First post. I've caught the S2000 bug and decided to start looking for one to make my daily driver. I'll probably aim for the best one I can find under 10k, limited choices I know but I can wait. I'm more so wondering if any year had numerically lower gearing in the rear. I'd like to shoot for getting the best MPG I can rather than one that is .2 faster in the 1/4 mile. I'm also wondering if anyone here runs snow tires in the winter and can tell me how they do. Snow is occasionally a problem where I live but not enough to buy a vehicle made for it.

 

You can find information on the gearing of the AP1 and AP2 here, along with all the model year changes as well. https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/755...r-differences/

I don't have any experience with snow, but I can tell you that I get on average 25 MPG with 60% freeway and 40% city driving with a 2004 (AP2). That's with generally shifting at 5k Rpms with a couple of runs through Vtec.

 

Sounds like you want an ap1. They can be had for under 10k, and they also have longer gearing than ap2s. Which should result in slightly better gas mileage but the difference is negligible.

 

Awful car for snow

 

Gearing for all is similar, not quite identical. All have 4.1 diff gearing. '04+ transmissions have 4% shorter gearing in 1-4 and 2% taller gearing in 6th. From what I've seen, mileage is pretty similar for all as well. I get ~26mpg combined, 28-30 highway in my '01.

An S2000 on winter tires is *fantastic* in the snow, as long as snow depth/ride height doesn't become an issue. This is my 8th New England winter in my S on Dunlop Wintersports. Just got a new set, the first set lasted a LONG time.

The car has slightly more weight on the rears with a driver and fuel, which helps. With winter tires, you can run rings around fwd cars on all-seasons in the white stuff

 

As stated, the mileage between any year is going to be near negligible. What matters is how you drive it - if you want to increase mpg then shift lower than 5k rpms (and keep in mind this is not a mileage car). You should be able to attain 25-28mpg combined driving, less if its all city.

As for snow, many owners here drive with winter tires and have no issues. Get to know the car first and understand its tendencies before you have too much 'fun' with it, snow or not.

Good luck on your search!

 

Don't overlook existing threads:
https://www.google.com/search?q=snow...hrome&ie=UTF-8

I get about 18 all city. If MPG's are a priority I'd suggest looking at a different car.

 

This was very helpful, thanks guys. Takeshi, fuel economy is not a total priority but I wanted to know if one year was more efficient than the others.

 

+1 and I plan to put the snows on this weekend, I put it off as long as possible. I've had snow coming over the hood and still getting traction. YMMV, but when the snow is deeper than he car's ground clearance, I usually stay home.

 

We have a better FAQ - https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/599...001-2002-2003/