About to buy a new to me S2000
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 7,793
Likes: 3,346
From: Foothills East of Sacramento
Beside the mechanicals (rear axle TSB, Billman TCT, retainers (if not done) you can splurge on some great new tires and perhaps a new radio/headunit for tunes.
From your concerns about the synchros, read up a number of threads that speak of the correct way Honda wants you to shift to prevent issues that have been demonstrated from "skipping" gears.
From your concerns about the synchros, read up a number of threads that speak of the correct way Honda wants you to shift to prevent issues that have been demonstrated from "skipping" gears.
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 100
From: San Francisco
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 308
Likes: 34
From: La Grange, Illinois
Beside the mechanicals (rear axle TSB, Billman TCT, retainers (if not done) you can splurge on some great new tires and perhaps a new radio/headunit for tunes.
From your concerns about the synchros, read up a number of threads that speak of the correct way Honda wants you to shift to prevent issues that have been demonstrated from "skipping" gears.
From your concerns about the synchros, read up a number of threads that speak of the correct way Honda wants you to shift to prevent issues that have been demonstrated from "skipping" gears.
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,316
Likes: 214
From: Oregon
Just some food for thought: I was fortunate that I could afford to buy exactly what I wanted when it came to a S2000 purchase. Had my budget been more limiting, I’d still take an AP1 over the other options out there for the same kind of money . The fact that you’ve found a minty one that you liked would seem to point to a can’t miss scenario.
As for your concerns about passing this car along to your son think about this. There are plenty of examples out there where many a “lesser car” has been passed along from one generation to the next including old MG’s, Triumphs and the like. The odds are much more on your side to carry out your vision with a Honda. Not to mention that S2000s are easy to work on. You could get your son involved with helping you wrench on the car. That way he’ll be more familiar with it and have a greater appreciation for it as a result when it’s his turn to take ownership. Don’t overthink the decision, stick to your budget. Then spend your time researching twisty backroads in your area to enjoy via your new S2K. That’s where these cars shine and will put the most smiles per mile on your face. Good luck!
As for your concerns about passing this car along to your son think about this. There are plenty of examples out there where many a “lesser car” has been passed along from one generation to the next including old MG’s, Triumphs and the like. The odds are much more on your side to carry out your vision with a Honda. Not to mention that S2000s are easy to work on. You could get your son involved with helping you wrench on the car. That way he’ll be more familiar with it and have a greater appreciation for it as a result when it’s his turn to take ownership. Don’t overthink the decision, stick to your budget. Then spend your time researching twisty backroads in your area to enjoy via your new S2K. That’s where these cars shine and will put the most smiles per mile on your face. Good luck!
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 25,633
Likes: 406
From: Plattsburgh, NY
Community Organizer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,418
Likes: 155
From: Eastern Ontario
You can't go wrong with either vintage if the car has been well maintained. I have one of each and love them equally but also for different reasons. Good luck with your purchase but you should buy the one that you feel "fits" you better.
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 450
Depends what you want. I think for a stock car with no racing classes or anything in mind, my 2003 was the most fun, best feeling. With racing class considerations and potentially modding in the future, 06+ is usually the answer. Other thing to consider is that if you want to give it to your son, as a new driver, 06+ would be the way to go. TBH, I don't think it's a great idea. Enjoying it with him is one thing, giving him the keys and letting him off on his own is a different story. I can assure you I'd have wrecked an S2000 at any time under 20 years old, especially if given to me. Anyways, 06+ does have traction control and better ABS. It is not intrusive and you can fully disable it.
When I say I enjoyed my AP1 better than my AP2, it's the subjective little things like lighter flywheel, no CDV, faster steering rack, and slightly 9k redline. All of those things can be done to an AP2 in time...
When I say I enjoyed my AP1 better than my AP2, it's the subjective little things like lighter flywheel, no CDV, faster steering rack, and slightly 9k redline. All of those things can be done to an AP2 in time...