So i am in process of looking for my first S2000, my budget is 8K but it can stretch to 9K for an ideal car.

I have discounted AP1's until now, due to them seeming to be outdated, but this one caught my eye:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...29yw?logcode=p

Is it best to stretch a little to get me an AP2, or is a good clean AP1 OK?

 

Firstly all cars in the UK are called AP1 as the AP2 indicates the 2.2L versions in the states and Japan.

Honda only change chassis codes when they change engines.


Secondly I'd say yes (depending on what you're looking for) the early ones are more raw and 'hardcore' the later ones more comfy and refined.

The people owning pre-facelift ones will say get one of those and us facelift people say get a facelift, it really comes down to personal taste, or the lack of.

 

Ah, id id not know that! i thought all 2004+ cars were AP2's. My mistake.

I guess there is no reason to discount a good early car then.

 

The rest of the changes still apply, ours are just ap2 cars with an ap1 engine if you see what I mean.

The 04+ engine has had some changes, it uses no oil if treated normally whereas the older ones can use a lot.

And then there's all the cosmetic changes and some suspension tweaks.

If you ask me the 04-05 is the best model of all years.

 

Fair enough.

Im having a real hard time narrowing down the cars i want to invest the time to go at look at.

I could get a solid looking pre2004 model and have 2K plus to invest in geo/tyres ect. or break the bank and spend nearer 9k on a 04/05/06 car.

The early cars dont do it for me as much style wise, but it could just be the smaller alloys.

 

With your budget, a clean pre facelift example with money left over to sort any possible seized geo bushes and/or change the wheels to 17" s would be a good idea In my opinion.

 

We've seen a few decent facelifts go on here for around 7 grand, might just have to be patient?

I wouldn't settle for something I didn't really want just because there's none available at the moment!

 

I'd go earlier model and have the cash for the extras you want. 17s aren't hard to come by, and you could source newer bumpers if you really wanted. I actually prefer the styling of earlier models anyway. Cheaper tax too.

 

Really? Your loss I suppose.

As someone who has extensively driven both. Early cars all the way for me, and mine being pre March 2001 even gets cheap tax at around £180

 

Just go look at a few of each and see what you like best yourself.