Hi I am looking at getting an s2000. Some of the ones im finding for a good deal are MY2000/2001, however there a a few 2002's. I understand the 2002s have updated suspension, and different ecu aswell as the glass rear window. Is the difference in suspension, and ecu alone worth favoring the 2002, or should I consider the earlier model years. Also I have never owned a Honda, I know that their fwd cars are very reliable but how is the s2000's rwd setup interms of reliability. How strong is the tranny, and lsd. P.S is the engine transversley mounted with a transfer case or is the crank lined up with the driveshaft.

 

Reliable.

Not bulletproof.

Glass rear window is the selling point for the 02-03. Whether it's worth it depends on your cash flow. Lots of good information here using the SEARCH function.

Enjoy, it's a fantastic car!

 

The MY02-03 suspension changes weren't dramatic. But some other changes were nice: ecu, glass rear window and door tweeters...there were some cosmetic changes to the interior too; whether you like them or not is subjective. Can't tell you if those would be worth it to you since you can upgrade an MY00-01 with a glass rear window when the top is replaced; add tweets yourself if you want to upgrade the speakers; and get a VAFC to tune even more aggressively than the MY02-03 ecu (a lot of MY02-03 owners get VAFCs too). It would depend on the price you can get the MY00-01 vs the MY02-03.

The s2k is very reliable for a sports car. Note that most sports cars are driven much harder, so you may see more issues than an Odyssey.

Since it is a front engine, rear drive car...the engine is not transverse.

 

^^^ what he said. I would suggest you do a test drive as well with the top up

 

get a glass top 02 if you can. ECU = much better as well. I'm sad cuz Im getting the shit end of the stick with my 01- had a plastic window, got a new one now, ECU runs richer than 02-03, so little less power, more carbon deposits all over the place. Thats abt it. also, newer is GENERALLY better, but not always.

 

i have an 02. If you can afford it go for it. The interior has vinyl center console vs. the carpet, also you get little things like a real dead pedal and improved tweeters and a stronger fan.

if the delta for equal cars from 01 to 02 is say 500 or so, i'd say go for the 02

 

^^ I've got a real dead pedal.

But I'd even go higher on the delta...if the MY02-03 is less than $1.5k more expensive...get the newer car.

 

didnt know this about the dead pedal...how do you mean?

I love the rawness of the centre carpet console

 

the dead pedal on '02+ matches the rest of the pedals.

 

The 02' is a little more 'refined' than the previous years. Better interior pieces, ECU is a 'tuned' a bit better, vinyl around center console, glass top less likelihood of clutch buzz. If you can get an 02'-03' go for it.