2008 Honda S2000

At $38,000, the S2000 CR is by no means cheap, especially when roadsters like the BMW Z4 and Porsche Boxster can be had for $7000-$8000 more -- with additional power and amenities to boot.

Down the front straight-away, the 2.2L 16-valve inline-four cylinder wails through the CR's sport-tuned muffler -- rumored to add 4 hp. Official output remains the same as the stock S2000 -- 237 hp at 7800 rpm and 162 lb-ft of torque at 6800 rpm.

At street pace, the CR improvements are mildly noticeable: a bit of additional grip here, slightly quicker steering there, and a more communicative ride overall. On the track is where the CR really shines. While much of the credit goes to the stickier tires, the excellent neutral lift characteristics of the suspension are evident under full braking. Minor steering adjustments at speed are met with immediate response and feedback: The stock S2000 feels delayed, almost floaty in comparison.

The S2000 CR is designed to appeal to the club racing set who will likely spend most of the time at the track with the specially prepared two-seat roadster. The 237 horsepower four-cylinder engine, which delivers 162 lb.-ft. of torque at 6,800 rpm mated to a six-speed manual transmission, is unchanged over the base car. The S2000's softtop is replaced by a removable aluminum hardtop on the CR, contributing to a 99-pound weight savings over the regular-strength S2000 when the 48-pound hardtop is left in the garage.

Happily, the S2000 CR is so entertaining - and so capable - that its looks don't matter. The CR is essentially the Honda S2000's swan song, a factory-built, lightweight track toy for diehards.

The S2000 CR is a special edition of Honda's little roadster that looks like a refugee from The Fast and the Furious, but beyond its appearance are mechanical changes that focus this S2000 even more tightly on track duty. The engine is unchanged, but the car is some 90 pounds lighter, thanks to the removal of its convertible top (in its place is a lift-off aluminum hard top). A cross-car structural brace lives in the space formerly occupied by the convertible top mechanism, and the CR also features stiffer springs, thicker anti-roll bars, and a quicker steering ratio.

Designed to be a true sports car, the Honda S2000 is hardly the most comfortable ride in the world. While it's not quite as harsh over bumps as say, a Speed World Challenge car, the S2000 is nowhere near as comfortable as a stock Scion tC, Honda Civic or Acura RSX.

Stock S2000s are a blast on the track-really tossable. So much so that most publications criticize them for being loose or even dangerous.