Here's what you smell first: fresh tarmac, pine needles, and the slight heat of a turbocharger spooling just behind your shoulders. The Honda S660 auto is a tiny mid-engine two-seater that turns a mundane mountain road into a personal roller coaster. Built only for the Japanese market from 2015 to 2022, it obeys kei car rules: 660cc, 64 horsepower, and a body that hugs the ground like a kart. But the automatic version, once easy to dismiss as the easier choice, has developed a devoted following. This is the story of why the Honda S660 auto deserves a closer look, what it's like to drive, and how you might actually get one on American soil.
What Exactly Is the Honda S660 Auto?
The S660 was Honda's answer to the kei sports car segment, following the earlier Beat and carrying the S2000 spirit. It packs a 660cc turbocharged three-cylinder behind the cabin, driving the rear wheels. Power is capped at 64 horsepower, but that's not really the point. The chassis weighs around 1,830 pounds, and the mid-engine layout gives it a balanced, playful handling character. The auto transmission in question is a CVT with paddle shifters that mimics seven speeds. It's not a traditional torque-converter automatic, which surprises many people. This automatic is a smooth, responsive powertrain that can hold a simulated gear on a climb or snap through quick shifts when you tap the paddles. The manual gets the purist attention, but the auto is the easier everyday companion.
How the Automatic S660 Handles a Twisty Road
I first drove a Honda S660 auto on a winding mountain route outside Hakone, with a light rain leaving the asphalt dark and slick. The car's small footprint made it feel like a motorcycle with a roof. The CVT responds well to the paddle shifters; the engine's peak torque arrives just off idle, so the auto keeps the turbo on the boil without hunting for a lower gear. On the downhill switchbacks, the brakes bit confidently, and the body roll stayed flat enough to keep my passenger from gripping the door handle. For a car with so little power, the sensation of speed is huge because the cabin sits low and the steering is razor sharp. You're not hitting 60 in thrilling time; the fun arrives in the corners, where the auto actually helps you focus on the line instead of the clutch.
Importing a Honda S660 Auto to the United States
Here's the detail that catches every American fan: the S660 was never sold new in the US, and current import rules don't make it easy. Under the 25-year rule, a vehicle must be at least two and a half decades old to be imported as a non-compliant classic without major federalization work. That means a 2015 Honda S660 auto becomes fully legal for normal US registration in 2040. For now, the options are limited: buy one for track use or show-and-display, or commit to a lengthy and expensive federalization process that few people finish. In Japan, auction prices for a clean automatic S660 land in the $12,000–$18,000 range, depending on condition and mileage. Add shipping, duties, broker fees, and either storage or modification costs, and the affordable kei car dream quickly approaches $30,000 or more. The smart play for most enthusiasts is patience. Wait for the 2040 window, or buy one as a weekend track project in the meantime.
Who Should Choose the Auto Over the Manual?
If you're a purist, the six-speed manual S660 is usually the first pick. The shifter is short and precise, and the car feels more alive when you're working through gears on a back road. But the Honda S660 auto makes a stronger case for daily reality. Stop-and-go traffic in a tiny two-seater with a stiff clutch is not fun. The CVT, by contrast, lets you relax in the city and still have fun on the weekends. It's also the better choice for anyone who shares the car with a partner who doesn't drive a manual. And because the auto is less sought after, prices tend to run a bit lower than manuals in the Japanese market. For someone who wants the S660 character without the constant chore of shifting, the auto is the practical answer that doesn't sacrifice the smile.
The S660 Auto and the Road Trip Mindset
A car like this changes your travel plans. You don't need a grand route; you need a good one. A weekend in Hakone, a loop through the Izu Peninsula, or even a slow cruise to a small-town cafe becomes a memory bank. The tiny trunk fits an overnight bag, and the cabin is snug enough that conversation is easy. The auto's relaxed gearing at highway speed keeps the engine calm, though you'll still feel every expansion joint. On a road trip, that's part of the charm. You stop more often. You notice the food, the scenery, and the way people wave at a car they rarely see. The S660 auto isn't a practical car by any American measure, but it's a fantastic escape pod.
Final Thoughts: Is the Honda S660 Auto Worth the Hunt?
If you live in Japan, a used Honda S660 auto is a no-brainer weekend toy for the price of a decent used sedan. In the US, the wait makes it a harder call. The most interesting path for a lot of readers is to hold out for the 25-year window and make the purchase a future retirement gift. In the meantime, you can study the chassis, learn the specs, and discover what kind of car insurance you'll want on a Japanese import once it lands. Enthusiast policies for weekend vehicles can be surprisingly affordable, especially when you compare quotes with an insurer that understands collectible cars. That's a conversation worth having before you start shopping, not after. If you're serious about an S660 auto, bookmark a few JDM auctions and start learning the market now. When 2040 rolls around, you'll be ready to drive one instead of just reading about it.
