x2 ....hands down ...no question.

 

Miles is one thing, age is another. parts wear out by time as well as use, so I'd get the AP2 - at least you know it was consistently used, and it is an improvement over an AP1.

That plastic window is a PITA, getting tires for the AP1 16" rims is expensive anymore since no one makes tires that size. Old car is old, grease and oils are old, etc. Hondas are known for being reliable at high miles, so the mileage doesn't scare me.

I'd at least get an 02+, and wait and save up if you can get better for just $2k more.

 

I bought my 01 with 75k on it last year. It already had a glass top installed and so far i've "modded" it with ap2v1 wheels and ap2 front bumper.

As you can see, I would have rather gotten an ap2, but I found an ap1 I couldn't pass up.

Based on reading your original post, I would go for the ap2. The mileage really isn't that big of a factor and you would gain so much in the little refinements that have been done over the years. (glass top, lights, bumpers, wheel size, center console, handling, etc)
Ap2s really aren't that much different looking but the things that were done to them actually do a lot to make the car look more "updated".

When I look at pics of mine when I first got it vs now I just think it looks old back then.

 

ok, i'm probably leaning more toward the ap2 now. New goal is to get an 04 with 75k or less or $12,500. Clear title, good condition, no mods. I'll just have to keep searching.

 

You can always replace fluids, but you can't take off mileage off a car. I'd go for the AP1. But I'm one of the minority who prefer the more simpler AP1 lip, and the headlights/tailights(I like the half circle used as lights and I think the grey plastic ring used in AP2 taillights look cheap). I'd go for the one that you prefer even if it means saving up a bit more for a low mileage AP2.

 

Daily Driver AP2, Weekend car AP1.

There's something about 9000 rpms...

 

I have recently bought a high mileage ap2 and love it. Not to dis the ap1 owners, but many of the problems of that gen were fixed in the ap2.... think about it

 

I would certainly go for the less miles but that is me. An AP2 I test drove just didn't feel nearly as fun but who knows. Figure that 40k miles is 2-4 years of extra driving(depending on how much you drive) before you will be at the mileage the AP2 already has. 13 grand you should be able to get a low mileage '02-'03 s2k I would think as well..

 

First and foremost I would test drive both the AP1 and AP2 and determine which one of them you like in terms of overall looks and driving dynamics. To be honest the differences between the AP1 and AP2 are fairly minor, and what is "better" is very subjective.

I personally would buy the car that is in the best possible mechanical and cosmetic shape for the money. There are a lot of pristine AP1s for the price range that you mentioned. You would be hard pressed to find a pristine AP2 in that range. As previously stated, 45k miles is a pretty big difference. In 3 years, assuming you drive the average you would put about 40k miles on the car. Low mileage AP1=85, while AP2=125k. For an S2000 125k is not necessarily a bad thing, considering that the S2000 is a reliable car. You are still taking a greater risk, because it is possible that the car with 125k is getting closer to the end of its life, while a car with 85k is still living in its sweet spot.

To me the lower mileage, better condition car is going to be the winner every time, especially if you plan on keeping the car for a long time. If you want the car for only a couple of years I suppose it doesn't matter as much. Good luck with the search, and go out and drive a couple before you make the plunge.

 

get the ap2. "value" depends more on the year than the mileage. 45k vs 85k isn't a lot honestly. if it was like a mint ap1 w/ <30k miles vs ap2 w/ 120k+ miles then yes but 40k isn't too much esp. since you're counting the fact that it's an 01 (too old).

if however the ap2 was in rough shape then i'd go w/ the ap1 but even then i'd really look for 02+. but i really think the looks alone in the ap2 are worth the extra $.