MotorWeek | Retro Review: '00 Honda S2000 Road Test

I'm moved beyond words.

[@ashton9699]

To me the best part is just knowing that even after all these years John is still keeping up with the times and meme culture. Greatest automotive presenter of all time.

[@ObsoleteGamercom]

He is simply the best!

[@nighthawk0077]

lol i think people really have their rose colored glasses on, as he is part of many of our childhoods and has been around forever. In truth his narrration is standard boiler plate stuff. Realistically I wouldnt even rate him in the top 30.

[@theDGKkid1234]

@@nighthawk0077if that were true he wouldn’t be a narrator for longer than I have been alive, do better

[@fernandorocha-dx1wv]

@@ObsoleteGamercom Very nice this , car, wonderful

[@DimitriosChannel]

As a muscle car guy I admit it has aged well and the interior is one of the best.

[@dougedoug2105]

Japanese Minimalism

[@deborahchesser7375]

@@dougedoug2105 at 9000 rpm

[@brendancarew7310]

When I was a kid, my brother and I had to forfeit the TV every Saturday morning so my dad could watch MotorWeek. I would stick around and watch it with him. Today I'm a licensed mechanic with a love for retro cars. I get a lot of enjoyment from these videos. Thank you.

[@aaronbays4]

I'm more of a V8 guy, but the engine in the S2000 is epic. Its loud, revs like a motorcycle and feels permanently ANGRY AND PISSED OFF lol

[@lowkeydiegoduran4724]

yea my dads friend has one and he took me on a ride to our local mountain road, let me tell you when he revved it to 9000 rpm it sounded so good and the handling whooo where do I even begin, it was all just so good

[@onefastslimjim]

I like to think of Honda engines as masochists, you beat the ever living out of them and they just beg for more. Everytime you engage a new gear, it just asks you, "Come on, redlining once won't hurt..."

[@krayzie281]

Crazy how 20 years later these are still selling for around the same starting price

[@fastdude2002]

I have a Sebring Silver S2000 I bought new in 2002. It sits in my garage today with only 8,000 miles and is in as good as condition as the day I bought it. Too many toys so a rarely found time to drive it. I believe I can sell it today for at least what I paid for it. Mine is about as close as you can get to buying a new one.

[@TheDalitis8]

@@fastdude2002 You can sell it for at least 40K.

[@CheesusSVT]

Mhmm, fun and timeless cars are a rare breed.

[@rohingacibai5622]

They dont SELL brand new anymore,thats why...modern car nowadays not fun and agile as this car

[@mazdafiero112]

@@rohingacibai5622 modern overweight cookie cutter cars.

[@shawoo]

The too soon junior at the end was amazing.

[@LakeHowellDigitalVideo]

That fool is running a Honda 2000!

[@basshead.]

I bet you he's got more than $100,000 under the hood of that car.

[@McBeamer94]

@@LakeHowellDigitalVideo It's alright, I ain't losing! 😜

[@soukkhanhsila134]

Throwing down the pink slips just like you

[@mattcox3373]

Go fetch my car

[@fhowland]

“This is a car that demands the drivers full attention”. He nailed it. As an S2000 owner, it requires so much full concentration it can almost be exhausting to drive . But if you’re in the right mood there’s nothing else like it.

[@roddydykes7053]

I daily’d a 350z for a few years and I remember how exhausted I’d be driving that too lol. Still was a fantastic experience and I miss all the looks it’d get. Kids especially loved it

[@Jeff_F7]

Modern classic. They will never make a roadster like this ever again unfortunately. Checks all the boxes. exciting n/a engine, double wishbone suspension, well-engineered chassis with backbone structure, handling, weight distribution, perfect shifter, attractive rwd proportions, honda reliability. I hope to get one in the future, but I missed the sweet spot before this car was really appreciated and prices skyrocketed. The only thing negative I ever heard about this car was that I sometimes hear mixed reviews on the steering feel from the electric power steering. Some say there's great feel (like here in this episode of motorweek) and some other reviewers say that while it's quick and direct, it still lacks a bit of feel and connection. I know it's subjective, hence the mixed reviews, and reviewers sometimes test several cars back to back which can affect how they rate their experiences, but what has been your own experience with the steering?

