Are the prices for S2000s out of control?
01-03-2015, 02:09 PM
#11
Prices out of control? It's called "value retention." 
This car will never be an investment in our lifetimes but the "asking" prices seem to be fairly constant varying with age and mileage. Don't confuse asking price with sales price. Cars that are for sale for months are overpriced regardless of what their owners think. It's what the real buyers think that counts.
Based on US sales the AP1s are the most common and oldest, the newest being 2003 models. Approximately 37,000 are AP1 and 30,000 AP2. And less than 14,000 '06 and later with VSA and DBW.
When I was searching for my S2000 early last year I found the general price point to be $20,000 for an unmodified '06 with ~40K miles. Cars of newer vintage were a little more expensive and those with more miles less expensive. $1000 difference plus/minus for model year or every 10,000 miles. My target was an unmodified '06 or later and under 40K miles and as close to show room condition as possible. Worked out to $20K. If it'd have been 50K miles I'd have expected about a $19K price, etc. In the summer. In Ohio. These cars are rare in this part of the US so color was not one of my criteria. Mine is "don't need to wash me this week" Silver.
I found half a dozen suitable cars based on my criteria. Trouble was most were already sold! My car didn't meet all my criteria as the previous owner had bugged it with black Einke RFF1wheels I figure he bought used. Not sure WHAT he was thinking! Put right the next month with stock wheels.
-- Chuck
This car will never be an investment in our lifetimes but the "asking" prices seem to be fairly constant varying with age and mileage. Don't confuse asking price with sales price. Cars that are for sale for months are overpriced regardless of what their owners think. It's what the real buyers think that counts.Based on US sales the AP1s are the most common and oldest, the newest being 2003 models. Approximately 37,000 are AP1 and 30,000 AP2. And less than 14,000 '06 and later with VSA and DBW.
When I was searching for my S2000 early last year I found the general price point to be $20,000 for an unmodified '06 with ~40K miles. Cars of newer vintage were a little more expensive and those with more miles less expensive. $1000 difference plus/minus for model year or every 10,000 miles. My target was an unmodified '06 or later and under 40K miles and as close to show room condition as possible. Worked out to $20K. If it'd have been 50K miles I'd have expected about a $19K price, etc. In the summer. In Ohio.
These cars are rare in this part of the US so color was not one of my criteria. Mine is "don't need to wash me this week" Silver.I found half a dozen suitable cars based on my criteria. Trouble was most were already sold! My car didn't meet all my criteria as the previous owner had bugged it with black Einke RFF1wheels I figure he bought used. Not sure WHAT he was thinking! Put right the next month with stock wheels.
-- Chuck
01-03-2015, 02:46 PM
#12
I agree, if you actually wait you can find one for a decent price. I shopped around for over a year before I settled on mine.
01-03-2015, 03:23 PM
#13
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Totally agreed. I have a 2001 Silverstone/Red, 30,000 miles, I paid $15,000 in 2012 from the original owner, the car is completely mint, not a scratch in and out. A friend of mine test drove mine in 2012, bought a White/Tan 2003 with 49k for $18,000 a month later (GP white ones are much rarer, thus the price premium). We both can't find similar condition ones for less than what we paid for...
But it's understandably so, the reason I think the S2000 will continue to holds its value (up to a point), is because there simply isn't much out there that can match the value of an S2000 (assuming $10,000-$18,000 example). The 350z used to be comparable, price-wise, but it felt heavy and interior is plain awful and the 370z's pricing is coming down to where a mint S2000 level. The BRZ/FR-S really aren't on the same level...I don't think the value will continue to go up, once it hit $25,000-$30,000, that opens up to a more options for people. BMW Z4 M, 987 Boxster S, even Lotus Elise...But below $20,000, the S2000 is the answer to almost every question.
I personally hope that if you happen to come across an unmodified S2000, keep it that way. If people keep tuning and breaking them, the price will go up even faster.
