So, I've been going through the most extraneous process of buying a S2000. The S2k I was going to buy was a 2003 with 26k miles for $20k - fantastic deal... except the woman couldn't produce a clear title after 30 days so I forfeited and returned the car.

Now I'm back in the market for one and I'm presented with two options:

1) A gray Honda Certified 2004 with 38k miles.
2) A red 2003 with 32k miles.

Both of them look to be in great condition and they're both going about the same price. However, I loved the AP1 while I had it but I'm at an impasse. I've never driven an AP2 to any length, but I want to know if the "fun factor" trade-off is as great as people make it out to be, at least enough to forego a Honda Certification.

 

AP1 vs AP2 has been beaten to death. You'll get a bunch of opinions on either side. The year difference is worth ~$2k. The '04 will have 17" vs 16" wheels. The mileage is pretty similar. I'd pick the '04.

 

Go drive an AP2. I doubt you'll be disappointed, but whether you are or not, your impressions will answer your questions.

 

If you're going to go the AP1 route, you might as well find the lowest year, lowest mileage you can find, same with the AP2. I would definitely take the AP2.

 

You will not get unbiased opinions on this issue. 99.99999% of people will tell you to buy which ever model they have. And as someone above said, the AP1 vs AP2 thing is old and tired. Drive them both and make up your own mind instead of listening to a bunch of us internet retards

 

Drive both of them and see what you like... I love the styling of the AP2 a whole lot more... but love the rawness of the AP1... if you do get an AP2 however, you'll probably want to remove the Clutch Delay Valve (which will give it a more solid feel like the AP1...

 

I dont know the prices of either of them so how could we give an unbiased opinion. Give more details unless you just want to see another war of AP2 vs AP1

here are my as "unbiased as can be" thoughts on the two:

Consumers guide would tend to favor the 2003 (lowest amount of customer complaints last time I checked of any model year).

I have an AP2 and love it. I have driven both AP1 and AP2 as much as possible for someone who doesn't own both and there is not that much difference between them. AP1 is a little more twitchy but feels like its all HP and no TQ, while the AP2 is more comfortable in daily driving and in traffic. 1000 rpm did not mean much to me and at the limit the are equally as fast if driven correctly

 

According to consumer reports, the 03 is worse than the 04 in:
fuel system
electrical
climate system
brakes

but every other category the 03 is the same or better than the 04. Kind of surprising, but I personally like the added tq the 04 has. My previous car has 400tq and 400hp and weighed nothing, so I needed as much tq as I could get. But buying an older one for $10k did cross my mind.

Also, keep in mind that leftover 07s are going pretty cheap right now.
I just got a white 07 for $28k + TTT, and could've gotten a black one with 500 miles on it for $27k.

Combine that information with a better interest rate on a new car and less possible maintenance in during the life of the loan. Thats what made me go from looking at used 05s to buying a new 07.

 

like everyone else has said...drive them both and make your decision off of what you think. i personally like the AP1 front bumper cause i think it makes the front end look a little wider cause of the "scoops" that are there and when you put a lip on it it just looks sexy

 

I would agree except for the plastic window on '00 and '01.
Best year to get is '02, which happens to be what I have.