Modified Honda S2000 - One Take

[@Zygrene]

I bought my AP2 in early 2013 and sold it over 2 years later for $3k more than I paid. I put about 12k miles on it, several autox's and 2 track days, and about $2500 in mods (excluding consumables). Then I immediately bought an NSX a week later. Things worked out well for me.

[@MattsE36]

+Zygrene Have to say I'm a little bit jealous :P

[@Zygrene]

+MattsE36 I was surprised the buyer offered me my asking price right away. But he was a track veteran who could tell my S was set up for the track, I guess.

[@tropikal-1747]

+Zygrene Muh dream! Cept I want to keep my S2k when I get the NSX.

[@QuinnCoulombe]

Much respect, I've owned my ap2 for about 5 or 6 months now and just absolutely love it!

[@shasal]

Here in the UK they are literally the highest insurance group. If they weren't I would get one. Such great cars

[@Revitalyzed]

"I try to hit the limiter everyday just for fun" Hahaha fuckin' legend!

[@ianwatches]

+JoshorBrownKid F20c/F22c does not like carbon deposits, so yes, EVERY day.

[@Patrick94GSR]

+JoshorBrownKid Keeps the engine insides cleaned out.

[@PCmaster0]

+JoshorBrownKid Redline a day keeps the mechanics away. -Thats my motto for my Mini

[@darek4488]

+JoshorBrownKid I do it too. My goal is always to make just a single bump from a limiter in the very moment of shifting. If it bumps more then once than I try again.

[@thecurr88]

+Peter Choquette I have only heard that when referring to rotaries.

[@anothersiguy]

"I try to hit the rev limiter every day" preach it brother lol

[@stephane_edouard]

This is definitely the best sounding 4 cylinder ever (2nd is the Porsche 968)

[@sweetdreams1DIAM0ND]

+Spike Club its a 4cy?? sounds like a 6 cyl.

[@DeepDuh]

+Spike Club Alfa 4C?

[@tropikal-1747]

+sweet dreams S2k is a 4banger. This one specifically has the F22C1.

[@andrewyoung9067]

+Spike Club A Honda K20 head on a K24 block is the best sounding 4 cylinder you will ever hear.

[@amduser86]

+Andrew Young the f20 is techincal more or less identical to a k20. anyway, the best sounding 4 cylinder is probably the 16v m102, especially with a slidethottle body. they even have more potential then the f20.

[@orionzb3lt]

lmao "is your speedometer accurate?" that cracked me up

[@dionisis0018]

YES! FINALY AN S2000!!!!!!!

[@Hiurytg]

guy looks terrified when Matt puts the foot down

[@nilphuxgiven]

I've had my 2003 S since new in 2004 and it would literally take $30,000 cash to get it out of my hands. The pure enjoyment is priceless.

[@JTSX1]

+nilphuxgiven Yup, my wife would throw a block party if I sold mine, but no way! Not until I can get a Cayman S or Lotus and also be able to afford the repair bills.

[@alexlam24]

+JTSX1 Don't worry. The S2K's are appreciating quite nicely.

[@mojostevo]

That intake sound never gets old. Farewell VTEC, you'll probably never sound that good again.

[@hussali8838]

100% I can't own a s2000 but I am gonna get another 08 civic si

[@BmacRDX]

+mojostevo Agreed. Even on the K24 in something like an Accord coupe, a SRI brings out that wonderful intake sound. Best sounding inline 4 ever made (Honda F and K series).

[@aaronp9835]

You hear V-tec through the intake.

[@CJAEY]

S2000's are the perfect canyon carver/track car. Kind of surprising how you haven't reviewed on until now.

[@jkflorida]

The AP2 S2K is freaking amazing! Great video Matt!

[@WezleyB]

They make lowered seat rails, for the s2000. You get a fair bit more room...

[@DJMotoVlogs]

Sound amazing when the vtec kicked in (y0!).

[@XClusivelyZs]

I can't wait for the video of the 300ZX you drove

[@FDB-8]

Was debating between an S2k and an e46 m3 and went with the m3. Next time will be one of these. 9k redline must be a blast driving the shit out of it

[@caseylockwood5512]

1:20 yep, I do that too. its a habit due to most cars not having a synchronized reverse gear.

[@gjferg]

8:53 Best line of the video. I just bought an S2000 literally two weeks ago and I know exactly that hero feeling...when its done properly.

