Hello all, long time lurker around here. Long story short I've wanted an s2000 since they came out (I was 14 at the time) and I am now 21 and am in the position to afford a used s2000. I was browsing around here to try and find information about the differences in the MY but the links in the FAQ's thread are broken and the search isn't very effective.

From what I've heard 02 got a glass rear window and then of course the changes in 04. I've got a few questions, if you all would be so kind to answer them or give me a link to where I can find this info, I would greatly appreciate it.

I've heard the AP2 motor is a bit easier to drive daily, is this true? The S will be a daily driven car (why have a fun car and drive a beater?)

What are the differences in the different years? Any problems associated with different MY?

I'm looking to spend under $20k, and through my searches around the net I've found several 04 models for well under (18 or so) and even a few 05's. AP1's vary to right under and much below, so I'm trying to decide which model I want to go for. Obviously I'd like to spend less if possible but I want to get something that I will be happy with for a long time.

Those should help me figure out some things. Basically I like the looks of the AP2 more (looks newer, duh, and what I've heard about the daily driveability) but the 9k redline is just something that has always been so cool to me.

 

What I like is the 02/03 years glass window, and a few other little upgrades make it a very nice car over the 00/01 The AP2 is a nice car but, I'm stuck on the AP1 You can buy a very nice low mile 02 for around 15 to 17K

 

Some people have winter. Or occasionally have to go to shady neighborhoods where a slashed soft top is waaay too easy.

Post more info about the climate and the commute you're facing (city vs highway) and we may be able to make more recommendations.

Don't forget to budget for tires, insurance, and have enough backup money for a blown engine....

 

I live in Raleigh, NC. We occasionally get some snow but not often, if we do its never a ton and I'm not a bad snow driver.

Mostly city with some highway driving is what it will see. I don't put a huge amount of miles on my car.

I live in a pretty nice area, several people in my complex have convertibles and no one has had them messed with.

I've looked into my budget and I would be good so long as the car is under 20k, I have a pretty nice del sol right now that would fetch between 7.5 and 8 and I'm saving for a downpayment.

Hope that helps clarify?

 

If the car is not going to be garaged, you definitely want an '02 or newer, because the plastic rear windows of the '00 and '01 don't fair well when always parked outside. Note, however, that the original plastic windows were larger than the later glass ones, which have bottoms higher on the rear of the top. A real problem for short guys like me. Can't see where we are going in reverse!

Disregarding that problem, I would get an '03. It should fit your price, and it was the last year for the AP1. This generally means that all the "bugs" have been worked out. S2ks eat tires, and (if I recall correctly) the '03 still has 16" rims instead of the 17" rims of later models. Generally, this means that replacement tires will be less costly for you. Also, I like the fact that the AP1 has a 3K rpm range in VTEC. I'm a bit confused about the redline on the AP2 ('04 and newer), but understand it is not 9Krpm like the AP1, but is only 8k or 8.25K. As VTEC still cuts in at 6K on those, you are left with only 2K or 2.25K of rpm in VTEC -- where the fun is.

Styling is subjective, and you must decide for yourself. But for me, the exterior changes on the AP2 ('04 and later) are not pleasing compared with the AP1.

Your price criteria should allow you to get a real "cream puff" with low mileage in an '03 AP1. That is what I would recommend.

 

How bad does it eat tires?

I'm 6'1 so I should be able to see fine, and the s2k will be outside (with a car cover) for about a year until I graduate and get a new place.

'03's are nice, I'll look into them a bit more. Are there any huge issues or bugs in the '04 MY?

 

I plan on a new set of rears each spring...

 

There are three links in the FAQ in the Introductions forum that outline the differences by year for all the S2000s - they are all up to date and have great info - the FAQs in the S2000 Talk sticky are out of date, so I'd check out the FAQ in the Introductions forum for a start. Great info here - https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=358040

All S2ks are easy to drive, but AP2s are a bit more satisfying under VTEC as they have more available power, so that helps with "normal" driving without redlining all the time.

Follow the link I posted and read the year-specific FAQs.

For about $20k, you should probably look at 03s and 04s. Imo, 03 is the best of the AP1s and 04-05 are the best of the AP2s. If you are on the border, remember the AP1 and the AP2 are very different cars. Test drive them both and consider them different when you make your choice.

 

My personal experience on tires is about 12k miles on the rears; fronts last twice that.

FYI: The OE tires are not all-season rated. They have a reputation as horrible tires when its cold and wet or when it snows.

 

Saki GT, Thanks for the links I'll go through them all!

12k on rears isn't terrible, I put maybe 4 or 5k on my car a year.