[@fhowland]

@@Jeff_F7 the steering feel is definitely the weakest point of the car. I probably paid too much for mine in 2021 but unmolested low mileage ones in Laguna pearl blue are hard to find. They shot up big time after 2019 or so.

[@Jeff_F7]

@@fhowland thanks for the reply. Is yours an AP1 or AP2? Although the AP2's 2.2L has more torque, some say the 2.0L F20C is a little bit more exciting with the 9000 rpm redline and that the handling on the AP1 is just a little bit more lively. It's funny that there's such a mixed consensus on the steering. Is it a huge factor in the experience? Or do the other qualities of the car make up for the steering? And, is the lack of steering feel such that you don't know what the front end is doing and there is a slight lack of connection to the road, or is it a relative thing (i.e. there may be some lack of feel, but compared to other cars, there is still good feel, but it just could be better)?

[@fhowland]

@@Jeff_F7 I have AP2, it’s the one to get IMO. Less frantic to drive.. it’s a low torque car.. the AP1 is downright slow in regular driving. Even an MX5 feels faster than an AP2 unless you’re driving it all-out. Steering being dead is annoying but not a deal breaker for me.

[@kingalex29339]

love hondas interior design in their cars from 98-2006

[@dhoffnun]

I lol'd at "too soon, junior!"

[@marioiacolucci]

How come Honda does not make this car anymore?

[@blazecrx]

i think it's just weird marketing stuff, it was too good, sometimes that's not good, haha

[@Momo_8k]

I didn’t see that coming! 😂

[@davidm5707]

Too expensive, too limited a market. The MR2 was a great car, much cheaper, and it didn't make it either.

[@hoarbaby]

Street’s closed pizza boy

[@21DaHoagie12]

I remember sitting down in an s2000 in a Honda show room maybe 7 or 8 years ago and telling myself “one day I will own one of these.” .. and now that I do, I will never let it go 🤣

[@mountainmandale1587]

Time has treated this vehicle well and I wish I had bought one back when I was working at the Honda dealership.

[@DampNoodles]

It's weird. This video looks ancient, but I daily drive an 01 s2000 and I literally get asked every few days how old it is. And people are dumbfounded when I tell then it's 17 years old.

[@gracien2008]

It's now going up in value!

[@MattSezer]

That was because people in the TV industry were idiots and were shooting analog video up until 10 years ago even though better quality digital video existed at the time.

[@ITRIEDEL]

honestly the car was way ahead of its time.

[@PliskinHK]

the S2000 20th anniversary edition proves that the s2000's design has aged very well

[@kenlee-97]

@@PliskinHK hi, when d I'd they produce those 20th anni. models?

[@tommyistommy]

this music sounds like its its from NBA Jam. I love s2000s and NBA Jam all the same

[@CarsUncovered]

Sweet, when does this car come out?

[@gregchristensen9195]

Its been discontinued since 2009

[@CarsUncovered]

Haha, you don't say :)

[@DriftTaxi]

+LamboFan I don't think he got the joke . . .

[@ethownzbh]

+LamboFan Its been discontinued since 2009

[@ethownzbh]

+LamboFan They started making them in 2000

[@JZXKenny]

This car has aged so well

[@marioiacolucci]

How come Honda stopped

[@h.a.4600]

@@marioiacolucci Don't know

[@marioiacolucci]

@@h.a.4600 thanks anyway

[@Uknown76]

​@@marioiacolucci the market has pretty much changed sedans and roadster's are a thing of the past most Americans only buy SUV's and trucks now

[@marioiacolucci]

@@Uknown76 wow thanks buddy

[@MyCatInABox]

"...notchy shifter." ...Huh? I never considered this car to have, what they consider, a "notchy" shifter: I've always thought the S2K to have one of, if not THE, best shifter/transmission combos I've ever felt. The gates are small, and the stop-points superb. I was always amazed that it was a stock shifter, and not some aftermarket company's doings.

[@N0nam3822]

When he said “too soon junior” at the end 👌🔥

[@thetreblerebel]

The F20 is one hellva engine. 9,000 RPM redline is an amazing sound when it's rolling. That VTEC kicks in, and it flys!