[@CrossWindsPat]

S2k FTW!!! Matt they have seat rails that lower the seat an inch or so, makes a world of a difference!!! 200 bucks give or take! S2000 is an all time great. Instant classic! I miss mines dearly.

[@notorioushz3361]

Damn, that roof flew off real quick

[@vincentr8775]

I've owned 2006 S2000 since new, and still drives better than any other sports car.. Perfectly made fun sports car. maybe FRS comes close, but not quite...

[@jasonparraga3391]

Finally! I think Matt would enjoy it so much more on some dry canyon roads. I grew up in CT and live in the Bay Area and the touge/canyons out here are so much more fun.

[@noredcr]

+Jason Parraga There are tons of great roads in newengland.

[@Irishluckily]

+noredcr NH roads are the best(NE-wise)! just watch out for the camo staties there's a ton up in the mountains

[@StingrayOfficial]

Nice car man! Sounds great. One of the best drivers cars ever made.

[@andrewaltermatt6499]

My instructor at one of the autox schools took me out in his str S2k and it blew my mind after riding in stock miatas this thing feels like it pulls 2x the gs absolutely incredible on how competive they are still aswell

[@bobby7220]

Have been wanting to see you review an s2000, glad to finally see it

[@BelviGER]

Great video, nice to hear that he knows his stuff even though he didn't built it himself

[@Scav68]

Matt I am 6'2" 220 lb with a competition seat with a custom mount. You basically sit on the floor. I fit beautiful in my s2000. By far the most enjoyable car you can drive every day.

[@14KShadow]

Watching this again because it sounds so boss

[@w0zoHD]

something about these little cars i love. my favorite car of all time is the Lotus and idk why just always liked them when i was little and now im liking the Miata and this car looked like a blast.

[@SweetMooch]

about 10 years ago at a party i was throwing a buddy showed up in his brand new s2000. It was fast, but i was PUMPED when he asked, "wanna do some donuts?" my first ride in a rear wheel drive honda.

[@BESTNOODLEREVIEWS]

I was actually thinking when you'd drive an S2000, and bam, here it is. Great video.

[@mansalans]

God I love the sound of these cars.

[@dylanesposito621]

Bring One take to Colorado have everyone meet at the bottom of pikes peak, drive 30 different cars up pikes peak, and you have the best one take episodes ever

[@BeachJedi101]

Thanks for these videos Matt, my favorite thing to watch everyday.

[@kirbyswarp]

Matt are you driving that Nissan axxess in the back there? That thing is an absolute unicorn level of rare.

[@TheSmokingTire]

+kirbyswarp tomorrow's video :) I have very low standards.

[@kirbyswarp]

TheSmokingTire That is the kind of video I WANT to see.

[@JonasRosenven]

+kirbyswarp Mentioning unicorns in sarcastic ways: I have a weird feeling that the audience would get a very "special" video out of Matt driving Chris Harris' Citroen 2cv on the snake. Down the snake..not up. Maybe it would be the same.

[@kirbyswarp]

Jonas Rosenven I wasn't sarcastic. The Axxess was a one year only car in America. It's more interesting for me than another supercar.

[@JonasRosenven]

kirbyswarp Hi Kirby. I know you didn't mention it in that way. I just did because most people think unicorns have to be fast or initially expensive. good call on that car by the way.

[@cbzo6]

S2000 very cool car. I bought one new in 2001 and it took a while to get use to the 9000 redline. Anything under 6000 off the line and it would bog.

[@iantownsend5480]

3:41 got to love that sound

[@RSX250]

First time in a video I can FEEL the drone through the speakers lol. Awesome car though! S2K is a legend.

[@STEELERS743]

Finally did a take on an S2k!!! That engine sounds amazing

[@BlaineLudeman]

nice! not many people know the 1st before reverse trick instead of just going to reverse and grinding the gears! idk why it helps sync reverse when you go to 1st 1st (works on all the sticks i've driven) but maybe someone here more knowledgeable than i could answer that.

[@TheSmokingTire]

+Blaine Ludeman a lot of cars have non-syncro reverse gears, including most 4-cylinder Hondas.

[@BlaineLudeman]

+TheSmokingTire yep but a buddy that had a pre sport cherokee with the strat 6 and 5 speed told me about it! who knew lol! did you grow up in greenwich? i'm in glastonbury and snooty is the right word lol!

