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2005 Honda S2000 Pros and Cons at TrueDelta: Owner Pros and Cons by cycleflight

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Reviewed: 2005 Honda S2000

2dr Convertible 240-horsepower 2.2L I4 6-speed manual RWD

Why the 2005 Honda S2000?

Handling

Absolutely a driver's friend. This car does exactly what you tell it to, so in the hands of someone interested in telling a car to do specific things, it's a joy. I could see it being dangerous in the hands of someone who didn't like driving t

Powertrain performance

North of 6000 rpm the engine comes alive and it becomes apparent that, while the car was sporty before, the V-TEC cam makes it a much faster, altogether different animal. The only downside is that you have to wait for 6k rpm before the transition.

Controls and instruments

The controls in the S2000 are unique and fantastic. Most of the buttons are tactily unique, and all are within fingertip reach of the steering wheel, allowing eyes-up, hands-on-wheel adjustment of all radio and HVAC functions. Perfect design for any car.

Fuel economy

This car may be rated 18mpg city and 25mpg highway, but I don't drive many highways, and in red-light happy Houston I get 25mpg without even trying. Driving a long highway trip yielded closer to 29mpg. Sure it's premium, but for a 240bhp car, grea

Safety & braking

Lots of tire grip, and eyeball-sucking brakes. Keep eyes in the rear view when braking heavily, this car is a quick stopper.

Why Not the 2005 Honda S2000?

Front seat room

I'm 6' tall with a 33" inseam, 149 lbs, 30" waist. I fit exactly in every direction. The hip width of the seats is exactly mine, the seat is all the way back, and the back is ever so slightly tipped upwards from full back. Comfortable but

Quietness

You hear everything. Transmission synchros, gear whine, gravel kicked up from the tires, water, engine (what a lovely noise!), wind, and tires. It's not deafening, and conversation is easy, but by comparison a 2010 RAV4 is like a Bentley.

Ride smoothness

The S2000 communicates to the driver. Sound and feel are tools for driving fast, and this car talks about them at length. You feel paint on the road, literally. Bridge expansions are pronounced and firm. Never painful, but certainly not a soft ride.

Audio & nav systems

There's a CD-playing radio. If you like to wrap your drives in sonic bliss, though, you'd better be getting it from the engine. It's good enough to bang out Zeppelin, but don't expect Pavarotti's vocals to be done justice.

Cargo capacity

If I have to pick a 5th negative, I guess cargo room, although it's superior to that of a 370z. It's a sports car; it will not transport three people or their luggage. It'll get two through a weekend though, or a decent grocery trip in a pinch

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