While I would love a glass rear window and the slightly revised aesthetics... should a 00-01 car be overlooked for any mechanical deficiencies? Are 02-03 cars that more reliable?

I really like the Red/black interiors of the 00-01 cars and am trying to justify the purchase of an older car. Any help/comments would be appreciated.

Happy Holidays!!!

 

I have a '01 and think the first run is the most authentic and true to the idea of this car. Later on the marketing folk started adding all sort of things. I am not a big fan of the silver trim they added on the inside (door handle, tweeter...etc), it looks cheap. Nor is their vinyl covered tunnel nice either, for me, the Rick's leather option is a better route. Also the shift knob on the '00-'01 is just pure racer, the new ones lost the appeal of the seriousness of the car.

The 02-03 have a small chrome ring around the brake lights, its OK, but just more stuff applied. The 04-05 is just over the top. It seems that every 2 years Honda is forced to apply junk to the car because the market expects it too.

The first run is the purest, most honest to the idea of this car. Anytime companies start applying cosmetic items to "jazz up" the car, you know they're not doing anything to further the cause of the car, they are doing it for marketing reasons.

The only reason I would consider the 02-03 is because the rear glass window, although moves away from the purity of the car, is truely a practical change...putting cheap silver plastic rings around a tweeter or door handle is not.

Another consideration is milage and warranty. You should consider the things that matter the most in the real world, create a short list and go car hunting.

Good luck.

cheers

W

 

GO 00'...except for the stupid plastic rear window which is easily remidied by a hard top =D

i may be biased but 00 is the shit =D

-Steveo

 

It all depends on what you want...I had MY00 for awhile and loved every second of it but it was loud, had wearholes in the top, and the stereo sucked.

I now have MY02 and enjoy it more...all the power is still there but the ride is quieter and the not quite as rough. The stereo is a bit better with the addition of the tweeters. I don't think the interior looks cheap...but that's just me.

Good luck man.

 

It's all personal opionin! I wouldn't discount a 00 or 01 just because of the rear plastic window? If that's a problem for you then just get a 02 or 03

 

i keep hearing about the tranny being revised for 02+ cars... is this true? I friend of mine had an '00 and never complained about the tranny... any info on this?

 

yeah the 02+ has updates to reduce clutch buzz and 2nd gear grind. Both these problems are TSB's for older models.

 

i have a 03 and i love it!

 

Wael's comments are exactly my thoughts, couldn't agree more. Not to mention, without the rear glass, the car is also lighter. Especially if you're going to get a hardtop. No point carrying 2 glasses in the rear.

 

I can't imagine the glass adding that much extra weight, if its that much cause for concern, just go on a diet...or wear thinner socks

In any case I test drove the older models, and still settled on an 03, primarily because I got a great deal...but I personally think that the small updates and cosmetic changes make it look a bit more 'modern' imo. The 00'-01' interior looks a bit dated, and I actually prefer the vinyl/fake leather tunnel to the carpeted one. As for staying to the spirit of the s2000, I guess the original does take more time to tame, with its twitchier rear end there is more chance of it coming around to bite you. If thats your thing, great...go for it...the 00-01 is slightly more of a purist drivers car, although I don't believe that the 02-03 is too far removed from the same concept.

At the end of the day, both very similar cars...02-03 just received small updates to 'modernise' it a bit, and make it slighter more 'liveable'. Apart from the clutch buzz, 2nd gear grind problem fixed, 02 + models also have a different ecu apparently.

In my opinion, any s2k is a great one...so you cant go wrong with any model year