[@BlaineLudeman]

+Art Vandelay to shift into reverse? i think i tried that on a 85 mazda 323 and it ground more and i could rev match, heel/ toe and shift w/out the clutch pedal back in the day. can't drive now, disabled but still a gear head lol. i'd love to see a one take of my old 78 dev9lle w/ no brakes besides the motor! real roach but it was free! yes, i rebuilt most of the braking system lines, drums, master etc. but it pissed fluid from somewhere unknown to my mechanics. the power steering pump would die while driving randomly which i figured out a way to fix it was to put it in neutral and rev the hell out of the engine till it made a pop and started working lol. ever tried to steer a big 19ft long car w/out power steering, jesus!

[@spamcan9208]

I don't remember how I figured it out but sometimes my car won't go into reverse if I don't do that. Other times I even have to let my car roll forward a bit too.

[@Jorsherr]

+Blaine Ludeman It's in the manual that nobody reads. I knew about it before-hand through trial and error, but later I found it suggested in one of the manuals. Either for the CRX Si or the S2000...

[@Boostlee]

matt im 6'3" also and i owned a s2000 for 2 years until recently. i had a backyard special lower seat rail for oem seats, it made everything better. And now you made me want to get another one. if anyone here has one that is clean pm me. im located in CT

[@corey31]

@TheSmokingTire Matt I would definitely look into some aftermarket seats if you're going to pick one up. I had an AP2 with Recaro Pole Positions and it was a world of difference. Seat height was about 2 inches lower, which allowed my 6'2" frame to sit so just my head was visible above the door when looking at me from outside the car! Cockpit feel instead of large circus bear feel. Two more inches of leg clearance meant easy heel-toeing (I rotate off the ball of my foot so I needed a bit more steering wheel clearance).

[@PapiLewis]

About damn time you got one of these

[@logwind]

Glad to see an s2k on here finally. I love my AP2!

[@NinoBone]

his exhaust sounds so nice

[@Balo657]

+Tony Saia Definitely! No rasp, just a crisp clean sound!

[@sogetsu60]

+Tony Saia it is nice over 4k rpm. i have a similar one and it drones like hell for daily. head exploding kind of drone.

[@MostlyFlyFishing77]

Really sick road, like the togue.

[@MikeHuntIsItchy]

Matt, you should find someone with a Saturn Sky Redline! I wish I was close to you, I'd love for you to drive mine. I have an exhaust and dyno tune, make about 280whp and 285wtq. I won't lie it's not nearly as composed handling wise as the S2K but with some braces and suspension goodies, I'll be close!

[@TheSmokingTire]

+MikeHuntIsItchy I'd do one for sure. No one has offered one up.

[@gabrieldalcomune3044]

+MikeHuntIsItchy You wanna trade my base 2.4 auto for yours? I've been wanting a redline for some time lmao.

[@MikeHuntIsItchy]

+Gabriel Dalcomune buy one! They are cheap cars over all!

[@dillonkennedy1655]

It'll last 200k miles. I drive mine really hard every single day and I'm at 170k miles and haven't broken anything yet. All it's ever needed is a clutch at 155k, a new timing chain tensioner, oil, and fluids. They really were built to last.

[@pwally2714]

How much was timing chain tensioner? And how do you know when it's about to go? I'm at 71k miles now.

[@quest8795]

@@pwally2714 you'll hear a rattle from the TCT on startup when it's starting to wear out, there are several upgraded units available which last a little longer. Definitely replace it, you don't want your timing chain to jump a tooth. They're around £2-300, and not too difficult to install. Having it done at a garage might be a good idea if you're not experienced though.

[@pwally2714]

@@quest8795 update: it was timing chain tensioner. Got it done for $380. And did the valve adjustment now too. Throttle response is Porsche level, holy heck!!!

[@quest8795]

@@pwally2714 haha, nice one. Both the F20 and F22 both have beautiful response when they're running perfectly, they're among the best engines produced, ever!

[@pwally2714]

@@quest8795 agreed!

[@jackblackwhole]

that noise, man i love it !

[@NathansBMWWorkshop]

Like the videos Matt keep it up.

[@Andreallen4]

Nice car! Very well put together and looks fun to drive!

[@EssRacing31]

Honestly, one of my favorite parts of these videos is watching the owners faces

[@betoski]

nice! always loved the s2000 this one sounds sick!

