Owner in a Few Days
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Owner in a Few Days
Hey everybody!
I typed a really long introduction in another thread, so I'm not sure I'll type it again here, 'cause it'll be boring.
Anyway, I'm on the path to be picking on an S2000 in the next couple of days. I had a few questions, not so much about features or performance, but on drivers' feelings.
Has anyone Autocrossed the S2000? How does it do? I'm assuming you probably just kept it in gear the entire time, never shifting once.
Also, what's up with the hard-top accessory? I live in Oregon, and think that the hard-top might have some benefits for me in keeping the cloth protected. But is it really necessary? How tough is that fabric? How much does the hard-top cost? Installation? Where to get it from?
And last... when I go check out this used S2000 (a 2003 model), what should I look out for? What's acceptable, and what's definitely not? What's a bonus?
--wirebook
I typed a really long introduction in another thread, so I'm not sure I'll type it again here, 'cause it'll be boring.
Anyway, I'm on the path to be picking on an S2000 in the next couple of days. I had a few questions, not so much about features or performance, but on drivers' feelings.
Has anyone Autocrossed the S2000? How does it do? I'm assuming you probably just kept it in gear the entire time, never shifting once.
Also, what's up with the hard-top accessory? I live in Oregon, and think that the hard-top might have some benefits for me in keeping the cloth protected. But is it really necessary? How tough is that fabric? How much does the hard-top cost? Installation? Where to get it from?
And last... when I go check out this used S2000 (a 2003 model), what should I look out for? What's acceptable, and what's definitely not? What's a bonus?
--wirebook
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,252
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From: Hong Kong
AutoX? You'll have plenty of fun 
The AP1s (2000-2003) models are a bit trickier to drive in AutoX, due to the suspension setup. The tail does come out a little easier, but those who can control it find it extremely rewarding. Either case, the car is a blast when you take it to AutoX and the track ... Oya, put the top down unless it's raining. The helmet does hit the soft top's frame a bit -- at least for me. That becomes annoying cuz it's quite loud in the helmet when you hit it against the soft top's frame ...
Hardtop-wise, it's totally up to you. It's nice to have it if you have the cash to buy one and the space to store it if you don't want it. It's also nice for road trips as well -- the soft top hardly insulates any sounds, and isn't so good in insulating really hot weather (i.e. above 100F). As for cost, it's about 2800 from www.hardtopguy.com. Installation isn't too hard.
The soft top is made of vinyl and is suprising tough. You are supposed to be able to drive with the soft top up @ 150+ mph, and it's supposed to withstand quite a lot of snow (some say over 18 inches of snow with no problem). As long as you maintain it (i.e. put raggtopp or similar vinyl protectant on there to keep UV, etc away) and don't operate it under cold weeather (i.e. under 37F), then you are okay.
As for looking for problems from 2003 model? Nothing much other than the standard stuff that you would look for from a normal car. i.e. make sure clutch is okay, no leaks, etc. 2003 has corrected a lot of the problems from the earlier models. Just make sure the top doesn't have holes, etc.
Good luck!
The AP1s (2000-2003) models are a bit trickier to drive in AutoX, due to the suspension setup. The tail does come out a little easier, but those who can control it find it extremely rewarding. Either case, the car is a blast when you take it to AutoX and the track ... Oya, put the top down unless it's raining. The helmet does hit the soft top's frame a bit -- at least for me. That becomes annoying cuz it's quite loud in the helmet when you hit it against the soft top's frame ...Hardtop-wise, it's totally up to you. It's nice to have it if you have the cash to buy one and the space to store it if you don't want it. It's also nice for road trips as well -- the soft top hardly insulates any sounds, and isn't so good in insulating really hot weather (i.e. above 100F). As for cost, it's about 2800 from www.hardtopguy.com. Installation isn't too hard.
The soft top is made of vinyl and is suprising tough. You are supposed to be able to drive with the soft top up @ 150+ mph, and it's supposed to withstand quite a lot of snow (some say over 18 inches of snow with no problem). As long as you maintain it (i.e. put raggtopp or similar vinyl protectant on there to keep UV, etc away) and don't operate it under cold weeather (i.e. under 37F), then you are okay.
As for looking for problems from 2003 model? Nothing much other than the standard stuff that you would look for from a normal car. i.e. make sure clutch is okay, no leaks, etc. 2003 has corrected a lot of the problems from the earlier models. Just make sure the top doesn't have holes, etc.
Good luck!
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