which year is the best?
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,064
Likes: 1
From: Wappinger Falls, NY
MY opinion would have to be 02 not only because I have one 
but other factors as well. I could have gotten on 04 s2000 yellow or sliver with 14k on the engine for aournd the low 20's. I went with the 02 because one it's red and I wanted red or black even though it had 25k it's still a honda lol. Plus 02 was the first year with the glass top (+), tweeters in the doors (+), chrome accents on the taillights, last year for the 9,000 rpms (big +) and was basically when Honda got most the kinks out of the s2000 since it first came out in 99'. The only things I like on the 04' and up are the headlight (will be switching over), front bumper, rear bumper and 17's. Didn't like the taillight due to the amber lenses. Didn't like the drop in rpms even though they pushed up the displacement to 2.2 to give it alittle more low end torque. Basically it just comes down to preference when you test drive both the ap1 and ap2 like it has already been stated. As well as which one you get the better deal on with the color of your choice. I'm very happy with my 02 have 17's on the way as well as the headlights when I find someone selling them lol. Just go with what you like. Or a Z kidding kidding. Good luck with our search. Later.
Mike
but other factors as well. I could have gotten on 04 s2000 yellow or sliver with 14k on the engine for aournd the low 20's. I went with the 02 because one it's red and I wanted red or black even though it had 25k it's still a honda lol. Plus 02 was the first year with the glass top (+), tweeters in the doors (+), chrome accents on the taillights, last year for the 9,000 rpms (big +) and was basically when Honda got most the kinks out of the s2000 since it first came out in 99'. The only things I like on the 04' and up are the headlight (will be switching over), front bumper, rear bumper and 17's. Didn't like the taillight due to the amber lenses. Didn't like the drop in rpms even though they pushed up the displacement to 2.2 to give it alittle more low end torque. Basically it just comes down to preference when you test drive both the ap1 and ap2 like it has already been stated. As well as which one you get the better deal on with the color of your choice. I'm very happy with my 02 have 17's on the way as well as the headlights when I find someone selling them lol. Just go with what you like. Or a Z kidding kidding. Good luck with our search. Later.Mike
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta, GA
2002 or 2003 for reasons stated above... Glass-back top, good interior upgrades, first year niggles were resolved, 9k redline. Just get some wider tires/wheels to reduce AP1 twitchiness and you are good to roll. But like everyone else was saying, the best year model is whichever you end up with. I seriously doubt any owner would be upset with any model.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 477
Likes: 0
From: Milpitas
I'm going to chime in on this (along with the other thread in the past that I've answered). First, let me say that I'm a practical person who enjoy a car's performance first. I'm more of function over form, and the S2000 has both.
The 9K redline means nothing to me because it does not add any more real-world performance to the car. The overall performance of the F20C engine is very similar to the F22C. This and higher hp/liter are pure bragging rights, nothing more.
Currently, I view the 06 as the best model year. The new simplified electronic system, by going with DBW, makes it more durable in the longrun. I think the VSA is a plus and could actually save your life. The little things make a difference: better seats, better steering wheels, rear speakers, glove box, XM, etc.. all add up to a pretty good deal.
Currently, I would rather buy a new 06 @30k than:
a used 04-05 @25k
a used 02-03 @20k
a used 00-01 @18k
If you are concerned about price and you like to mod your car, I would go with an 02-03 ap1 since it's a sweet spot in depreciation. You're gonna soupe up your wheels and exhaust, anyways, so why bother with getting an ap2? It seems like the 9k redline somehow matters to modifiers (aka ricers), so they are almost forced to chose ap1 or they would seem like posers to the rest of the ricer community.
But, if you are like me and want to keep the car stock, then the AP2s are better for you. Stock for stock, the AP2 looks "beefier" than the ap1 with the updated exhaust, 17", headlights, more low-end usable torque, etc.
The 9K redline means nothing to me because it does not add any more real-world performance to the car. The overall performance of the F20C engine is very similar to the F22C. This and higher hp/liter are pure bragging rights, nothing more.
Currently, I view the 06 as the best model year. The new simplified electronic system, by going with DBW, makes it more durable in the longrun. I think the VSA is a plus and could actually save your life. The little things make a difference: better seats, better steering wheels, rear speakers, glove box, XM, etc.. all add up to a pretty good deal.
Currently, I would rather buy a new 06 @30k than:
a used 04-05 @25k
a used 02-03 @20k
a used 00-01 @18k
If you are concerned about price and you like to mod your car, I would go with an 02-03 ap1 since it's a sweet spot in depreciation. You're gonna soupe up your wheels and exhaust, anyways, so why bother with getting an ap2? It seems like the 9k redline somehow matters to modifiers (aka ricers), so they are almost forced to chose ap1 or they would seem like posers to the rest of the ricer community.
But, if you are like me and want to keep the car stock, then the AP2s are better for you. Stock for stock, the AP2 looks "beefier" than the ap1 with the updated exhaust, 17", headlights, more low-end usable torque, etc.
