Honda S800 Performs Flawlessly in Retro Review

Back in Time

Generally, car reviews center around brand new products. But every once in a while, a reviewer gets their hands on something a bit older, like the Honda S2000's forefather - the S800. That was the case recently when Car Magazine got to spend some time behind the wheel of a perfectly restored S800, and they came away mighty impressed by this historically significant, pint-sized drop-top.

Photos: Car Magazine

Size Matters

In this day and age, when "compact" cars are sized more like mid-size cars from years ago, it's hard to fathom just how small the S800 is until you see one in person. "It looks like you might just be able to pick it up and put it in your pocket, which is very much what I wanted to do after spending 48 hours in its company," our reviewer noted.

Photos: Car Magazine

>>Join the conversation about the classic S800 right here in S2Ki.com. 

Smiles Per Mile

Regardless, with a curb weight of just 1,700 pounds and a four-cylinder engine that'll rev to 8,000 rpm, it's worth the effort to try and squeeze in the S800. It also helps make up for the fact that the car only has 70 horsepower on tap. "As with many old cars, it feels faster than those tame performance figures suggest," our review notes. "The featherweight mass just keeps the S800 feeling light on its toes and driving cross country becomes an exercise in maintaining momentum. Needless to say, the more important smiles-per-hour are off the scale."

Photos: Car Magazine

>>Join the conversation about the classic S800 right here in S2Ki.com. 

Screaming Engine

Our 6'3" reviewer noted that he managed to fit in the S800 relatively easily, though it was difficult to get in and out of, understandably. Once inside, however, it was worth the effort. "The manual's action is a joy, hinting at the Type R's rifle-bolt change in years to come, and it lets us keep the engine on the boil," he said. "Past 4,000 rpm, the engine note adopts a banshee scream and that motorcycle DNA keeps shining through as we hold our nerve and rev past 6k, towards 7k."

Photos: Car Magazine

>>Join the conversation about the classic S800 right here in S2Ki.com. 

Backroad Warrior

On some backroads, the tiny roadster proves to be more than capable of raising some hairs. "The little S800 flies along, its compact footprint allowing easy positioning on the road, the suspension keeping the roadster flat and on line," our review said. "The brakes aren't great, granted, but we'll best call them period items."

Photos: Car Magazine

>>Join the conversation about the classic S800 right here in S2Ki.com. 

Sublime Example

At the end of the day, it's easy to see where the lines between the S800 and S2000 can be drawn, as Car calls this early Honda "a sublime example of everything that we cherish about the old-world order: revvy engines, sweet transmissions, the immersive experience of driving a combustion engine car." Unfortunately, that's something that we just don't see much of anymore, and may not ever again.

Photos: Car Magazine

>>Join the conversation about the classic S800 right here in S2Ki.com.