S2000 - Take the Plunge or Not?
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6
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From: Chula Vista, CA
Took me 16 years and I finally took the plunge on an AP2 about two months ago. Plenty of friends have had S2ks in the past, and I always thought I preferred an AP1 but I am more than satisfied with my AP2.
But like others have said, AP1 or AP2 - it's still an S2000 and you can't go wrong.
But like others have said, AP1 or AP2 - it's still an S2000 and you can't go wrong.
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 1,552
From: Chesterfield VA
The car in question is severely overpriced in my market and the season is over in a few weeks. These are fun, summer, second cars -- like a motorcycle. Sure you can drive one all year and someone may pay that price but not me. An AP1 gets you the small engine that can't be tuned without major electronic modifications, the AP2 gets larger wheels and tires. The '06 and later cars are DBW and can be tuned easily for significant increased mid range power.
Read all the differences. Make a priority list. Read, read, read. Two years ago my priority list was topped by "2006 or later" and this hasn't changed.
-- Chuck
Read all the differences. Make a priority list. Read, read, read. Two years ago my priority list was topped by "2006 or later" and this hasn't changed.
-- Chuck
Registered User
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
The car you are looking at is way overpriced in my opinion. I just bought a similar ap1 for $8000. The difference? Mine has almost 30k more miles and a salvage title. I'm very happy with my decision, and from behind the wheel both cars feel the same.
I personally recommend staying away from the top of the s2000 market unless the car will be a garage Queen. You don't have to give up very much when buying on the cheaper end of the spectrum, and you can basically gaurentee that you won't have any big losses in terms of depreciation, or if something catastrophic were to happen. Of course you still have to make sure that any car you buy is in good mechanical shape though.
The market is crazy right now, low mile clean title cars and Ap2 cars are over valued. Research the difference between ap2 and ap1 yourself. I don't want to start about a debate it, but neither car is "better", it just what you want from the car. Both cars will be extremely reliable. The issues that were mentioned previously are rare at best and all are inexpensive and easy to DIY. As far as parts availability goes, Honda has not impressed me. It seems that my E30 BMWs had more new parts available from the dealer than Honda does for the s2000. Although the stuff that isn't available is stuff you want, not stuff that you need. I expect that all the parts necessary to keep s2000s running and on the road will be around for a long while.
Have you driven an S2000 before? It's a car that wants to be driven hard, it's not a comfortable cruiser. They are loud inside, the ride is rough, the interior is cramped, and the car is slow unless you are in VTEC. It's not for everyone. With that said, the car is very easy to drive hard. The steering is sharp and responsive, the shifter is short and percise; moving between gears is effortless. The rotating mass of the engine is small (ap1 especially) so it changes speed incredibly quickly for rev matching. These things add up to make a car that does exactly what you want, exactly when you tell it to.
Go drive one and decide for yourself to decide. Make sure you get a long test drive in conditions similar to how you plan to drive the car.
I personally recommend staying away from the top of the s2000 market unless the car will be a garage Queen. You don't have to give up very much when buying on the cheaper end of the spectrum, and you can basically gaurentee that you won't have any big losses in terms of depreciation, or if something catastrophic were to happen. Of course you still have to make sure that any car you buy is in good mechanical shape though.
The market is crazy right now, low mile clean title cars and Ap2 cars are over valued. Research the difference between ap2 and ap1 yourself. I don't want to start about a debate it, but neither car is "better", it just what you want from the car. Both cars will be extremely reliable. The issues that were mentioned previously are rare at best and all are inexpensive and easy to DIY. As far as parts availability goes, Honda has not impressed me. It seems that my E30 BMWs had more new parts available from the dealer than Honda does for the s2000. Although the stuff that isn't available is stuff you want, not stuff that you need. I expect that all the parts necessary to keep s2000s running and on the road will be around for a long while.
Have you driven an S2000 before? It's a car that wants to be driven hard, it's not a comfortable cruiser. They are loud inside, the ride is rough, the interior is cramped, and the car is slow unless you are in VTEC. It's not for everyone. With that said, the car is very easy to drive hard. The steering is sharp and responsive, the shifter is short and percise; moving between gears is effortless. The rotating mass of the engine is small (ap1 especially) so it changes speed incredibly quickly for rev matching. These things add up to make a car that does exactly what you want, exactly when you tell it to.
Go drive one and decide for yourself to decide. Make sure you get a long test drive in conditions similar to how you plan to drive the car.
Last edited by AlivingLegend; Nov 3, 2016 at 09:42 PM.
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,296
Likes: 260
From: Vermont
I think there is a bit of hyperbole perhaps in the prior comments about the price. The car referenced by the OP is probably a bit high yes. But, it is an asking price I assume. Also, it is completely unfair to compare the OP car to a salvage title car with 30K more miles. Could you find a comparable car for less? Maybe. In my market I would be thinking $17,500 as the number to end up at. To each his own but I'm not interested in buying a salvage title car. I get it that others are interested in salvage title cars. That is what makes the world go around.
My thinking about price and s2k is that life is short and if you actually want to own a good s2k in this life time I think you should spend a few weeks or months watching the market, get a feel for what is available, and then buy something that is fairly priced. If you wait for the perfect price or the super duper deal you will be in the grave before you have an s2k. Everyone is different with different skill and different finances, but that is my suggestion for folks like myself in their 60s who are hearing the clock ticking really loudly in their ears. My 02 is 15 years old. In 15 years I'll be 80. That changes your perspective a bit.
