Best Year To Own?
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Best Year To Own?
So I've loved the s2000 for quite a few years, and I frequent this forum occasionally even though I am not an s2000 owner. I have become anxious for a new car purchase lately and am thinking that this is the car that I will most likely purchase.
I would like to spend as little as possible on the purchase of this car but don't want to lose any beneficial features or performance aspects because I was too cheap. With that aspect, I was wondering what some safe productions year are that would be ok to purchase. I am thinking hardtop, rims, and possible a new front so AP1/AP2 appearance doesn't make a difference to me. I am just more curious if there were significant changes made each model year.
I am aiming to spend in $20,000 range (cheaper if poss). Thanks in advance.
-Matt
I would like to spend as little as possible on the purchase of this car but don't want to lose any beneficial features or performance aspects because I was too cheap. With that aspect, I was wondering what some safe productions year are that would be ok to purchase. I am thinking hardtop, rims, and possible a new front so AP1/AP2 appearance doesn't make a difference to me. I am just more curious if there were significant changes made each model year.
I am aiming to spend in $20,000 range (cheaper if poss). Thanks in advance.
-Matt
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,962
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From: San Fernando Valley, CA
They key point is whether you want an AP1 or an AP2.
The biggest difference is the AP1's have a 9K redline and 2.0l engine
AP2's have an ~8K redline a 2.2l engine and a beefed up rear diff. Wheels, bumpers, lights are different. The rest is mostly just trim.
The best MY of the AP1s is probably the 2003. It's got the glass rear window, pleather covered transmission tunnel, better strikers, "better" stock radio, tweeters and you have most if not all of the TSB's addressed. These are a given with the MY03's. A well-maintained AP1 or any MY is good, but to me a plastic rear window is a deal-breaker.
I don't know which year of AP2 is better, or if there is such a thing on an AP2.
Still, I am not sure if the MY04s dropped to 20K in the used market yet. AP1's should be possible.
The biggest difference is the AP1's have a 9K redline and 2.0l engine
AP2's have an ~8K redline a 2.2l engine and a beefed up rear diff. Wheels, bumpers, lights are different. The rest is mostly just trim.
The best MY of the AP1s is probably the 2003. It's got the glass rear window, pleather covered transmission tunnel, better strikers, "better" stock radio, tweeters and you have most if not all of the TSB's addressed. These are a given with the MY03's. A well-maintained AP1 or any MY is good, but to me a plastic rear window is a deal-breaker.
I don't know which year of AP2 is better, or if there is such a thing on an AP2.
Still, I am not sure if the MY04s dropped to 20K in the used market yet. AP1's should be possible.
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Joined: Sep 2005
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<--- Another AP1 lover here.
I drove the AP2 version of our cars, and I prefer the F20C engine more.
It has been said before that the best version of the car is the MY2004 JDM AP1 S2000, with the good looks and rev-happy engine.
I drove the AP2 version of our cars, and I prefer the F20C engine more.
It has been said before that the best version of the car is the MY2004 JDM AP1 S2000, with the good looks and rev-happy engine.
