Hey guys, always been a lurker here.....anyways I am debating when to pull the trigger and purchase an S2k....

I have(if all goes well) roughly 2 years more of school, and if things do not go as planned, then I would have 3 years. I currently daily drive a 2002 Nissan SE-R Spec V and I love the car, however the S2k is my ultimate dream car. And I mean ULTIMATE. I'm turning 25 this year and I would really love to achieve my always-been lifetime goal of owning an S2000 relatively soon. So my decisions are...If all goes well in school I will graduate and look for an AP2 with as much low mileage as possible, or If all does not go well and I have 3 years of school left, Is going for a cheaper used AP1 worth it? Bottom line, I know for sure what I am going to do is obviously finish school either way and wait. However, I wouldn't mind hearing what you all think. Another factor is that I would need to immediately buy a hardtop, which is more money to consider saving up for.

As of now, I am aiming to get into the school program I am trying to get into, work part time, graduate, and get an AP2. If not, just save money for a year driving my Nissan and then back to that previous step.

Is going for an AP1 now the smartest idea? Not really, but it is fun to think about and consider. I gotta have motivation when I step into work everyday, right? This latter choice is really not what I know I will end up doing. But I would like to hear what you all think. Thank you!

 

You might, in this economy, find it a bit of a dream to graduate and own an AP2 immediately. I don't know what your financial situation is and/or how much loan you have taken out. Graduating is one thing but finding a full time job is another...It is easy to think a college degree means a full time high paying job...No, doesn't happen to everyone actually.

So I would say just wait until school is done and see what the job market will be like before putting more load on yourself.

As for the AP1 or AP2, there is a heated conversation on this forum under "S2000 Talk," you might want to check it out. To me personally they are both great cars. If one thing why the AP1 is cheaper it would be that they are older, but that's about it. I even think one day a well maintained AP1 would have the potential to become more of a collectable than the AP2 (CR is a different story).

Just my 2 cents.

 

Well said.

 

I would consider an AP1 now. I would plan to have a small account handy for repairs as needed but it's still a honda and i've seen several on here with very high mileage running strong!

The AP2 can cost double with low mileage. Added improvements of course but why wait? You only live once.

 

I was leaning toward an AP2, but told myself if two cars were identical, just one AP1 and AP2, the AP2 changes (which are both positive and negative for me, but net positive) were only worth about $1k to me. They usually go for more of a premium than that though. I ended up finding an amazing deal on an AP1, and haven't looked back.

They are very similar and both great cars. The AP2 has some nice changes, but you'll have just as much fun with an AP1.

 

I'll probably get an ear full from AP1 owners, but I personally wish I would've waited for my budget to increase and get a '04-'05 AP2.

 

Education is always more important than owning your dream car. I always wanted a used lotus elise for around 26,000, but currently while I am in school I cannot achieve that goal. So I own a 2001 Honda s2000. I financed 4,000 (which is a lot for me) to purchase it. I have no student loans/credit card debt, kids, etc. IMO, there is nothing wrong with a cheaper Ap1. Actually, cheaper is a relatively broad term. There are ap1s going upwards of 16,000. Rule of thumb, buy the newest/lowest milage s2000 you can afford. Lets say 15,000 can get you an ap1 with 30,000 miles or an ap2 with 70,000 miles. Now its an AP1 vs AP2 debate. They are both the same price. Less money = more miles older year. More money = low miles, old year or low miles, new year. What would you choose?

My ap1 was purchased with 90,000 miles on it. I put in new tires, new clutch master cylinder/slave cylinder, spark plugs, injectors, brakes, car cover, seat cover, oil, trans oil, brake fluid, clutch fluid. That cost me over 2,000 dollars. If i saved that money I'd be able to purchase a 15,000 dollar ap2. But my Ap1 is set, reliable, and to my specifications. The grass isn't always greener on the other side. I seen ap2 in way worst condition than my ap1. Is purchasing an ap1 now the smartest idea? Possibly, ap1s are iconic. Also, find an s2000 with a hard top. OEM hard tops go for 3000 plus. Why do you need one right away? What's the emergency?

 

Ap1 is good, ap2 is good. Can't go wrong. Why do you need a hardtop right away?

 

If you are busy with school, you will not have time to enjoy the S2000. I am younger than you are and my love for cars has began to die down since I have been stressed and tired from graduate school and work. Plus it would be smarter to invest the money now and buy later when you obtain a stable job. The AP1 and AP2 are not very different. If you do get a S2000, just get the lowest mileage you can find.

Also do not expect to find a good job if you do not have internships/connections and a good degree (not something useless like econ/business/fluffy sciences unless you are at a prestigious school Ivy League/Stanford,UCLA,CAl,etc).

 

I think what it comes down to is personal preference. Do you want something more "raw" and focused (AP1) or something more "tame" and refined (AP2). I've never driven an AP2 but I absolutely love my tail-happy AP1.