Honda S500: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Honda S500 catalogue contains a single choice: the 0.5 MT from the model’s only generation, produced from 1963 to 1964. It is a Cabrio with a 531 cc Gasoline engine, 45 hp, 45 Nm, a 4-speed Manual gearbox, and RWD. Because the data lists one generation and one modification, there is no alternative engine, transmission, body style, or drivetrain to compare.
The Honda S500 catalogue contains a single choice: the 0.5 MT from the model’s only generation, produced from 1963 to 1964. It is a Cabrio with a 531 cc Gasoline engine, 45 hp, 45 Nm, a 4-speed Manual gearbox, and RWD. Because the data lists one generation and one modification, there is no alternative engine, transmission, body style, or drivetrain to compare. Choosing an S500 therefore means deciding whether the specifications of the 0.5 MT suit your needs, rather than selecting between competing versions.
Honda S500 generations: what changed?
The Honda S500 has 1 generation in the catalogue. The 1 generation ran from 1963 to 1964 and was offered as a Cabrio. It contains 1 version, the 0.5 MT. No restyling or additional generation is listed, so there are no documented changes in engines, gearboxes, body types, or drive systems to weigh against one another.
This also means there is no later S500 generation that gains more power, a different transmission, or another body configuration within the supplied data. Buyers comparing Honda S500 generations have only the 1963–1964 1 generation to consider.
Honda S500 engine and specs
The only version, 0.5 MT, uses a 531 cc Gasoline engine with 4 Inline cylinders and 2 valves per cylinder. It produces 45 hp, or 33 kW, at 8000 rpm and 45 Nm at 4500 rpm. The engine has No boost, uses a Carburetor, and is installed Front, transverse. Drive goes through a 4-speed Manual gearbox to the rear wheels via RWD.
| Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 MT | 45 hp (33 kW) at 8000 rpm | 45 Nm at 4500 rpm | 531 cc | Gasoline, 92 | 4 | Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | RWD |
Calculated from the supplied displacement and output, the 0.5 MT develops approximately 84.7 hp per litre. Its specific torque is approximately 84.7 Nm per litre. These figures do not create a comparison with another S500 version, because no second modification is listed, but they provide a consistent way to assess how much output the 531 cc engine produces.
The 0.5 MT has equal numerical values for peak output in horsepower and peak torque in Newton-metres: 45 hp and 45 Nm. Their delivery points differ by 3500 rpm, with maximum torque listed at 4500 rpm and maximum power at 8000 rpm. The compression ratio and bore-and-stroke measurements are not measured.
Honda S500 performance, mpg, and fuel economy
Performance data for the Honda S500 0.5 MT is incomplete. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is not measured, and top speed is not measured. The catalogue therefore does not support a numerical comparison of acceleration or maximum speed with another version—or even a measured performance verdict for the sole version.
Fuel consumption in the city is not measured. Highway fuel consumption is not measured, and combined fuel consumption is not measured. As a result, an mpg figure cannot be calculated from the supplied data. Fuel-tank capacity is also not measured, so driving range cannot be calculated.
CO2 emissions are not measured, and the ecological class is not measured. The available fuel label for the 0.5 MT is 92, while the engine type is Gasoline.
Honda S500 dimensions and weight
The supplied data does not include external length, width, height, or wheelbase measurements for the Honda S500 0.5 MT. Kerb weight is not measured, and gross weight is not measured. Because kerb weight is unavailable, weight per horsepower cannot be calculated without inventing a value.
Ground clearance is not measured. Fuel-tank capacity is not measured, and wheel sizes are not measured. These omissions matter when choosing a car for a particular garage, road surface, or tyre requirement, so they should be confirmed from another verified source before purchase rather than estimated.
The available chassis specifications show Independent, spring front suspension and Disc front brakes. Rear suspension and rear brake specifications are not measured.
| Dimension or weight specification | 0.5 MT |
|---|---|
| Length | not measured |
| Width | not measured |
| Height | not measured |
| Wheelbase | not measured |
| Kerb weight | not measured |
| Gross weight | not measured |
| Ground clearance | not measured |
| Fuel-tank capacity | not measured |
| Wheel sizes | not measured |
Honda S500 reliability and problems
Reliability records and model-specific problem data are not measured in the supplied catalogue information. No numerical failure rates, service intervals, repair costs, or component-life figures are provided. It would therefore be inaccurate to claim that the 0.5 MT has any particular reliability advantage or recurring fault.
The specifications do identify the main configuration a buyer would need to inspect: a 531 cc Gasoline engine with a Carburetor, a 4-speed Manual gearbox, RWD, Independent, spring front suspension, and Disc front brakes. However, the data does not report the condition or reliability of those components.
Which Honda S500 version should you buy?
For this model, the answer is necessarily the 0.5 MT, because it is the only listed Honda S500 version. It provides 45 hp and 45 Nm from 531 cc, equivalent to approximately 84.7 hp per litre and 84.7 Nm per litre. It combines a 4-speed Manual gearbox with RWD and is available in the Cabrio body of the 1963–1964 1 generation.
There is no higher-powered version to buy, no Automatic alternative, no AWD option, and no second generation with documented improvements in the supplied data. Consequently, extra money cannot be tied to additional horsepower, torque, equipment, or a newer S500 generation on the basis of these specifications. Any price difference between individual cars would need to be judged using information not present here, such as condition or history, rather than catalogue-level version differences.
Buy the 0.5 MT if its exact mechanical specification is what you want: 45 hp, 45 Nm, 531 cc, Gasoline, 4 Inline cylinders, No boost, a 4-speed Manual gearbox, and RWD. Do not choose between S500 examples on claimed advantages in acceleration, top speed, fuel economy, weight, or dimensions using this dataset, because all of those measurements are unavailable. The soundest catalogue-based choice is simply the sole 0.5 MT, followed by verification of every not measured item before making a purchase decision.