2004 Honda S2000 Changes & Specs

In 2000, technology derived from Honda's efforts in motorsports and 50 years of building cars combined to create the S2000. This four-wheeled streetbike is in a class of street-legal racecars usually reserved for expensive exotics and a couple of all-wheel-drive turbo sedans that we'll leave nameless.

But after 5 years on the market, a used S2000 has become a viable alternative to a new RSX Type-S or Civic Si. The average price in our nationwide search for a 2000-'03 AP1 is about $23,000, nearly $1,000 less than the MSRP on a new DC5 Type S. The Kelley Blue Book value for an '00 in excellent condition is a few hundred dollars less than the $19,000 sticker on a new EP3 Si.

The '04 and '05 S2Ks are a more refined, user friendly and, most importantly, torquey version of the original and can be had for only a few thousand dollars more than an '00-'03.

Powertrain The original S2000 engine ('00-'03) epitomizes the Honda motor. The F20C was a top-end screamer with a 9000-rpm rev limit that made 240-crank hp on top and still had power under the curve, thanks to variable valve timing.

In 2004, Honda attempted to improve on perfection and succeeded. The F20C gave way to the F22C; a glance at the engine codes could probably explain the difference-an extra .2 liters. This bump in displacement was good for 9 lb-ft of torque and the same 240-peak hp. The only drawback is a 500-rpm cutoff of the redline, which sounds bad on paper but is virtually imperceptible while driving. Power is put down through a six-speed manual transmission.

Chassis
At 2,810 pounds, the S2000 isn't as light as it looks. Most of the extra weight is in chassis bracing, making for a stiffer and nimbler car. In this case, it's a pretty reasonable compromise.

The independent double-wishbone suspension front and rear is dampened by external reservoir gas-pressurized monotube shocks and suspended by coil springs. The electronic power-steering rack goes lock-to-lock in 2.6 turns, with a steering ratio of 14.9. Clamping power is supplied by Nissin calipers over 11.8-inch ventilated rotors up front and 11.1-inch rotors in the rear.