One of the finest driver's cars Honda ever made. The F20C revs to 9,000rpm and delivers an experience unlike anything else at the price. Engineering excellence from a company that built F1 engines.
The S2000 is mechanical perfection from Honda. Prices start from around £12,000, and the issues are minor compared to its contemporaries. Finding an unmolested example with good history is the real challenge.
We've compiled 6 known issues for the Honda S2000 in our database. Here are the five that matter most, drawn from specialist communities and owner experiences worldwide.
Go deeper: Run a free Carwise report on a specific S2000 to see which issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history, mileage checks and a personalised buyer checklist.
The fabric soft top wears at the fold points and the plastic rear window becomes cloudy and brittle with age. Replacement tops are available but fitting requires skill. Some owners upgrade to glass rear window conversions.
Inspect the roof fabric at fold creases for wear-through. Check rear window clarity and flexibility. Test for water ingress with a hose.
The AP1 gearbox can develop notchy 2nd and 3rd gear synchros, especially on cars that have been driven hard or used on track days. The AP2 gearbox is slightly more robust.
Test 2nd and 3rd gear engagement from cold. A notchy or crunchy shift indicates worn synchros.
The VTEC solenoid gasket hardens with age and leaks oil down the back of the engine. Easy and cheap to fix but often ignored, leading to oil dripping onto the exhaust.
Look at the back of the engine for oil residue. Check the spark plug wells for oil contamination.
A common complaint is a whine from the rear differential, especially noticeable at certain speeds. Some level of diff noise is normal on the S2000. Excessive noise or clunking suggests worn bearings or damaged gears, often from hard launches.
Listen on a quiet road at 30-50mph. Some whine is normal; grinding or clunking is not.
Not a defect but a well-known handling characteristic. The AP1's short wheelbase and 50/50 weight distribution can produce sudden oversteer when lifting off the throttle mid-corner, especially in the wet. The AP2 had revised suspension geometry to soften this trait.
This is not something to check on a viewing but something to be aware of as an owner. Driving courses and reading owner guides before spirited driving is strongly recommended.
The Honda S2000 is one of the finest driver's cars Honda ever made. The F20C engine revs to 9,000rpm and delivers an experience unlike anything else at the price. It is mechanical perfection from a company that built F1 engines.
The S2000 is also remarkably well-built by sports car standards. The issues are minor compared to its contemporaries. Prices have risen sharply as enthusiasts recognise what an engineering achievement it is. Low-mileage, unmolested examples command serious premiums.
A clean AP1 with good history is a future classic that you can enjoy every day.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Carwise Score.
Check a vehicle nowCompiled from independent expert sources, owner communities and our database of 6 known Honda S2000 issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.
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