FIVE TRIALs
We enjoy the Honda S2000 and put it fully to the test
1 DAILY DRIVING
Fuel injection and assisted steering mean that a short-shifted S2000 will cope with a modern commute without issue. Glass screens were available in soft-tops from 2002; earlier cars can have them retro-fitted. Hard-tops also became available in the same year, with later third-party additions from Spoon and Mugen. Sensitive alignment and steering geometry will not cope well with bumps up kerbs or sidewall scuffs. The high-revving F20C likes – and uses – oil, even when kept out of VTEC. As much as 800ml per 1000 miles is usual on higher-mileage cars, so keep a small bottle stashed away in the boot.
2 IN THE SERVICE BAY
Parts availability is good, but make sure that the factory underseal hasn’t been chipped away by cack-handed fast-fit tyre jacks and extended periods outside. Suspension adjustment bolts and bushes can seize if not regularly attended to – Honda never treated them with water-resistant grease. Honda main agents are expensive, but specialist prices are more palatable; a major service, including a gearbox oil-change and valve clearance checks, can be done for around £400. Looked after, an S2000 will carry on howling towards the horizon with excess of 150,000 miles on its odometer.
3 ON THE SHOW CIRCUIT
With the youngest S2000 barely ten years old, classic show-goers nevertheless appreciate the Honda’s performance pedigree, reliability and capricious handling. It’s a dead cert at a track day or modern classic/youngtimer show; any Japanese car event will attract at least a few S2000s into its display areas too. The UK S2000 Owners’ Club (s2kuk.com) is very active and ran an award-winning stand at this year’s Silverstone Classic. With the S2000’s 20th birthday this year, expect a lot more interest when the model appears in the halls of the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery, for the first time as an ‘anniversary classic.’
4 THE LONG WEEKEND
Pack carefully, because there’s precious little oddments space in an S2000 beyond a centre console cubby box. The wide sills and tightly bolstered seats mean that it’s cosy for very tall drivers, and the optional hard-top further robs headroom. Make sure the B-pillar latches are secured properly if said hard-top is fitted – otherwise it’ll rattle and squeak incessantly. The engine is busy at cruising speed and tyre noise is tolerable – a bit like the boot, which is long, but shallow; squashy bags are recommended. Touring fuel consumption is around 35mpg; this drops if you can’t resist the appeal of a quiet back road.
5 THE B-ROAD BLAST
Skimp on suspension geometry and tyres at your peril; Honda only got around to dialling in some tolerance for less experienced drivers in 2004. Well-spaced gearing makes the most of the VTEC redline and strong brakes can be relied upon. Weather permitting, a well-sorted S2000 won’t disappoint; fast motorbike aside, not much will be getting past you. Stay below the 6000rpm VTEC limit for trolling through sleepy villages and towns and save the final 2300rpm for well-sighted stretches of National Speed Limit and fast radius bends. A cruiser and sports car, it’s all-in-one.
ENGINE 1997CC/4-CYL/DOHC POWER 237BHP@8300RPM TORQUE 153LB FT@7500RPM MAXIMUM SPEED 150MPH 0-60MPH 6.2SEC FUEL CONSUMPTION 25-35MPG GEARBOX RWD, SIX-SPEED MANUAL ENGINE OIL CASTROL EDGE 5W40 – 4.8 LITRES GEARBOX OIL CASTROL SYNTRANS MULTIVEHICLE 75W90 – 1.4 LITRES