Why the S2000 deserves more credit

It's not a "Chick Car"

4y ago
22.9K

Typically I like what Mr. Regular has to say. If you're already lost, Mr. Regular is the creator of the popular YouTube channel "Regular Car Reviews." While he does in fact drive the cars he tests, the majority of his videos transcend the realm of mere driving impressions to offer commentary about the cultural significance of the car itself.

The Honda S2000 is the only car to my knowledge that has two Regular Car Reviews. The first one is mostly MR talking in funny voices. The second one explores the S2000's unique appeal to pretentious rich kids, which used to be an unfortunate truth. These days, however, S2Ks are affordable, and having driven and studied them, this is one of the most underappreciated driver's cars ever made.

Good Genes

Let's begin with the way the S2000 is designed. Here is a car that was produced on the same line as the legendary first-generation NSX. It borrows many of the high-tech production techniques used on that car and yet costs a fraction of the price.

The S2000s X-bone frame

The S2000s X-bone frame

The S2K's frame, for example, uses a layout Honda calls an "X-bone" design. It features a completely boxed center section with reinforcing arms linking the front and rear suspension to additional supports beneath the doorsills.

That makes the car rigid; not subject to the cowl shake you get from Corvettes and Z3s of this era. The front end delivers massive grip, and while earlier "AP1" cars have been accused of suffering from snap oversteer a driver comfortable pushing RWD cars should have no problem getting the most from the S2K once they've spent a few laps getting aquainted.

The F20C engine in the S2000 was the most power-dense unit on the market when it was released, generating more grunt pound-per-pound than the best from Ferrari and BMW. It held that title until the release of the 458 Italia, and is still king of the hill for naturally aspirated cars retailing outside of the six-figure realm.

Achieving such a high specific output requires advanced engineering. The F20C uses fiber-reinforced metal (FRM) lined cylinders--another trick aped from the NSX--and features roller followers on both cams. Critics of the car will cite its relatively low torque output which can make the S2K feel gutless in city driving. But as soon as the revs climb above 5800, the F20 emits a gritty snarl and rips towards its 9000rpm redline.

Cars built in 2005 and later feature a bored-out 2.2-litre version of this engine Honda calls the F22C1. It offers slightly better midrange torque and the same peak horsepower as the first-gen F20 but redlines lower at 8200rpm. In my experience, the AP2 car is noticeably more drivable in city traffic.

Six Speed Nirvana

The last connection to the NSX I'll cite is the S2000's absolutely immaculate transmission. The Aisin sourced unit has the shortest, most direct throws of any car I've ever driven, and I'm not the only person to attest to this. This thing is a scalpel. It's the perfect instrument to keep the S2K's high-strung engine on a boil.

It Wants to go Fast

The first time I drove one of these cars was on a twisty backroad. It was the perfect environment for me to realize what they are capable of. Having previously owned a VTEC-equipped Acura I was familiar with the way that you have to outright flog the car to access the performance.

But Honda's craftsmanship seems to hold up to the abuse; I think that's what people miss. Many other performance cars out there make you feel guilty for using the full rev range--drive an Alfa the way you'd drive an S2000 and expect parts to start falling off.

There are a fair number of S2000s still on the road today, many of which have six figures on the clock and are still running fine.

The cars quite simply hold up, and when you're confident that the car is up to it, you can use all of the performance Mr. Regular describes as "potential". It's all there, you just have to go get it. In their Nov. 2012 issue, Car and Driver even proved the S2K could put down numbers nearly identical to the father-figure NSX.

A dying breed

I will concede that part of my soft spot for these cars comes out of their analog layout. They are manual-only, naturally aspirated rear-drive sports cars; that's a formula that's going away quickly.

It seems like the driving public has relegated the S2K to the same corner as the Mercedes SLK; more a fashion statement than a driving instrument. That's a shame, because while the S2K does feature simple and timeless styling it is much more than a pretty face.

The S2K isn't for keeping up appearances. These are great cars if you subscribe to the "answer is always Miata" tribe but want something with higher limits, or if you love the purist ideal of a Porsche GT3 but can't spend the money. Don't believe me? Drive one.

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Comments (12)

  • Very good an accurate article - I had an early one on a 99 plate - that was interesting in the wet/damp ! ;-)

    Now we've got a 2004 original Mugen GT version - and the Mugen parts make a real difference to low down torque - its actually got some !

    Like someone else posted I have another car which is way faster in everyway - but still the S2000 is an amazing car to drive - you feel really connected to whats underneath you - to those who've never driven one - go drive one ! - but be warned they are addictive and you most likely will have to buy one ! :-)

      4 years ago
  • Been pretty happy with mine so far...I bought it about two months ago...It's an '05 with a current 34,000 miles on the clock...It's all original except for the radio and shift knob, and it will stay that way...Fantastic though it is on simple cruises and even 100 plus mile stretches, just one autocross day was all I needed to really understand what this car is capable of. I'm not a Honda guy. I have two other cars that are faster than this one in every way even, but this car is special...I'll be holding on to it for quite some time..

      4 years ago
  • Good choice for the title pic. There is a twin AP2 V1 in Grand Prix White in my driveway. Also an 06 in red. Coincidentally 06 is the best year S2000 in my opinion. They are fucking special cars. Slap an intake on (purely for sound) some 200 tread wear tires, good brake fluid and you'll be leaving 90% of bikes and cars on tight mountain roads. I have done 700 mile road trips in them, daily driven mine for years commuting 100+miles a day with ease. Legendary cars in my opinion.

      4 years ago
  • Yes and no, I have a 95 m3 that has minor upgrades and S2000's that have fully been converted to race cars don't have any more power at all. From my experience they are quite evenly matched on the track. Now even though the e36 platform is a bit older than the s2000 I think many would agree the E36 in general was one of the best cars to be designed. Oh and I forgot the American version m3 I have came with about 100 hp less than the euro version... e36s are my benchmark and they seem close to it, but no cigar even in track spec.

      4 years ago
    • Interesting take. They're very different cars. I have an E46 that I track and autocross. One day the regional champion pointed out to me what a "big" car it is. I didn't believe it until I saw the numbers but the wheelbase (which is an inch...

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        3 years ago
  • Ik drive my ap1 every day with a smile on my face

    Just not on my profile pic 😂

      4 years ago
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