I will be looking at a 2003 S2000 this weekend and wanted to know what to look for in a used car.

My background: I have been racing SCCA Solo events since 1986 and have had a variety of cars in my garage all of them have been raced in various SCCA classes.

I've modded and raced the following:

1985 AE86 (Hachi) in 1987 in E Stock and D Street Prepared
1984 VW GTI (1st generation aka MK1) in E Stock
1997 VW GTI VR6 (Mk3) in D Street Prepared and Street Modified
2004 Subaru STi (Street Modified, recently retired, now a daily driver)
1990 Mazda Miata (current Street Touring 2 race car)

All of my cars are bought with the intent that they will be raced at Solo events. I've driven all majory drivetrain configurations from FWD, RWD, AWD. I've also driven NA and FI cars. My STi is somewhat modded for SM class.

I'm looking at a used 03 S2000 that has Tein RAs, Blitz exhaust and a hardtop. It has about 24,00 miles.

How good are these cars at Solo events? What are some things to look when buying used - i.e. noises, smells, appearance?

Thanks for any replies.

 

Can't tell you 100% how they are at solo events because I've never taken it to one...but plenty of us here can tell you what you need to know about the car. I actually had a 2004 STI before I bought this car, it was fast and everything but I really wanted a convertible and the S2K was very affordable.

Anyway, about the car you're going to look at. If the hardtop is OEM, obviously make sure it isn't scratched up and make sure it doesn't make alot of noise when the car is moving. Mine used to do that and I had to get some grease and new strikers to fix it...PITA! Does it just have lowering springs? If so, check for how long cause our OEM shocks have been known to go pretty fast with aftermarket springs. Check the front bumper for any rock chips cause that's bound to happen, especially if it's lowered. I can't really think of anything else in particular for this car. Just be sure to check everything else like tires, A/C, heat, radio, and all the other things that I'm sure you're aware of.

Good luck, and I hope you end up buying one. They're great cars and I think you'd enjoy it

 

Thanks for the help. I may have found an even lower mileage 2004 S2000 that appears to be stock (w/o hardtop). I think I know the difference between the AP1 and AP2.

It'll come down to whether I want the 03 or 04. I am leaning towards the 03 because of the 2.0l engine.

BTW I would have to sell my current roadster (Miata) and my wife's IS 300 to get the S2000.

 

A lot of people on here will tell you different things. I personally like the way the AP1 drives better because it just feels faster to me. Others will tell you the complete opposite and it turns into a war. The AP1 also revs to 9k rpms, while the AP2 revs to 8k. A lot more differences than that though

It's definitely worth selling a Miata for, but if you can't sell two cars for it then don't. It's an awesome car but at the end of the day it's just a car.

 

Just be aware that the AP1 is very noisy when you are having fun. I can't speak to the AP2 cus I've never been in one.

But when you are on the gas the engine is very loud, this is normal.

Just don't expect it to be nice and quiet, you'll know when you're going fast because you can really hear it!

 

My Miata is noisy. It's a 1990 w/o a lot of bracing so it rattles, creaks and groans. Its really fun though.

My biggest complaint with the Miata is that it doesn't have any power. In STS2 you can't do a lot of power adders so you focus mostly on handling.

I'm hoping that the S2000 is as tossable as my Miata.

 

You should feel well at home then with a quick, responsive, and noisy car!

-Mike

 

I have another question.

Does the hardtop for the S2000 really make that much of difference in stiffness and/or NVH?

For the 1st gen. Miatas it really stiffens things up, that's why you see all Spec Miata cars w/hardtops.

I've heard that the S2000 is already pretty stiff w/o the hardtop on.

 

I honestly don't think it makes much of a difference. I usually have my hardtop on just because it's too hot sometimes to put the top down, and it looks so good with it on. But as far as performance...it doesn't make a big difference. This is my daily driver, but if it wasn't I would sell the hardtop.