You can find a used hardtop for as low as $1800. Just be aware that you will need the hardware which can run up to $500 +/-.

Keep in mind also that the 02' and 03' don't have the VSA and it's quite easy to kick out the back end. But in return you get the 9000 RPM redline.

 

+1 on the hardtop, i also dont have a garage, it does deter the seat theives, but it doesn't deter the ******* haters who vadalized cars(sorry my just got keyed not to long ago, still kinda ) But get a hardtop, best decision i made for the car with no garage

 

here in Panama central america , rains all day long in the winter , my s2k is my daily drive no problem

 

Yes, you can drive these cars in the snow. You could also ride a horse on the freeway. Neither, in my opinion, is a very good idea. Given its twitchy tail, the AP1 makes a particularly poor choice for winter driving. If you can't have a second car for winter or for adding more passengers, buy something you can have real fun with all year round - safely - like an Impreza STI or one of the Germans.

 

1. Welcome.
2. We can change your screen name if you request.
3. Deeplocal sounds like a por-n-o site.
4. If you have hardcore Winter, get snow tires. Hardtop is optional.
5. You can buy aftermarket traction control for ~$1000 and install it yourself over a weekend.

 

I actually made the same switch. Get a hardtop and if you don't get a beater snow tires too.

 

i've actually seen a site w an aftermarket hardtop replica for like 2g w hardware


anyway i don't know about in pburgh, but i think down here in orlando FL, 13 would probably get you at least an 03

i dont wanna pitch myself... but i could get you one. pm me if you'd like. i'm a dealer rep out in orlando.


and be careful in the rain/snow!!!!

 

People often talk about how good the S is with winter tires. I say once you have more than 6 inches on the ground you will have trouble on back streets. I bought Cherokee 4x4 for the snow. On the other hand, I'm still on the oem tires and have never had issues in the rain....and I live in Oregon so I know rain. The VSA works great. I would be most concerned with seat theft or genral vandalism in your situation.

 

I drove my '01 every day this winter in CT. I put on 1,750 miles per month, and I have to drive 7 days a week. All I did was put snow tires on and had no problems. My commute home is after 8:00 pm, so I had to drive in the snow frequently, both interstate and back roads. No problems at all, even with 2 inches of unplowed snow on the road. I think if you know how to drive a rear wheel drive car in the winter you will do fine with an S2000 in the snow. I also didn't have a garage until last month, just let the car warm up for a few minutes and you're good to go. The heater is very good in the winter, and I saw no need for a hardtop.

Before this winter I had read all the posts about how impossible it is to have this car in the winter, how it spins on wet pavement, etc. but I think it all comes down to knowing how the car will handle in different conditions. I have Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3's for spring/summer/fall and Dunlop Wintersports for winter.

 

I would personally recommend an all wheel car (wrx/sti/evo depending on budget) in your conditions. Especially parking it outside where soft top vehicles are particularly the s2000 are known to be easy targets for criminals who can easily slash the top and take the seats which can set you back around $10,000 if you go to honda to buy new replacements.