I am about to buy an S2000. Should I get an 04 or used 03? Please answer the question as if both cars had zero miles.

Basically I wanna know if you experts think the new car is better. I've driven an 03 and I love how the vtec kicks in VERY noticably around 6000. Does the new one do that or is it very subtle like I've been reading in car magazines?

 

03'

I am not a big fan of the new one's yet.

 

Personally I prefer the pre-04 because of the 9K redline... I suggest driving both back to back then deciding. Good luck!

 

Thanks. Have you guys driven both?

 

I have driven both cars, I own the 04. I can tell you the fun factor in both cars is high. Drive them and make a choice. I like the 04 wheels, new bumpers and smooth gear box. The added torque is nice around town and you no longer have to rev it up to beat a mini van of the line. Both cars are great! Enjoy!

 

i haven't driven the '04, but i think i'd still prefer my '03. i say that mainly because of the way car and driver described the new '04's as a toned down version of the pre-04 and how they tried to take out some of the, i guess what would be called 'extreme race' out of those that use this as a daily driver.

i also enjoy the 9k redline, esp since i run it was a sc and ac. but either way you go, you can't go wrong. any year s2000 is a kick ass car!

 

I have an 04 and for me it comes down to styling. I prefer the 17" wheels, revised headlamps and oval exhaust of the 04.

I've driven an 03 and honestly, if the 04 is "toned down" it's only noticeable when driving at 99/100 th's. The 9K redline is cool but when you're running all-out WOT, the difference between 8000 and 9000 is about a quarter of a second.

Both are classics and you really can't go wrong. If you have no plans of tracking or running auto-x, you may be happier with the slightly better everyday drivability of the 04.

My two cents...

 

I haven't driven the '04, so I'll only make the point that unless you can buy the '03 for many thousands less than the '04 (members of this board have bought '04s for about $30k), you are going to take a severe hit when reselling the '03 vis a vis the '04. Don't underestimate it.

 

Would you really have others decide which car you should buy?

 

From what I've read, the only improvements in the 04 are cosmetic. I've driven pre-'04s MANY times and I love them.

I just figured I'd ask opinions of people who know more about the car than me. If I can get a low-mileage 03 for a decent price, I'm getting one. I like the round exhaust of the 03 and I hate the cheesy silver plastic rings in the tail lamps. I may buy the 04 OEM rims, though. Those are badass.

As soon as it gets nicer here in NJ, I'm selling my MR-2 Spyder for 240 hp and the best shifter in the world.