Crouching Panda

Which S2000 to pick?
1. 2001 With about 95,000 miles 12.7k SOLD
2. 2002 With 105,000 miles for 12.5k Reduced to 10.9k
3. 2004 With 68,000 miles for 13k (Been in an accident, accident was 40,000 miles ago)

This will be my DD.
I like the price for car one, top is in great shape interior is clean just one scratch on the car. Also it's an ap1 which I know I would appreciate 9,000 red line over the ap2 8200.
Car two is great due to the addition of the glass rear window as well as the suspensions tuning.
The third car is near the top of my budget but has the lowest miles. I don't favor the ap2 as much due to lower red line. Is that extra torque really that helpful? I'm in traffic for the first part of my drive daily.
2003's are nice but haven't seen in in good condition.

I've looked at all of these as far as comparing what comes with each year. And have done quite a bit of navigating on the forums. I'm thinking about the 2002 the most.
https://www.s2ki.com/...2001-2002-2003/
https://www.s2ki.com/...-and-2004-2005/
http://honda-tech.co...arison-2173176/

Themikewoo

Welcome.

Check out the link in my signature.


I personally prefer AP2 because they have the stronger valve retainers, better interior (IMO), come with 17" wheels.

Hidef1080

How bad was the accident?
Can anyone really tell the difference between 9k and 8k?

Gotpepsi

I think one of the reasons why people prefer the 9k redline is because of it's cool iconic factor; a high revving 4 cylinder engine. Needless to say, 8k is pretty impressive. I think that you will find the MY04 much more rewarding over the other two options given the lower miles and newer year. With an Ap1 you are more likely to burn a bit of oil, have smaller wheels, and less refinement. I suggest you test drive both. However, I personally would choose the newer car. If you can talk him down to 13,500, it would be a hell of a deal over the other two.

Furthermore, the prices of those Ap1's seem a bit high?! Ap1's with about 100k are going to 10,700-11,500 in my area. I just sold my Ap1 for 11k about 6 months ago. 112,000miles, nice interior, new top, all stock, spa yellow, excellent mechanical condition.

516S2K

1 and 2 are way overpriced. if the 2004 still hold a clean tittle after the accident and it was repaired professionally, that car is a steal at that mileage. get a good mechanic to check it out and ensure there are no frame issue and the repair was done using all OEM parts.

Crouching Panda

I have seen your signature and have read up on it good stuff! I love the maintenance schedule included with it very helpful.

Apparently it was a right side impact air bags did deploy "it hit a curb" disabling damage reported 3/25/2005 with less than 3,000 miles on it. Now 65,000 miles later (68,100) I'm sure its solid but will give it a good look over and have a PPI done. I hear that the AP1 is more thrilling with the 9k red line which is what really brought me to be so fond of this car. Originally I was looking at Mazda's RX-8 until I found out about apex seals.

You got it spot on, I love the idea of a 9k red line 8k is high but that extra thousand is what's really pressuring me towards an AP1. Living in Atlanta the extra torque with an AP2 will be good for traffic but still can't find my self to abandon the AP1. I wish I could take them out for a test drive but honestly I don't know how to drive stick (my father will teach me), maybe I should ask for a ride along? One of the AP1's sold but the 2002 got $1,000 knocked off the other day.

One huge issue I have with the AP2 that's for sale is I've never seen it. I called the dealer prior to make sure they still had the car and they said they did. I arrived and toil them I'm the one who called immediately he says "Oh I don't think we have it." He goes and check the computer and it said they still had it so we go into the lot and cant find it. So we go back to the building and he now grabs the keys (I thought he already had them) go back into the parking lot for another look still no car but we have the keys. He later ditches me for a customer he had an appointment with and tries to find an associate to help me. First employee he approaches replies "No I don't have time for those $100 cars" I'm guessing hes referring to how much commission he's expecting to get. After being there for over an hour looking for a car I leave and left them my information.

It looks like the took it to Honda to get it repaired. Although I really prefer the AP1 you guys are starting to have me feel like the AP2 is the way to go 40,000 mile difference is pretty big and sounds good.

connorb850

I'm also in Atlanta and just went through a similar process when I was looking to buy an S2000 a couple months ago. Like you, I did lots of research on AP1 vs AP2 before driving either one. Anything from year range 2002-2005 seemed to be a decent choice within my budget, so that's what I looked for. After some local test drives, I liked both but had a slight preference to the AP1 for that higher redline and more raw feel

My advice is try not to overanalyze AP1 vs AP2, but keep it simple and look for the best car you can afford. At the end of the day, they are all S2000s and I think you will enjoy the car regardless. Be patient in your search. I would also expand your search outside Atlanta to neighboring cities. I ended up with a 2003 AP1 from a private seller 300 miles away that was much nicer than anything I could find locally and for a better deal. This is likely a good time to purchase considering it's winter and this is a convertible.

LDfavoriteson

I'd just get the best car you can afford. If you don't know how to drive stick you won't even notice the difference. Good luck in your search!

Crouching Panda

Finally got it 2003 Silver!

connorb850

Congrats! Was it the one on CL with about 110k miles? If so, looked very nice.