2008 Honda S2000 Quality Review

Like all Hondas, the Honda S2000 has a reputation for high quality and reliability, as well as good resale value. As a sportscar, comfort and practicality are not high on the S2000 Honda’s feature list, but in TheCarConnection.com's experience, those seeking racecar-like handling are usually willing to sacrifice a few comfort amenities for increased performance.

The 2008 Honda S2000 is a small two-seater with a “snug” cockpit, according to Edmunds, and even that description is generous. ConsumerGuide reports that “large people have precious little room to spare, so they may find the seats too confining.” Cars.com reviewers appreciate the “body-hugging, leather-trimmed bucket seats,” but they also note that “the range of driving positions is limited because the steering wheel doesn’t adjust and the seats must be positioned manually.” While the overall dimensions of the S2000 Honda may be a bit confining, Kelley Blue Book still loves the “deeply contoured bucket seats” that hold you firmly in place during aggressive cornering.

What limited space there is on the 2008 Honda S2000 is devoted almost entirely to the driver and passenger, and precious little room is given to anything they might want to carry with them. Cars.com, like most reviews read by TheCarConnection.com, says that “storage space is at a premium,” finding that “there’s a tiny bin between the seats and a trunk with only 5 cubic feet of capacity.” ConsumerGuide recommends that drivers “pack light,” since the Honda S2000’s trunk only “holds a fair number of plastic grocery bags or a couple of day packs.”

One area where reviewers are in unanimous agreement when it comes to the 2008 Honda S2000 is build quality, which they all praise as exceptional. Kelley Blue Book loves that the Honda S2000 offers performance “but with a Honda price tag and build quality,” which is to say low and high, respectively. ConsumerGuide points out that the “materials and solid and assembled well,” and the “power top operates quickly and seals well,” despite the fact that the top can be a problem area on some roadsters. Edmunds reviewers rave about the “bulletproof reliability promised by its impeccable Honda bloodlines.”

On many cars, high build quality is indicative of low cabin noise, but the 2008 Honda S2000 is loud in either trim. ConsumerGuide finds that, even with the “top up, tire roar is very intrusive.” Edmunds adds that “the assault on the ears is slightly less endearing, especially on long trips,” and goes on to mention that “the noise factor is even more of an issue with the CR trim, since CR models sacrifice sound-deadening material in the interest of reducing curb weight.”