro BMW M6 - Go real fast car 69 Triumph TR6 - convertible Sold them both to buy the Honda - now I drive my car on the weekend instead of fixing it.