Advice on a purchase
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Advice on a purchase
Howdy everyone,
Hoping to get some feedback on a purchase. I’m looking to replace my 1990 1.6l miata that i recently sold. An s2000 is a car i have always wanted, i drooled over it when i had a 98 Gsr back in high school, Im lucky enough to be be in a pace where i can afford one now.
I have been looking for a “good buy” S2000 for a few months now and it’s very hard to find the right car! Crap these cars are still $$$! I don’t drive a lot and my main car is an g80 M3. So the s2k is 100% a going to be my quick, small, fun around the town car (sometimes the m3 is just too much)
I have been split between an AP1 and AP2. Hands down I like the look of the AP2 better. But i found a good priced 2001 with 69k on it, for sale by the original owner. While I like the look of the AP2 finding an 01 garage kept, original owner with 69k at a price below what it would sell for on BaT or cars and bids seems like good find. And 9k red line… that’s what the s2000 is all about.
So what would y’all do? Pay a lot for a low mile an AP2, pay less for a high mile AP2 or fair priced low miles AP1? You guys know these cars a lot better than me so interested to see what y’all think.
thanks in advance.
Hoping to get some feedback on a purchase. I’m looking to replace my 1990 1.6l miata that i recently sold. An s2000 is a car i have always wanted, i drooled over it when i had a 98 Gsr back in high school, Im lucky enough to be be in a pace where i can afford one now.
I have been looking for a “good buy” S2000 for a few months now and it’s very hard to find the right car! Crap these cars are still $$$! I don’t drive a lot and my main car is an g80 M3. So the s2k is 100% a going to be my quick, small, fun around the town car (sometimes the m3 is just too much)
I have been split between an AP1 and AP2. Hands down I like the look of the AP2 better. But i found a good priced 2001 with 69k on it, for sale by the original owner. While I like the look of the AP2 finding an 01 garage kept, original owner with 69k at a price below what it would sell for on BaT or cars and bids seems like good find. And 9k red line… that’s what the s2000 is all about.
So what would y’all do? Pay a lot for a low mile an AP2, pay less for a high mile AP2 or fair priced low miles AP1? You guys know these cars a lot better than me so interested to see what y’all think.
thanks in advance.
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 30,113
Likes: 5,451
From: Bondville
Howdy everyone,
Hoping to get some feedback on a purchase. I’m looking to replace my 1990 1.6l miata that i recently sold. An s2000 is a car i have always wanted, i drooled over it when i had a 98 Gsr back in high school, Im lucky enough to be be in a pace where i can afford one now.
I have been looking for a “good buy” S2000 for a few months now and it’s very hard to find the right car! Crap these cars are still $$$! I don’t drive a lot and my main car is an g80 M3. So the s2k is 100% a going to be my quick, small, fun around the town car (sometimes the m3 is just too much)
I have been split between an AP1 and AP2. Hands down I like the look of the AP2 better. But i found a good priced 2001 with 69k on it, for sale by the original owner. While I like the look of the AP2 finding an 01 garage kept, original owner with 69k at a price below what it would sell for on BaT or cars and bids seems like good find. And 9k red line… that’s what the s2000 is all about.
So what would y’all do? Pay a lot for a low mile an AP2, pay less for a high mile AP2 or fair priced low miles AP1? You guys know these cars a lot better than me so interested to see what y’all think.
thanks in advance.
Hoping to get some feedback on a purchase. I’m looking to replace my 1990 1.6l miata that i recently sold. An s2000 is a car i have always wanted, i drooled over it when i had a 98 Gsr back in high school, Im lucky enough to be be in a pace where i can afford one now.
I have been looking for a “good buy” S2000 for a few months now and it’s very hard to find the right car! Crap these cars are still $$$! I don’t drive a lot and my main car is an g80 M3. So the s2k is 100% a going to be my quick, small, fun around the town car (sometimes the m3 is just too much)
I have been split between an AP1 and AP2. Hands down I like the look of the AP2 better. But i found a good priced 2001 with 69k on it, for sale by the original owner. While I like the look of the AP2 finding an 01 garage kept, original owner with 69k at a price below what it would sell for on BaT or cars and bids seems like good find. And 9k red line… that’s what the s2000 is all about.
So what would y’all do? Pay a lot for a low mile an AP2, pay less for a high mile AP2 or fair priced low miles AP1? You guys know these cars a lot better than me so interested to see what y’all think.
thanks in advance.
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All the cars I’m finding are not local and would be shipped in.
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 30,113
Likes: 5,451
From: Bondville
Thats the hard part. Not many good examples in my area. I have driven 2 beat up AP2 and an AP1 with a rebuilt motor that was clearly rebuild by the ring persons. I’m in Austin TX and i can’t drive to Houston or Dallas to test drive a car.
All the cars I’m finding are not local and would be shipped in.
