Having given the matter a great deal of though I'm going to buy a s2000 second hand. Looking at the various prices I can afford to go for a low mileage 2004 model or newer if need's be but I'd rather spend a little less and pay off more of my mortgage!

There

 

Are we talking a UK car? Or are you in the States? I beleive the AP2 ('04+) cars were different in the rest of the world compared to the US cars.

 

cool but check this out, I got my ap1 a month ago its a 00 and had 50k miles in it, sounds like the guy took care of the car since the milage is so low, wrong, the guy ran nitrous, had a ****ed up timing on the crank, top was tearing, and cheap ass plastic window was brown and cracked. Even though it looks good make sure it runs good, if you hear any kind of weird sound that isnt familiar to you ask the owner about it and see if his story backs it up. for example... " hey mister, why do I hear a knocking sound from the engine after the test drive?" answer... " oh well thats how the s2000's are. " These kind of answer are stupid, ask him to be more specific if the answer is still the same call the honda service department near you and ask them. Thats for a used car tip only if your getting a new one well you're on lucky bastard. good luck.

WARNING!!
"experience may differ"

 

Yeah, as the flag on the left indicates, I'm from the UK. As I understand it they changed the car a bit from 2004, altering the steering, suspension, gears and engine a little to tweak the ride.

In terms of new/second hand, I have the budget to get a new one if need's be, but I have no objections to getting a second hand one, so I might as well save the cash unless anyone has a good reason to buy new.

The 2004 thing is a good point though - is it worth the extra to buy a second hand 2005 model over a pre-change 2004 or earlier car?

 

I think I would post the question in the UK forum of s2ki. There may be changes for your market that we Yanks would not know about.

If the UK didn't get the 2.2l engine, I would say buy the car in the best overall shape since the changes were not staggering between the ap1 & ap2. Suspension changes did tame the oversteer happy nature of the car to some degree (but don't let it fool you, the car is still a handfull). Glass rear window is definitely nice to have. Not sure if the tranny changes the US got were the same in the UK.

Oh...and your flag can be any country at your choice regardless of your actual location. We have some Brits on here who have the Jack but live in the US. Take a look at my flag now. Never been to UK...but have owned a few Triumphs.

 

Thanks - I've set up a new thread here if anyone reads this and can help at all.