Used Honda S660 for Sale
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Honda S660 Purchase Guide
The Honda S660 is a two-seater open-top sports car built to Japan's kei car (light vehicle) standards, launched in 2015. Combining a mid-engine layout, with the engine placed behind the driver's seat, and rear-wheel drive, it was conceived as a successor in spirit to Honda's earlier Beat. The roof is a manually removable roll-top type that can be rolled up and stored in the utility box under the front hood, and its open-air feel that can be enjoyed in everyday use is considered one of its key attractions. Production ended in 2022, and on the used market it is regarded as a model whose supply is unlikely to increase going forward.
First-Generation Honda S660 (DBA-JW5 / 3BA-JW5 / 2015–2022): A Mid-Engine Two-Seat Roadster Built Within Kei Car Rules
Appeal of the First-Generation Honda S660
The first kei mid-engine car since the Beat, taken from an internal staff competition all the way to production
The S660 is a two-seat kei roadster launched in April 2015. It arrived as Honda's first kei mid-engine open sports car since the Beat, which ended production in 1996. The project began as an internal idea competition at Honda R&D, and its chief engineer, Ryo Mukumoto, was just 26 years old at the time, making him the youngest development leader in Honda's history. This backstory is well known in Japan, and when searching for a used car you may come across information under the name "S660 Project." Mechanically, the layout is the star. The engine sits behind the seats and ahead of the rear axle in a mid-engine configuration, driving the rear wheels. The engine is an improved version of the S07A turbo used in the N-BOX and other N-series models, paired with a newly designed turbocharger, and the suspension is strut-type front and rear. The 658cc inline three-cylinder turbo produces 64PS at 6,000rpm and 104Nm at 2,600rpm. Two transmissions were offered: a newly developed 6-speed manual and a continuously variable automatic (CVT) with a torque converter and paddle shifters. Having a genuine choice between manual and automatic was rare in this class. The tires are also staggered, with 165/55R15 at the front and 195/45R16 at the rear, an unusual setup for a kei car. Two grades were offered: the more basic β and the upscale α. The roof is a removable "Roll Top": you release the locks, roll it up, and stow it in the utility box under the front hood. A facelift in January 2020, themed around "refining the design," brought body-colored front pillars, newly designed alloy wheels and front grille, accessory lights for the α, and revised colors for the headlight sub-reflectors and the inner lenses of the rear combination lamps. A new body color, Active Green Pearl, was also added. Honda Access's complete car, the "S660 Modulo X," received a minor update in the same month of January 2020; the newly adopted dedicated Alcantara and genuine leather steering wheel and the expanded use of Alcantara on the parking brake cover and shift boot are changes specific to the Modulo X.
Drawbacks of the First-Generation Honda S660
No room for luggage and a manually operated roof: a car you choose with clear compromises
The first thing to understand is cargo space. The S660 has no conventional trunk, only a utility box under the front hood. Because this space also serves as the storage spot for the Roll Top, there is no room left for luggage when the roof is off. Other mid-engine cars such as the Porsche Boxster and the Beat have a small luggage area behind the engine, but the S660 does not. It is not suited to anyone who expects to use it for everyday shopping or airport runs. The roof is also a hassle. Unlike the Copen with its power-operated roof, the S660 requires you to get out of the car and remove or fit the roof by hand, which makes a real difference in regions with changeable weather. The Roll Top is a fabric wear item, and creases from rolling, frayed edges, and worn fastening points appear with age. On the other hand, some point out that since the Roll Top is a separate component, leaks can be fixed simply by replacing it. Before buying, be sure to check the condition of the top itself and look for water stains inside the cabin. Some owners also note a large blind spot to the left rear. When choosing a used car, checking modification history is the top priority. Many aftermarket height-adjustable coilover suspensions were offered for the S660, and a fair number of lowered cars and cars with track history are on the market. Dampers left at a lowered ride height and dents on the underbody from bottoming out are things to inspect underneath before export. Because the car uses different tire sizes front and rear, some owners say tire choice and replacement costs tend to be higher than for an ordinary kei car. The January 2020 update changed the front and rear styling, so the model year you target depends on which look you prefer. In addition, as a recent car with limited production, prices have stayed high for a kei car. Also note that in countries where import eligibility depends on vehicle age, such as those with a 25-year rule, it cannot be imported for some time.
Rivals of the First-Generation Honda S660
Daihatsu Copen (LA400K)
The most natural comparison among contemporary kei two-seat roadsters is the Daihatsu Copen (LA400K, launched in 2014). Although both are built within the same kei car regulations, they are fundamentally different in concept. First, the drivetrain. The S660 is a rear-wheel-drive mid-engine car with the engine behind the seats, tuned for cornering ability thanks to its weight distribution and low height (1,180mm). The Copen is front-engine, front-wheel drive, with a power-retractable hardtop that stows at the rear. This is the biggest practical difference: the Copen still has trunk space with the roof down, whereas the S660's front utility box doubles as Roll Top storage, so cargo space with the top off is effectively zero. The Copen's roof also opens at the push of a button, while the S660's must be removed by hand after getting out. If you want to drop the top on weekends and still go shopping or take short trips, the Copen is clearly the better fit. On the other hand, if driving character is your priority, the S660 is the choice. It has strut suspension front and rear and staggered tires (165/55R15 front, 195/45R16 rear), an exceptional chassis setup for a kei car, and its CVT comes with paddle shifters, with a 6-speed manual also available. The Copen won fans for its everyday usability and customization potential, including replaceable plastic body panels for changing its look and easy entry and exit. The choice comes down to what you want to do with the top down. A simple way to put it: the Copen if you want to carry things and go places, the S660 if driving itself is the goal. Another kei sports car worth comparing is the turbocharged four-seat Alto Works (HA36S). If a two-seat roadster is not a must, it is worth widening your search to include it.
Specifications of the First-Generation Honda S660
658cc turbo MR, 6-speed manual and CVT, and different tire sizes front and rear
Engine: S07A 658cc inline 3-cylinder DOHC turbo Transmission: 6-speed manual / CVT (with torque converter and paddle shifters) Drive: MR (mid-engine, rear-wheel drive) Front suspension: MacPherson strut Rear suspension: MacPherson strut Length × Width × Height: 3,395 × 1,475 × 1,180mm Features: A mid-engine two-seater based on the same S07A engine as the N-BOX, paired with a dedicated turbocharger. The roof is a removable roll-up Roll Top that stows in the utility box under the front hood. Tires are staggered: 165/55R15 front and 195/45R16 rear. In used car listings, the model code appears as either DBA-JW5 or 3BA-JW5 depending on the model year. In March 2021, Honda announced that production would end in March 2022, with its press office citing the car's inability to meet noise, fuel economy, safety, and other regulations taking effect from 2022 onward. The final special edition, the "Modulo X Version Z," was announced at the same time, and with no successor, the model ended after a single generation.