Launched in 1999, the S2000 was introduced to celebrate Honda’s 50th anniversary, and it entered a market already populated by the Mazda MX-5, Porsche Boxster and TVR Griffith.  In typical Honda style, however, the S200 was a considerably more advanced and more potent sports car than its rivals, and the motoring press and consumers alike sat up and took notice. 

A sharp-looking car, with performance to match, it was the 2-litre engine, combined with Honda’s renowned VTEC (Variable Valve Timing & Lift Electronic Control) system, that had motoring journalists heaping praise on the car. The VTEC system, designed to outsmart Japan’s tax regime that’s based on engine size alone, changes the cam profile and provides better fuel consumption at low revs and increased performance at high revs, without the need for turbo- or super-charging. The end result, in the S2000’s case, is a light, powerful, ultra-high-revving rear-drive sports car that is an enthusiastic driver’s dream. 

With an (indicated) 58, 000 miles from new, DY 04 EZE offers the new owner the promise of exciting top-down motoring. 

The vendor purchased the car from an auction, in 2019, after it had been subject to a Category S write-off. In basic terms, a ‘Cat S’ vehicle is one which is deemed to have sustained structural damage, including its chassis, often as a result of an accident. In this case, the V5 records that the car was declared suitable for repair after a technical inspection. 

The vendor owns and runs his own car bodywork business, and bought the car to repair and for use by his wife. Having repaired the car, including respraying it, his wife doesn’t enjoy driving it and as they own four cars between them, they have decided to sell. 

As the vendor bought the car at auction there is very little paperwork, but the car has a current V5 in the vendor’s name, a current MoT valid until April 2023, and previous certificates showing that the car has passed three MoTs since restoration, in each case with no advisories.  

A recent reappraisal of the S2000 by Evo magazine described the cockpit of the S2000 as ‘a good place to be’ and this example bears out that verdict. The black leather sports seats are comfortable and supportive, the view of the road is good and the smart switchgear all falls readily to hand. The seats do have some evidence of wear, most notably on the bolster of the driver’s seat, as would be expected of a car approaching twenty years old. Overall, though, the condition of the interior would seem to suggest that the car’s indicated 58,000 miles is accurate. 

The stereo fascia is covered by a smart metal panel, complete with S2000 logo, but switch it on and the quality of the sound is impressive. 

The carpets have been protected by aftermarket overmats, but are in excellent condition, as are the centre-console, gear-lever and dashboard, which shows no evidence of fading or cracking – suggesting the car has probably spent most of its life in a garage.   

The digital instrument panel all appears to work as it should and, unlike others of its type, doesn’t look dated. 

In the boot, the grey lining is in excellent condition, and a subtle panel conceals a space-saver spare wheel, which would appear to have never been used. Similarly, under a panel in the boot floor there are the original jack, wheel brace and towing eye. The locking wheel-nut is in the car’s centre console compartment. 

The S2000’s sleek, sporty lines have aged well, and the car still turns heads – as was evident from the reactions of numerous passers-by during our photo shoot. The vendor reports that the structural damage to the car was minimal; he was readily able to repair this and replaced the headlights, bonnet and front bumper but repaired the front wings. 

There’s no external evidence of the previous damage, and although the engine bay was not resprayed the rest of the paintwork has clearly been carried out to exacting standards. The car looks superb in its maroon colour scheme, with only a minor scuff on the bottom of the front bumper – which the vendor will rectify before sale.

The soft-top looks to be virtually unmarked, and the electric mechanism for raising and lowering this works flawlessly; the rear window has no damage or scratches. The car has clearly been carefully looked after by successive owners.  

All four wheels and tyres are in excellent condition, which no evidence of kerb damage or corrosion.  

While the headlights are new, the rear lights are immaculate, while the badges and brightwork have kept well. The doorhandles have a few minor scuffs.  

It was the S2000’s high-revving 2-litre VTEC engine that had motoring journalists in raptures, and the six-speed gearbox was described by Evo magazine as ‘an all-time benchmark for the manual stick-shift’. The car starts readily and runs with a lovely engine note, and the vendor assures that it drives and handles in accord with its strong reputation. Open the bonnet and everything looks clean and well-ordered, with only a few signs of the cars age. 

A company always at the forefront of automotive technology, Honda’s S2000 was a foray into a market in which it had previously only dabbled, the two-seater sports car. Now widely regarded as one of the best cars Honda have ever made, the S2000 is a genuine modern classic with an enthusiastic following to match. 

With good examples increasingly hard to find, values are on the up. DY 04 EZE is a smart-looking example which, despite its chequered past, offers a thrilling driving experience in a comfortable driving environment.

This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.