I contemplating picking up a MY 2001, but the idea of a plastic rear window is bothering me.
The 2000-2001 are in in my price range at this time.

Here are the the pros and cons I believe that are hindering me.

Pros:
- A S2000 is still a S2000 regardless of year.
- Convertible that looks awesome still even though it

 

I paid 17.25k for my 59k '01 perfect body with SSR gt3 rims. I went over it with a fine tooth comb; mechanic, another s2k owner opinion to tell me what's normal) so do your homework. If you plan on driving top down, the plastic window is a moot issue. Rain is the only thing so far to make me put the top up. It's gotten to low 40's here in N. CA and its still comfortable (great heater) I work in the techology area, and I have found that if something is going to break, it will do it early or not at all. I have owned 3 honda accords and have put 200+k on each of them with minimal maintanence, but I plan on pampering my S.

My reasoning is this...at under 20K this is now in the civic price range and I can drive it worry free and as hard as I like. It's a HONDA and it's made to be driven hard and built in Honda's premier Japan assembly plant (same as the NSX) so you know the workmanship is there.

Being a older car with a fanatical owner base, the amount of INFORMATION available to perform your own maintanence, do youir own troubleshooting, IDENTIFYING trouble areas are WELL known, especially on this site.

I have since found that it is hard to not MOD it constantly so I am glad I did not get soaked up front. I am easily 3.5k into "accessorries" and support products (cleaners, polishes, stands, etc) I am glad I did not have to buy the rims!

This has been the ONLY car I have LOVED. I look at it constantly, I keep it as shiny as possible, I drive it EVERYWHERE top down preferably,etc ect. Whichever year you get, you are in for the MOST enjoyable car experience available.

My wife calls it a motorcycle with 4 wheels...

My future plans are to keep this car a couple years, 100k miles driven on it, then strip the mods and get an '03 for way under 15k and start from there. There are too many owners that don't drive their cars (probably because they invested 30+K in it...

 

[QUOTE=racerfan,Nov 18 2004, 01:10 PM] Cons:
- 3-4 Years old
- Honda seems to need a clutch replacement in the earlier models as the clutch can

 

Yeah plastic rear is fugly IMO,I did not do a research upon buying my S,had i know i would've gone with 02,but it doesnt bother me anymore,still shares the same engine.

 

I appreciate all your comments.

The clutch issue is more like you said, I'm just afraid of getting one which has been heavily worn.

I figure the S2k's with today's exchange rate are much cheaper

one from the US cost around 50g's cdn by the time its imported up here with everything said and done

you buy one here you looking at over 60+ g's haha

10g' difference
but in terms of even used S2k's its way cheaper in the United States over Canada
just that in Canada its a pain to import...

any more thoughts of to buy or not to buy.

 

I bought my '02 for the glass window and the transmission fix. I think it's better to wait and save up a little more for an '02/'03.

-= joe =-

 

nVz2000 - I have to agree, but there are not many 02's around all the 03's are way overpriced, looking at like near 40g's cdn which is 33g's USD right now. Crazy you can get new one in the states for that price.

But yes I will wait, but so tempted...right now...
anyone selling one in B.C. let me know..

 

In Canada - I would buy the older/cheaper car and buy a hardtop with glass rear window for the winter months.

 

IMO, the differences from year to year are pretty minimal. Yes, there were changes in '02, but the average onlooker probably wouldn't even notice them. The plastic window isn't really a problem (although it will get colder there than here).

Bottom line, if you can find a great deal on an older model, go for it. If not, wait.

 

I have a GPW 01. I did some research before buying mine, but there were a few factors that helped me.

1. Car was adult owned.

2. Car had ALL maintenance records from delivery to the day I bought it.

3. Car was dealer maintained, and Florida owned (no harsh winters)

4. Car had a yacht club sticker on it and mileage WAY below normal. It was a toy car for someone with money.

5. I trusted the dealer I was buying from

6. The car was Honda Certified.


I have purchased 4 used vehicles. A Oldsmobile (from my parents and it was the worst one of the group), a BMW, a Range Rover, and now my S2000. The S2000 is the best by far. The plastic window can be a pain, but it doesn't bother me that much. If you are a decent driver, you can tell if a clutch is weak or not. My BMW went over 225k on its original clutch. People who wear out clutches can't drive or are abusing things.

I would encourage you to buy the older, cheaper car, but do your homework. I would also look for a certified car. It will cost more, but the peace of mind of the warranty, is just awesome. I expect to break even on the cost of certification inside the first year of ownership. And I have another 4 years to go on it.

Just my $.02 worth.