[@TassieLorenzo]

This video captured the fun of a driving a Honda really well. :) Sure it's not the most luxurious car and there isn't the easy torque of a big V8 or turbo, but it's somehow quite satisfying.

[@TheStreetFormula]

One guy I met had about 360,000 miles on his and it still pulls very good, and I mean good with the original motor. But I must say it has been well maintained, and is never late on the oil changes

[@austinshatzer]

Matts smile on that initial 3rd gear pull :)

[@socalsupercars420]

This video really makes me want an S2000.

[@AndresGarcia-wj3dl]

crap now I want an s2000.

[@Diablo99V]

Epic car. Level of fun hard to match for the price.

[@JustSomeGuy23]

Matt seems to shift a bit early for it being a Honda, gotta rev the shit out of them lol

[@mcgusjustice]

the owner of the car is next to him . i doubt he wants to do anything to piss him off

[@kylelyons4285]

+mcgusjustice they are meant to get revved the Shit out of

[@2hase]

Rev limiters on those engines are different than your typical FWD Honda. There's no extra power hiding above 8k, just fuel cuts and cracked valves.

[@kimlevi44]

+Erebody Snuggie how often do you think you have to bang on the limiter to get valve damage

[@spool29k97]

i got a ap1 s2k with 191k miles and i hit the limiter almost everyday unless its raining.

[@leecharlton3081]

Keep you the good work, awesome videos!!

[@mikhailalperov2745]

Can't wait for your B5 S4 review !

[@jkflorida]

The top of 4th Gear is around 120 so yeah that thing is quick!

[@Balo657]

+JKFlorida Can confirm lol

[@F22C1]

+JKFloridaNot on the AP2. More like a bit over 100.

[@MrJAYMZ78]

mine hits 105 right before 8k

[@dipchit83]

on my ap1 it's about a bit over 100

[@ThatsDT]

dipchit83 ap1 or ap2 which one do you prefer ? And why

[@he-man3653]

I got dizzy while listening to this video. That drone is UNBEARABLE.

[@yellowbusguy]

If you ride a sportbike, zinging this one will be second nature.

[@TACTICALxGAMER]

nothing beats it

[@innout3x3]

I beat on my s2000 on the weekends and up in Malibu. Crazy fun. Top down is always the way to go.

[@chrisbarbosa6942]

Finally a S2000! I love my '04 AP2 s2k.

[@asianyangster916]

Thumbs up for doing the first to reverse.

[@mobiuspenguin]

Volvo station wagon... 10/10 would hoon

[@andycoqui]

been waiting for an s2000!!!

[@tjdowdell]

ah man i wish i saw you guys driving then since i live in westchester. love taking that road except once you hit the dirt road gotta u-turn.

[@ravynx]

Awesome, I was wondering when you'd get some driving in an STR prepped S2000. I love mine.

[@foxhounduk2k8]

I used to own one of these. it had no torque but boy was it quick and boy was it nimble. telepathic steering and road feel. the noise was to die for i sold it because it was getting rickety. if i had the money, she'd be in my gararge forever

[@gigatron2008]

Not a fan of convertibles. BUT I love this car. The more videos I watch keeps leaning me towards buying one. Esp for the price used ones (esp AP1's) are very affordable.

[@robfrmny21]

This is how much power the new si should have.

[@demetricklouis5710]

After I got my CBR600RR my Civic HX was just not fun. So I put put in the shop to get a new engine and transmission and through in a supercharger for good measure. I got tried dreaming about I driving it so I picked up a S2000. I wanted one from day one but the dealship cost of $35K was more than I wanted to spend. Ten years later came across one for the right price I needs some work but will make for a good restoration and modification project. And yes it does drive like a motorcycle. It's the best.

[@testing316]

The s2k is still my favorite drivers car of all time!

[@Kyle67678]

I've got a big turbo Focus ST for you to drive in Toronto aha... awesome work as always Matt

[@TheSmokingTire]

+KyleZver I have a big turbo FOST on the schedule here in LA, thanks!

[@AkiraSieghart]

+KyleZver Just got an ST myself and was thinking about doing a turbo swap. What turbo did you get and what are your numbers at now?

[@Kyle67678]

TheSmokingTire I know it was a long shot, still would love to see you come for a visit to your northern brothers! AkiraSieghart I have an ATP GTX2871r turbo still is being tuned is good for in the 330's 340. With more fuel and injectors can bump it up to around 400 if you want to run that much.

