Hello there! My name is Carlos, Im from Puerto Rico and Im a long time lurker. 3 weeks ago I have decided that I want an S2000 as my daily but first I need to sell my current car thats a '07 Element SC. Anyways, the real problem right now for me is that I have 2 S2ks as my top picks but each one has their advantage and downsides. One is an 03 SSM/ black interior with 74k miles suposedly 2 owners car, brand 'new OEM clutch kit and really nice interior/exterior, AP2v1 wheels. Downsides: has a little rip on the soft top (like an 1" or less. Edges align perfect so I dont think a patch from the inside would be that hard to do), needs an alignment, 2 front tires, has a bad bearing and a little clunking sound coming from the rear passenger shock. The other car is a '04 NFR/ black, CR suspension, 4.56 diff, Eibach sawy bars, SPC camber kit all around, Ti exhaust, Cusvo front strut bar, DBA brake discs, high flow cat and OEM hard top. Dowsides: known history of track abuse from the first owner (this is like the 4th or 5th), bad start button and soft top was removed. This one has 99k miles and reupholstered driver seat.

Whats your opinion? Is it worth it to pay a little more for the '04 even knowing its history? Or is it a better idea to get a cheaper car, 1 year older, and take care of all the things? Just want your inputs. No price will be revealed because down here, cars tend to cost more than up there and you guys will scream about it, trust me.

 

Welcome to S2KI, Carlos! Hmm, that is a toughy. Normally, I would say "keep looking" but I imagine your options are limited in PR. So instead, I suggest posting your questions in the Puerto Rico subforum. Maybe someone local to you is familiar with one or both of the candidates. IMO, a rip in the soft top that small isn't a deal-breaker, especially if you plan on having the top down most of the time. Alignment and tires are important but are regular maintenance items so either candidate will need them eventually. Wheel bearing is a common issue due to the rear axle nuts lacking sufficient torque from the factory. Generally, 04-05 models have less mechanical issues than AP1s (00-03) but it's also better IMO to buy the car that is closer to stock (less mods). A lot of AP1s tend to consume oil but there are some lucky AP1s that don't consume oil at all. Also, be sure to go over this thread: What to look for when buying a used S2000. Good luck!

 

Thanks for your opinion. Thats actually what I thought too, to go with the 03 since its closer to stock. Also it has less miles. In the other hand, even though the 04 has been tracked, it seems like they took good care of it. I need to drive it first of course, and I need to carefully check it, but it seems like so. Everything will be decided this week, maybe so Ill put an update here. Thanks again and thanks for the suggestions.

 

In PR, I'd want to be able to drop the top! But, go for the hardtop car, if you're unable to park it in a secure garage at night.
5 owners and "track car" kind of worry me though.

 

It does worry me too. You never know if it has been overrevved or something, or if it has been really taken car of. If I go with the red one, I would definetly buy a soft top for it. Still it will have the hardtop most of the time, but Id like to be able to take it off and have the soft top. If I go with the SSM, Ill try to find a hardtop anyways. Hardtops are more of a safety option for me more than a weight saver eventhough the car will be always safe at night. It will be my daily so I want to be sure that the car is "safe" whenever I park it at the mall or some place I wont be able to watch it.

 

 

What does it cost to ship a S2000 from the mainland? There are probably 50 for sale in Florida right now. Either of these cars might make a fun weekend project car but not a daily driver and not for me! Too many good cars remaining.

Convertibles are enigmas and may not be suitable in semi-tropical areas. This summer here on the North Coast it's been too hot and the sun too intense to drive with the roof down many days and a hard top is too claustrophobic for me. This means I'll often drive to work with the roof down before it gets really hot but it's roof up and AC the rest of the day.

I'm fighting a little tear in my roof fabric at present. I'm convinced it was caused by repeated cycling of the roof. Hopefully patches and reinforcement of the fabric will cure it. There was wear two years ago that I patched but it finally broke thru earlier this month. Will be looking for a convertible roof specialist. Don't start out with a bad roof or a car needing bearings or making bad noises.

I'm curious. Is there salt atmosphere damage to cars in PR? Something else missing in mainland cars.

-- Chuck

 

Well, it would be around 2-3k to get them shipped here on top of the car cost. Since we are getting there, cars here tend to keep more value and are more expensive than up there. For example, the 03 owner is asking 14,500 and Ill be able to get it for 13,500. The 04 owner is asking 16,500 with an additional set of RPF1 on R888 and 15,500 w/o them. I know I might be able to offer a little less than that and maybe get it.

As for tops and maintenance, thats why Im sleeping on the 03. I have never driven one with a hardtop so I really dont have any idea if Ill have a problem with space or anything, but also I want to make sure the 04 is well taken care of since its been tracked and I read that oil starvation its a real thing on number 4 cyl specially in cars that have been Auto Xed or stuff like that. Not sure if on F20s or F22s.

As for salt affecting cars, its not typical unless the car is a coast car and neglected or has been driven over areas where the sea gets on land and makes puddles on the street. The sun hits harder on paint and tops/ interiors. Window tint is a big thing down here, both to protect interiors and help the AC work better.

 

So, today I took the 04 for a test drive and the thing runs great. Very well maintained, feels solid. He's selling because he has too many cars and the wife is starting to force him to. Very little details considering it has been tracked and has passed from at least 3 or 4 owners. Only thing that I found in this car that were not there on the 03 was that the clutch pedal has some play before clutch getting any grip. Enough to throw me off driving it and trying to learn where the clutch would grab. Other than that, chipped windshield, need to change the starting button (has a rigged push button in place but owner has an OEM Honda one that obviously will include) and the hardtop has the aftermarket brackets and strikers to make it more difficult to remove. Owner has the original top at home.

Really really considering it but I cant seem to find a buyer for my E. We will have to wait and see.

 

FWIW, AP2s (or AP1s with AP2 retainers) can handle an overrev better than AP1s (with original AP1 retainers). The play in the clutch might just be a matter of adjusting the throttle cable which is a simple fix if that is the case.