I'm in the process of selling my Mazdaspeed3 so I could get into an older vehicle. I've always liked the S2Ks. I've read that the AP1s are harder to live with as a daily driver - how bad is it? I drove an '00 S2K briefly a few years back but don't remember any impressions from it. No plans to track...mostly just to and from work and the occasional spirited drive on back roads on the weekends. Unfortunately there are no AP1s in town right now to test drive. There's one for sale about five hours away that's really alluring to me. Wondering if you guys could assess if it's a good enough deal or not to pursue:

2001 Silverstone w/ 72,363 miles. It has brand new CR wheels/tires since the previous owner wanted his '01 wheels on the CR (don't know why), but he supposedly was 60+ years old. Asking price is $9,949. Seems like a good deal considering there is no damage to the car. Only thing is there's a half-dollar size area that the clearcoat is starting to go. Don't know if that would be a huge issue or not.

I'm really looking at $10K or less in price. And Consumer Reports show that the '01s had tranny issues? Any extra info on that?

Here are some pics of the S2K I'm interested in:

 

Ah...it is Consumer Reports that started that rumor...wondered where that came from. Some MY00 had syncho issues right off...but I'm sure by now those have been cared for. However older high mileage (150k+) are starting to see slow synchros...not really unexpected for a car where lots of shifting is required to stay in the best power band.

From a DD perspective...it's hard to say what you can tolerate. I came from an e36M3 to the s2k...and it did take me some time to become accustomed to the s2k. It has been my only car for the last 7+ yrs.

The price for the mileage seems pretty good. Especially with 17" wheels already on the car (usually a good first mod on an AP1 since there are not many decent high performance tires in good sizes for the 16" rims that came stock on the AP1). And the CR tires are outstanding as well as expensive. Those wheels & tires would cost you at least $1400 to replace.

Major thing to have checked is the compression. Over rev is a major concern on the s2k. Tops are prone to split over time...and the MY01 would have originally come with a plastic rear window that will become hazy. It can be replaced with an aftermarket top that will convert to a glass rear window.

Good luck in your decision.

 

Thanks for the info, negcamber. I've been reading the FAQs on here and the info in them has really given me second thoughts on maybe considering the '04+ due to better daily driveability and other upgrades (subjective of course). But that would mean that it would be out of my price range. It just seems that the '04+ models offer nicecr upgrades from the '00-'03s.

Can I ask the Honda dealership that's selling it to do the compression test or would I have to bring it to a private mechanic? How much do those cost? And the hazing on the rear window, can that be polished/buffed out with Meguiars Plasti-X or something of the like?

 

buy it and fix the problems later...

 

 

Thanks for the extra feedback

 

I used to have a grinding sound shifting 1st to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd... It got taken care of when I replaced the transmission fluid with GM syncromesh... I'm running the Honda fluid now and it's just as perfect IMO..

 

Good to know...

 

Good Luck with your purchase you'll love the 'S'...question...Why are you getting out of a speed3?? I was thinking of getting one as a daily driver (keeping my S of course) but I see a lot of low mileage Speed3 for sale....are there hidden issues with the car or is it a personal matter?

 

[QUOTE=Hank3,Mar 11 2009, 10:58 PM] Thanks for the info, negcamber.