I am a proud owner of AP1 2003 S2000.
May not always been lucky with the car, the engine had to be worked on more than a several times, I do have fun with the car, doing high speed runs (+140 mph for hours) on German Autobahn, spirited runs and all,,
Parts are still some what available for the car, but recently I have started work on the motor again due to the oil pump failure. The convertible top has taken the beating and has leaks here and there, the body seems to lost its rigidity and creeks every now and then. I just remember when the car was brand new and took all the world of beating like it actually enjoyed it.

To be honest, every now and then, I rev the engine and let it sing at 9000 rpm, the chill I get,, man it never gets old.
However, it worries me too.
I wish I can keep the car forever. But, realistically, how hard is it going to be work on the car.. say 5 years from now, what about in 15 years?
I've been realizing, the parts for the car are slowly but surely harder and harder to come about which used to be all over the place.
Any old timers, been having this car for a while feeling what I'm feeling?

For the first time during my ownership, I've been thinking about actually getting rid of the car.
Replacement? hmm that's a big question.
It just seems like a perfect car for me, but can't deny the fact that it is aging, and if I were to keep the car for good, I have no idea what it would be like in.. say .. okay 10- 15 years.

I'm a normal working guy with normal income.

Is it worth it?

I know I'm posting this in S2ki.com with a bunch of S2K owner/new/old/enthusiasts, but, think about it for a second.

It makes me think.

 

It will only get easier to work on in perspective to the new cars hitting the market. I don't think I would touch any of the newer stuff.

 

I think he is asking about the availability of the parts for this car, not about how hard it is to do.
I was wondering about this also

 

This happens to all cars that live past the normal age of obsolescence. The paets start to become hard to find. So a cottage industry of guys that rebuild used parts to fill the void. Then if that goes on long enough, the car is still around, people still have them and still work on them, vendora step in and start making reproduction parts.

I don't think we have anything to worry about, other than the lull between the steps before cottage industry blooms, and the one before reproduction parts start to appear.

 

try keeping an 88 gtx mazda on the road- no doubt, our AP1's will still have a somewhat readily available supply of parts- if nothing else, good used parts.

good luck and I feel the pain.

darcy

 

If you decide to keep the car for the long haul then slowly start accumulating parts that are becoming harder to get, sure it is a cost that will only be recovered if you need the part in the future but you can always sell S2K parts.

I have read about a few members that have bought a new factory built shortblock and tucked it away just in case.

Good luck with your decision.

 

Worry about that bridge when you have to cross it. In the mean time, keep driving and enjoying.

 

I have a 1979 Triumph TR8, & a 1980 TR7. I have had them 12 & 15 years respectively.

Over the last 15 years we have lost some Triumph specialists, due to retirement or lack of business, but there are still plenty to maintain the knowledge base & the parts supply. I can get almost any part for these cars, other than a few trim parts.

Triumphs were never as highly valued by the average enthusiast as is Honda & particularly the S2000, so I expect there will be more S2000s still around as they get to over 30 years old. As with the Triumphs, I think there will still be enough business to keep specialists busy for many years to come.

 

The engine is probably the part that worries me the most.
It is not as complicated as brand new cars coming out nowadays by no means, but it's no simple 4 cylinder either.
I've been looking for another good used engine, but I've gone through a number of engines, and I wish I had a brand new motor.
It seems like the only option I have now is ... Spoon F20 from Japan? It's not a simple plug & play, let me just say.
and with that option, we're looking at 12K + shipping. Now, that's just for the engine, not including a flash, tune, etc.

 

Unfortunately the S2000 is much more complicated than any TR. A glance at the wiring and engine diagrams will confirm this. We saw the last engine blocks several months ago and OEM parts are drying up daily. Some parts seem only available on Ebay.

Did the last Triumphs still have points/condenser ignitions? My last TR4 and MGB did and they were troublesome but easy to maintain. No engine computers involved. No air conditioning, power steering or brakes to break down either.

20 years from now? Who knows if our cars will survive the lack of parts?

-- Chuck