Expert opinion
Great art is often unappreciated in its time. Just ask Herman Melville. Or Vincent Van Gogh. And the same is true of the Honda S2000. Early reviewers were unimpressed by the Honda’s handling, especially its lifeless steering and snappy rear end. The press – and in all honesty the public – rather preferred the smarter badge and more balanced handling of the Porsche Boxster.
And yet… Honda being Honda, they quietly beavered away at fixing the suspension and steering and, by the time the car went off sale at the end of the 2000s, it was much improved. What’s more, the minimalist styling and driver-focused cabin have aged rather gracefully.
The real work of art in the S2000, of course, is under the bonnet. Its 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine screams to a spine-tingling 9,000rpm and delivers 240hp from its naturally aspirated engine thanks to VTEC variable valve timing trickery. In its retirement, the S2000 has most certainly acquired modern classic status… the consequence of that being used examples are more expensive than ever.