I've been in the market for a 2002-2005 S2000 for a long time. It is proving rather difficult to attain one. I love the ap1 for the novelty of the 9k redline and the early ap2s for the changes (shorter gears, over steer correction, etc). I've steered away from 2006+ because I don't like the concept of VSC and any stabilization/power robber. I know you can turn this off, but doing it every time would be bothersome (unless there is a way to turn it off perm?), but the biggest reason was the money, anything 2006+ was out of my price range.

Anyway, I have yet to get the car though I try frequently, I bid on one every week and lose, but now I got a job where I could possibly afford a bit more, so the question is... should I try to go for a newer one? I was thinking of trying to buy one new from a dealership, I hear you could get them as low as 28k. How much more do CRs go for? I looked the information up online, but the prices you get for 'new cars' don't reflect actual sale price.

So if anyone has any insight to if anything is really wrong with VSC and the 2006+ MY or has experience with looking for a newer one, I'd like to know. By the way, this car would be driven frequently, very good chance of being my DD.

 

VSC only takes power away AFTER you mees-up. On normal driving in public streets you wont get close to activating it.

 

umm to be honest i love VSA.... i mean u can turn it off it u want too. it actually saved me a few times when there was slick spots on the roads in the poaring rain and i could see anything when taking a turn, the VSA kicked in and prevented me from slidding into the guard rail. overall all S's are nice, even the CR has VSA but it can be turned off, so most owners wont even argue about VSA system. it only take 2 seconds to turn the button off and voala! ur no VSA. but yeah turn off VSC when ur on the track, want to curve your way through a mountain, or have fun but knowing the road conditions are right. i know im not the only one that says VSA does come in handy ever now and then. to me its more of a safety feature....

 

There are still a few AP1s out there that are in excellent shape, garage kept, with very low miles that can be had for less than 14k. Also, insurance will be much cheaper the older you go. You could save yourself atleast $500 per month between the car and insurance payment. That is a lot of money for modifications and anything else for that matter.

Got mine for 12k with 45k miles Good condition. Dropped $1k down and my payments are only $260 a month for a 4 year loan.

 

can you toggle it? (turn it on/off at will). My friend has a saab and in order to turn it off he has to hold a button every time the car starts.

 

My 07 is far superior to my 03. You hold down the VSA button for 1.5 seconds and it turns off. I have plenty of track experience and I don't need to pretend I'm hardcore - the VSA is helpful when it's raining!

 

It can save your life..., and you can turn it off. Both of best worlds if you ask me.

 

X 10000000000000

 

I've considered installing an aftermarket traction control system on my early AP1, and CKit has actually done it. I believe there are times when I'd clearly enjoy the car more with it, than without it (and I'm one of those idiots who likes the earliest AP1's because of their more primative and debatably harsher nature).

I cannot see how there can be ANY downsides, as long as you can turn it off whenever you like.

 

For street driving my AP2 is much better than my AP1 was. VSC only kicks in when I'm being stupid and it turns off with one touch. I think it is a great safety net on the street.