[@JakeFromLateFarm]

I was 8 years old when this car came out, and to this day I still think it looks absolutely beautiful. Always preferred the look of the AP1s over the rest. I even still have the old CR road test magazine from 2000! Thanks for posting, Motorweek! Keep 'em coming! P.S. Any chance you guys could perhaps post the road test of the Lexus IS300 Sedan and SportCross? It'd be a Christmas miracle to watch that again!

[@seant6346]

The CR didn't come out until 2007 XD

[@JakeFromLateFarm]

@@seant6346 : “CR” meaning Consumer Reports.

[@shuten_dojiii]

coolest channel ever! it’s starting to bring back childhood memories. thank you for the great vibes!

[@CMFL77]

This might be the BEST all around car Honda ever produced. Engine, chassis, suspension & interior near perfection. Really miss these and good ones are getting harder to find..if you find a gem you're paying a hefty % of the original msrp

[@patrickmichaellangan576]

I remember this car as if it were yesterday! I was around 14 when they first released this car to the U.S. and I was very impressed.

[@MegaRobbieDobbie]

I had a 00' New Formula Red S2000 a couple years ago. Was a fun car. Once you hit 6k it was a whole different animal. And it also had some snap oversteer on the track if you weren't careful. Definitely a car that demands your attention and respect

[@wizwiz1878]

I did NOT expect the "too soon, junior!" at the end there LMFAO

[@andy42x]

the Hondas of that era were bulletproof. I still see so many old CR-Vs on the road.

[@larryzeldin7561]

I turned away at the end and heard “to soon junior” and lmao I thought I was hearing things at first. I can’t believe the producers threw that in there,I’m pretty sure this was added when they did the anniversary shows with the retro reviews thrown in with the current shows.

[@johndrake2729]

Love the front of it, plus the handling. Honda should never have discontinued it.

[@brendancarlson1678]

People stopped buying them.

[@kenlee-97]

I think engine couldn't meet emissions.

[@pbfloyd13]

Stay till the end... Trust me it's worth it!!!!!

[@BugattiVeryonSS]

Oh you switched to another video already? Too soon junior.

[@michaelmeliambro5117]

Oh, I don't think ANYONE could stay to watch the end of this horsesh*t.

[@EricFortuneJr.]

Has a lot of Mazda styling cues, especially in the tail light design. This car has aged far better than most others from the 2000s era. Honda could’ve waited 20 years to roll this out and it would still be hot.

[@gavinvalentino6002]

The Porsche 944 is laughing at your Mazda comment.

[@prl08]

I know this sounds odd, but I'd love to see more regular sedans and suvs in the retro reviews. I love to see how the mass markets cars evolved over time more than the performance cars.

[@williamb.1582]

Me too!

[@goodoljr1]

Nah!

[@roddydykes7053]

You got your wish!

[@mannyrosado9887]

I own a 02 and still get lots of praises and complement. It has aged well, unmolested with 102k, still feels solid and can keep up with many new offerings, especially in the backroads.

[@seinsmeld13]

I miss my S. One of the best cars I ever owned. Had it for two years and sold it for more then I paid for it originally.

[@s2kkev292]

Really? Im guessing you didn't put that many miles on it?

[@Krazy_Shorts]

I did the same thing, sold it for more than i paid after 2 years.....and missed it so much, i bought it back from the guy i sold it to for the same price i sold it to him.

[@fastdude2002]

I have a Sebring Silver S2000 I bought new in 2002. It sits in my garage today with only 8,000 miles and is in as good as condition as the day I bought it. Too many toys so a rarely found time to drive it. I believe I can sell it today for at least what I paid for it. Mine is about as close as you can get to buying a new one.

[@jrq3rq]

"retro" car from 2000.....I'm old :/

[@MegaHolymoly]

well that was like 15 years ago lol..

[@TheItsmegp46]

Old? My first car was a 1966 VW Beetle that I purchased in 1971 when I turned 17. I learned to drive in my dad's 1962 Chrysler 300H.

