I have a GPW MY03 tan interior with 127k miles, bone stock, all vin stickers and super exc condition for its' mileage.
Love it. But, I wonder if I could trade for a brand new 2022 GR86, lol.

 

That would be the biggest mistake you've ever made.

 

As someone who bought a 2013 FR-S at launch, I agree you will absolutely regret it. Especially coming from a higher-revving AP1. It feels cheaper, muted, lighter, and less refined. The S feels tight and sticks to the road, whereas the 86 has skinny tires and breaks traction too easily.

It's crazy to me... that in 2021... they're going from 200hp to 228hp in a 2.4L motor. Meanwhile the S had 240hp with essentially 10% less displacement, 20 years ago. That should tell you what you need to know, the age of fun Japanese import cars is over.

You will miss the S, I know I did. Glad I was able to get another in concourse condition.

 

I heard second hand that the CPI (Consumer Price Index) stats released recently are showing the used car market up 10%, as a whole, year-over-year. The S2k seems to have beaten that number, which is not surprising. 10% YOY was a whole is nuts though.

 

I'm watching a stock 16K mile SSM '07 AP1 on sale here in NZ, bidding is strong, currently at $36K with 10 days left on the auction.

Stock 44K mile NFR '00 AP1 went on the market today at a dealer, asking $39,400. Sounds insane but the same dealer recently sold a 36K mile RYP '00 AP1 very quickly for somewhere around the $38,600 mark.

Stock 35K mile SSM '01 AP1 Type V asking $37,600.

Cheapest in the country is a lightly modded RYP '00AP1 with 124K miles on it for $20,700, most are lightly modded and around the $27,000 mark.

I feel ok having paid $19,000 for my 64K mile '00 AP1 two and a half years ago. All prices in USD.

 

I absolutely adored my FA5. The entire drivetrain is sublime and it was very practical being a 4 door, easy to haul kids and even did road trips as a family, I still miss that car. As the kids got older and get into a coupe on their own, I replaced it with a 17 BRZ (AP2 in S2000 terms I guess) which IMO, is a pure sportscar and can offer an excellent driving experience. Initially, I also thought it was underpowered but after owning it for a while, I came to realize they make power differently. While ultimately, it is slower than my AP1, it's not a night and day difference as people make them out to be. The F20C "makes" you feel faster than you are really going (VTEC x-over, high revs, sound) while the FA20 makes you feel slower than it really is. (Let's keep in mind that both are relatively slow for modern day standards.....lol). Coupled with the factory equipped torque dip and the different sounding engine, you have a very very negative engine experience. I am sure the newer model will equal, if not beat, the S2000 by all performance metrics having more torque and a more stable chassis.

Interesting that you spun bearings twice. The FA20, when left NA, has proven to be decently reliable over the years. Reported bearing failures are usually associated to a valve spring recall where the tech left too much silicon inside the engine blocking the oil pick up. Otherwise, it's been pretty solid.

 

Yes, a modern car that has great handling and near identical power to weight BUT with modern safety features that is similar in cost to a 20 year old S2000 is such a sad development for ‘fun japanese import cars’

Is there some sort of s2000 cult that everyone joined when they overpaid for their s2000?

 

We are definitely a biased bunch here, no doubt about that. I don’t mean to poop on the 86, I just had a sordid experience with mine.

I don’t think it’s fair to say we have overpaid though, a stock S2000 is still equally performant (if not more) than the 86. And the cars have shown to be reliable if proper maintenance is done. So if the 86 is $30k and an S is around or under that, why would either buyer be “overpaying” for the experience?

I will admit that out of anything available today, the 86 is probably the closest thing to a modern take on the cars so props to Toyota and Subaru trying to keep that alive. I would even say that it’s more true to the roots than the new CTR is.

I’m a bit jaded when it comes to remakes and reboots as they often disappoint (in cars and other things). Again, I think the Supra is another example of a failed attempt to revitalize a car.

I’ve come to the realization that us picky or opinionated folk cannot be satiated by a single car. If I want a raw driving experience with maximum simulated fast and control, I’m taking the S. If I want creature comforts and safety, I’m taking the modern sedan (Tesla in my case). I actually love the minimal nature of the S, I don’t want my hand held outside maybe VSA. I don’t want thousands of knobs or gauges or buttons, I just want to drive. I don’t even install the mic for the newer BT radios.

I do believe the S would not be nearly as fun to drive if it wasn’t a convertible and that’s something that you can’t really find today unless you go way up in price. Going fast or just cruising is equally fun with the top down.

 

Overpaying in the sense that the more paid for an S2000, the more ‘better’ cars are available. I think the same thing about older Miatas as well.

Some of your comments about the FRS just stood out, like the narrow tires comment....that is the easiest thing to change about a car. I like my S2000 but there are days where I wouldn’t mind cashing out while prices are high. (Not that my highish mileage and modified example is worth as much as a stock car, even if the aftermarket pieces are all high end and compatible with stock-like reliability)

 

I believe it's the same sect that is paying more for houses, stocks, lumber, gas, food, Kool-Aid, etc., etc.

Not sure of anyone else, but the least of my concerns when I was buying my overpriced car was the safety nannies. You know, VSA, recalled airbags, anti lock and all that must have safety stuff that makes you a better driver nowadays.

The people selling their cars on BAT aren't the ones determining the prices, its the people that are willing to pay those prices that are setting the market. The people that wish that it wasn't happening, are the people that either are looking to get into the market, or have a car that doesn't meet the standard of the cars selling for top dollar on BAT.

I can't remember the last time I heard someone say, I hope the price of my house, or my stocks, or my salary goes down. The only people that say that are the "have nots".