i could see $25k-$30k if you can verify it has been maintained correctly ie. started and moved every so often, and the fluids & tires are not original

 

Unless you wish to shrink wrap it and save it for later and not use it I would pass on this...sure someday it will be worth more, but I would rather find a car with like 25,000 miles on it that has been driven regularly and serviced, especially since it will cost less. A car like that one with 1000 miles is not a car I would want as it was never driven, only warmed up, probably has original oil in it...If you change out every filter and fluid your cost can be $200 or so? that brake fluid,coolant, oil, filter, rear end fluid, clutch fluid,and your labor.... then assuming there is no defect from the factory that was not fixed under warranty then drive it and enjoy it. the tires are 16 years old so it would be a good bet to change them @ 800-1000. assuming the brakes are not stuck and in good shape you maybe be able to enjoy the car....I don't agree with folks that keep cars and don't drive them.

 

 

Very valid question this car seems to have prices all over the place? Here let me give you an example?

 

vin# ....last 4 digits?
#0000 ~ #0010 may carry more collector value than say #1345
Mileage is one thing, production # could add or detract to collector value.

 

That car probably sold for over sticker in 2000, most likely between $33-40k. The collectible S2000 market hasn't really started yet. But when it does I think the very early cars will be desirable (early Porsche 911 example). Right now someone will pay $30k for the car if the seller is patient and presents the car properly. I don't see the price going anywhere but up for ultra low mileage or rare S2000's. If you can buy it for under $30k you won't lose money on it.

 

Where was it stored? In a garage with a cement floor or in a shed with a dirt floor? If the latter, even though it was under cover there can be corrosion issues on the underside of the car and I would be careful to have a good look at the underside and the undercarriage for that kind of corrosion. Also I would probably want to change the belts at the time that you change your fluids - the belts, like the tires, can dry out and crack. Definitely change the coolant, transmission, diff and engine oils if it has just been 'dead' stored. Then have fun with it. I think we are still a way from "collectability" status - even the iconic NSX is only just now starting to be collectible. If you don't beat it up and modify the heck out of it you can have the best of both worlds - a lot of fun drives with an asset that will probably hold its value over time. But be aware when pricing your offer - like the new car that you drive off the lot - those early miles will have a big impact on value so try not to pay too much for it unless you are just going to keep it as a collector.

 

If I bought it, I'd buy it for the same reason I'd buy a new car:

To have a clean slate car that I could then drive and enjoy. It would depreciate just like a new car would.

Pfffff collector car. What's the point of buying it and then storing it? So you might get $10k more than you paid for it, if you sell it 70 years from now when you're too old to enjoy the money anyway?

 

Fond memories of my two buddies who paid a premium for the 1st year car because the ' they'll only make them for one year'

 

My memory of what these sold for new was about5,000 over sticker. I got mine just when this was not being done, the market had changed, october 2003, and there was a sign on my car which i was able to just take off right up front which said "dealer pak $4999.00". I got mine for 1250 under sticker with no choice of colors, I have never looked back. At that time I was told that each dealer got two of these cars to sell as they chose. It was the most expensive honda at the time at almost $32500 plus tax.