Models · Honda
Honda S2000 AP1/AP2 buying guide
Honda's front-engined, rear-drive roadster, built from 1999 to 2009 with the 9,000rpm 2.0 VTEC F20C engine and a six-speed manual. The engine is very reliable when its oil is looked after.
The versions
- 2.0 VTEC F20C, 237bhp at 8,300rpm, revving to 9,000rpm; the 2.2 was for US-market cars
- Two-seat roadster with a soft top, six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive
- 2002: glass rear window in place of the plastic one
- VSA stability control optional from 2006 and standard from 2008
What to check on a S2000
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Oil level and oil use
What to look for: Check the dipstick before the engine is started. Ask how often the seller checks it and how much oil the car uses, and look in the history for regular oil changes.
Why it matters: The F20C uses oil, roughly a litre every 800 to 1,000 miles, and Honda advises checking the level every week. Many owners don't, so a low level is a common find. The engine is very reliable when the oil is looked after, so an owner who checks it regularly is a good sign.
Rear wheel arches and the underside
What to look for: Look in and around both rear wheel arches for bubbling paint, and check the underside from below for dirt build-up and rust.
Why it matters: Corrosion around the rear wheel wells is the main body concern, especially on cars used all year round. The factory underseal is thin, so regular cleaning and wax treatment keep it at bay, and a clean underside usually means a car that's been looked after.
Top-end tapping and the timing chain
What to look for: With the engine idling, listen at the top of the engine for a light tapping. Ask when the valve clearances were last checked and whether the timing chain tensioner has ever been replaced.
Why it matters: A light tap from the top end can be a sticking hydraulic pin in the VTEC system, which an oil change often clears. Valve clearances are checked at the major service. The camshafts are chain driven, with no cambelt, but the chain tensioner can need replacing from time to time.
Also in the full guide
- Damp from the hood and the rear window
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the S2000
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Honda.