Looking at Honda’s current lineup, which consists of workaday sedans, SUVs, and family haulers, there’s not a lot that gets enthusiasts’ blood boiling—unless the enthusiasm is for fuel-efficiency and versatility.  Dial the clock back a few years, however, and there was a shimmering star amongst the Honda lineup, in the form of the S2000 roadster. In production for nearly a decade, the S2000 was Honda’s holistic answer to the Mazda Miata, Porsche Boxster, BMW 1-Series convertible, and the BMW Z4. Refined good looks and an incredible willing chassis made the S2000 a favorite amongst reviewers, owners, and the tuning community.  To honor the S2000’s ultimate year of production, Honda pulled out all the stops and created the S2000 CR: a limited run of 1,400 track day-ready roadsters with all of the essentials, and few frills. A flight-deck style rear wing was standard equipment, but air conditioning and a radio were considered unnecessary extras. The S2000’s soft-top was jettisoned in favor of a stiffening brace behind the rear seats, which gives a cool, ‘50s racer look when the aluminum hardtop isn’t in place. The only major exterior difference, aside from the wing, is a set of super-sticky tires that wouldn’t look out of place on a racecar.  The S2000 CR’s specs deviate little from the garden-variety S2000: a capable 2.2-liter, 237-horsepower inline 4-cylinder is the engine of record, and a 6-speed manual is the only transmission offered. There are no enormous brakes, turbos, superchargers, lift kits, or any of the go-faster options favored by the tuner crowd.  But if the specs seem pretty average, even for a convertible from just five years ago, you should think again. Driving the S2000 CR, which embodies the notion of a sum far exceeding its parts, is the stuff of legend. That I found myself behind the wheel of an extremely low-mileage example, which has been lovingly preserved by Honda, made it all the more special.  Press the red starter button, positioned left of the steering column, and the S2000 springs to life. The first and last thing you need to know about the way the S2000 CR drives is that its engine and transmission are only two of the components that define its performance pedigree.  It’s impossible to write an S2000 review without mention of the engine’s VTEC—Honda-speak for ‘advanced variable-valve timing’—that allows for sub-8000-rpm redlining all day. It gives the engine the sound of a Formula 1 car and the usability of an Accord.  The shifter operates with the preciseness and synchronicity of an amazing timepiece. Click, click. The throws are so short. The metal shift knob gets hot in the sun, but who cares? To top it off, the clutch pedal has the ideal length of travel, no extra-long pushes required, and a perfect, non-springy weight. Even in bumper-to-bumper traffic on California’s 405 freeway, the S2000 CR was a joy to drive.  When the roads open up, though, the S2000 CR comes alive, and the string of adjectives that describe its motions all are tinged with “perfect.” The steering is point-and-shoot, and responds intimately with the driver’s inputs. A helpful “shift NOW NOW NOW” light lets drivers know that the rev limiter is approaching, but it’s beyond a pleasure to rev the car with abandon.  The combined effect of the sublime clutch and shifter ensured a smooth start on every launch, leading a passenger to offer undue compliments on my driving. The S2000 CR makes its driver feel like a hero, every time. Thank you very much, Honda.  And as balanced as the S2000 CR’s chassis is, the roadster’s interior remains a textbook example of design simplicity and unmatched material execution. Nary a hard, sharp, or mismatched surface exists on the wide dashboard, or on any of the primary controls. A digital display—designed in the vein of Atari products, before “infotainment” ever made it into review lexicon—dominates, with pertinent information about RPM, speed and fuel.  Left of the steering column reside four ancillary audio controls, while dials for the air conditioning are positioned just right of the ignition. Even the cover for the cupholders operates with a smooth ka-thunk, and a pop-up cover conceals the radio.  Even done up in Apex Blue Pearl—the bright pastel color more often seen in the clear waters of Montego Bay than in traffic on the 405 freeway—the ultra-rare S2000 CR is not a head-turner in the vein of many wild sports or supercars. But for anyone who recognizes it, this Honda is exceedingly cool and covetable.  With each passing mile, the S2000 CR became even easier and more familiar to drive. Yet it was impossible not to feel inconsiderate as the odometer spun on this low-mileage collectible. How low-mileage was it? By the end of the weekend, the odometer had rolled just a few ticks over 1,500.  If you know what the S2000 is, you’ll absolutely love the S2000 CR.  Special thanks to Honda North America for providing this museum-caliber vehicle.  Vital Stats: 2008 Honda S2000 CR Base price: $36,935 (when new) Current value: $32,000 (estimated, according to Kelley Blue Book) Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive, 2.2-liter, 237-horsepower inline 4-cylinder engine, 6-speed manual transmission
Reliable and razor-sharp to drive, the Honda S2000 is a legendary Japanese sports car. This limited-edition S2000 CR model is the best of the breed!