After much deliberating I think I've decided on getting a S2k as a weekend/track car but I'm having trouble figuring out which year to buy. This is the way I see it.

04
cheaper by around 4k. No warranty left.

06
VSA which I think is a huge asset. I do plan to get the car realigned to make it less prone to oversteer but the safety net that the VSA provides is huge on the track since I'm only an intermediate track person. 2-3 year powertrain warranty left but not sure how that will hold up after coilovers, exhaust and roll bar.

So VSA is the biggest factor for me. Is VSA worth 4k? If I get the 06 for 4k more will I recoup the 4k back when I sell the car in a few years or will the 06 depreciate at a faster rate than the 04?

Thanks,

Scott

 

if you want to track the car get a 06+ my biggest regret is getting an 05 you can get the hondata reflash in 06+ and it gives pretty good gains. better than any bolton for the 04 and at a cheaper cost than most boltons

 

Where in the world did you hear that VSA was an ASSET at the track?????

 

Well for an advanced driver VSA is only gonna hurt but I am no way advanced. It's not a big deal on tracks like Streets of Willow but tracks like Cali speedway where there are concrete walls the cost of a wipeout could be pretty bad. It's an asset for a person who is learning how to drive better and it's also defeatable if I feel more comfortable.

 

the VSA provides is huge on the track since I'm only an intermediate track person

 

You don't want the VSA. Trust me - push it on the track and VSA won't save you from spinning. Most tracks have ample room at the standard likely spin areas, so you'll probably not have to worry about it anyway.

I was glad when i spun it at the track with my '05. Now I know how to avoid it. Bandaids suck.

 

The Hondata reflash is an excellent mod and definitely worth getting an MY06+.

VSA can always be turned off when you feel comfortable to run without it.

The best rule of thumb when buying a used car is to get the newest lowest mileage car you can afford.

 

Save the money and go 04.

 

I don't think the hondata tune worth the risk. I'm starting to think the samething. If I pay 19k for a 06 then why not pay 6k more and get a Elise?

Is an Elise worth the 10k premium over an 04 S2k? A huge drawback with the Elise is that repairs will be really expensive if anything goes wrong but I think the driving exp. will be pretty interesting.

 

I know a few guys that have had the Lotus you reference and all but one kept it more than 9-12 months, and the only one that still has it is because its his second car.
No matter how hardcore you think you are its almost ridiculous to drive the Elise everyday, it gets old real quickly.
That said, I drove one about 2 years ago and loved every second of it while behind the wheel, but getting in and out of it sucked and so many things you never think about like going through a drive through, getting into a parking lot, parking, etc. becomes cumbersome task in the Elise.
I'd stick with my s2k unless the deal on the Elise was so insane I could justify having a beater to drive daily when I got tired of the Elise.