Honda S2000, need some advice?

Honda S2000, need some advice?

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smallsmalls81

Original Poster:

99 posts

142 months

Sunday 2nd February 2014
quotequote all
Hi people,

I am looking at buying a S2000 AP2 version 2004 onwards, think they are great cars.

What year in your experience do think is best to get? I have heard the 2005 is good and have also heard that the tax bracket shoots up in price from 2007?

I do like them in black, had too many grey cars in the past.

Anything I need to look out for?

Insurance? I am 32 with 14 years no claims, no points.

Thanks guys.

Janosh

1,735 posts

166 months

Sunday 2nd February 2014
quotequote all
As with any car, buy on condition IMO.

Check the usual: Geo (uneven tyre wear), oil level, worn roof, rusty arches, sticky calipers, etc.

They all use oil so if buying privately question the owner on how often he checks / tops up. If he says never, walk away!

I set out to buy a 04-05 car, but to me the premium commanded by the good ones was not worth it. I ended up with an '03 car with recent suspension rebuild and a complete service history.

Many of the earlier cars should now have a new roof and revised suspension, so I would prioritise those items.

Engine & gearbox should be strong, so walk away from anything notchy / rattly!

I hope that helps...

Janosh

1,735 posts

166 months

Sunday 2nd February 2014
quotequote all
Oh, and insurance is highly dependant on location!

I live in Hampshire and pay £400 fully comp

smallsmalls81

Original Poster:

99 posts

142 months

Sunday 2nd February 2014
quotequote all
Janosh said:
As with any car, buy on condition IMO.

Check the usual: Geo (uneven tyre wear), oil level, worn roof, rusty arches, sticky calipers, etc.

They all use oil so if buying privately question the owner on how often he checks / tops up. If he says never, walk away!

I set out to buy a 04-05 car, but to me the premium commanded by the good ones was not worth it. I ended up with an '03 car with recent suspension rebuild and a complete service history.

Many of the earlier cars should now have a new roof and revised suspension, so I would prioritise those items.

Engine & gearbox should be strong, so walk away from anything notchy / rattly!

I hope that helps...
Hi Jonosh,

Thank you for reply, yes thats given me something to go on. Is there much difference between the AP1 and AP2, body styling at all?

£400.00 for insurance is really good, is this fully comp is you have? every day car?

AccordR

54 posts

182 months

Sunday 2nd February 2014
quotequote all
The AP1/2 is for American cars only. The AP2 came with a 2.2 litre engine in America.

I believe the correct models are referred to as MY03 MY04 etc

Plenty of common problems to look out for. Water leak in the boot, timing chain tensioners, rattling catalytic convertors, seized geometry.

Plenty of info on the S2KI forum. I spent hours reading on there

sharifr1

97 posts

176 months

Tuesday 4th February 2014
quotequote all
S2KI is definitley a good site to read up on what to look out for on an S2000.

Here's a few good links:

http://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/775801-what-to-loo...

http://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/681492-common-s200...

I just picked up a 2004 Moonrock Grey GT with full red leather on Friday.

Really good cars.

I'm 23, had my licence 6 years and have 4 years no claims.

My insurance is £1,560. The joys of living in London!

smallsmalls81

Original Poster:

99 posts

142 months

Wednesday 5th February 2014
quotequote all
sharifr1 said:
S2KI is definitley a good site to read up on what to look out for on an S2000.

Here's a few good links:

http://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/775801-what-to-loo...

http://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/681492-common-s200...

I just picked up a 2004 Moonrock Grey GT with full red leather on Friday.

Really good cars.

I'm 23, had my licence 6 years and have 4 years no claims.

My insurance is £1,560. The joys of living in London!
Hi,

Thanks for links. How much did you pay if you don't mind me asking?


Riknos

4,700 posts

203 months

Wednesday 5th February 2014
quotequote all
Tax brackets changed in March 2006 - This is the same for ANY car, not just the s2000 - google search on tax brackets.

The cars changed from 2004 onwards to the "AP2 spec" (minus the engine) there is NO difference between 04/05, so don't specifically look for 05 cars.

A lot of changes came in 2004, definitely worth the premium over an 03 car. wikipedia has the info, just ignore the engine bit and the rest are applicable. gearbox/interior/lights/bumpers/suspension changes.

