my brother purchased an 03 with 7k miles for 20k + fees for a dealer. i would say 16-17k.

 

I'm looking to buy an S2000, and I've driven both a 2002 and a 2007. I do like the AP2 engine better, and the rest of the features that were upgraded. However, it seems like a lot of the AP2s in my area (Los Angeles) are priced well above KBB. In order to get a loan, my bank won't give me more than what KBB says the car is worth, so it would be tough to find one that would negotiate with me. However, the 2002 I drove is well below KBB (due to having only 40,000 miles), and has a couple of aftermarket parts that I was planning on getting anyways (hard top and coilovers). See below for the 2002 and an example AP2 that's priced about $900 above the "Excellent" KBB.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/ant...271520432.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv...265883401.html

I know I'll like the car no matter what year I get, so do you think it would be worth it to shop more around to find an AP2? Or is the 2002 a good enough deal I should buy it?

I appreciate any insight/opinions!

 

The AP1 is a little over priced imo at $17k.
For ~$17,000, you should be able to get a lower mileage AP2 like this one below..and despite having an AP1 myself I would rather have an AP2 if I could afford one.
Perhaps if S2000s are priced higher near the major city (L.A.), you might want to expand your search area to cover other areas as well..say within 300 miles.

http://lasvegas.crai...4277072530.html

And also I think KBB is not a very accurate guide for the real market price of an AP1..it over values my AP1 at ~$20,000 (which I purchased completely stock with 15,000+ fewer miles than it has now for $14,000).
If your bank doesn't want to lend you $17k for a twelve year old car there is usually good reason..

 

Thanks for the reply - I'll have to widen my search and see what I can find. It sounds like I should definitely be patient and try to find an AP2!

They would actually lend me the $17k for the 2002 due to it being under the KBB price - that's what's messed up about their system....

 

sup guys ive been looking at buying a s2000 at my job its an 07 black 65k on the cluster, has been modified im sure the car had better suspension before and the old owner replaced it with stock shocks and cheap springs put back the stock intake and probably exhaust piping. but other than that the car already has rpf1's with 255 rs3 all around lol. im pretty sure the 2nd owner changed the clutch cause it feels like a lil more aggressive cause i cant really baby it in first gear roll. they guy has been using 5-40 mobil cause i seen a extra bottle in the trunk. from what i can see motor sounds and feels healthy, doesnt really seem to smoke only in the morning. has s.s brake lines and sloted rotors but going to need to be replaced. also it has been resprayed black it looks ok but you can tell it seems like a maaco job but for the most part it looks decent. i did a magnet test around the car and so far it doesnt seem like no major bondo work all vins check on panels and autocheck checks out. i kinda want to buy carfax just to run it there too. so it seems like the black started to look like shit like always and he tried to make it look better but not quite. the top looks like in great, you can tell they had a hardtop cause of the scuff marks on the body from it moving around other than that the interior looks good dash leather bottons and all looks good and well taken car off looks under the car no leaks under body looks good bushings look great frame looks good so any way again its a 2007 BB S2000 with 65k for 15,110 before taxes and all to me it seems fair but what do you guys think

 

The paint worries me the most, but other than that, for $15,000 this car does seem like it might be a fair deal *if* everything checks out--no accidents, no theft, clean title, no significant mechanical issues, no oil leaks, etc.

Maybe someone else can chime in, but typically 10W-30 should be used to change S2000 engine oil.

If this car was in very good condition it would typically go for closer to $20,000, but just because it is priced at $15k doesn't automatically make it a good deal either (as overall condition is very important).

Conclusion: I would probably have to see this car in person to tell how bad the paint really is (or at least would need to see several high quality pictures), but a new paint job all-round is a very costly undertaking. If you can't live with the paint, you may be better off finding something in better shape. Black is a very unforgiving color, and will show all the imperfections, much more so than most.

Also, before buying **do** run a Carfax and also get it inspected by a certified trustworthy technician, or at least at a Honda dealership. A compression test would be ideal, even though it will take time (so plan accordingly).

 

white/tan 2003, 13k miles, at a dealer. what would you pay? it is perfect and stock.

 

Interested to hear what they are asking. I bought a 12k mile white on tan 2003 last year from a private individual and it came with lots of extras. So prices probably aren't comparable.

If you don't mind post the listing or some pictures. Or Pm me. Thanks

 

Fitting that my first post on S2ki would be in a "what is this car worth thread."

I'm looking to get into an S2k and have a couple options that I was looking in to.

First one is local Early AP1 GPW/Red with nice wheels (BBS) and coilovers and a replica top. Car has recently had a full body respray. Car looks immaculate, but has had 2 minor accidents over 2 years ago, and 3 or 4 owners. Clean title and looks good in pictures. No real service history or anything, but low miles (80k). Owner wants $16k. Worth it? Or am i blinded by a pretty paint job and nice set of wheels?

Second is a 04 suzuka that is a bit of a drive. 75k miles. Minor mods: SSR wheels, comptech springs, redline shift light (red flag), and an intake. Third owner and it was involved in a parking lot fender bender last week when a truck backed into the hood. The hood is being replaced, but I have read that Suzuka is pretty hard to match. Current owner is the third owner. He is looking for $13.5.

I can PM pictures. Thanks for your help!

 

Wow that would be in the range of $19k to $25k in Cali...