Hello All,

I think I found a car. I will know in a few days. It is a 2003 with 35,000 miles. Should I be concerned about the shocks, because of age not miles? Thanks

Trey

 

Shocks should be fine.

2003 is the last year of the first generation S2000 with the "small" AP1 engine, small 16" wheels and narrower tires, etc. The engine computer is NOT tune-able without a piggy-back ECU so what you get is what you get as far as power is concerned. Has the glass window in the soft top, though. The first generation cars have more of a tendency for oversteer so ya can't throw it as wet curves as easily as the later cars. Note the hundreds of messages regarding spinouts. Rear wheel drive cars handle differently at the limits than front wheel drive car. This is what caused Honda to modify the wheels and suspensions on the later generations -- make them easier to drive for guys like me.

Consensus seems to be Extreme performance summer tires are the best handling "mod" that can be added to these cars. OEM 17" AP2V1 and V2 wheels are routinely available here. Current darling is the Bridgestone RE-71R. Extreme performance and long tread wear are mutually exclusive though. I have about 10,000 miles on last year's darling RE-11A tires and will probably replace them this summer. Ya need tread depth in the rain!

Consensus also demands a complete service of the car once you get it home unless it was just serviced. Oil change is cheap as is the genuine Honda S2000 oil filter. Gearbox takes 2 quarts and the differential just one. Both are easy jobs under the car and instructions abound here. There are a zillion recommended oil brands. It seems most of us change these fluids more often than even "severe service" demands.

Have fun!

-- Chuck

 

Chuck,

Thanks so much. As I said in the original post, I had a 2002 GPW/Red for 3 years until my son was born. I am old, : ) , but I remember at track days a lot of people spinning/crashing. The car is less forgiving than a Miata... : ) I am going to look at the car on Monday.If it looks good. I will go ahead and buy it. I sincerely appreciate your help.

 

If it will be primarily a street car, I'd actually say get the new Miata. It has more torque than the AP2 below 5k rpms and weighs about 500lbs less. So on city streets, the Miata will be faster. But it does not have the top-end pull of the S2k which I also understand as I ride a CBR600RR.

 

spdracerut.............thanks ironically, that is what I wanted. However my wife and I had the opportunity to drive one a few weeks ago, she did not like it. She likes my current Miata better but she loved the 2002 GPW/RED we had.................Thanks .be careful on the bike , my last bike was an F4...... : )

 

For AP1 an 03 would be the ideal year since they had the updated 4-hole banjo bolts in the block for oil, and the glass backed soft tops.

AP2 04/05 since it's still cable throttle body, and that's before the 06+ DBW overtightened valve issue.

 

Welcome back in! I recently dove back in as well:

https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/114...#entry23926805

Proof that "old" guys like us can still enjoy the S2000.

 

STEK............... Chance, If I found an 02 that worked .What would be the procedure for addressing the "banjo bolts" I may go look at a 2002 with 30k miles.

Thanks again guys.

 

There is no need to touch the banjo bolts unless you are going FI, in fact I strongly would encourage against, your just asking for trouble.

https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/114...#entry23926792

 

Thanks so much. I had a 2002 and I do not remember the issue.............. but I am getting old..........