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Old!! My first car was a 1981 Toyota supra!! And you think you're old...lol

[@EddoWagt]

@@MegaHolymoly 19 now :)

[@ODSTOninersIxTwO]

seriously

[@Pitbull14218]

That’s so awesome he says too soon junior at the end! Love it!

[@boss12]

I want to see Honda do more RWD cars. I feel like they could make some of the best.

[@johndrake2729]

They need to! I feel that they are the only Japanese car company so over-obsessed with practicality, they think they can do anything with FWD. Case in point, who would want to buy a FWD pickup truck???

[@alexis_dc2]

The ending “Too Soon Jr.” 🤣🤣🤣

[@willyoueatmyshorts1]

Watching this video makes me realize how long ago the year 2000 was...

[@schmo7777]

Knock Johnson yup. feel like it was yesterday and I was drooling over these things. they need to be made again. wake up Honda.

[@icantw8]

I was only 8 when this car was introduced. Fuck, I didn't know anything about cars back then. Wish I did though.

[@marioiacolucci]

Can I have the upload from car and driver the review by Jim scout in

[@smokyrs9838]

True 😔

[@hmccbr600rr]

Haha the "too soon junior" comment at the end

[@CRXJDM88]

I remember back in 98 to 99 when my dad was buying his 99 honda odyssey seeing all the 99 honda line up in the show room crv accord pralude odyssey

[@thetreblerebel]

Demand for this car is still high for the three or four production years that they had for it it's one of the best Hondas I ever made for sports enthusiasts

[@islandon22]

I used to drive one of these when I worked for Honda. I'd regularly take it to pick up lunch. That shifter is simply PERFECT.

[@captainchaos0666]

Love the Fast and Furious reference at the end.

[@Carstuff111]

I know its not the fastest car in a straight line (when stock) but DAMN can they move in the corners!!! A lot of people misunderstand Honda cars, or any light weight, sporty car. Everyone that hates on Honda always talks about no bottom end torque, and "meh" acceleration, but they completely miss the point: Honda builds some of the best momentum cars on the planet! That is the thing I love so much about Honda, once you build the speed up, you don't have to bleed it off nearly as much as the average car once things turn twisty ;) That is the thing that makes older Honda cars so damned enjoyable. The S2000 just happens to give you a bit more of a chance to enjoy a bit of drifting, if your heart so desires :)

[@HamsterWheelGaming]

23 years later and a good condition one where i live sells for 30k lol. Just shows how amazing these cars are

[@BaltimoreAndOhioRR]

They miss NOT having a glove box? That means there IS one and they would rather not have it?

[@moustachio334]

The glovebox is another compartment above the center console.

[@adrianniemiec8669]

The first gen 2.0 S2000 is actually capable of 6 seconds 0-60 , when properly broken in.

[@Ben77788]

Honda should bring back the S2000...that was an amazing car

[@jbm0866]

Won't happen, small displacement (under 2.0L) turbo engines and EV's are all non wealthy people have to look forward to in the next 20 years and beyond as well intentioned, but misguided politicians legislate the golden age of internal combustion performance (roughly 2000-2020) gradually out of existense. Having said that, the "too soon junior" applies to this as well..

[@moustachio334]

No they shouldn’t. The retarded government mandates modern cars have to meet coupled with the retardation of the American market would force Honda to produce a car as bad as that all female led cast of ghostbusters.

[@moustachio334]

Yes exactly this world is upside down batshit crazy and doesn’t need or even deserve another S2000. The CAFE laws coming into play soon are a death sentence for car enthusiasts. Thankfully they haven’t gotten in the way of motorcycles.

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

What a great little car that is! Always wanted one😍

[@jtafoya88]

Too soon junior lol haha @The Fast and the Furious

[@xsbgtr]

Really??? I think no one noticed

[@marioiacolucci]

Correct!Corrw

[@michaelcouse2223]

I sold cars for a honda dealer, when these first came out. The dealer was charging $3500 "market adjustment value" on top of the retail price. They got it everytime. very fun car to drive!

[@TheBrownGarage]

too soon junior lol at the end, i almost picked one of these up a few weeks ago for 5k, motor was shot but everything else was good, got sold the day before i was suposed to go look at it, wish i caught it on CL a few days earlier

[@vincentnocera2521]

I'm a Honda loyalist for life, and at all costs, this is one car I will drive before I die!

