Bump because I love hearing these stories and hope to have one of my own soon!

 

I sat here and red through all four pages...loved every single one!

Here is how I got mine....

I been driving my first car for years and always been looking to buy one specific car.... 93-95 Mazda RX7.

After securing the best paying job I had to date I was determined to make that a reality. I saved for 11 months and had 15k cash to spend on an RX7. I spent months looking for one in the surrounding states and couldn't find one! In the 5th month of looking I found one that was 4 hours away. Brother and I took the drive up and took a look at the car. It was a 93 black RX7! I stared at it for a good 30 minutes before walking into the dealership. The top layer of paint was peeling off. It was pretty dirty overall and looked like it wasn't washed in months. The seats were not stock(cheap aftermarket). Dash had some issues. We walked in and talked with the owner of the dealership(small dealer with ~30 cars) for about an hour then went out and really took a look at the car. It was in terrible condition and "dirty" was an understatement. We fired her up and it didn't sound good either! The dealer wouldn't let us test drive it and he drove me around the block while bragging the entire time. It definitely needed a rebuilt and a lot of other things. My brother told me the car was flooded by taking a look under the hood among other things. We spent a good 2-3 hours trying to negotiate with the dealer but he wouldn't move from 14k, not even $100. He knew he had a rare car but was demanding outrageous price and wouldn't budge.

While there we saw a modded AP1(also flooded) and my jaw dropped. I knew about the cars but never seen one in person. This one didn't even start up and he was asking $10k

I spent the next few weeks looking for an RX7 with no luck. After thinking it over, I realized the RX7 would be too much of a hassle(rotary, no garage, etc.).

Started reading up on the S2K and looking them up. The next few weeks I found a few and 99% of the time I called, it was already sold. Saw a 2005 SS posted on AutoTrader with only 32k mi. about 3 hrs away in IN for $17.5 and I jumped on the opportunity. Called the guy immediately and told him I'll come take a look at it. He said he had a few other people coming later that week and he wouldn't be able to hold it. Got my brother and we headed to meet him.

We met in front of a shopping center and looked her over. It was just washed so she really shined! I used the "check list" that was posted on here and went to work not really knowing exactly what I was looking for. The title was clean but there was barely any history with the guy saying he did all the maintenance. He was in his late 20's/early 30's and needed money to finish his Masters and had a Prelude that he was going to drive. Brother took her for a test spin and said the engine was solid and pulled good. After months of looking at for sale posts and calling I was ready to get it done with and didn't even try to haggle too much. Offered $17k and he accepted on the spot. We went back home to make arrangements with the bank. After a few days we went back up with cash in hand and sealed the deal.

I knew I could have dropped him down some more but don't regret the purchase. After owning it for a few months I realized a few minor things(rear bumper doesn't align perfectly, needs new tires, clutch needs to be replaced). Changed out all the fluids and it has been running like a champ!

 

Hello, here's my take.

My first car was a 2000 Toyota Celica GTS. Had it since Sept. 08 when I was 17. Among the cars I was shopping for at the time was a 2000 Civic Si, 1997 240SX(S14), 97-99 Eclipse GST, 00-02 Celica GTS, and a 01-03(because Spa Yellow). Had the celica for over 4 years and sold it in Jan. 2013. Found a yellow 01 S2000 on the evening of early February but I didn't want to pay the asking price. It had a clean title and replaced soft top and that sold me. Yellow on an AP1 was my favorite and only choice. A week later, I decided to call and make a deal, he said yes to my offer and I bought the car on a warm morning on February 16, 2013 (Just had our 1 year anniversary)

I was amaze that the deal went through and I faced the dilemma of telling my family. My dad was not happy because he thought I wanted me to stop driving a manual transmission. Sister was not happy at the fact that I bought an expensive car. The rest couldn't care less. My friends didn't know and neither did my gf. Maintenance, detailing and modifications came in soon after and have been like that ever since. Thank you for reading.

 

Picked mine up dec 17 2013.

