Hello Everyone,

Need some help here! First of all I am excited to be part of this forum where I can learn a lot of knowledge from owners about this awesome car. I have always been interested in having an s2000 but thought it would never happen. Well, this week I test drove one at a local dealership and loved it. Now, I’m in a little bit of a bind because I have some concerns with the car, and just don’t want to make the wrong decision being a full time student, this is where I come to you for your help.
The car at the dealership is a 2003 AP1 that looks to me to be in good shape. The car has 88k miles on it and has some minor cosmetic blemishes, such as scratches, minor scuffs, one chip on the door, and curb rash on one wheel. (I will post pictures below) The dealer is asking 12.8k on the car currently. When reviewing the car facts it shows that it has had 6 owners (which threw a little red flag for me), but other than that it is clean no crashes or accidents.
When driving the car I tried to pick out any imperfection I could see of hear. From my 45min. test drive yesterday I really couldn’t pick anything out, other than I was having a little difficulty get smooth upshifts but downshifts were smooth as butter. I’m sure that’s just me not being used to the car and how it wants to be driven. Other than that everything worked inside the car, radio, climate control, exc. Also, the soft-top looks to be in pretty good shape couldn’t find any rips or tears inside or out.
Now, my first potential problem could be that I’m not sure if I will be trading my current car in/or privately selling it. Or if I will be keeping it as a winter car. I live in Upstate New York so we get snow throughout the winter usually not to bad but every once in a while we will get a bad storm. Now I have read on the forum that owners will put Blizzak tires on I believe and say they are fine throughout the winter, is this true? My main concern is that if it has to be a daily driver and I am not winter storing it will it be okay throughout the winter driving wise as well as cosmetically, such as the soft top being damaged. If I drive it in the winter I’m not as worried about the soft top being damaged due to the fact that I will park it in the garage over night, I’m more concerned with drivability and getting to my destination. Basically I would love to own the car but I’m concerned with having it during winter.
I am on the fence if this car in practical for me in my situation even though I would love to own the car. Hopefully with your guy’s help and opinions on my situation I can make an informed decision. Thanks everyone! Sorry about the longer post!\

Here's the link to the pictures of this car:

http://www.matthewsplanetpreowned.co...c8a7ee40ce.htm

 

Just put 4 winter tires on it and you will befine ..... makes a great winter car - a number of our local guys run their's in winter....and this is a much harsher and colder environment than your's.

R

 

you only live once and it looks as if you found a decent deal. do it. for the winter time I would invest in a hardtop. good luck with you decision.

 

its definitely a great purchase/investment... s2000 car value is on the up n up. As long as you keep it in great shape you shouldn't have problems selling it down the road if you decide its not working for you.

s2000 is a roadster.. it wasn't meant to be practical.. but it does put a smile on your face in and out of the car. And I believe that is necessary for car nirvana!

 

I will just add that the trunk is better than many other roadsters around. My wife and I can get away for a week, even two with the trunk space. It keeps me from getting too much at Costco.

Good luck, it looks nice from the pictures. Be sure to check out links for what to look for. (I am sure you probably did already)

 

Thanks guys! appreciate the comments and invite any more to come my way as it will aid in my decision the only thing that im really worried about it the winter because im almost positive i wont have two cars at the time i would purchase it.

 

I must echo cosmo's comments. I've also travelled for over two weeks with my then girlfriend. In the snow, be sure to have snow tires and drive sensibly. - that means not risking a spin out on your turns. I say go for it.

 

IMO, if you are going to drive through winter in upstate NY, its good you are getting one that already has some cosmetic imperfections. No sense paying a premium for a pristine car then driving it in that stuff.

If you have experience with rear wheel drive, and buy winter tires, you should be fine in the snow. Most of the time. When there is a lot of snow, say more than 6", and plows haven't been by yet, the low ground clearance can hang you up. Otherwise you should be OK. Just know that driving while a big storm is still raging that plows can't keep up is not gonna work well.

Buy a spare set of wheels, and mount winter tires to those. Then just swap wheels each season. Maybe plastidip the winter wheels to protect if they are still decent. If you are going to buy aftermarket summer wheels, maybe use your current stock ones as the winter wheels. Buy one of those wall mount tire racks from, um, tirerack, to store the extra set in the garage.

The shifting issues are probably clutch fluid needs to be bleed/changed and clutch rod adjusted. Both easy and cheap diy.

Look for the tread about stuff for new owners to check/do. Lots of important stuff in there.

You mentioned carfax says it hasn't been in any accidents. Check for all the vin tags on each panels to confirm this. Look for the thread that shows where to look for each one. You can use as a bargaining chip if you find anything.

Check your oil often. These cars can easily last more than 300k miles and still run strong, but they are fragile when it comes to low oil or air in the coolant. Either of these will quickly kill your motor. So a little paranoa here goes a long way.

 

IMO you got a good deal, My s2000 had 4 previous owners, although on my carfax, everything is good with no accidents, I know that my car was in some sort of an accident what kind? I dont know. I just know that the rear left quarter panel is repainted, but other than that my car runs like a champ. I highly suggest once you get the car to change all the fluids, I had trouble upshifting but once I changed the tranny fluid it was smooth as butter.
With proper maintenance these cars will run for a very long time.

 

I drove my AP1 through 7 winters, over the mountains and never had a problem. It is VERY stable in the snow with good snow tires.
The best part about it is how obvious it is to feel what the car is doing. You will easily be able to tell if it's slipping even the slightest bit.

Keep your foot light and you'll be totally fine in the snow. I've told others before that while it's no AWD monster, it is capable. Preparation is key.