I agree it is good to do your homework. Again everyone is different and ap1 is definitely on the top of my list. If I ever buy another s2k I will be looking for an ap1 again but I would buy an ap2 if the right one came along. I would be hoping to find an 02 or an 03. They are all good. Lots of threads to read and video reviews to watch about ap1 v. ap2.
My thinking about price and s2k is that life is short and if you actually want to own a good s2k in this life time I think you should spend a few weeks or months watching the market, get a feel for what is available, and then buy something that is fairly priced. If you wait for the perfect price or the super duper deal you will be in the grave before you have an s2k. Everyone is different with different skill and different finances, but that is my suggestion for folks like myself in their 60s who are hearing the clock ticking really loudly in their ears. My 02 is 15 years old. In 15 years I'll be 80. That changes your perspective a bit.
I agree it is good to do your homework. Again everyone is different and ap1 is definitely on the top of my list. If I ever buy another s2k I will be looking for an ap1 again but I would buy an ap2 if the right one came along. I would be hoping to find an 02 or an 03. They are all good. Lots of threads to read and video reviews to watch about ap1 v. ap2.
Last edited by rpg51; Nov 4, 2016 at 03:33 AM.
Registered User
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
Maybe I shouldn't have said similar, but it would be hard for me to justify paying almost 2.5X more for not that much more.
This car below was a good deal, but still, it took him a month to sell at $14,500 with an OEM hardtop. Keep this in mind when pricing cars.
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/cars-sal...-firm-1162252/
This car below was a good deal, but still, it took him a month to sell at $14,500 with an OEM hardtop. Keep this in mind when pricing cars.
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/cars-sal...-firm-1162252/
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Hello OP,
I think where I live (Bay Area Ca.) is probably has one of the highest markup in the nation and even so, I think $19,000 is a little high but I would probably pay $18,000 if I really want it. For 15 year old car, I don't think 80K to 40K miles will make a huge difference unless the condition is super clean. If I can start all over again, I would pick one up with 50k miles more and save me $5K. I was only looking for S back then so Miata wasn't even an option. Even the "newest" S is like 8 years old now so general speaking any 8 years old car will encounter some kind of wear and tear pretty soon so you have to take account for that. For practicality, features and $ to $ I think the new Miata beats an "older" S, but I am sold to the S just because of that classic look, it resembles the E type, Spitfire, Alfa spider or anything with the headlight indentation (just me), so the sign of age is never an issue to me, it would be nice to have all the new Miata features in it though. What I really wish for is a manual roof, swing sun visors, glove compartment, full function power locks and real Honda gas mileage. Like other have said, the S is no comfort car, it's loud, choppy, cramp compare to most rides and needs mental adjustment. I am no professional driver and haven't driven the AP1 extensive enough to make any mechanical claims, I just like the overall look of AP2 , and love the clock and thermometer. Love the AP1 display more and 9K rpm is cool to have but I would take the AP2 overall look over that any day. Unless you are obsessed with the S like all of us here, for a little more $, you can have a brand new car which will give many more years of carefree enjoyment. If my classic look and S obsession are not deep to my bones, I will seriously consider a more modern car generally speaking. Go test drive the S harder to evaluate the older S.
I think where I live (Bay Area Ca.) is probably has one of the highest markup in the nation and even so, I think $19,000 is a little high but I would probably pay $18,000 if I really want it. For 15 year old car, I don't think 80K to 40K miles will make a huge difference unless the condition is super clean. If I can start all over again, I would pick one up with 50k miles more and save me $5K. I was only looking for S back then so Miata wasn't even an option. Even the "newest" S is like 8 years old now so general speaking any 8 years old car will encounter some kind of wear and tear pretty soon so you have to take account for that. For practicality, features and $ to $ I think the new Miata beats an "older" S, but I am sold to the S just because of that classic look, it resembles the E type, Spitfire, Alfa spider or anything with the headlight indentation (just me), so the sign of age is never an issue to me, it would be nice to have all the new Miata features in it though. What I really wish for is a manual roof, swing sun visors, glove compartment, full function power locks and real Honda gas mileage. Like other have said, the S is no comfort car, it's loud, choppy, cramp compare to most rides and needs mental adjustment. I am no professional driver and haven't driven the AP1 extensive enough to make any mechanical claims, I just like the overall look of AP2 , and love the clock and thermometer. Love the AP1 display more and 9K rpm is cool to have but I would take the AP2 overall look over that any day. Unless you are obsessed with the S like all of us here, for a little more $, you can have a brand new car which will give many more years of carefree enjoyment. If my classic look and S obsession are not deep to my bones, I will seriously consider a more modern car generally speaking. Go test drive the S harder to evaluate the older S.
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 224
Likes: 10
From: Indiana
Like you, I finally took the plunge and bought our '06 AP2 just over 18 months ago and haven't regretted it for a minute. At 63, the hardest thing is getting in and out when top is up. Did I mention I'm 63 :-)? That's all forgotten though once I push the red button and hit the road. Nothing against the Miata, but I'm sure I made the right choice for me.