[@shawoo]

Too soon Junior. Love it!

[@SuperFURY1x]

The "Too soon, jr" at the end! 😂😂

[@ChrisG-gl5st]

Damn this car was ahead of its time! This car had features that cars are just getting in the last few years

[@edinerem]

Big thanx for this review.

[@12gauge_shawtyy]

one of the best cars ever made. period.

[@omairsh8]

Forever a classic sports car! My favourite sounding 4 engine

[@mrmovin12345]

20 yrs later and it's still damn near 32k for one lol at least on the west coast it is lol now that's a car made right

[@CaliGirlJade]

I like that he walks into the view at the start of the video, they don't do this anymore lol.

[@TheJohnlyh]

Still looks stylish even today

[@thestunnaz]

Ooof...they missed the center glove box and the secret compartment. And yes golf clubs do fit in it!

[@travosk8668]

My neighbor's brother had one of these but in black. It was the first i had ever been inside a convertible.

[@travyyyful]

Damn watching this retro vid makes me miss my 2007 red s2000 with matching hardtop now! It was the loveliest car ever and it wasn't molested like some ricer Hondas out there. Completely bone stock, clean and awesome! Gawdamn I regret selling that beauty.

[@jamesp504]

+Travis Wang I hate seeing them riced up... these kids ruin them.

[@MrRubbish05]

I hear you, I sold my 2001 back in 09! I regret it

[@mackeymichael]

I had a 2003 one back in 04-05 and what a mistake it was not holding on to it just the electric accelerator pedal response feel comes to mind.

[@Jeff_F7]

this car is a modern classic. One of the best roadsters ever made. That sweet n/a engine, rwd, perfect weight distribution, relatively lightweight, nice attractive rwd proportions (long hood, short deck), ideal-for-a-sports car double wishbone suspension, lively engaging handling with sharp responses that challenges the driver (particularly the 1st gen AP1 with the 2.0L like this one), one of the best shifters in the world. They'll never make a car like this ever again unfortunately. this car is capable of much faster 0-60 and 1/4 mile times too (0-60 in the mid 5 sec range for a good driver to high 5 sec with a normal driver that knows how to launch it properly and high 13's to low 14 sec in the quarter mile for a healthy stock car). Motorweek test drivers didn't always have the best launches in those older motorweek episodes. Many times, when launching a car with a manual, they bogged the motor rather than correctly finding the sweet spot of revs, and clutch release /slip to get the tires to sort of lose a tiny bit of grip (not produce wheelspin, just where you hear the tires chirp and hop a little bit) to keep the engine's revs up and in the powerband as the car moves forward. This is even more critical when you have a small displacement 4 banger with low torque at lower revs as the engine will easily bog if you get it even slightly wrong. You can hear in this video that they bogged the motor. It was hit or miss with motorweek back then as far as performance test numbers.

[@samdukeminier]

Actually, two full size golf bags with clubs easily fit in the trunk/boot. I can vouch from personal experience. Also, these cars are some of the greatest at any price and any brand. True motoring ecstasy and a legend for the ages.

[@timomomomo969]

Since they started making cars, Honda factory has participated in motor sports every year.

[@bghoody5665]

This is one of those "Why did they ever stop making those?" cars.

[@DanaBlack]

I wish Honda would give out more info about the S660 or S1000, especially in the US. I'd love to see a good Miata rival.

[@rustyshackleford932]

What's the song in the background?

[@jasonvogelsang7034]

That test track John is talking about in the slalom is 75/80 drag way

[@seinsmeld13]

Thanks John!!!!

[@euddys]

please do the 5th generation prelude

[@coydog7902]

Dude the upcoming car looks sick dude!

[@lowkeydiegoduran4724]

It already ended production in 2009 tho

[@coydog7902]

Atleast we’re getting a new integra

[@stephenimsong3462]

One of these just like this one in the video sold for $48,000 on BAT, it had just 1000 miles on it!

