Hello! Im new to this community.. i own a 08' mx5 with a PRHT (1.8 litre ) . The last few weeks im intrested in bying an S2k Ap1 (cant afford an ap2). I want to specify that i have to sell the mx5 in order to buy an AP1.I am just worrying to swap in a much older car and it will be difficult to find an un-molested one on my budget.. till how many miles (car mileage or the cars km since im european) should i look for before i have compression problems etc.? Just Looking for opinions for the car swap and advices! thank you all bedorehand!!

ups... dilemma*

 

If you are looking for an AP1 try to get an '02 or '03 with less than 80K miles. An unmodified car with a conservative owner can be almost as good as new.

 

Actually i think i have found a good deal with 37k-55k miles but both of them are 01' anything i should be careful about 2001 models?

 

Just make sure that the top has a glass window instead of a plastic window. A glass window indicates that the top has been changed. Nothing wrong with a plastic window of its in good shape; but I'm sure you prefer a glass window. There are no significant differences between an 01 and 02-03.

 

Look in the engine bay to make sure everything is OEM, along with exhaust. Make sure you know what body panels have original paint. Use a paint depth reader if you can.

I would not worry about compression on an unmolested car at all.

 

Honda made continual small improvements over the course of the run. There are no years of S2000 which have serious flaws to look out for. The earlier ones have a few more small issues, but nothing that should dissuade you from getting the car.

I would try to avoid the '00 model year, as they had the plastic rear windows which were prone to rapid wear.

 

Thank you guys !! Anyone know the cost of the hood with a glass window in case the one i find has a plastic one? ( if it needs repair)

 

I guess I would respectfully disagree. Over-rev will show up in a compression test. An unmolested car could still have been overreved and will need the retainer job or it will go boom in the future. Even a pretty conservative driver could have done a ham fisted missed shift into the wrong gear.


Over rev, second gear grind are probably the couple things I would look for. Otherwise they are pretty bulletproof.

 

Glass window is preferred BUT, plastic polishing both sides of a foggy one will do wonders. I thought mine was ready for the trash and used a good plastic polish and now looks almost new.

The stock plastic window unzips and you can buy just a new plastic window for maybe a couple hundred Euros, but you have to remove and reinstall the top which is long afternoon.

https://www.s2ki.com/stor/library/TSB/A00-048/index.htm

 

Have you compression tested every car you ever bought? The vast majority have not and haven't had an issue.