I would compromise.

There are tons of practically new 2002-2003 S2000's with under 10k miles and only for a few thousand more than your $21,000.

 

I purchased my 00' with 50k miles for $21.. so the same year with only 28k miles.. thats one hell of a deal. i would jump on that one. just know that you wont be having a clock in that car

ii would just personaly go with the older one, strictly because the payment will be a lil easier to bear and its already been broken in. so you dont have to baby it


chad

_________________



Make Every Decision, Like It Was Your Last !!!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by GChambers
Mwiz,

The '00 has a 2.0L engine that revs to 9000rpm. The '04 has a 2.2L engine that revs to 8000rpm. The 00 will also be a bit more difficult to drive at the limit. It is slightly more tail happy. These are traits that I very much like about my car. There are many other more subtle differences.

 

[QUOTE]GChambers

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by BillClinton

 

28K on an '00, with no visible wear?? That's a GEM. With the money you save ($12K), you can wave to the '04 after dropping in an S/C, gears, exhaust +header ($8K), and look 10 times better doing it with the wheels and aero pieces of your choice ($4K). This is really a no brainer...

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by asu_lee

 

Mwiz,

I noticed you live in Michigan. Will you be driving the S2000 in the winter? If so, keep in mind that the '00 and '01 have plastic rear windows; thus no electric grid to defrost the back.

That matters to some, not to others. The '02 and later glass window is smaller, so you have to decide what's important to you.

 

I have driven the '04 a couple of times (when you are a Honda dealer one gets to do these things ).

I'm not a big fan of the 2004's performance changes yet (maybe they'll grow on me). I miss the extra 1000 RPM's and the rush at 6,000 RPM's. I also find the suspension changes so soft that one would never have any kind of warning before the tail ever comes loose.

With that said I absolutely love the styling changes (except the lights). I will be putting the 2004 front bumper, lip, and rear spoiler on my car within the next two weeks.

If I were in your shoes I would ask myself whether I was looking more at styling or performance. If the 2000 looks better to you and has the performance you like, then save your money. If you are looking for a smooth ride, a quicker take off from idle, and the new looks then buy that 2004.

BTW - you have no control over resale value - nobody knows what the future will bring.

 

Get the used one. Someone else has taken the depreciation for it. That will save you a lot of $$$.