2006 HONDA S2000

S2000 lives up to its rep--but be realistic

Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 3 Safety Rating: 5 Value Rating: 5

First, I rated this car for what it is--a performance-focused roadster trackable in stock form but intended to be as much fun as you can legally have on the road. So, for instance, when I rate it highly for comfort, I'm not comparing it to a big Merc. It's easy to get in and out of--for a low two-seat roadster. Etc. The car feels solid, and for those of us accustomed to Hondas, the quality is a little different as it's more like absolute quality rather than quality for a price point. These cars were not cheap at all. They were special. They still are. Do be aware that the famous high-revving S2000 engine will likely require more maintenance than, say, your typical Accord engine. Yes, it's a Honda, but it's also a high-performance sports car that revs to either 8200 or 9000 rpm depending on the vintage. Word is coming out of the specialists' shops that '06-'09 models--with the drive-by-wire throttle--have a high incidence of exhaust valves set too tight at the factory, so they are starting to burn and cause check-engine lights to come on. That's probably why my '06 is headed for the specialist's shop for valve work next week. Not a super-scary thing and completely fixable but up to $2K. Also be aware that a 10-year-old soft top will likely need replacing. A nice one is about $1,700. I LOVE my S and would not discourage anyone who can afford one and who wants a truly great sports car for reasonable money to buy one. I would just say that, as with any used sports car, go into it with your eyes open and your budget realistic. Check the forum boards for any car you're really interested in to find out what common issues are and what's involved in correcting them. As far as all the glowing reviews of the S2000 you can find online go, they're all true. After 16 mos with ours, all I want is many more years with my little red jewel.