While I do like the small changes in the MY02/03 cars, I don't think that that should be a deal breaker. 9K RPM rules though.

 

I don't like the carpet center console in MY00 and MY01, so I have a Rick's leather cover. Much better than carpet or vynil.

 

03

 

As you can see, the responses are polarized. Everyone has good and bad things to say about every model year.

Everyone talks about the obvious things, but sometimes you have to look outside the box.



The plastic window does look cheap, the glass window is small creating a large blind spot, the center counsel is a matter of opinion as well( carpet is nice, leather is nice too). One must consider a car as a machine. Many parts that must work all the time within spec to provide you service. Now getting to my point.....

You must remember, the newer models will have engineering improvements, regardless of the obvious ones that others have mentioned. The manufacture is constantly trying to improve it's manufacturing processes and quality/reliablity by making design changes based on field issues( customer complaints, warranty work,etc...)

Being an Elec. Engineer, or an any engineer for the matter, quality and design improvement and processes are second nature. Every product when it first comes out WILL have problems( do a search). As a product matures, it will get better. It will be more refined and most of the design flaws will be addressed.

 

2004+ more torque...same HP
2004+ more features, time to refine the breed
2004+ can still be under warrenty for a number of years

 

I'd say MY04+.

 

I have a MY00. Bought it last year, and I made the mistake of putting the top down on a cool fall day, and CRACK! The plastic window split right in half.

I replaced the top with one with a glass window for $800 for parts & $350 for labor.

The radio also SUCKS! It is far worse than the '02's. It's actually among the worst in the industry. Your bottom-of-the-line Kia has a better radio. So, I replaced the head unit for around $150 and installed Infinity component speakers for $200.. and now it rocks.

So, the way I look at it, if you can find an MY00 for more than $1500 (amount I spent replacing inferior parts) less than an MY02, you'll get a car with a better suspension, and a carpet-covered armrest.

For me, I autocross in stock class, so the tighter suspension was a higher priority than spending more money and getting a nicer interior/radio.

 

I would agree with naseeb. There were a number of improvements on the models between 01-02. Obviously the difference between the leather and carpet center consol is a matter of personal taste, and so is the shift knob. I've owned two S2s over the last few years. I had a MY'00, and just bought an '03 just a couple of months ago. I lke the glass rear window better due to the functional defroster and actually being able to see out of it without having to polish the inside every time I raise the top. True that the plastic does not let in as much light, but looking out of it was something like a frosted shower door.
The audio system for my '00 was downright pathetic- just two speakers down by my feet. My '03 has tweeters high on the door, but the sound system is still poor. Personally, I would not bother upgrading the system. The car (universal models) is so windy that any premium system would sound bad at anything over 65MPH. The 04'06 models have a much improved sound system with speakers directly behind your head in addition to the others.
Now for the nuts and bolts of this whole thing: The '02-'03 model years have some mechanical improvments, namely the transmission. My older model had a syncro problem that required it to be rebuilt. It was covered under warenty, but it was a headach. The newer models have the improved syncros. I have noticed a smoother shift feel in my '03. And the feel wil be very direct and precise. I was not used to it when I first climbed into an S2K, and it scared me a little as I thought something was seriously wrong with it. But I've been in about six different ones, and they all feel the same. I'm not sure if Honda fixed it, but there was an issue with a spring in the clutch. When engine braking, you could hear a low fequency buzz. They also fixed some things with th spark plugs with the '02-03 MYs.
As far as the newer '04-'06 MYs are concerned, steering ratio has been dropped, rear suspension softened, gear ratios changed, most notibly second (and either sixth or the final, but not sure) And the most noticable and advertized difference: the incresed displacement from 2.0L to 2.2L to get extra torque in the low and mid-range. HP is the same. Bore stroke was incresed to get the extra displacement, but in doing so, they had to lower the redline from 9K to 8K.
I've driven both the AP1 and AP2 cars. I made the concious decision to stick with the 9000 PRM redline. It was my opinion that Honda softened the AP2 a little too much for my taste. (their intent was to make it more managable for less experianced drivers, mostly to soften the diference between the Dr. Jeckel & Mr. Hyde personalitys that the S2 has. The AP1 will bite you hard if you don't watch yourslef. . . . not to scare you or anything. I'd go with the AP1.

 

Ok so I managed to confuse everyone about my comment. I didnt mean the ACTUAL shift knob. I meant the glossy grayish/silvery trim around the shifter. Almost every single 00-01 I've sat it(at dealerships mind you) had that trim peeling off, where as the 02+ seemed to have a darker matte finish that was much less prone to scratching.

Again, nothing really to do with the mechanics of the car. Just a personal preference.

You will get pros and cons from everyone on this board saying which is better yaddah yaddah.

Go with what your budget allows and your heart desires.

 

Look at my sig and make me an offer!!!

I need a vette in a bad way!!!