I'm looking at several used S2000's including an '01 with 100k/7 yr warranty for about $22-23k, or I can get a brand new 05 for under $30k.

The 01 with the extended warranty has about 65,000 miles and 3.5 years of warranty left, so it actually has more warranty remaining than a new one. Is the extended warranty as comprehensive as the factory 3/36 warranty?

I know if I test drive the new it will seem so shiny and smell so good that it will make the lower redline seem not so important.

So the question is, are the changes made in '04/05 worth getting a brand new one? Or shoudl I get a used one? $6-8k difference won't kill me.

Just lookin' for opinions...

 

If you're going with an 00-03, but an 02-03, the window, interior and other such things are very nice. There's an 02 here in my area for sale for <20k and 30k miles that you could probably get a hondaCare warranty on.

 

I own a MY2000 Berlina and I would say the following. If you are mostly into track/autocross, maybe go for the more agressive 2002/2003 used. This way you will get a broken-in car, and whatever chips/scratches/blemishes will already be on the car--you won't have to worry about acquiring them too much. (Black is difficult to clean and to keep clean, microscratches show more than with any other color.)

If you are more into having a nice car, enjoying weekend drives, with occasional track use, maybe get the new 05. It will be perfect to start out with, and how long it stays perfect will depend on how you care for it (and how considerate are the people who park next to you... ) It should have more enjoyable cruising characteristics. And you will still have fun with it on the track.

One annoying thing with the 2000-03 cars is the rear-end "bump steer" that was corrected to some extent with the newer models. So I think you would get a more "comfortable" car to drive, plus that great new-car smell.

If you do go "used" definitely get 2002+ for the glass window. Unclear plastic sucks.

If I was to replace my MY2000, I think I would get a new one rather than a used one.


But you are on the right path with Berlina. It is definitely the fastest color.

 

thanks. I am going to look a new 05 black tomorrow in Boston (going up there to pick up my new LX470 ), and on the way home may look at a used 01 a guy is selling in MD. Will be a good way to compare old vs. new.

 

how bout a used '04 for 26k? I've seen some around

 

I'm actually trying to sell my 04' Red S2k w/10,500 miles for 25,995. It's new formula red, and I know that's not the color your interested in, but it is a great deal on a 6 month old car with many options. Check out the URL below if your interested.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_...p=y&cardist=238