I think the S will drop in price more in the northern part of the country during the snow season, just like most ragtop cars. Where abouts are you?

 

i bought a 2000 with 50k miles for 16.9k, 1 year ago. Then sold it for 18.8k 3 month later.....I bet you can find one with 60-80k miles for 15k, just have to do a lot of searching

 

Good luck with your search Brent...15K can probably get you an S2K with 75,000+ miles (either MY00 or MY01). I also know about instant gratification. I bought my first s2k in January of 2004 (a MY00) due mostly to my girlfriend breaking up with me (I always wanted the car but now I had an excuse). I didn't even own that car a year, instead I traded in for MY02 in December of 2004 On a side note, the girl I loved so much is going to be my wife next month

Once you drive an S2K to its limits it's very hard to enjoy driving anything else in its price range. Good luck man!

 

Amen, I have to replace the set soon and it's going to cost me a grand and I just replaced the rear's almost six months ago.

Not to scare you but I don't have the stock rims any longer.

 

Rochester for school (RIT) and Frewsburg (Jamestown area) when/if I go home.

Tires are a bit of a concern, but the stock sizes for MY00 and MY01 aren't anything crazy (at least not compared to the 315's and 335's some of my friends run ).

Worst case I skip out on the S03 or Pilot Sport 2's and get a comprimise tire. My friend works at a tire wholesaler and is trying out a couple very cheap (cheaper than the old Falken Azenis) directional tread tires that look promising...

Also, I don't come from the "everlasting tire" mentality. I'm used to running tires that are ONLY safe in the summer and that you usually get a single summer and maybe a couple weeks the next summer out of. ~10-12k on a set of summer tires is a long time for me!

 

Actually, I just reread this. Are you using the stock S02's? (I think that was the stock tire)

If so, what sizes? What is stock tire size for a MY00/MY01? I might as well do some definite pricing before assuming I know the costs...

 

Brent -

whilst you are essentially trying to get in on the bottom rung of the ladder for this car, i think your $15 target is achievable if you have perseverance.

You sound like you know what to look for, just be sensible about it and dont fall in love with the first car you see. There are MANY S2000s out there in and around your price range - whether there is anything wrong with them is another story. Buying in at a higher level affords you a little more peace of mind on that score, but even then not always.

You just need a level head, and your wits about you. If you are a good talking and can haggle a good deal i am sure you would walk away with an absolute bargain.

I did a quick search on autotrader for you - 17cars all under $16000.
I am assuming a haggling price of minimum -$1000

CHECK IT OUT

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

Yup, I've been doing regular autotrader $1-$17,000 searches to see what's out there. I think by looking now when I have no intentions to actually buy would give me a good feel for the market and an idea of what to expect at the price points I'm looking at...

I've already fallen in love with my first couple S2000 already! I've just been lucky, the 2004 I drove extensively is kinda beat and the owner is asking too much for it, and the 2000 that I drove had 5,000 miles on it, so that was selling for $20k+

It's very true what someone on here has said. After taking both those cars to the limits, I have a tough time enjoying much else that I drive.

 

Here I come!

 

Hi everyone,
I too, am about to buy a new (I mean used) S2k. Has anyone here bought one from a used car dealer that specializes in buying end-of-lease cars? I test drove a '02 today with 42k miles on the clock; exterior and interior are clean, as is CARFAX; is this car trustworthy? KBB price is $19500 and I can probably get it to $18900. Should I jump on this and end my search? Thanks for the advice!