Hey everyone!
I’m not a very active poster but I am a frequent visitor and 2001 S2000 owner. Thank you for all of the information that you’ve each contributed to this site!

I bought my 2001 just about a year and a half ago and I’ve been enjoying it a lot. Its such a great sports car with Honda reliability. I picked up my 01 (58k mi) from an older woman that liked sporty cars but she found the car a bit too hard to drive for her age. The car is all original but it has a good amount of dents in it from parking next to other cars and who knows what else.

Now on to the point of my post…
I’ve had many cars in the past but they had a bit more luxury feel to them opposed to the S2000. I’ve always kept my cars in perfect condition and I’d like to have a near-perfect condition car again.
because I enjoy my AP1 so much, I can’t think of any other “value” cars that could compete other than the AP2….

I’d be in no hurry to pick one up and would want to find an awesome “deal” so what I’m wondering:

What are the best months to buy an AP2 and how much should I be looking to spend?

What i’d want:
04-09
No accidents
Not over 90k mi
Not modified
Prefer white but will consider any color
Prefer with spoiler

Most importantly, would I be crazy to pick up an AP2 to keep along with the AP1 (since they are going to be a collectors car haha)?

 

They are generally cheaper in the winter months but your selection will also be lowest then.

From another 2- S2000 owner. I have an 02 and a CR.

 

You wouldn't be the first person I know with both an AP1 and AP2. That said, once the cars start going away for winter, the prices will drop, and will stay low through the winter, so now is a good time to start looking and be patient for that deal.

About the AP2s:
04-05 - last years with mechanical throttle
06+ - Drive by wire, but adds stability control

 

Bought mine in October 2012 in Silverthorne, Colorado. 9500 feet elevation, the first interstate exit west of the tunnel / continental divide. A Subaru dealer sat on it for 3 months and were about to send it to California for auction. I paid $18250 for an '06 Laguna Blue with 42K miles. In mechanically good condition but it has evidence of an impact on the front end, and some time spent driving at high elevation (gravel damage to the passenger side underbody and pitted windshield).

Opinions will vary but to me '06-'07 are the two best years, you get drive-by-wire and traction control (new in '06) but no TPMS (required in' 08). A good Hondata tune to drop the VTEC engagement into the low 5000's smooths out the middle power band and makes it a totally different car in that RPM range.

Here's a sample AutoTrader search for white '06-'07, there are 9 cars matching this in the whole country: AutoTrader: 2006-2007 White Honda S2000

Set your ZIP code / desired search range as you like. Prices range from $15K for super high miles to $27K in the 30K mile range. The deal of the group seems to be a 57K mile one in good condition for $17K.

Good luck!

 

Hi OP, I just join this great community recently, not an active poster either but becomes an addiction logging it. Love this forum and it offers tremendous amount of information, so much that its impossible to digest. Just picked up my first S a couple months ago. I love the S since day one, but due to life constrain it took me 15 years to finally decided to get an AP2. The passion was set aside for 15 long years and it was completely forgotten. Until recently test drove my friend's AP1 and I cant explain that adrenaline rush during that moment, completely obsessed and told myself I have to have one. If I have the parking space and wife's consent I would pick up an AP1 in a heartbeat.

After all you are hunting for a ~8 years car so be patient and since you already have one, so there is no rush, there is one out there waiting for you. Depends on where you live, this is just my $0.02. According to my shopping observation for the pass 6 months, here in N.Cal, 04+ and 06+ can be ~$4000 difference. It can be difficult to find a clean, few ownerships <50,000 miles without paying $23,000 for a 06+. Some >90,000mile 06+ even ask for $20,000 while some 04+ with >80,000miles ask for $17,000. Myself, I will not pay >$22,500 for 06, 07 with >40,000, and 04+ for >$16,000. Deduct $1,000 for every 10,000 miles or a year older, that's my own general guideline.

Goldenfri is right, its like a house market, during winter should have a better price but also in lower supply. I see where are you coming from as I was in the same boat. Should I get a pristine condition one and ending up babying it or should I get a higher mileage one and use as a DD? I came up with a win/win solution. How about pick up a good one and enjoy it as a DD, let myself be the one to put dings and dents to it. You only have one life to live, so live with a smile.

It took me almost 1/2 year to find mine and still only my 2nd color choice, but I am more than happy because RYP really poops.

 

I don't see any point in owning more than one s2000 at a time. They are not really different enough for that to make any sense and you can only drive one at a time. The only exception would be a CR, and even then its marginal.

Having owned an 02, 06, and now 04, I prefer the AP1 anyway, its what and S2000 is all about. I know there were technical improvements over the years but I still think the AP1 represents the purest expression of the designers and is the most fun. Of course, there is only one way to find out for yourself.

 

Interested in what triggered you to go from the 2002 to the 2006...and then what triggered you to move from the 2006 to the 2004...

As you moved from MY to MY, was it difficult to sell your previous S? Or did you make it a point to sell first before getting the "replacement"?

And finally... what colors did you own?

 

I sold my first one after owning it for 3 years because we moved to a place with a one car garage and I thought I wouldn't need it. Berlina Black over Black, kind of a beater and I loved it.

I bought the 06 after a few months of missing the 02, and trying a Miata in between (too small for me). Super clean car. Silverstone over red/black, VERY pretty.

I sold the second one to buy the C7 Corvette (we also sold our WRX so we were back to one car).

I bought the 04 a month ago because it was a very good price. It has some modifications which I am (slowly) working on removing. It is Sebring Silver with a black interior (meh) but it has a Berlina Hardtop which is pretty cool.

Having sold 2 S2000s I would not say it was "difficult" but it is important to pick a reasonable price and be patient. Some people will have no problem wasting your time. Typically though buyers are pretty cool. I really liked both guys that bought mine, they were both about my age and seemed really excited to be buying an S2000. One thing to note, if the buyer is financing it can be a huge hassle.

I always buy before I sell now. Just makes things easier if you are not in a rush to sell because you need the cash to buy but I understand it isn't always an option.

 

own a ap1 for ten years now and has been modded heavily. has 234k on the clock. bought another ap1 which turned out to be a pos.7 owners, salvage title. sold it.been baby sitting an ap2 04 for two years now and has been heavily modded also. just this week purchased ap1 #3. same color as my first...spa. it will remain stock to keep its value since these cars will probably eventually become a collectors item. if I do modd it will be with oem pieces. so now my backyard looks like a s2000 car lot lol. yes you can only drive one at a time true. oem is dd and the modded is for weekends. best freakin car I've ever owned. hard to beat Honda quality!

 

hey, it's a pleasure to see someone with the same "guidelines" or formula for comparing the same car with different miles or MY.
When I bought 4.5 yrs. ago, I chose between an 02 with 39k miles for $13,500, or an 04 with 9k miles for $18,500.
I justified buying the 04 using "our" formula. 2 yrs. newer = +$2000; 30,000 less mileage = +$3000.
$2k + $3k = $5k more I spent. I now have 55,000 miles on it after 4.5 yrs. as my daily driver (1/2 the days of each week);it shares time with my wife's 05 Corolla to keep the miles down and the ice off in the winter.