2002 Honda S2000 GT review from UK and Ireland

Second gear can be notchy if rushed.

Petrol gauge not the most accurate.

I had craved an S2000 for several years, and finally I was able to afford one after used prices dropped. It's best to go for a 2002 onwards, as they were given a glass rear screen along with other minor changes.

The S2000 is a rare car with near-perfect roadster looks. It has a long dramatic bonnet, aggressive looking headlights/rear lamps, fairly short boot and 16" gunmetal alloys. With the top off the car looks stunning and will turn heads.

This car handles extremely well. Honda spent ages getting the balance right. In the dry it will just grip and grip with a touch of occasional understeer, which is easily controllable. More care needs to be taken in the wet, but it still feels fairly stable.

The car has very good performance, but you have to rev it above 6000rpm to get into the v-tec zone. Suddenly the engine roars and you feel the car surge into life. 0-60 is just over 6 seconds. The gear changes are the best you will get in any car, and the ratio's are very close to give that true sportscar experience.

Comfort levels are very good for a sportscar. The seats are firm but supportive, and you won't move around even when driving hard. All controls are within easy reach. The suspension feels sporty, yet it absorbs the bumps adequately.

Running costs can vary depending on how many miles you do. Also bear in mind it is expensive to insure. Being a Honda it should be very reliable, although early S2000 engines can burn a bit of oil so it needs checking regularly.