Modern Classic: 2001 Honda S2000 With 18k Original Miles

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Some cars are destined to be classics from the moment they hit the showroom floor. Such is the case with the 2001 Honda S2000. The company took the basic concept of the traditional two-seat sports car and by applying some cutting-edge engineering, created a vehicle with giant-killing performance. Our feature car is a spotless survivor with 18,000 original miles on its odometer and appears to need nothing but a new home. It has generated plenty of interest, confirming that people like what they see.

The release of the original Mazda MX-5 Miata opened the floodgates for the compact two-seat sports car, with many manufacturers joining the party following that car’s overwhelming sales success. Honda added the S2000 to its range in 1999, with the First Generation remaining on sale until 2003. The company offered a choice of six paint shades in 2001, with this car’s first owner selecting dazzling Formula Red. Finding anything to criticize is virtually impossible. Front bumpers are prone to minor stonechips and marks, but there are none visible in the supplied photos. The panels are laser straight, and the gaps are as tight and consistent as buyers grew to expect from Honda. The Black soft-top fits as tight as a drum, and the lightweight 16″ alloy wheels are spotless. It is a garage-kept one-owner classic, and the care it has received means the winning bidder will slip behind the wheel of a car that is rust-free.

It would be easy to dismiss the S2000 as just another Japanese sports car, but Honda worked hard to create a genuinely special car. Lifting the hood reveals the DOHC 1,997cc four-cylinder powerplant that sends 240hp and 153 ft/lbs of torque to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. I will always admire great engines, and this is one of the best to emerge from Japan. Any unmodified production engine that features a redline of 9,000rpm is a sign that the manufacturer has pulled out the stops to create an engineering marvel. This gem launches the S2000 through the ¼-mile in 14.5 seconds, while keeping the pedal to the metal will see the needle dance at 150mph. Considering the modest engine capacity, those figures are mighty impressive. However, Honda designed the S2000 as a total package, with the engine pushed as far back as possible for favorable weight distribution. It tips the scales at 2,778 lbs, and with enormous four-wheel discs with ABS, this classic stops…yesterday! This one-owner Honda has a genuine 18,000 miles on the clock, and although the seller provides no information on how it runs or drives, the visual indications are positive.

The S2000 might be a high-performance sports car, but it isn’t short on luxury appointments. The new owner receives supple leather trim, a couple of airbags, air conditioning, power windows, power locks with keyless entry, power seats, cruise control, and a premium stereo with a CD player. However, the gauge cluster is an undoubted highlight. The digital display and bar graph tachometer would look right at home in a racing car from the era, helping this interior to really stand out. The presentation is all you might expect from a low-mile classic. There is no evidence of significant wear, abuse, or neglect, and no aftermarket additions. I would hesitate to describe it as perfect, but the new owner will feel no shame as they cruise the streets with the top down.

The seller listed this 2001 Honda S2000 here on eBay in Roswell, Georgia. Twenty-two bids have pushed the price to $15,655, which is below the reserve. Recent sales results suggest that figure could double before the hammer falls, which wouldn’t surprise me. If the auction closes lower, the S2000 could be a relative bargain. If a two-seat sports car with impressive performance has been on your Wish List, monitoring this auction could be worthwhile.

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Comments

  1. bobhess bobhessMember

    Nice car. Stepson has a ’92 that just got an engine change at 300,000K. It’s his daily driver and hasn’t missed a beat up to the engine change. I think it’s one of the best looking cars of the modern era.

    Like 13
    • Tiger66

      ’92?

      Like 3
      • bobhess bobhessMember

        2002. Notice the early morning time….

        Like 3
  2. Nevadahalfrack NevadahalfrackMember

    A neighbor bought one new identical to this. He said it was as close to an Acura NSX that he’d ever be able to afford. 22 years later he always has a smile on his face when he fires it up, backs out of the garage and drives away.

    Like 4
  3. justpaul

    Honda hit it out of the park with these.

