Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) Honda S2000

Here is a picture of one Button maybe you know the owner/convertor ?

It came off a Morgan FB group I belong to.

Yes that is Tom Henderson, then of Tacoma, Washington, Morgan was sold to somebody in Victoria, BC, Canada, Tom now lives in Texas. Tom gave Me the Speedometer and Tach that I used for My +8 Bitsa. I have ridden in this 4/4 and Tom demonstrated its power. Somewhere in My archives I have a copy of the "Road Dyno" on this Morgan. Tom's conversion was very professional. Looked like it had come from the Factory with this engine.

I had a S2000 bought new in late 2002 up to 2005. My first Roadster in 2005 was the successor. I can confirm all the positive things said. But I have to add that at that time, when the S2000 was not rare to get but could be purchased from every Honda dealer my view was less rose tinted. Now of course the exotic status will enhance desirability.
I will not stress too much the positive side, reliability is a big positive point, also the engine is awesome with regards to rev willingness and character. The cabin was quite nice and functional but cosy. The seat positioning was very good.

On the other hand, after two years of fun I got tired to have to rev up to 6000 rpm to make her go. The biggest issue is the weight figure. 1.250 Kg is much to heavy concerning this engine if you consider all movements at lower than 6000 rpm revs.. The electrical power steering was without too much feedback and feel. The front axle was „too good“ to let the back axle keep up.

I did a first test drive in a Roadster in 2005 and after that we drove home with the S2000. She felt so slow and lazy in comparison.

I have to say that I‘m now 15 years more experienced. Perhaps I would love a S2000 again now. But I would definitely say that some cars are made for a long term joy like my 4/4. and others make you tired after a period of time like the S2000 or my former P4SS.
The secret may be to have the ability of a great collection and drive a car like the S2000 only from time to time.

The S2000 engine lives more in a car like this than in her original body. The same happens to be with the sister engine, the Honda K20 of that time which makes an Elise S1 conversion so awesome. High reving engines need light weight cars but the S2000 was too much medium heavy.

My son has a slightly tuned NA MX5 with different camshafts and so on (all done by himself). She is much more fun the the original S2000.

Heinz that is a very honest view of owning a vehicle, it makes me realise just how special the smart Roadster (had since 2003) we own is, the mog is special in its own unique way, my Toyota is boring, mx5 is technically accomplished and she loves it but lacks a certain something in my eyes. Maybe cars should be imperfect?

Seem to remember Autocar magazine reckoned a Civic Type R of the era was a better car.

My Twin bother has an early S2000. He has had it for 12 years.

Great car - goes like a rocket and superbly reliable.

He has toured all over Europe in it over the years.

It is a buzz box - but he likes that!!

Drove a friend's Mx5 around 10 years ago , very very quiet car , couldn't hear the engine. Was passenger in an S2000 last year and could hear plenty and its was shifting rapidly !

When they were new, one of the first road tests, probably EVO magazine, liked the car overall but found the need to rev the nuts off it could become tiresome. It didn't help that it was up against a (used) TVR Griffith.

I know a couple of owners and that still seems to be the general consensus.

Fine if you enjoy that style of driving, irritating if you don't.

Personally I prefer a bit more torque. I still rather like them though and would certainly take one over an MX5.

Not owned but tested a couple. Magnificent engine with a very good reputation for reliability - a true Honda. The rest of the car wasnt anything that special but it was OK. I had a Lotus at the time with the Toyota 2ZZ engine which similarly revved to 8500. That wasnt a bad engine but not up to the Honda one. The rest of the car was in a different league to the 2000. But probably a bit hard core for anything other than Sunday jaunts and track days.