Yesterday I made an important decision. After test driving the hell out of a M.Y. 2000 S2000 i decided that I have to have on by this time next year. It made my Si feel like utter shit. I'd like to personally thank all the middle aged businessmen that bought them at a huge markup, barely drove them, let the dealer maintain them, then realized that it wasn't a SLK230 or 3 Series. I'd also Like to thank Honda for upping the displacement to 2.2L for '04. Why? Because it means that early low mileage S2000's are plentiful and UNDER 20 grand. Since bolt ons make less gains than they would even on my Si (How's that possible? ) I don't plan on doing much if anything to the motor save for a drop in filter and maybe new mufflers (3-5hp from a cat-back!? For $1300?!). The suspension is perfect for me, not much I wanted to improve there. Maybe I can throw a ton of chassis reinforcements at it. *shrug* I guess I'll just rice it out and throw on a carbon fiber hood, trunklid and some Volk Gram Lights 17" front 18" rear. Anything I should look out for in the earlier models? Say '00-'02? I haven't heard of anything serious actually ebing a problem. Any advice you could lend would be greatly appreciated.

 

Keep visiting this site, you'll become an expert in a years time.

 

If I were to buy a used S2K, I'd look into getting a MY02 or newer, just because of the glass window in the convertible top.

If you prefer a completely utilitarian approach, you could look into an earlier model. They're just as fun.

New, you might be able to find a MY03 a dealer would be willing to give you a helluva deal on.

 

Should I take the lack of replies as a sign that the only thing I should worry about is looking for an '02 equipped with the glass rear window?

 

Other than the usual used car buying tips?

I'd find one that had a mature owner, only one owner, maintenance records, no crashes, no mods. There are enough of them around that you can be choosy. I'd have a pre-purchase inspection & make sure that compression & leakdown are measured. Because of the type of car that it is, you'll find that some of them have been beat.

All of them have various TSB's that should be resolved. I think that there are links at the top of the 'Under the Hood' forum that explain that stuff.

A few people have had engines replaced due to cylinder scoring.

--Mike

 

most probs were fixed in 2002