Isn't a robbis top around 600$? Might be an option.

What would bother me more is how the 00 and 01 are known to be tail happier. Might make a difference if you live in an area with rain/snow and/or if you're new to RWD.

link (no price posted)... http://www.robbinsautotopco.com/honda.php#nogo
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It was my understanding that 00-03 are tail happy and 04+ are more controlled. Is there a difference between 00-01 and 02-03 in this regard?

 

Well which model years have traction control? From what my friend told me (who has an AP2) only the AP2s have traction control, and AP1s do not that is why you see so many of them with rear end or passenger side damage.

 

2006s and up have Honda's VSC stability control. It's well worth it if you can afford it.

From what I understand ap2s (2004+) have a revised suspension that is less likely to kick out the back end.

 

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/1327038787.html

Hey guys I am thinking of picking up this car if the title comes back clean, the car looks clean from the pictures, and he goes down to my price. One thing that bothers me is the motor was replaced due to a manufacture defect? Will this in any way affect the resale value of the car?

 

If he's got legitimate receipts from a Honda dealer on the replacement engine then this may be a good car.

If the defect is he (or a previous owner) beat the hell out of it, something in the motor gave out and he and a couple buddies put a "low miles used motor" in it 3000 miles ago, then this is a car I wouldn't consider unless it was well under blue book.

"you can tell when you drive it cus it performs like a new car" <- I don't understand why people put bs like this in their car ads.

Whatever you buy I would highly recommend getting a pre purchase inspection at an independent mechanic. Make sure they pull the valve cover and check for cracked retainers as described in these threads:

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=569714
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=442653

 

sounds overpriced IMO.
i got an AP1 in GREAT condition for 93oo for 80k

 

[QUOTE=9volt,Aug 17 2009, 03:48 AM] If he's got legitimate receipts from a Honda dealer on the replacement engine then this may be a good car.

If the defect is he (or a previous owner) beat the hell out of it, something in the motor gave out and he and a couple buddies put a "low miles used motor" in it 3000 miles ago, then this is a car I wouldn't consider unless it was well under blue book.

"you can tell when you drive it cus it performs like a new car"

 

About resale on the replaced motor car, some people will run from those and some won't, so you're isolating some buyers on that car. If it was a dealer replacement under warranty I think that might be a plus for an older car. I'm always scared of recent motor replacements and buying someone else's problems. If the motor has been in there for 30k and is documented, it's probably a happy motor.

I like the sound of the 02 with 80k better if the bodywork was done well. KBB good is $10,800. Offer him $10k and see if he will meet in the middle.

 

hmmm.... it says fixed OBJECT. If it was another car I believe the carfax would say it was involved in an accident with another vehicle not a fixed object. Sounds maybe like the owner is fibbing. A fixed object would be like a sign, pole, fence etc...