[@fastdude2002]

I have a Sebring Silver S2000 I bought new in 2002. It sits in my garage today with only 8,000 miles and is in as good as condition as the day I bought it. Too many toys so a rarely found time to drive it. I believe I can sell it today for at least what I paid for it. Mine is about as close as you can get to buying a new one.

[@4cylfreak46]

I miss my 08 Silverstone gray S2k. Sold it a few years ago for more then i paid for it in 2010.

[@RafaelV6]

OMG. So nostalgic!

[@coolguyponus]

I absolutely adore my S2000. Having a car this fun at this young age should be illegal.

[@7Geldy]

Well said! Everyday I slide into mine I reflect on how much joy it brings me...

[@S2k_GRsti]

Bought mine in 2012. Love it to death

[@kellyvtec]

I miss my AP2. These s2000s are awesome.

[@3v4761]

Love the classics

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

we have an S2000 in the body shop right now. I had to squeeze myself in it to pull it into the shop. but once inside it was awesome. I hope I get to test drive it when it's done. I'll be respectful because it's not mine. I just want to feel it on the road.

[@TomK-ti8kp]

The S2000 is the thinking man’s Miata. Without all of the baggage and stigma associated with Miata ownership

[@hsinwulau]

That engine is amazing

[@michaelpaparelli3227]

Damn near super car performance for less than 30K. No wonder these are going up!

[@lukerinderknecht2982]

Loved late 90's Hondas

[@CaliPatriot88]

This review got some things wrong: 0-60 for a stock S2000 is easily under 6 seconds if launched correctly, I know that for a fact since I own one. Also it can fit golf clubs just fine since I regularly go to the driving range.

[@Motorweek]

Please keep in mind that most of the time these cars have 300-1000 miles on them haven't been "loosened up"

[@BerryA86]

CaliPatriot88 You're right. Car and Driver did a 6.8 second run due to only having a few hundred miles on the engine. In another issue during a comparison, they did a 5.4 second-run.

[@mpgomatic]

+MotorWeek I avoid doing 0-60 MPH runs on test cars with less than 1000 miles on them. When I get one with less than four digits on the clock, I drive around until I crack 1000, then I test … =)

[@whoohaaXL]

+MPGomatic Not really great either....Most cars need about 5-7k to be really broken in (I mean, 1000 miles a typical break in, but Im talking performance.....) and able to run those numbers. Well past break in mileage and a few oil changes in is when you can really give it some beans.

[@mpgomatic]

whoohaaXL Aye, yup. Alas, the majority of the vehicles I've tested over the past six years or so had less than 5K on the clock. Gotta drive what the manufacturers drop off in the driveway …

[@thatcobradude4496]

*If you want one, get one. These cars are going to be collectables or maybe they already are. I'm trying to get one myself*

[@Hamburgler6.9]

120hp/L man, Honda used to build amazing motors.

[@billgateskilledmyuncle23]

The irony of this car is rear wheel drive, but their ridgelines are primary front wheel drive with rear wheel drive assist.

[@AJ6spd]

This is my favorite honda

[@erebus38]

Nowadays in the North American market whenever you hear about a new Honda car combined with rear wheel drive, it's almost guaranteed to turn at least a few heads, even if it's just for a few seconds.

[@1273poopoo]

If only I was old enough back then to understand what this guy was talking about back in 2000. 😂

[@thetreblerebel]

One bad ass car. Would love to have one but their rare and too expensive to get a good one

[@71vwdriver]

Could we see a 2000 accord v6 review pleaseeee?

[@b00stedrust]

my 98 integra gsr.. bone stock wen t 14.992@91.8mph.. I think whoever was running this s2000 needed way more seat time 96-99mph traps usually produce low 14s high 13's et's

[@scott1artgmail]

When I had mine, it pulled a lot of timing on hot days and suffered from heat soak on multiple races. I had an 02.

[@huldenjonathan]

My AP1 -05 Eurospec went 14.1@167KM/H, if I had stickier tires on, I would have gone high 13´s

[@kenlee-97]

@PHOENIX RISING so true man, I'm trying think of why???

[@VQSeries]

I dig the old school theme music lol

[@cyrilphillips8031]

I love this car

[@soukkhanhsila134]

Fast and furious reference. Nice.