Im 19 ive owned 4 cars, my s2000 being my 5th and current. My first car was a 96 eagle talon(non turbo), it leaked oil, burned oil, hatch was rusted out and window tint was faded to purple & peeling but it was a fun little car. Blew it up and and for some reason bought a 90 oldsmobile cutlass siera s. After whipping that thing around decided to get into hondas and got a really nice stick 97 ek coupe. It was a really clean car but it was just to slow. I came across a 99 red integra gsr that had been confiscated by a towing company. It had a rebuilt motor but definitely needed some loving. Paint was so faded it was cracking on the hood and the whole car looked pink, had some 17in wheels, & some horrible aftermarket tail lights. So I picked it up and eventually got it sitting proper and painted and kept it simple and clean. Then I joined the navy and when I got out of boot camp my brother was driving my integra up to my first command and it hydrplaned on the freeway and hit a gaurdrail at 60 in the right front. I eventually got it fixed and painted but it was still messed up and just wasn't the same. Some time later I go home on holiday leave and me and my dad decide to stop by the subaru dealer just to look at the new brz's and sti's and they had this silver s2000 off to the side. I ask if that s2000 is for sale & they says they just got it in on a trade. They didnt even clean it up yet. So I check it out and its a 2007 with 62k miles. Completely stock really nice condition. Plus silver/gray is my favorite color for a car. When I first sat in it it sold me. Theres nothing like your first time sitting in an s2000. Its too awsome. So I says screw it and bought it & used my poor integra as a down payment.(they only gave me 2k for it . Been loving my s2k since .

Plan on keeping it simple and clean. Only thing I want to do is get bronze te37s, maybe lower it a tad and thinking about getting the new kraftwerks supercharger

 

Sometimes I still can't believe I have this car. I've been following the s2000 since it came out, I still have the motor trend and car and driver magazines that covered it when it came out, and when they pitted the nismo 350z against the s2000 cr and they claimed the nismo the winner, I remember getting pissed off reading that article. In 05 I drove my first s2k, I was 19, just landed a decent job out of high school, and wanted a decent car. That day I first drove a 2003 350z, it was a pig, expensive, and, yea, no. I drove a 2002 BB s2k next, I knew it was the car I wanted, just not what I could afford. I ended up with a 2003 eclipse gt. Well, fast forward to 2012, I had joined the navy, been through a few cars, a 1985 351w mustang, a sr20det 240sx, I knew what I wanted though, parted out my sr20det 240sx, and put that money down on a 2003 suzuka blue s2k with 63k miles. I absolutely love it and haven't looked back since.

 

I bought the car on ebay. Flew down to Houston, TX, and met the seller at the airport. He literally pulled up on the passenger loading/unloading lane, we signed the paperwork on the hood of the car, and I drove the car from there all the way back to Parker, CO (Southeast Denver). I absolutely loved it. It was summertime with the top down, and I had never owned a convertible before. What an experience. The funny part came at the first gas station, where I spent about 20 minutes trying to figure out how to open the gas cap door. Hilarious. I've had the car for 7 years now, and although my STi is the current daily driver, I still have a great amount of affection for the s2000. Truly a classic car.

 

I remember first seeing a '00 on the showroom floor of the dealership during the fall of '99 (my last year in college). It was red, with a window sticker of $42k (with "market adjustment"). I thought it looked so much better than the magazine pictures I had seen (I still remember the Autoweek article "Redline 9000"). I wanted it badly, but I was still a poor college student. The GSR would have to hold me over a few more years.

A few years later I found myself (now married) shopping new Civics to replace my wife's. We test drove an EX, even drove the new Hybrid. Neither really blew our skirt up compared to one she alredy owned. However, they had a BB S2000 in the showroom, and I asked the guy if they were still upcharging on them. Nope, just have to pay MSRP. That one was already sold, just awaiting delivery.

I was about to turn 25, and my wife was still in law school. The S2000 seeemd like quite a reach at the time. I was seriously on the fence about whether or not I could swing it. But ultimately, we decided to go for it.

I called to set up a test drive, but they didn't have one in stock - couldn't keep them on the lot. A couple of days later they got in a used '00, and we got to take that one for a spin. After that I placed a deposit on a NFR that was being loaded on a boat in Japan. Then it was a long wait for it to arrive.

It finally came in. I had them leave all the shipping plastic on it and everything, so I could do all the detailing and waxing at home in my driveway. Good bonding with a new car. I remember when we were ready to leave the dealership, I struggled finding reverse to back it out of the delivery bay. I never needed reverse during the test drive, lol.

