The S2000 is still the roadster I'd by today. Its design was so far advanced when it debuted, its not really outdated even after 7 years and mild refreshes. That, plus the driving experience is simply unmatched by other cars. Nothing else has the lightweaight characteristics, levels of comfort, and utility and power like the S, even today.

If you want CPO, I'd say 03-05 are good choices. Gives you the range between AP1 and AP2 and the car is all mechanical - ie - no dbw, no stability control, that is in the 06+.

 

If buying a 7 year-old design bothers you, buy something else. It's your money to spend as you see fit.

 

That's what I got!!

 

Maybe I should try to clarify.

There's a certain novelty to getting a new model car that was just released.

Usually they make that novelty up through model refreshes and incremental upgrades throughout the years.

To me, it seems like a lot of people like the ap1 more. I view that like how some people say the e36 m3 was better than the e46 m3. It says to me, the follow up model didn't eclipse the old one in greatness. I don't feel the features added after 04 are worth that much.

This isn't in anyway to say the s2k sucks or is dated, but rather I feel like if I bought a new one I'm getting in at the end of the model's life which would suck if they ever released a next generation (and I don;t mean mmc).

 

I just bought mine a few months ago. This car has been out a long time and for some reason I just ignored it. About 6 months ago it came to me that this is one sexy ass car and I had to have one. Well worth it

 

Buy an AP1 for ~$18k and supercharger / turbo for $7-9k. You'll have a car that's competitive for another 7 years.

 

That's actually what I was thinking...

 

Let's not make fun of interior space. I get in and out without too much fuss, and I am: 68 years old, 6 foot 2, 215 lbs, and I have three surgically fused lumbar vertebra. Can't understand the problem with the 5 foot 8, 110 lb lady athlete.

 

Car and Driver has included the S2000 in two comparos. An 03 AP1 finished first ahead of a 3.0 Z4, Audi TT Quatro, 350Z Touring, and Porsche Boxster: The Blow Dryers

A 2004 AP2 finished just behind a Lotus Elise and beat out a Mazdaspeed MX-5 Miata, a Caterham Seven Superlight, and a Factory Five Racing psudo-Cobra. Extreme Sports

Just their opinion but the articles might help you expand your pre-purchase knowledge base.

 

I'd rather have my S2k than a Z4.