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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2008 Honda S2000

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2009 Honda S2000

Overview

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2008 Honda S2000 Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

Convertibles and roadsters are plentiful these days, but only a handful can truly be called performance oriented. The 2008 Honda S2000 is one of the lucky few, endowed with an incredibly high-strung four-cylinder engine born from years of Honda racing experience. From a normally-aspirated 2.2 liters of displacement, the S2000 engine manages an amazing 237 horsepower and doesn't reach redline until 8000 rpm. Toss in its extremely rigid body and sub-2,900-pound vehicle weight, and the S2000 begins to feel less like a car and more like a four-wheeled motorcycle. Offering more punch than a Mazda MX-5 Miata and costing less than a Porsche Boxster, the S2000 lets the average Joe have his cake and eat it too.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you love the feeling of riding a motorcycle without a helmet, but your balance just isn't what it used to be, check out the 2008 Honda S2000. Those looking for startlingly-quick performance and remarkable nimbleness, but with a Honda price tag and build quality, won't be disappointed.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you're accustomed to beefy V6- and V8-powered coupes that deliver their peak torque low in the rpm band, the S2000 is not your type of sports car.

What's New for 2008

A new trim, the CR, joins the line. Honda claims the CR is lighter, stiffer and more aggressive than the base S2000 and is designed to maximize the car's potential on the race track.

Driving the S2000

Driving Impressions The 2008 Honda S2000's engine doesn't have much output until you wind the tachometer past the 5000-rpm mark, a range where most cars begin to run out of steam. With...

the high-pitched whine of the engine spinning at high speeds, the S2000 rockets forward and keeps on going to a redline that was once considered the sole domain of high-performance motorcycles. The car's 50/50 front-to-rear weight distribution, well-calibrated suspension tuning and extremely rigid structure -- there is actually a large visible brace that runs across the floor just in front of the seat brackets -- give the S2000 a nearly flat cornering behavior and extremely crisp response that allows it to negotiate the corners with sure tenacity, with reaction that feels as if it's coming directly from your nerve endings.

Favorite Features

Big Engine
With 237 horsepower under the hood, the 2.2-liter engine pumps out more than 100 horsepower per liter.

Headrest Speakers
Made standard last year, the headrest-mounted speakers are the only way to really hear your music when both the top and the accelerator pedal are down.

2008 Honda S2000 Details

Interior

The S2000's interior is full of wonderful surprises. After slipping into the deeply contoured bucket seats, you'll notice the big red START button on the dash; look a bit further, and you'll see that the tachometer redlines at an astounding 8,000 rpm. The long center console sits up high, affording you the perfect perch on which to rest your arm while you operate the sweet six-speed manual transmission. The audio head unit is hidden behind a flip-up aluminum panel, safe from the prying eyes of would-be thieves.

Exterior

The 2008 Honda S2000 strikes a very un-Honda like, somewhat wicked pose. When viewed from above, the S2000's flared front-wheel arches and tapered hood closely resemble an angry cobra about to strike: A fitting look, considering this car's performance potential. The power soft-top features a glass rear window that retracts in seconds. Expectedly, the trunk is small, but it's still usable. CR models include an aerodynamic body kit, a factory-tuned track-oriented suspension, lift-reducing front and rear spoilers and a removable aluminum hard top in place of the conventional cloth top.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

Every S2000 rolls out of the factory with a 237-horsepower 2.2-liter engine, six-speed manual transmission, air conditioning, limited-slip differential, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS), rear defroster, engine immobilizer, HID headlamps, dual power mirrors, AM/FM stereo with CD, XM Satellite Radio, headrest-mounted speakers, leather bucket seats, cruise control, power windows, remote keyless entry and alloy wheels. The CR trim adds a removable aluminum hardtop, body kit, additional structural bracing, wider rear tires and a "peak power indicator" meter. To help reduce weight, air conditioning and the factory stereo are optional on the CR trim.

Optional Equipment

What you see is what you get. There are no factory options for the S2000.

Under the Hood

The S2000's 2.2-liter motor is strong, but only after you get the tachometer above 5000 rpm. This engine is buzzy and some people will think it annoyingly loud at times, but there is no denying the joy it brings when pushed to its limits. We never managed to match the highway fuel economy figure quoted by the EPA, but then again, we spent a lot of time with the tachometer needle above 7000 rpm.

2.2-liter in-line 4
237 horsepower @ 7800 rpm
162 lb.-ft. of torque @ 6800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/25

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2008 Honda S2000 Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.7

Out of 10

Based on 332 Ratings for the 2000 - 2009 models.

Review this car

Value

9.8/10

Quality

9.8/10
Reliability

9.9/10

Performance

9.8/10
Comfort

9.0/10

Styling

9.8/10

car is destined to be a collector's car

By rioray (OR) on Tuesday, January 01, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 33,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "best bang for your buck under $30k"

Cons: "cup holder not deep enough."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"car handles like it is on rails. beautiful design, I get compliments on it constantly. Keep it stock-it is so well designed you don't want to monkey with such a well designed, well tuned car. Love the high rev capacity. Had a Porsche before-beautiful car, but the ownership cost is prohibitive. Best of all,the car has cost me next to nothing to maintain. Buy one and keep it forever!"

5 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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Tightest, most fun to drive I have ever owned.

By Brian (GA) on Saturday, December 29, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 21,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 7/10

Pros: "Performance, looks, dependability, cost."

Cons: "Cabin noise (top closed)."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I use the S2000 as a daily driver and it makes my 25 minute commute fun and energizing. Handling, traction, cornering, acceleration, looks and ride are excellent, and it is easy on gas. Excellent wet weather traction also. Have owned since new and have spent zero outside of normal oil and fluid changes. My only complaint is that the cabin noise is high when the top is closed. I usually drive it with the top down, so this is not a large issue for me. I have a second vehicle to drive in bad weather, and I have never driven it on ice or snow."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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see all 332 reviews