But it's understandably so, the reason I think the S2000 will continue to holds its value (up to a point), is because there simply isn't much out there that can match the value of an S2000 (assuming $10,000-$18,000 example). The 350z used to be comparable, price-wise, but it felt heavy and interior is plain awful and the 370z's pricing is coming down to where a mint S2000 level. The BRZ/FR-S really aren't on the same level...I don't think the value will continue to go up, once it hit $25,000-$30,000, that opens up to a more options for people. BMW Z4 M, 987 Boxster S, even Lotus Elise...But below $20,000, the S2000 is the answer to almost every question.
I personally hope that if you happen to come across an unmodified S2000, keep it that way. If people keep tuning and breaking them, the price will go up even faster.
01-03-2015, 03:29 PM
#14
No, I don't think the prices are out of control at all... for many of the reasons already mentioned in this thread. In fact, I think the prices are fairly reasonable. The S2000 is a special car.
01-03-2015, 06:09 PM
#16
I think the money is better spent on a manual 370z if you are going over $25k.
Check out this 370z for $20k.
http://newyork.craig...4830825962.html
The 13.4@107 mph and not having to worry about Honda thieves are included at no extra cost.
Check out this 370z for $20k.
http://newyork.craig...4830825962.html
The 13.4@107 mph and not having to worry about Honda thieves are included at no extra cost.
01-03-2015, 06:45 PM
#17
I don't see what all the whining is about 
. High school economics = supply and demand. Clean 06+ with low miles are relatively rare commodities.
Nonetheless, a well prepared buyer with patience and ability to travel, can find a good deal on their dream S2K.
. High school economics = supply and demand. Clean 06+ with low miles are relatively rare commodities. Nonetheless, a well prepared buyer with patience and ability to travel, can find a good deal on their dream S2K.
01-03-2015, 08:53 PM
#19
Totally agreed. I have a 2001 Silverstone/Red, 30,000 miles, I paid $15,000 in 2012 from the original owner, the car is completely mint, not a scratch in and out. A friend of mine test drove mine in 2012, bought a White/Tan 2003 with 49k for $18,000 a month later (GP white ones are much rarer, thus the price premium). We both can't find similar condition ones for less than what we paid for...
But it's understandably so, the reason I think the S2000 will continue to holds its value (up to a point), is because there simply isn't much out there that can match the value of an S2000 (assuming $10,000-$18,000 example). The 350z used to be comparable, price-wise, but it felt heavy and interior is plain awful and the 370z's pricing is coming down to where a mint S2000 level. The BRZ/FR-S really aren't on the same level...I don't think the value will continue to go up, once it hit $25,000-$30,000, that opens up to a more options for people. BMW Z4 M, 987 Boxster S, even Lotus Elise...But below $20,000, the S2000 is the answer to almost every question.
I personally hope that if you happen to come across an unmodified S2000, keep it that way. If people keep tuning and breaking them, the price will go up even faster.
But it's understandably so, the reason I think the S2000 will continue to holds its value (up to a point), is because there simply isn't much out there that can match the value of an S2000 (assuming $10,000-$18,000 example). The 350z used to be comparable, price-wise, but it felt heavy and interior is plain awful and the 370z's pricing is coming down to where a mint S2000 level. The BRZ/FR-S really aren't on the same level...I don't think the value will continue to go up, once it hit $25,000-$30,000, that opens up to a more options for people. BMW Z4 M, 987 Boxster S, even Lotus Elise...But below $20,000, the S2000 is the answer to almost every question.
I personally hope that if you happen to come across an unmodified S2000, keep it that way. If people keep tuning and breaking them, the price will go up even faster.
01-03-2015, 09:22 PM
#20
Been looking around...
AP1s I see around me are in the 12s-14s with 120-150k on them.
Overpriced to me. And they're not perfect either.
Tuning them isn't a bad thing imho.
If I were to find an AP1 with an intake, not some cheap tubing either, a nice exhaust, kpro and some springs and shock or coils. I wouldn't mind it as long as the paint was maintained. And it's on the stock engine and nice compression.
AP1s I see around me are in the 12s-14s with 120-150k on them.
Overpriced to me. And they're not perfect either.
Tuning them isn't a bad thing imho.
If I were to find an AP1 with an intake, not some cheap tubing either, a nice exhaust, kpro and some springs and shock or coils. I wouldn't mind it as long as the paint was maintained. And it's on the stock engine and nice compression.