Honda S2000 (1999 - 2009) 2.0i 2d (Alarm) (2005/05) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

You don't see many of these about but their looks have aged really well. I think they are a well kept secret and have had several compliments from random strangers.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

My neihbour loves it. Though he says he prefers his Z4.3.0. On track we found my the s2000 is faster in the corners but his 3.0 had more 'thump' . My Dad loved the pace when I was driving but couldn't figure out 'where the power was' when he was behind the wheel (though he changed into 6th at 32MPH....).

Would you buy this car again and why?

Yes. I wanted a fun, fastand reliable car that cost less than 10k. It had to be comfy enough for a weekend away and be firmly set up enough etc so tha I could take it on track - the S2000 is perfect.

What are you likely to buy next?

Nothing for a bit - a sensible replacement for our ageing CRV probably!

Type of dealer you bought from?

Didn't buy from a dealer

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£9,500

When did you buy the car?

July 2011

Did you get a good deal and why?

I think so. The car was in excellent condition and thogh 6 years old had only 33k on the clock - the last 12k of that had been put on by the guy I bought it from in 12 months as he was commuting in it.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Fun!

What was the dealer like?

What's it like to drive?

Very very good. The engine loves to rev and in the dry, the car will go round corners at speeds far higher than you would believe. The downside on the road is that because you need to really rev it get the most out of the car, it can encourage you into speeds or silliness where you shoudl know better...It's quite important to say to yourself before every outing 'I must NOT drive like a lunatic'. On the track (where I have taken it 3 times to date) it's fantasic. Enough power for a beginner to obtain really serious speeds (near 130MPH at Bedford Autodrome) with very encouraging brakes alongside tight handling that still gives you room for error. Its also a Honda so you know you can take it to 9k time and time agin without it breaking!

What's it like to park?

No problem - though harder with the hood up. The nose is a touch longer than you think though - I have grounded it on a curb twice (ouch).

Have you had any problems with the car?

No. One brief scare on a track day when I spun it, stalled and took a while to get it restarted. In doing so the engine mgt registered a misfire on the on board computer - this illuminated a check engine light. However a couple of days later this vanished never to return.

What's most practical about your car?

You can get enough luggage in the boot for a week away. But best to use squishy bags as the boot is slightly oddly shaped due to the space saver wheel. However this car is not designed as a load lugger.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

The hood is excellent - 7 seconds max to put up or take down. The xenon lights are also a bonus.