I picked up my 2006 Silverstone with black/red interior at a Subaru dealer in Charlotte last March for $17,900 with 74k miles. No dents, a few TINY paint blemishes, and one spot of missing paint on the front bumper. 9/10 interior, normal driver bolster wear for 74k. Bone stock and super clean. They are out there just gotta look. I do agree I have seen some a few thousand over 20k that I would question being worth it.

 

IMO, the reason why S2000 prices have been pretty stable is because there is nothing out there short of a Lotus that gives you that pure driving experience.The FRS/BRZ is not up to par stock for stock and the Miata's just does not have the look to them. The S2000 still looks like a modern car and with performance to back it up. As cars are getting heavier and heavier, it will highlight the S2000 just that much more.

 

I've been searching for 7 months now.

I've not found anything worth buying for under 12k.

It has been a rough search.

Rust free, mechanically solid cars for 11.5k and under are rare

Especially when you only want GPA, NFR, Spa or Berlina.

 

Um, I bought my '00 in 2008 with 30k on the clock in truly MINT condition (SS on red) for $12.5k. It was during the peak of the market crash. Everyone was offloading unneeded assets, especially boats and weekend toys. I highly doubt you'll find a clean, unabused s2k for $12k 8 years later... In comparison, that same car had I not touched it would probably easily sell for $16-17k today.

 

Demand for these cars appears to be constant (very small) with the small supply dropping from wrecks and condition dropping from abuse (needless modifications and winter driving for example). These are all used cars that their former owners no longer want for one reason or another.

$20,000 appears to be the median price for an unaltered excellent, low mileage S2000 here in Ohio and I suspect much of the country where these are summer-only cars. This is based on my research two years ago starting about this time and culminating with the purchase of an excellent condition 2006 AP2 with 38,00 miles.

Add (subtract) $1000 for every year newer (older) than '06 and every 10K miles less (more) than 40K miles. My car is still an '06 but has 10K more miles on it which puts it in the $19,000 price range. An '08 in this condition and under 40K miles I'd expect to sell for $21,000 here in Ohio. In late spring or early summer. In the supply/demand cycle I'd not miss getting the car I wanted for $1000 nor the reverse in selling. Remember the seller wants to sell as much as the buyer wants to buy.

Purely anecdotal based on prices two years ago but they've been pretty constant from what I've seen here. Will need to wait until spring to see the market.

Our love for this car is pretty irrational. Old, uncomfortable, summer only. Excellent condition used S2000 costs nearly the same as a more modern new Miata. (Are they really that different or have we just convinced ourselves they are?) Cars "daily driven" have depreciated values and the value of winter driven cars plummets. Value meaning what you can sell the car for. Not to be confused with what you paid or would pay for it.

We're also divided into two camps, maybe three. Those (like me) who want a dependable sports car for summer driving, those with racing aspirations, and those trying to achieve middle ground. Pricing and markets are often vastly different. "Sports car" for me means a two-seat open car. Cars with roofs are merely "sporty" despite their often superior performance. Do I want a BRZ/FRS? You bet, but I'd rather have the S2000 instead.

-- Chuck

 

That puts me at $20,500 ( '06,bone stock, 35k miles).

Bought the car 6yrs ago for $22,500 with 25k miles

Not bad for all the fun I've had

 

You bought a car with 30k miles.

I'm okay with car that has 130-170k miles and....isn't mint. Seats, carpet torn? No problem. Front bumper cracked? No big deal.

 

Well, if it makes any of you feel better, I may live in the scarcest area ever for S' ownership (WV). I've seen maybe 5 here, ever. Mine is literally the only one I see ~330 days out of the year. I don't know if it helps resale, but I sold one with 145k miles on it for 14k (it still looked new, I take very good care of my cars).

 

Bought it with 60k 15.9 OTD, sold it 120-130k for $13k

That's pretty good for me. I think there is also to be more exciting cars in the future. The Honda doesn't have the Porsche appeal or wide audience.

 

Im not picking on you.
By that measure you've lost inflation adjusted $4k + gas + maintenance + insurance + the opportunity cost of the initial investment since you've bought it (S&P 500 is up 47% in that time period).

Still worth it?