Looking to buy an S2000

Z4dave · 12-09-2010, 05:51 PM

Im looking to purchase an S2000 ether AP1 or AP2 just want low miles and a Clean "mod Free" Car.

Wondering if any one this forum has some general advise in what to look for and tips on buying or even driving an s2000

The plan I have for this car is all Autocross maybe a track day or two.
I know the ///M is far superior but also far more expensive for trashing around on the track.

esqu1re · 12-09-2010, 05:59 PM

Love that car. Good luck on your search. I hear the Ap1 are much more visceral, but just watch out for snap oversteer.

RENN Spec · 12-09-2010, 06:02 PM

Check the panels for matching vin
sideskirt has a textured finish (if it's smooth or doesn't look like stucco wall, it's been repainted)
when you drive the car, the engine should rev smoothly to 8k or 9k
transmission should shift firm with no grinds or play

That's about all I can think of. People love rolling fenders on that car so if you're against that, check for it. Though the car is a high revving sports car, at the end of the day, it's just a Honda so there really isn't much that can go wrong with it.

GL and make sure you join s2ki!

powertrip · 12-09-2010, 06:16 PM

I would also suggest asking for maintenance records to make sure that it had regular valve adjustments. The S2000 is my all time favorite track car, especially for short tracks like Horse Thief Mile. Good luck

.

12-09-2010, 08:10 PM

http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=775801

Give that a good reading through. It'll pretty much answer any question you have about purchasing a s2000.

Z4dave · 12-10-2010, 07:48 AM

Great advice thanks!

Cookiemonster · 12-10-2010, 10:47 AM

Compression check...... Compression check....Compression check!!!!!!!!

FStop7 · 12-10-2010, 11:01 AM

Get 2002 or newer because the older ones had a plastic rear window instead of glass.

I owned an AP1 and the 9,000rpm redline was a gangster, but IMO the AP2 is more enjoyable overall with the extra displacement. You "only" get an 8,000 redline, though.

aajami · 12-10-2010, 06:56 PM

I had an AP1 that I modded with an AP2 exterior and various Mugen and HFP bits. It was such an amazing car.

b0bab0i · 12-10-2010, 10:11 PM

Most AP1's are beat to shit. I'd go for an AP2

philiopf22 · 12-11-2010, 07:22 PM

I had a 2002. Loved the car but needed something with back seats for the new family. Def get a 2002 or newer. I'd go with a well cared for AP1. It doesn't have any of the nannies, just ABS. The 9k redline is like crack. I eventually put in a new ring and pinion and the car was just amazing. I regularly drove it to the auto-x and track. I really didn't to anything but swap the fluid with Motul. Also one of the best shifting cars I've ever driven. I still wish I kept it.

z4ps · 12-13-2010, 03:54 AM

Get AP2.

I miss that car soo much.

335iMIAMI · 12-16-2010, 04:41 PM

Love s2k's such a fun car to drive , get an ap2 for sure.

Sal@AUTOcouture · 12-17-2010, 04:17 PM

I have a mint, unmolested '05 for sale if you're interested. Owned it since new and only has 17k miles on it.

lots of info over at s2ki.com too

GL!

