So I have finally found a s2k I have like at what I think is a decent price and of course another comes up an hour later that is also very promising.

The first car car is an 04 sliver with red and black interior. 70k miles great condition but needs a new top I can get for 13500.

The 2nd car is a 02 grey with black interior 2 owner car owned for the last 10 years by an elderly couple with 27k miles and its immaculate all original.

I have been been looking for an ap2 as I prefer the more aggressive look and thin 13500 is a decent deal considering the top, but I keep thinking a 27k mile no accident car owned by the elderly couple should be the no brainer. I'm still negotiating the price for the 02

what do you think????

 

If you can handle the extra aggressiveness of the AP1, I don't understand how this is even close. ~25k miles is MINT condition, barely broken in.

If the price on that AP1 is <$15k and you don't want it, please PM me the lead as I'll likely take it!!!!

 

yeah how much for the ap1?

 

My father is a bit elderly, he beats the crap out of his Shelby.
That said, I wouldn't buy the AP1 based on owner's age.
Service history and your budget is important consideration for both cars.
Also note, some low mileage older cars look great, but sitting is not good either.
I bought an '00 with 28k on it. Looks mint, throw out bearing and then clutch went, dry rot tires, etc.
Great deal, cost me some extra money to get right.

 

13.5 is a very good price for that AP2!
I just picked up a 2007 for 17k with 56k on it. Everywhere around here was asking low 20's for AP2's with less than 60k on them...

Without knowing the asking price of the AP1 it's hard to lend advise on that one... but keep in mind, values are going up on low mile clean examples so it could be a decent investment. Would you be keeping it mostly stock or looking to mod? Your intentions with the car may factor into the decision.

 

I determined the 2006 and later cars could be easily tuned without resorting to aftermarket computers, etc. so those cars headed my priority list. These cars can be tuned to provide much more horsepower in the normal driving range without effort. Normal driving handling and handling was improved every two years the S2000 was in production. 2004 was a major change year to the body, engine, and drive train.

Regardless make a priority list. It will weed out most cars leaving a small pool to choose from. Don't think cars in this price range are an investment. They do seem to be holding value though. $15K (new roof ain't cheap if professionally installed) for a 2014 with 70K miles is below the local market here in Ohio.

-- Chuck

 

If its me I go with the ap1. I prefer the ap1 a little over the ap2. But, I'm not tuning and such. So everyone is different. Its a personal choice. You can't go too wrong either way.

 

As an AP1 owner for the last 10+ years, I'd advise buying an AP2. Its a better car overall.

Would I miss my 9K redline and steering gear? Yes. But the more sorted out engine, trans, diff, axles, suspension geometry, interior, wheels/tyres, speakers, and looks (subjective) will make up for it.

In your case, however, you're asking about a 70K mile car and a 27K mile car. Its hard to walk away from the 27K mile car....so its a pickle. Any option for stretching your budget for a low mile AP2?

**This is assuming that the condition of the AP1 is better than that of the AP2 based on mileage.

 

thanks for all the advice, as of right now i have the ap1 down to 15700 and it looks like there is no more room to budge. as far as modding the car i guess it really depends on the car i get. if i pick up a car with really low miles and all original ill probably keep it all origial and do nothing to it. if i pick up a car that has 70k miles or more ill most likely mod the car with a intake, maybe coilovers and an exhaust. my biggest issue i guess is that i would like to make the car a daily if the weather is nice, no rain/snow etc and i think driving an all origianl 30k mile car should bit be a daily and should be preserved. i have an 02 m3 now that is all original with lowish miles that i drive maybe 10x a year. im thinking of getting rid of that car and buying the low mile ap1 stick it in the garage and drive the ap2 daily.

 

Sounds like a good plan to me. I've been about an inch away from buying a second higher mileage s2k several times this year.