2002 Honda S2000: Road Test
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2002 Honda S2000 Manual
2002 Honda S2000 ▼
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- MSRP: $32,400
- Invoice: $29,146
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Our road test for the 2002 Honda S2000 includes a full evaluation of the 2002 Honda S2000 from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2002 Honda S2000, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2002 Honda S2000 help you decide if a 2002 Honda S2000 is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 8 | 5.7 |
High-strung engine needs high revs for best performance, but is otherwise quite tractable. Test car did 0-60 mph in a rapid 6.7 sec. Shift action positive, wrist-flick easy.
FUEL ECONOMY
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 5 | 6.1 |
Test car averaged 22 mpg in mostly highway driving. Premium fuel required.
RIDE QUALITY
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 2 | 3.5 |
Ever stiff, often bouncy, especially on rippled freeways. Even small bumps can jolt occupants and make the car's body shudder.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 10 | 7.4 |
Skateboard-flat cornering, pin-sharp steering, but sudden throttle inputs can cause fishtailing even on dry pavement and a light snowfall nearly immobilized our Midwest test car. Braking swift and undramatic; S2000 just hunkers down and stops.
QUIETNESS
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 1 | 3.2 |
Abundant tire and wind roar become tiresome real fast. Engine loud and raspy in the high-rpm driving the S2000 encourages.
CONTROLS
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 3 | 5.5 |
Main audio controls slightly larger for '02, a plus. Redundant controls flank steering wheel. Digi-graphic gauges aren't tops for legibility, but don't wash out in bright light. Top operates quickly, seals well.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 3 | 4.5 |
Larger persons have little room to spare and may find seats too confining and hard. Tall transmission tunnel adds to a very cozy feel. Low "bathtub" seating, so crouch-and-crawl entry/exit. Glass rear window is welcome, but smaller than prior plastic window, though top-up visibility doesn't suffer much.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 0 | 1.5 |
(No rear seating.)
CARGO ROOM
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 1 | 2.9 |
Not much even for a sports car, less with fiddly top cover stowed. New door storage nets for '02 do little to augment the small glovebox and awkward between-seats bin.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 5 | 5.2 |
The '02 changes civilize the S2000 some, but this is still a noisy, hard-riding, high-strung thoroughbred sports car for performance purists. Strong demand and limited availability send transaction prices way above sticker. The S2000 is terrific on a sports-car road, but a BMW Z3 2.5 or Mazda Miata offers similar fun and better day-to-day livability for the same or less money.
Total Score
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 38 | 45.5 |
Total Score: 38
Scores for all Sporty/performance Cars
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