S2000 25th Anniversary

Yes, on April 15 it will have been 25 years since the launch of the S2000, launched to celebrate Honda’s 50^th anniversary.  One of its major features at launch was the F20C engine producing 177 kW, making it the highest output per litre naturally aspirated engine, which continued until 2010.

 

I bought my S2000 in May 2009 due to feeling the need for something special.  The kids had their own cars so we no longer needed 2 family cars (I had a 1996 Accord VTiS at the time).  So, I started looking around and test drove a 2006 Integra Type S, 2009 Civic Type R, 2007 Mazda MX5.  The Integra was wonderful, the Civic Type R too harsh and the MX5 was really fun.  It became a toss-up between the Honda goodness of the Integra and the convertible fun of the MX5 until I finally got to sit in an S2000 and then got a test drive.  I was hooked.  The MX5 was a close second, but whereas its engine ran out of puff at 6000 RPM, the S2000 was just starting to get into its stride.

 

It took a while to find the right S2000.  I didn’t want black; didn’t want a red interior and I did want a glass rear window.  Then a Monte Carlo Blue 2002 turned up in a car yard in Fairfield.  It was a one owner car with 79,900 km and it was the one.

It was a little hairy to drive in the wet at first, wanting to wave its tail at the slightest acceleration when turning right at traffic lights.  Luckily this “feature” was cured with a proper wheel alignment and replacing the 7 year old nearly bald Bridgestone S02 rear tyres.

It’s been a fantastic car; it was a daily driver for many years and has been on many country trips & club drives.  

It’s a surprisingly comfortable touring car, as long as you don’t mind packing light. Cruising through country roads with roof down is just a delight, regardless of the weather.  And yes, I’ve been caught with the roof down and driving into rain - at 100 KPH the rain goes over the top and only a light mist makes it into the cabin, even in heavy downpours - but it does mean you don’t want to stop while it’s raining!

The handling of the S2000 is fantastic.  Its capabilities are way above mine so it’s a very relaxing & fun twisty-road car.  And the engine is

just such a buzz.  It’s quick (probably quicker than the MX5) to 6000 RPM, then is shoves you back into the seat as it rockets to 8500 RPM and time for the next gear.

My S2000 is celebrating its 22^nd birthday this year and has travelled 178,000 kms.  The only issues I’ve had are a leaking clutch master cylinder and lately various O rings have started to weep oil. Hopefully my ‘ultimate Honda Garage’ will continue to give me many more years of trouble-free Honda ownership, because I can’t think of anything I’d want to replace it with.

 

MORE INFORMATION ON THE S2000 FROM David Prince: