Overview of the Honda S2000 Type S
This is a June 2008 Honda S2000 Type S, chassis code ABA-AP2, offered at USS Tokyo as lot 25321 in the Prime Corner section. It is finished in original grey, colour code NH745M, with no colour change recorded, and the sheet reads 32,771 km, approximately 20,364 miles. The auction grade is 4.5 with an interior grade of B. For a Honda S2000 of this specification that is a low mileage, well documented car, with service records listed from 2011 through to 2025.
The Type S was the rear wheel drive, six speed manual, naturally aspirated roadster that Honda built for drivers who wanted the sharpest version of the late S2000. The photographs show the car with its hard rear spoiler, the front lip, a black soft top and genuine alloy wheels. The sheet notes it was bought directly from the private owner.
The Drive Review
The S2000 is defined by its F22C engine, a 2.2 litre four cylinder that revs to a 9,000 rpm tachometer, as the cluster in photograph 6 shows. The later AP2 car moved to the longer stroke 2.2 litre unit, with a rev limit lower than the original 2.0 litre but with more torque low down, so it is less peaky and easier to live with. Power still arrives with a hard edge near the top of the range, and the sound is the reason many owners buy one.
The six speed manual has a short, mechanical throw and is one of the best gear changes of its era. Steering is quick and communicative, the front mid engine layout gives a low, balanced feel, and the car rewards commitment. It is a rear drive roadster that needs respect on a wet road and respect for the rev counter, but it is far more approachable than its reputation suggests. Compared with modern cars it has no turbocharger lag to hide, no screen full of driver aids and very little insulation between you and the road.
The Type S adds a firmer, more focused chassis set up and the aero package of the late cars. The sheet marks 2WD and the photographs show a right hand drive cabin, although steering side is not marked on the sheet itself.
Auction Details
The car runs at USS Tokyo on 22 October 2026 as lot 25321. The auction start price is ¥2,880,000. The Autoselecta guide bidding range is £18,750 to £25,250. This is an estimated bidding range based on the market, not a guaranteed purchase price, and we cannot say the car will sell within it. Twelve similar cars sold at Japanese auctions have fetched between £16,355 and £21,474, typically about £18,014, though that range includes other versions and conditions. For the current minimum bid and landed cost figures, please use the price panel on this page.
All bids must be submitted before 9PM UK time the evening before auction.
Vehicle Specifications
Manufacturer: Honda. Model: S2000 Type S. Chassis code: ABA-AP2. Frame number: AP2-1101018. First registration: June 2008 (Heisei 20). Engine: 2,200 cc petrol. Transmission: six speed floor manual. Drive: 2WD. Body: two seat open top roadster. Exterior colour: grey, code NH745M. Mileage: 32,771 km (approximately 20,364 miles). Dimensions on the sheet: length 413 cm, width 175 cm, height 128 cm. Seats: two. Registration plate: Akita 330 na 2226. Shaken valid until 1 June 2027. Recycling deposit: ¥11,280.
Factory Features and Equipment
The sheet marks genuine alloy wheels, power steering, power windows, leather and airbags, plus air conditioning. The sales points list leather seats, six speed manual, HID headlights, an ETC toll unit, genuine factory wheels and a keyless remote. The photographs show floor mats carrying the S2000 logo and a small S badge on the dash trim. Navigation is not marked on the sheet.
Japanese Auction Report Translation
The inspector's comments translate as follows. Seats scuffed and worn. Cabin dirty and scratched. Underside painted. Door mirror scratched. Small scratches and small dents.
Points to note: the owner's manual and warranty booklet will be sent separately after the sale, with the dealer section absent because it has been cut out. The spare key will be sent separately after the sale. Service records for 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2025 will also be sent separately. These items were not inspected with the car. The new car service book box is blank. The import vehicle and transfer document expiry boxes are blank. The sheet shows a spare tyre symbol on the diagram with no marking. The translation was produced and checked by Autoselecta.
Damage Diagram and Body Condition
The diagram is clean. A1 on the front bumper is a small scratch. A1 on the left front wing is another small scratch. A1 on the rear bumper is a further small scratch. U2 on the left door is a medium dent. AU1 on the right door is a small scratch with a dent that has been touched up. There are no repaint, replaced panel, rust or corrosion marks on the diagram.
The exterior grade of 4.5 is consistent with that. The photographs show clean grey paint with good reflections, the factory style spoiler and front lip, and both exhaust tips. The inspector also notes that the underside is painted, which can mean fresh underseal or protective coating, and a scratched door mirror. Overall this is a usable, well kept enthusiast car close to collector standard, with two door marks worth inspecting in person.
Interior Condition
The interior grade is B. The sheet records worn and scuffed seats and a dirty, scratched cabin. The photograph of the dashboard and centre console shows black leather seats, a black dashboard, the gear lever with a leather gaiter and a tidy console, although a person is sitting in the car for the picture and the footwell is partly hidden. The cluster reads 32,771 km with a trip meter showing, matching the sheet. Smoke or odour are not mentioned on the sheet.
Japanese Auction Grades
A grade of 4.5 sits between very good and near perfect on the Japanese scale, with interior grade B meaning acceptable wear and some marks. The sheet is an independent condition guide, not a warranty.
Model History
Honda launched the S2000 in 1999 to celebrate its 50th anniversary, with the AP1 car and its 2.0 litre F20C engine. The AP2 arrived in 2004 with the 2.2 litre F22C, revised suspension and 17 inch wheels. The Type S was a Japan market variant of the late car, with a firmer set up and aero parts, and production ended in 2009. Its rev ceiling and roadster chassis made it one of Honda's most respected modern sports cars.
Why This Model Has Become Collectible
The S2000 combines a high revving naturally aspirated engine, a manual gearbox, a rear drive layout and Honda reliability, a combination that is increasingly rare. Japan market Type S cars are sought after worldwide because of their more focused specification, and low mileage, well documented examples have become harder to find as many were driven hard or modified. We cannot promise future values and this is not an investment. This particular car has genuine appeal thanks to its nine service records, original colour and under 33,000 km.
What To Look For When Buying This Model
On the S2000, check the soft top for wear or leaks and the rear window for clouding. Look for evidence of the valve clearance being checked, because the F22C needs periodic adjustment and a ticking top end can mean neglect. Listen for gearbox noise, particularly in second gear under load, and feel for a worn clutch. The tail happiness of the chassis means that any car may have had a hard life, so look for repaired corners and uneven tyre wear. Early oil consumption can be an issue on high revving examples, so inspect the service history carefully. On this car, the sheet asks you to look closely at the left door dent, the right door scratch and dent, the scuffed seats and the painted underside, since the cause of the underside paint is not explained.
Why Import This Car From Japan
Japan offers low mileage, carefully maintained S2000s with sheet based condition reporting, and Japanese domestic Type S cars are far more accessible there than elsewhere. A car with clear records like this one is unusual in many export markets.
Ultimate Guide For Japanese Imports
Each country has its own rules on age, emissions, safety and taxes for imported cars, so check those in your own country before you bid. The S2000 is not eligible for the USA under the 25 year rule until 2033, and buyers elsewhere should confirm their local rules for cars under 25 years old.
Why Import Through Autoselecta
Autoselecta gives direct access to Japanese auctions, translated auction sheets, sourcing, bidding assistance, export handling, shipping, arrival and import support in your country, and tracking where available, with clear communication throughout.
Browse This Week's Japanese Auctions
If this S2000 is not quite right, browse this week's Japanese auction listings for other sports cars and roadsters on offer, with sheets translated by Autoselecta.
Live Auction Search
Use our live auction search to look for other Honda S2000 listings, other grades and similar rear drive roadsters from Japan.
Auction Caution
Auction cars are inspected before sale but remain used vehicles. The auction sheet is an independent condition guide and not a mechanical warranty. An older performance car like this may need servicing, maintenance or refurbishment after purchase. Please remember the key inspector notes: worn seats, a dirty and scratched cabin, a painted underside, a scratched door mirror, small scratches and dents, and the service records, spare key and manuals all being sent separately after the sale rather than inspected with the car.