[@mickeyhartsell6096]

The Honda S2000 ROCK'S

[@mikedebear]

"Oh- a hiker..." :-D love it

[@Yldee194]

Matt's new favourite word, "zing". JUST ZING IT!

[@Patrick94GSR]

Yep I used to redline my Integra GSR to 8K RPM all the time back in the day, and it always had over 100K miles on it. I don't really do it so much these days. It's about to hit 350K.

[@DJAlessandrini]

Matt they make lower seat rails for the car. I believe they are made by buddy club.

[@wwhite36]

F-ing Finally. Glad this specimen represented well.

[@gnarlytothemax]

VTec just kicked in yo!

[@WhisxBeerus]

Hey Matt, out of all the one-takes you have done so far, which car has been your favorite to drive overall? Any cars that you expected not to enjoy that you ended up enjoying?

[@SlowGoat54]

That drone though.

[@mstSean]

There is a company that makes a seat mount that lowers factory seat 1.5in which helped a ton for my at 6'2". There is always the problem with the wheel which is a shame. Wish someone made a steering column with tilt and telescope.

[@LucaCarMods]

Love that sound! You really need to trash the car to make it fun to drive, exactly the same as the Civic Type-R i owned.

[@ColinBlountPhotography]

Matt, if you buy any type of racing seat/seat rails they will sit much lower than the stock seats. Just be careful because not all seats fit in the S2000 because of how tight it is on the interior

[@yitznewton]

Great to see this video at last! What alignment are you running?

[@fikninn]

+yitznewton -3* front and -2.8 rear. Using an SPC adjustable ball joints.

[@MrRubbish05]

This vid makes me miss my s2k!

[@dontfeedthecode]

Nik is holding on for dear life lol

[@JTSX1]

Definitely a fun car and tall people can fit in it (not too tall), though 6'3 is probably getting close to the limit, depending on your inseam. You have to incline the seat to as far forward (straight up) as it will go, then slide the seat back as far as it will go. It wasn't meant for comfort like a Mustang or family sedan; that driving position is great for spirited and track driving. I can fit comfortably (6'1), but my head is above the roll bar; would be scary in a rollover. Also, being able to feel what the car is doing (ie. road, wheel slip) through the chasis is, to me, one of the benefits of this car and its rigid X monocoque frame. Fun car, I just no longer have the funds to modify it like I want.

[@07acanoia]

Matt, it seems like you've aged tremendously in the last year lol. Love the videos btw.

[@TheSmokingTire]

+DJ Paranoia It's directly related to whether or not I've shaved.

[@raiderbigboy75]

Matt, your hair looks great blowing in the wind. haha

[@unholyangel86]

Ha! His 1st gear to reverse ritual is that of a true mustang enthusiast. It comes from having owned fox-bodies with the T-5 that didn't have synchros for reverse. Reverse would probably grind anyway, but a lot of the time you could remedy this by going into 1st before reverse. Even if Matt says this isn't why, it's probably a subconscious thing. I do it as well in every manual car I drive.

[@TheSmokingTire]

+unholyangel86 That's exactly where I developed that habit: in my SN95 in high school. I still do it every time I get in the car. Honda also uses non-synchro reverse, so it works there.

[@unholyangel86]

+TheSmokingTire That's true. I daily a 2006 S2000 like the one in the video except mine is really stock. I had an SN95 in high school as well (1996 GT) but mine had the T-45 instead of the T5. Either way, I figured that's how that habit came about. I also currently own a 2003 Mach 1 with bolt-ons, x-pipe, cat-back, tune, wheels and tires, clutch and flywheel. It's still a work in progress but I'm moving in the direction of your personal fox body in the video you recently posted. That car seems like an amazing fun to drive build. I chose the car with the mod-motor because I too wanted it to sound like my high school car. Keep up the good work. You can come give my Mach a run anytime you want. Take care.

[@MikaOwns]

Been looking for an S2000. Unmolested ones definitely pull a premium.

[@Mercman1010]

Man I know so many roads that look like this, the only problem with that is in Canada this is where everyone builds their house and no one wants to drive like this past 200 driveways

[@lukasboy98]

I have been waiting for a s2k lol mine has 180k and I slam it like he does lol. Amazing car so much fun!!