Well, my mileage is getting kind of high on my '01 and my wife is kinda pushing me to get something newer with full warantee. (Mines out of warantee) So went to a dealership last night and test drove an '05. LET ME TELL YOU, I was not impressed. Everyone always braggs and boast's about the "extra" low end torgue. Well after drive the '05, I really didn't feel in the mood to add an extra $15000 to my car loan. I feel like with the pre-04 cars that if you know how to drive them and use the powerband, then there's no difference at all between the two. I do like prefer the stiffer suspension of the pre-04. I don't feel like the '05 is worth the extra money at all, and I'm just going to check into extending warantee options for mine.

Also mine has a aftermarket clutch and it really grabs in between shifts and the '05 factory clutch felt like I was losing power in between shifts...

That's my .02

 

What do you concider high mileage? I personally like them both, but would not enjoy the elevated payments. You should keep what you have and grab a warrentee, if it makes you and your wife more comforatable.

 

I just bought an '05 and I personally love it. I have driven (for about two months) an '02 and I prefer the changes. i will agree about the clutch though. I feel like the 05 is a little more driver friendly as well as easier to use as a daily driver, but it does feel like less of an all out roadster. Sorry you don't care as much for the 05, but I love mine!

JT

 

Do not waste your money on a warranty unless you can buy one from Honda Care. Even then I'd consider it suspect. Keep the car, and consider any repairs against the increase in payments. Also, this means you can get a beater/larger vehicle for daily driving.

 

The clutch problem is just the new delay valve in the slave cylinder. I had mine replaced with an 03 slave cylinder and no more delay. Same feel as older model. Besides, there's nothing like the new car smell.

 

IMHO put the 15k towards your retirement. Or put in the the bank. Just imagine how much money you will have saved up in the bank over your lifespan if you buy new cars less often. Prolly close to 100k.

Me gets off the soapbox and hopes you no one gets mad at me for imposing my opinion on everybody.

 

dmfitz82 wrote "Everyone always braggs and boast's about the "extra" low end torgue"

The 04+ cars do have more torQue. Im sorry you feel threatend about that. Your review is very lacking. Did you take the car to redline? How many mile were on the car? Its not good to generalize all the 04+ owners. I enjoy both cars 04 and 03 and respect both for their differences.

 

this review is gay.

i have driven an S2000 pre o4 and newer models...

THE EXTRA TORQUE IN 04 -05 MODELS IS COMPLETELY NOTICEABLE IN LOW RPM's ..
YES THE CAR PULLS UNDER VTEC.

 

I love my 04 and had driven 00 and 01 models quite a bit before. I notice and appreciate the added low-mid-tq/hp, especially since it's my daily driver. It's definitely not as edgy as the pre-04 models, but I like the subtle changes to exterior and interior styling of the 04+ models. I don't agree about the extra money...the MSRP has gone up due to inflation and has followed the same trend as virtually every other car. When I first looked into the S2k in 00, there were markups and if I had bought one, I would've paid more for the 00 then I would if I bought a new 04/05. The price hasn't changed all that much and the extra money is only because it's a new car vs. the depreciation of the older one. Like someone said, we don't know how many miles you have on your S, but it will likely last for 2x or 3x what you have now with no major issues, so just keep it and enjoy.

 

Yea, also have a 2005 jeep liberty renegade for a daily driver or beater.
I thought the '05 is a more launch forgiving car. If you're not as good at launching then the '05 is easier. For me IMO the pre-04's are just more pure roadsters. I do like the 04-05 rear bumber. The new cosmetics are nice...I just think they should have kept the 9K engine instead of the new 8k. I like that extra Vtech time.

PS. Do 04-05 come with rear speakers or w/o. The one I test drove didn't have them.