Apparently I'm the longest lurking member ever. Registered in '00... first 2 posts SIX years later.

So yeah, I'm Matt. I've lusted after an AP1 since they first came out in '00 (as evidenced by the reg date) but always told myself "no, not yet. You have a Miata. You can't have 2 roadsters".

Drove one the other night, and it was all over. I knew there was a reason I didn't drive one for 5 years. Found a buyer for the WRX, and am just trying to find that perfect S2k to get myself in debt for.

I figured i'd introduce myself... and while I was at it, ask this very basic question.

I've looked through the stickies in the Intro and Car Talk forums... but i've yet to find a post that outlines what major issues I should be looking for when I go to inspect before buying. Is there one I'm missing, or if not... what should I be checking for that's unique to these cars?

Thanks!

[Edit: I'd have posted in the "Introduce yourself" thread, but i'm really curious about the above question. . . didn't want it to just get seen by the three people who feel like reading page nineteen. ]

 

Welcome, if you are looking for an ap1, you should definitely check for wear marks on the soft top, search for a thread to show where the common wear marks occur. Also, you should do a search for the TSBs so you know what to look for.

And again, Welcome.

 

Matt - Cool to see that you are finally starting to post, brings your PPD to a nice round 0. Just kidding.... Glad you are thinking of buying an S. As far as I know there aren't a ton of major problems with the S. There are a few minor problems such as the strikers for the soft top making noise and clutch noise on decel. As lamvu said, just check for TSB's and make sure the recalls have been performed.

 

A friend of mine at honda was checking out all MY's and said they all had some type of recall except in 2003. (this was done in mid 2005 so MY 05 & 06 were not included) Consumer reports also state the best MY was 2003 as far as complaints and such.

All of the recalls were minor things, nothing major that I can think of.

I bought an MY 04 and I have no complaints at all

Good Luck on your purchase

 

Matt, yes, I think you might be the longest lurker of all time.

Welcome.

There was a checklist in the intro FAQ, but that might be for new cars.

If you come across something that makes a good addition to the FAQ on this subject, let me know. Tnx.