    Like 11
  4. Puddleglum

    Any car guy needs a stick. There is nothing like it. Newer generations are missing out.

    Like 14
  5. Philbo427

    These are cool little cars. Was funny though, Jason on YouTube from Engineering Explained” had one of these and joked about how they have “zero torque”!

    Like 0
    • Mike F

      The HP and torque and rpm limit are very similar to the Mazda RX8’s rotary. That’s a feat for a production piston engine.

      Like 4
  6. CarbobMember

    I just saw one of these at a recent Cars and Coffee. It had been modified VIA the installation of a turbo. The guy that owned it said that it was quite fast and a blast to drive. I didn’t doubt him.

    Like 4
  7. Emmet

    How do you own a car like this and only put 18K miles on it? Stunning car and a bargain at the moment.

    Like 5
    • Tiger66

      Some of these were bought new as 3rd cars and didn’t see a lot of miles. Also, they are not that great in “normal” driving — not everyone fits, the noise level inside is very high and winding the engine out constantly to get moving becomes a chore in traffic (AP1s like this one anyway; never drove an AP2). All in all they seem better suited for the track. My experience, at least. They do look good, though, with great Honda build quality and reliability. Very solid car. Also, they are easy to work on and don’t depreciate.

      Like 3
  8. Greg G

    Timing is everything and l’m sure there’s someone looking for one of these. They don’t come much better than this. Next to the NSX this is one of the finest sports car produced by Honda. I wonder what the buy it now ask is. This car will only appreciate with time.

    Like 4
    • Steve R

      There is no BIN. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s getting offers to end the action early, that’s a tough call for a seller with a desirable car that’s really nice. If someone were to make an offer above the reserve, do you take the guaranteed money or gamble on two or more buyers getting into a bidding war and driving the price even higher.

      Steve R

      Like 7
      • Steve R

        The auction ended with a high bid of $29,700, which did not meet reserve.

        Steve R

        Like 0
  9. firemedic2714

    My dad has a year 2k S2000. It was one of the first in San Antonio. His is silver with a red interior. The original buyer of this one really missed out by not checking the red interior box. It would have been even more stunning with matching red leather seats.

    Like 5
  10. Jay E.Member

    Unless something drastically changed, the comment of zero torque is right on the money. These care are gutless until the revs climb and it is no fun to drive in real life. I can certainly see why it would be fun on a track though.

    Like 2
    • jwaly

      Have you driven one?

      Like 0
    • 370zpp 370zpp

      Sorry Jay, I have owned two , an 03 and an 04. You had to understand how to drive them. Much like a crotch rocket, you found the power in the high revs. It started out like a Corolla – and then morphed into a rocket.

      Like 3
  11. Marky Mark

    Really nice low mileage examples can bring really big bucks. This one would fit into that category. A buddy just sold his 2001 that he used as a daily driver since new. Needed paint and cosmetics and had 188K miles. Still got $17K for it.

    Like 2
  12. bigbird

    Not a high production car because of price, but you got a very reliable sports car that was fun to drive. This car had some heft to it so guess what? It could have a had a small lightweight V8 and 5-speed that would have tripled sales at least in the US. I would have bought one. Still prices keep rising on these for good reason, solid car.

    Like 3
    • Bub

      Big no, bigbird. All due respect.
      Strap a blower on it to up the torque and go put 200,000 trouble free miles on it .

      Like 0
      • bigbird

        Well, I am old school, where nothing sounds like a V8 or pulls like one. I guess the Mark II Sunbeam Tigers (633 built) now approach 100K and more. Build it with a V8 and it will sell, big time.

        Like 1
  13. PRA4SNW PRA4SNWMember

    If you are used to a low end torque V8, move on. However, if you like twisting the throttle, so to speak, this is the spot on car for you.

    Original owner and low miles – pretty rare for one of these. They tend to pass through a lot of hands who all like to rack up the miles, and smiles.

    Like 0

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