I paid full MSRP - $32.8 if I recall. Add in delivery charge, bs dealer fees, sales tax, registration, and extended warranty, and I was nearly $38k out the door. Looking back, probably the best $38k I've ever spent (boy that sounds weird). I'm a couple of months from 12 years owning this car. I drove it daily for almost 11 years and it never missed a beat. Lately, my wife drives it to work most days - she loves it too. Upgraded the stereo, wheels, exhaust, suspension. This car has just been a flawless performer. I'm a big believer in buying the car you REALLY want, and keeping it forever (or as long as practical). You get way ahead on the depreciation curve, and save a ton of money over time.

My Cayman S has replaced it as my daily driver, but I'm still not letting go of my s2k.

 

In a word - disappointment.

I bought my 01 in 2003 as a CPO with 17k miles. I paid a premium for the car because I wanted white with red interior - Honda's racing colors. I'd read a ton about the cars and the automotive press raved about them. I test drove a new 2003 and loved the car. I had pretty high expectations for the car and of Honda build quality.

I remember driving it home and being really disappointed by a few things. First, the loud deceleration buzz from the clutch. I thought it was a rattling heat shield at first before I read about the problem. Also, the plastic back window was unusable. Honda refused to do anything to remedy the problem even though you couldn't see out of the rear view mirror. I had the clutch disc TSB performed but the decel buzz came back shortly and Honda wouldn't do anything to fix it?

Also, the carpet was faded and worn. Really, Honda? A car with 17k miles? I just remember the car not meeting the hyped expectations.

That being said, I still have the car 11 years later and still love it. It's got faded red carpet, an upgraded top and clutch buzz.

 

I bought a new yellow AP1 in 2001. I loved all the reviews and write ups about the car. I especially loved the idea that Honda could make a car that people could afford with a very stiff structure for a roadster and a 9k redline. It was also hailed as basically the 50th anniversary of Honda. I also had a 98 Acura Integra Type R at the time. I was really into the vtec Honda revolution I guess. I then wanted to buy a new Porsche Boxster S. I decided to sell my S2K but kept my Type R. I bought a 2003 speed yellow boxster S, which I still have. Anyway, to make a long story short, I missed the S2000. I heard that production was going to end. When I found out in early 2009, I did a quick search for new S2K's and found only a handful of new ones in the entire country. I had to act quickly. I found a brand new leftover black 2008 S2000 CR sitting in a dealership. I made a deal and bought it home the next day. I still have it with less than a thousand miles. I am keeping this one.

 

Last April, I was only 3 weeks away from graduating from U of Michigan with an MBA and moving back to Seattle. I had planned on selling the Integra I had since April 2000 (bought 4 weeks BEFORE I got my license) in Michigan and then buying an S2000 once I got to the West Coast.

But then in class one day, not paying attention like I should and instead browsing the s2ki classifieds, I saw an exceptionally good deal on a clean, stock '02. I ever so slightly preferred the AP2 at the time, and the color wasn't my favorite, but it was a color I could live with (I actually really don't like half the AP1 colors), the miles and condition were great, and the price was frankly pretty amazingly low. It was in Maryland, 500 miles away.

I talked to the owner, got it inspected, and struck a deal just before someone local to him did - whew! On April 23, 5 days before my birthday, I caught an early flight to MD, signed the papers, drove 8hrs back to Michigan, got home around 10pm and went out to party with friends! Quite a day.

The 500mi drive home was fun. Such a long drive in what is decidedly not a luxo-cruiser would have frayed my nerves, but since it was a new car it didn't matter. I remember thinking how it felt just as loud, stiff, and no-nonsense as my somewhat heavily modded Integra was. I managed to hit VTEC a couple of times, but frankly I didn't speed much at all because neither MI nor MD wanted to give me a temp tag so I was paranoid about getting pulled over. I did run into a rainstorm in the last hour of my trip and discovered firsthand how twitchy the AP1 can be! I also had a hard time finding the fuel door release and actually had to look in the manual, I felt so ashamed!

My love of the car has only grown from there. I also have an '01 M5 that I love to death, but it hardly gets driven anymore because the S2k is so small, nimble, eager, tight, economical, and bulletproof.