Prices for 04 onwards should be about £7k+ mileage and condition dependant.

They do come in more interesting colours than black or grey = orange/yellow/monza red/lime green for example!

freeform

53 posts

159 months

Thursday 20th February 2014
quotequote all
smallsmalls81 said:
Hi people,

I am looking at buying a S2000 AP2 version 2004 onwards, think they are great cars.

What year in your experience do think is best to get? I have heard the 2005 is good and have also heard that the tax bracket shoots up in price from 2007?

I do like them in black, had too many grey cars in the past.

Anything I need to look out for?

Insurance? I am 32 with 14 years no claims, no points.

Thanks guys.
I just bought a couple of weeks ago so short of long term experience but some useful buying points:

I looked at two AP1s just either side of £6k; both good cars but, as I have not treated myself to a toy car for a very long time, I could not judge whether I did not want an S2000 badly enough or was just having trouble opening my wallet.

Then I viewed a 2006 'AP2' (I am not sure this is an official designation for European cars, which stayed at 2 litre while the US and later Japanese markets got 2.2 but we'll stick with it for now. perhaps someone here knows for sure?). I knew then, this very car - or one exactly like it - was the one for me. It took a couple of days for the first owner to come to terms with selling her but he was a real old school gent who stuck to his word and sold to me at the discussed price despite a later higher offer. Mine must be the last of the cable operated throttle models (I read, on here somewhere, this is right in the 'sweet spot' of S2000s to have but I honestly don't know) and was first registered just 1 1/2 weeks before the maximum rate tax threshold - 23rd March 2006!

I can't say anything about the relative driving experience of early/late AP1/2s as I only looked at private sales and did not drive any before I committed to buy. Its not as simple as early/late though: Honda made several changes to front & rear spring rates and anti-roll bars through AP1, and a couple in AP2 including a rear roll-centre height change at the transition. They can all be sorted though.

As others have said, geometry set-up is important, almost all is adjustable but perhaps best avoid crash-repaired cars (I try to anyway). I have not explored the limits of handling but I think it is true that many drivers stepping up to the S were not experienced with RWD.

Much is said of the fabulous top end of the engine against non-existent bottom - and the top is spine tingling - but the bottom is not as bad as that, you just have to DRIVE it, which is the point of the car. An engine for a Gp4 Escort that did what this does would cost WELL over £10K.

If you want a hardtop, make sure you buy with, as the roadsters don't have the mounting hardware and though retro-fittable it is not cheap, even if you find a roof. Expect to pay £1000 - 1200 more. Mine has one.

As they get cheaper, many are now falling into the hands of those who can't afford and don't know. Take the time to find a good one.

At your age/ experience, I would say insurance would be reasonable; I paid £409 comprehensive, £100 excess.

If the idea still appeals, go for it. I love it absolutely!

(Mine is not intended as a daily driver. I do too many miles in a Golf Diesel for that and I want to save it for special days.)

Hope this helps,

Andy

Edited by freeform on Thursday 20th February 16:30

Chippo1

344 posts

122 months

Thursday 20th February 2014
quotequote all
Mines a 51 plate , had it from new , no issues other than age, although. Mine has a fare bit. Of work last year including a colour change.


S2ki is the place to ask the question , but for gods sake don't mention AP2 , you will get flogged soundly , I don't think there is a single AP2 in the UK. All UK cars are AP1 regardless of age ,there is pre and post face lift and of course the MY01 2. 3 etc .

Riknos

4,700 posts

203 months

Monday 24th February 2014
quotequote all
Chippo1 said:
Mines a 51 plate , had it from new , no issues other than age, although. Mine has a fare bit. Of work last year including a colour change.


S2ki is the place to ask the question , but for gods sake don't mention AP2 , you will get flogged soundly , I don't think there is a single AP2 in the UK. All UK cars are AP1 regardless of age ,there is pre and post face lift and of course the MY01 2. 3 etc .
There are at least 2 US AP2s in this country - one is for sale on PH! (and turbocharged).

The whole AP1/AP2 facelift/non-facelift thing pisses me off.. So much easier to type and say ap1/ap2, but nooooo, on S2KI you get the nazi treatment because in this country we got 99% of the AP2 car bar the engine... sigh...