Differences MY 2004, 2005, 2006
 

If there is a thread detailing differences year to year, I would appreciate being directed to it... outside of that, I am interested in comments. I've looked at a couple of low miles S2000s online to compare to the a 2007, since this will essentially be an extra car it may make more sense to go used. Haven't made a firm offer on any but the dealers are starting high- I am wondering if they can get enough under $30,000 to make it worth my while, given the lack of or partially used warranty, not knowing how hard the car has been driven, will need tires sooner, more weathering and wear on the convertible top, etc. I couldn't stomach $27,000 for a used 2006 when I can pay a bit more and get the new 2007.

From what I can see 2004 was the first year of the AP2 and 2006 added VSA, DBW and headrest speakers. My favorite combo is Sebring Silver with Black/Red, and I found a 2005 in that combo but they are asking more for it than the 2006, which may be a better car... but I am not sure if it is, based on posts here. Some don't seem to like VSA or DBW and I read about the dash bubbles, too. If I get a 2004 I will have practically no warranty... 2006 has the longer powertrain warranty, and I do like the idea of the headrest speakers. Do they make a noticeable difference? I wish the 2006 was Silver/Red, that would make this eaiser!

I appreciate any and all comments. Some cars have "improvements" that detract from the driving experience, or are simply overwrought- I have seen this in the Mini Cooper from year to year.

Yes, read the S2000 Talk stickies on top.

I got my 07 for under 30K so that and the laguna blue were the deciding factors.

Each succeding MY would have to be considered slightly better since it also has to be assumed tha Honda has probably addressed some of the minor complaints or details that cropped up on previous years.
However, there is not enough difference IMO to make up for excessive milage. An '04 with low miles would be more desirable to me than an '06 with high milage.
DBW and VSA do have some value but no way that I know of to actually put a dollar amount on these two features. They will probably at least be factored at re-sale time(i.e.- slightly less depreciation than previous models w/o).
This will be a second car for you so I'd put more consideration into a low milage '04/5 and save the difference.

Dash bubbling? I don't have that problem... MY06 is great!

What year did the headrest speakers come in, was it 2005 or 2006? I also believe there was a change to the upholstery so the seat bolsters do not wear as much... any idea when that happened?

The 2004 I am looking at has 23,000 miles and they are asking $24,000, not Honda Certified. The 2005 (in my preferred Sebring/Red-Black)has 10,000 miles and is $27,988 and the 2006 with 8,000 miles is $26,988. Surprisingly the 2005 and 2006 are at the same dealer! (Not Honda Certified.) The 2005 only has 8 months of warranty left, the 2006 has 2 years of bumper to bumper and even more on the powertrain. The guy there said the 2005 just came in so they priced it higher to start, the 2006 has been sitting a while so they marked it down recently. He said it makes no sense but that is the car biz.

Without negotiating he said they could take $1,000 off of them at best, that they do not have that much markup in their used cars, just a couple of grand. I don't buy that, but if that is the case I would just go get a 2007.

Changes from 03 to 04/05 - https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=483593

Changes from 05 to 06+ - https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=340163

If you put in a quality aftermarket stereo and speakers, you don't need headrest speakers imo. The cabin is very small, and good components with enough power easily fill it. They were an optopn on 04-05 cars and standard on 06+ btw.

Also, traction control can be added to a pre 06 S2000 if you really want it. A growing number or 06+ owners have complained about a flat or dead-throttle response like hesitation on the 1-2 shift due to the DBW.

If you're buying from a Honda dealer, have them CPO the car as a condition of buying. I talked the dealership into CPO'ing my car when I bought it - they were trying to sell it new.

my dash had bubbles before i got my 06 s2k. but was replaced after i got it..

It's an Acura dealer. I am sure the CPO process adds a lot to the cost- and if I got the 2006 it would have enough warranty left for me.

You said they were trying to sell it new- what do you mean by that? I figured it is either new or it isn't... was it pre-owned they were calling new, or did you get a leftover?

Also look at the weight increases for each year...... :p