I'm going to be getting my S2K very soon ( ) and I have a quick question...

My price range dictates that I'll probably get an 00 or 01. However, a few 02's have crept into the search. Aside from the interior differences in the 02-03's are there any other ways in which they are different from the 00-01's?

 

The '02-'03s have a different ECU from the '00-'01. THe ecu difference in the '02-'03 is a leaner base-mixture the way I understand it. The difference is a noticable power difference in the lower RPMs (say 2000-4500). But even if you buy an '00-'01, you can add an '02-03 ecu for a few hundred bucks if you want later. This shouldn't be a deciding factor.

Also, the '00-01 have the plastic rear window as opposed to glass (the plastic requiring more maintenance to keep it clear).

Not sure what else... I think maybe in the '02-'03 models they adjusted the suspension slightly to give less oversteer and "twitchiness", but a slightly agressive alignment will fix that in the '00-'01 models.

 

Suzuka Blue & Sebring Silver were avail. in 02, as well as changes to interior color combos, like white with all red interior.

 

When the S2000 first came out, I remember going to a Honda dealer to check it out. Maybe my imagination is getting the best of me, but did the S2000 originally have a carpeted center console area / transmission hump?

I remember thinking how awful it was to have "shag carpet" up to your elbow and next to the gear shift.

If that ever existed, when did it change? For me, THAT and the glass rear window, would be changes I'd want to make sure I knew of.

 

So I have an 01 S and ya... I have a carpeted center console. I wouldn't call it shag, but laether woulda been nice to have there also.

 

Here you go

http://forums.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=161997

 

Some of the VISUAL differences between 2000 - 2002's that I've put together.

00-01 black dash and center console carpet

2002 leather console added

00-01 Standard accents

2002 silver and aluminum accents added


00-01 Doors, no tweeters

2002 tweeters added and metal door handle rings added

00-01 tails

2002 tails with chrome rings added


00-01 Radio


2002 radio is a newer design/more powerful and is silver

Also a minor change between the 00-01' and 02'
The metal placard on the doorsill is different.

00-01


2002

 

Great! Thanks so much everybody I was mostly concerned about whether or not there were any mechanical differences. Other than the glass window, none of those changes really matter to me. Okay, so the search continues... Berlina Black and black. I'll let everyone know when I get her!

 

Nice post Jason B, very informative for the new/future owners.