killercalf

I have a chance to purchase silver '01 S2000 with 6000 miles for $17,000. The car was owned by guy whose in his 50's, so it seems like it has not been abused. Now do you think this is a good deal? Should I pay little bit more and get an '02 or '03 instead? My limit is somehere around $23,000 to $24,000. I understand that '02 comes with glass rear window while '01 comes with vinyl. Are there anyother differences between the two?

Thanks

Sarlacc

02 and 03 have a better tranny in them, plus the back glass in the top.

cmark

you can use the $7G for a supercharger and other goodies though...but glass rear window is nice

O-Town_TypeS

man...it sounds like a great deal though. But if you can hold out for a good deal on an 02 or 03 then sarlacc is right. The glass is a must.

Most biased pre 04 owners will tell you the 03 is the "perfect" s2000. I have an 04 so I disagree

$17k with only 6000 miles is a steal. If you are interested in it I would definatly make sure it wasnt in an accident or anything like that.

Good luck!

CLS2001_97124

I have an 01, and I like it fine.. :o

I got 01 is because I wanted GP white with Red/black interior and that combo only came in 00 and 01. Therefore, for me 01 > 00.

killercalf

How is your rear window holding up? Is there anyway to polish them, once they get scratched up?

Bulldog01

I saw a GORGEOUS yellow S2K Saturday. It had SSR GT-1s and CT exhaust, I believe. Saturday was a perfect day in Boston for a convertible, too. I wouldn't mind drivin' one of those around in the summer.

CLS2001_97124

yeah, its pretty hazed up when I got it but not scratched up. But I got this spray thing (can't remember the name right now), to clean it. It really don't bother me that much. Most of the time my top is down any way.

If you think it will bug you a lot, then I say get the 02 or 03. As for the tranny comment. Its true only if the owner have not done the TSB for it (vibration with clutch). I got mine done as soon as I got the car. Now I run a 03 clutch with upgrade pressure plate from Spec. Nice and smooth now.

killercalf

What's the major differences between '00-'01 and '02-'03 other than glass rear window? sarlacc23 has stated tranny is different, but anything else?

Thanks

Guru

if the car is perfect buy it for $17k. Thats an excellent deal. 02's and 3's are better but not that much.

major advantages of 02's and 3's are glass rear window, 2 tweeters (sound system still sux though), oil bolt (insures cyclinders get enough oil at high rpms), 1&2 tranny gears are fixed.

Sounds major but its really not. I think i'd rather save that money and get a hardtop and some nice mods.

BTW i have an 00

CLS2001_97124

If you keeping it stock. The 02-03's ECU is supposly better tuned than 00-01. Interior update. Tweeter(sp?) on the door. The tail light on 03 looks better with the accent rings around the lights. (I swaped mine out to 03s). Softer suspension (I like the 01 suspension better).

Guru

Ah i forgot about the ECU, but thats not a big deal with the extra money u saved u can get a after market ECU for more performance.

killercalf

In what way is the '02-'03 ECU tuned better when compared to '00-'01? Does the '00-'01 has softer suspension than '02-'03?

Thanks

Guru

I'm pretty sure the 02+ has softer suspension. They tried to make the car appeal more to the masses. Off topic: the S2k suspension feels softer then the RSX. S2k has smaller wheels though (16 vs 17) so you get more cushion from the tires.

TL_Type_S

are you gunna get rid of your Type S?

Repo1234

Buy the car and then turn around and sell it at a profit! That way you can get a newer one with the extra cash!

Essarak Huot

I have a 03 and I love it, s2k-----all the way.....

killercalf

No, I'm going to keep mine. The S2000 will be my parents car, not for me.

What about the differences of ECU? Anyone?

Thanks

03typeS6spd

the s2k suspension is in no way shape or form softer than the rsx, i have an 04 which is supposedly the softest year yet, and just got back from the dragon run in tennessee... spent about 25 hours in the car over three and a half days... nothing soft about that suspension


but after driving it it sure as hell makes the cl feel like a cruiseliner...

O-Town_TypeS

bigman

go for it, thats a hell of a deal on an S2k. Fuck the glass window, save for a supercharger and a hardtop.

CLS2001_97124

I'm saving for the Mugen HT.

Yes to clearify, the 02-04 has "softer" suspension than 00-01 S2K.

The ECU is not a big deal. I have S/C on my S2000, so I'm running other management system anyway. But if you are keeping it stock, then might want to consider it, because stock vs. stock, supposley the 02-03's runs a lil faster on the 1/4.

80's Boy

The 02/03 ECU is tuned with a more agressive air/fuel/timing curves than the earlier cars. It's not a huge diff, maybe on average about 5 to 10hp on the Dyno's.

You can easily get most of the gains the later cars have in the ECU with a VAFC and some carefull tuning. The earlier cars seem to respond much better to them compared with the later cars.

Best of luck, there are no bad S2000's.

Limmerz

I'm looking to buy a new ride in the next couple months (finally....a year after I graduated college) If I go with a two-seater, I'm looking at either the 04 s2000 or the 350z. What do you guys think?

Also, should I save some dough and go used? S2000 owners how is an s2000 as a daily driver?

03typeS6spd

ummmmmm....... as long as you know that you have a limited cargo area, e.g. picking up anything, groceries, golf clubs, etc. the s2k is an absolutely amazing car

very different from the 350 though, all high end low torque power vs. massive torque (at least in comparison)

one test drive of each pointed me in the s2000 corner immediately but as far as daily driving around the dc area a big OUCH to both cars... but an ouch worth it every day

Essarak Huot

You can get a 02 in GPW/Red interior.... 03-04 change over to Tan interior.