I am currently looking to buy a used s2000. I had read an article in EVO magazine (from UK) suggesting that the 2000 UK s2000 was better on paper that on the street. They then tested a 2002 model which Honda had presented as having cosmetic changes e.g. glass rear window, tweeters in door etc. When they drove it they noticed much improvement in the handling. After questioning Honda they found out that the 2002 model had some modifications to the chassis which were never publicized improving the handing.

Does anyone know if these changes were made to the US model?

 

The chassis wasn't changed. I don't know the specifics but some of the suspension tuning was tweaked. Different swaybar thickness and shock stiffness. Alignment too, maybe? I don't recall if the spring rate changed, though.

 

Thanks for the info. The passage below is from the article and lists the kind of modifications you listed.

If the US model has the same mods then I will look for an '02.

"No mention is made of chassis improvements, apart from a slightly more deeply dished wheel design. Even resorting to the web I could find only one comment relating to the '02's dynamics, on an American chat room which opined that they were 'as before'. Well, maybe they are for US S2000s but they certainly aren't for European cars. We drove an '01 car as recently as last September and it didn't take more than a few miles in the '02 to sense very worthwhile tweaks.

This car is a personal import that cost Chris Metcalfe (friend of, but no relation to, Harry) an incredible

 

I wouldn't say that the handling was improved; more like it was tuned to be easier to drive f.

The spring rates and sway bar specs were slightly changed.