12-09-2010, 05:51 PM	#1
Z4dave First Lieutenant 40 Rep 392 Posts Drives: 2012 STI Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: California iTrader: (0)	Looking to buy an S2000 Im looking to purchase an S2000 ether AP1 or AP2 just want low miles and a Clean "mod Free" Car. Wondering if any one this forum has some general advise in what to look for and tips on buying or even driving an s2000 The plan I have for this car is all Autocross maybe a track day or two. I know the ///M is far superior but also far more expensive for trashing around on the track.
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12-09-2010, 05:59 PM	#2
esqu1re Lieutenant Colonel 47 Rep 1,855 Posts Drives: M Coupe Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: East Coast iTrader: (0)	Love that car. Good luck on your search. I hear the Ap1 are much more visceral, but just watch out for snap oversteer. __________________ ///M Coupe: RPI Scoop, OE Strut, CDV, Volk RE30, SS Brake Lines, Stromung Exhaust
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12-09-2010, 06:02 PM	#3
RENN Spec Major 142 Rep 1,314 Posts Drives: 488 Pista, M2CS, Tundra Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Arcadia, CA iTrader: (3)	Check the panels for matching vin sideskirt has a textured finish (if it's smooth or doesn't look like stucco wall, it's been repainted) when you drive the car, the engine should rev smoothly to 8k or 9k transmission should shift firm with no grinds or play That's about all I can think of. People love rolling fenders on that car so if you're against that, check for it. Though the car is a high revving sports car, at the end of the day, it's just a Honda so there really isn't much that can go wrong with it. GL and make sure you join s2ki!
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12-09-2010, 06:16 PM	#4
powertrip Scared money don't make money. 71 Rep 1,448 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 M3 DCT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2009 E92 M3 [0.00]	I would also suggest asking for maintenance records to make sure that it had regular valve adjustments. The S2000 is my all time favorite track car, especially for short tracks like Horse Thief Mile. Good luck . __________________ 2009 E92 M3/DCT/Alpine White/Fox Red/Carbon Leather OE Tuned 402 whp & 303 wtq/Gintani X-pipe/MXP Axle Back/Rogue Pulley/AFE Stage 2/Cosmetics By IND & EAS HUGE THANKS: Gintani, OE Tuning, and EAS
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12-09-2010, 08:10 PM	#5
my92 Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=775801 Give that a good reading through. It'll pretty much answer any question you have about purchasing a s2000.
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12-10-2010, 07:48 AM	#6
Z4dave First Lieutenant 40 Rep 392 Posts Drives: 2012 STI Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: California iTrader: (0)	Great advice thanks!
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12-10-2010, 10:47 AM	#7
Cookiemonster Captain 17 Rep 791 Posts Drives: 2010 335XI e92 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Jupiter iTrader: (2)	Compression check...... Compression check....Compression check!!!!!!!! __________________ 2007 335I sedan (retired) 2010 335xi coupe
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12-10-2010, 11:01 AM	#8
FStop7 I like cars 340 Rep 5,051 Posts Drives: M6 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Newbury Park, CA iTrader: (3)	Get 2002 or newer because the older ones had a plastic rear window instead of glass. I owned an AP1 and the 9,000rpm redline was a gangster, but IMO the AP2 is more enjoyable overall with the extra displacement. You "only" get an 8,000 redline, though.
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12-10-2010, 06:56 PM	#9
aajami Brigadier General 436 Rep 4,567 Posts Drives: Space Gray '09 E92 M3 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Manhattan Beach, CA iTrader: (4)	I had an AP1 that I modded with an AP2 exterior and various Mugen and HFP bits. It was such an amazing car. __________________ '09 E92 M3: Space Gray, Black, Carbon Leather \| ZTP 2MK ZPP 2MT 6FL \| link 1 / link 2 Mods: M Performance exhaust \| ZCP retrofit \| Euro airbox \| GTS DCT flash \| JPN 240 ECU flash \| Euro LCI taillights \| CRT lip \| OEM alarm retrofit \| Space Gray bumper plugs \| BMW Performance: Mk. II spoiler / Mk. II non-electronic steering wheel / mirror caps / front grilles / side gills / intake louvers / emblem
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12-10-2010, 10:11 PM	#10
b0bab0i Major 24 Rep 1,033 Posts Drives: 03 TiAG z4 3.0i w/ hardtop Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Most AP1's are beat to shit. I'd go for an AP2
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12-11-2010, 07:22 PM	#11
philiopf22 Private First Class 16 Rep 135 Posts Drives: Black Lexus GX 470 / AW 135 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Danville, CA iTrader: (0)	I had a 2002. Loved the car but needed something with back seats for the new family. Def get a 2002 or newer. I'd go with a well cared for AP1. It doesn't have any of the nannies, just ABS. The 9k redline is like crack. I eventually put in a new ring and pinion and the car was just amazing. I regularly drove it to the auto-x and track. I really didn't to anything but swap the fluid with Motul. Also one of the best shifting cars I've ever driven. I still wish I kept it.
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12-13-2010, 03:54 AM	#12
z4ps Lieutenant 28 Rep 507 Posts Drives: F32 M4 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Socal iTrader: (13)	Get AP2. I miss that car soo much.
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12-16-2010, 04:41 PM	#13
335iMIAMI Major 26 Rep 1,345 Posts Drives: 2012 CTS-V Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (0)	Love s2k's such a fun car to drive , get an ap2 for sure. __________________ "Surviving in a game where many don't win".
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12-17-2010, 04:17 PM	#14
Sal@AUTOcouture 744 Rep 10,106 Posts Drives: E93 M3, E36 M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sofla iTrader: (30)	I have a mint, unmolested '05 for sale if you're interested. Owned it since new and only has 17k miles on it. lots of info over at s2ki.com too GL!
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