So I'm getting closer to buying an S2000. Damn I should have bought one before COVID when the prices were still sane...but that's how it goes when life gets the way.

I've always been hard set on an AP1 because the 9k. I know this is a personal preference...but for me that's what I want.

My brother got me a S2000 book for my birthday that has articles from 1999 all the way to 2008 from different countries. The book is in chronological order and when 2004 and the AP2 hits...its neat to see the UK or Australian articles state "no changes to the drive train" as the F20C continues on with the Euro spec S2000 till the end. They never got the F22 in the AP2 like NA did.

That said, the AP2 in Europe with the F20C still got all the AP2 goodies like transmission improvements, 17" wheels, suspension changes, interior upgrades, etc.

As a nice S2000 will cost you big bucks regardless...what more would it be to import a LHD Euro spec model? And that's the question. UK cars are out of the option (I've owned a RHD Honda Beat...I didn't like it) so where else could I find a LHD AP2 with F20C?

I looked in Germany and they tend to be priced about 20% higher than US/Canada prices comparing currency, mileage, etc.

Any other countries that I could search for a AP2 F20C where one country might be more affordable than another?

I should also mention I'm from Canada and we can import anything that is 15 years or older without restriction...so any AP2 Euro spec right up to 2008 would be fair game.

Advice is appreciated!

 

Likely somewhere in Europe, since it's the next major market. Germany probably got the most, and the rest is scattered over other countries.

All S2000s with the F20C are designated as AP1. The later version with improvements is usually called the facelift. AP2 is for the 2006+ North American & Japanese version with F22C.

EDIT: AP2 is for all cars with the F22C. That includes 2004+ in North America and 2006+ in Japan.

 

4500 S2000 where sold in Germany, 1800 are left. Generally, germans dont like japanese cars.
Look around all over Europe when you search for the S2000. But beware, we dont have a carfax system. Some freshly painted wrecks with some pounds of Filler and Bondo underneath are around...

 

I live in Europe.

We never got AP2's ever. We did get AP1's from 1999 to 2009, the 2004+ models are facelift AP1's.

S2000 prices are simply a bit higher here than in north america, it's a supply and demand question. There isn't a big price difference in different countries, just search any country you are comfortable importing from. But expect to pay a premium compared to north america.

What I would do if I were you is just get the chassis and engine you want locally and combine them.

 

2004+ is the AP2 in North America. 2006+ is when they switched to drive by wire (DBW) still an AP2.

 

Interesting topic.

We all know "AP2" means a MY 2004 or later S2000 and we all know it doesn't.

Standard VIN * characters 4-6 are used to identify vehicle attributes such as body style, model and engine type. Each manufacturer uses this section differently. Honda used them for engine type in the S2000 not as a chassis code as in other models. Yep we all know AP1 and AP2 only refer to the engine yet commonly use the designation as a body/model code. In North America the AP2 engine was fitted at the same time as the body and chassis in 2004 but not even the JDM cars got the AP2 engine that year.

Try typing "face lift" a dozen times in a message and even I will revert to "AP2."

Be certain what you import. There are dozens of other differences between the US/CA and ROW (rest of world) cars depending on model year. Cruise control, stability assist. alarms etc?

* VIN stands for Vehicle Identification Number and, since 1981, is expressed as a 17-character serial number. Each of the positions in a VIN describes a specific aspect of the vehicle.

-- Chuck

 

European S2000's will be expensive and probably rusted. Europeans don't typically have multiple cars (or at least its not as commonplace as it is in NA). So...you'll likely find S2000's that were driven year round.

Maybe try looking somewhere in the Middle East for a LHD car.

Or...buy a USDM or Canadian AP1. Put an AP2 transmission in it. That seems a lot more simple and probably more cost effective in the end.

Or find a North American AP2 with a blown motor and toss a F20 in it.