All the cars I’m finding are not local and would be shipped in.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2023
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I should say I can’t. I can. It’s hard to take time off for work, and i have my hands full with my kids on the weekends. It’s a hike to go and drive a car that doesn’t check all the boxes. If I could find one that looked good i probably would go but I haven’t see a lot that inspires me to drive 6-8+ hours in rush hour traffic both ways.
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From: um, a house
Choose a budget.
Find the lowest mileage car you can find that is salvage free and well maintained and not winter driven.
I've owned both an AP1v2 and currently have an AP2v2 (DBW).
There are some benefits to the AP1v2 (mid 2002+ is my personal choice as Honda used the 4 hole oil banjo bolts) - think about the NA Miata 1.6L with the short crank nose issue.
I love the "on edge" AP1v2 I had- but you've got to be manic with maintenance- checking valve retainers, valve clearance, oil levels. I like the DBW AP2 for the ability to tune with hondata.
If you're looking for an s2000, the owner must be forthcoming with all maintenance. Be prepared to walk away. I didn't let the person who eventually bought my AP1 to come see the car until he had seen how many poorly maintained and ragged out s2000's were on the market (we're talking 4 years ago- things are different now with the market).
Most people have no clue about the following on AP1's- TCT, valve retainers, front upper control arms, clutch interlock bypass, rear axle nut retorque, compression check.
That being said, all s2000's are great cars- just be aware of model specific issues.
good luck!
darcy
Find the lowest mileage car you can find that is salvage free and well maintained and not winter driven.
I've owned both an AP1v2 and currently have an AP2v2 (DBW).
There are some benefits to the AP1v2 (mid 2002+ is my personal choice as Honda used the 4 hole oil banjo bolts) - think about the NA Miata 1.6L with the short crank nose issue.
I love the "on edge" AP1v2 I had- but you've got to be manic with maintenance- checking valve retainers, valve clearance, oil levels. I like the DBW AP2 for the ability to tune with hondata.
If you're looking for an s2000, the owner must be forthcoming with all maintenance. Be prepared to walk away. I didn't let the person who eventually bought my AP1 to come see the car until he had seen how many poorly maintained and ragged out s2000's were on the market (we're talking 4 years ago- things are different now with the market).
Most people have no clue about the following on AP1's- TCT, valve retainers, front upper control arms, clutch interlock bypass, rear axle nut retorque, compression check.
That being said, all s2000's are great cars- just be aware of model specific issues.
good luck!
darcy
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 30,113
Likes: 5,451
From: Bondville
I should say I can’t. I can. It’s hard to take time off for work, and i have my hands full with my kids on the weekends. It’s a hike to go and drive a car that doesn’t check all the boxes. If I could find one that looked good i probably would go but I haven’t see a lot that inspires me to drive 6-8+ hours in rush hour traffic both ways.
Registered User
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 1
Likes: 1
Howdy everyone,
Hoping to get some feedback on a purchase. I’m looking to replace my 1990 1.6l miata that i recently sold. An s2000 is a car i have always wanted, i drooled over it when i had a 98 Gsr back in high school, Im lucky enough to be be in a pace where i can afford one now.
I have been looking for a “good buy” S2000 for a few months now and it’s very hard to find the right car! Crap these cars are still $$$! I don’t drive a lot and my main car is an g80 M3. So the s2k is 100% a going to be my quick, small, fun around the town car (sometimes the m3 is just too much)
I have been split between an AP1 and AP2. Hands down I like the look of the AP2 better. But i found a good priced 2001 with 69k on it, for sale by the original owner. While I like the look of the AP2 finding an 01 garage kept, original owner with 69k at a price below what it would sell for on BaT or cars and bids seems like good find. And 9k red line… that’s what the s2000 is all about.
So what would y’all do? Pay a lot for a low mile an AP2, pay less for a high mile AP2 or fair priced low miles AP1? You guys know these cars a lot better than me so interested to see what y’all think.
thanks in advance.
Hoping to get some feedback on a purchase. I’m looking to replace my 1990 1.6l miata that i recently sold. An s2000 is a car i have always wanted, i drooled over it when i had a 98 Gsr back in high school, Im lucky enough to be be in a pace where i can afford one now.
I have been looking for a “good buy” S2000 for a few months now and it’s very hard to find the right car! Crap these cars are still $$$! I don’t drive a lot and my main car is an g80 M3. So the s2k is 100% a going to be my quick, small, fun around the town car (sometimes the m3 is just too much)
I have been split between an AP1 and AP2. Hands down I like the look of the AP2 better. But i found a good priced 2001 with 69k on it, for sale by the original owner. While I like the look of the AP2 finding an 01 garage kept, original owner with 69k at a price below what it would sell for on BaT or cars and bids seems like good find. And 9k red line… that’s what the s2000 is all about.
So what would y’all do? Pay a lot for a low mile an AP2, pay less for a high mile AP2 or fair priced low miles AP1? You guys know these cars a lot better than me so interested to see what y’all think.
thanks in advance.