I'm beginning my search for an s2000 but I want to know what exactly to look for. I'm on a limited budget so I'm looking for something preferably under $20k. Of the different years available, which year and trim would be the best? How many miles would be too many for a used s2000? Any tips on what I should be looking for when buying an s2000 would greatly appreciated!

 

i would go for an 02-03...benefits of the rear glass window, door tweeters, better radio, and some updates to the drivetrain/powertrain. you could definitley find a well taken care of ap1 for that price, possibly under 30k miles. if you had a little more money, i would say, go for an ap2.

 

i wouldnt say the glass rear is a BENEFIT............ its more of a pref.....
ill take a plastic rear window over a glass anyday!
miles dont mean ****!
a 20k mile S2K can be if worst condition then one with 100K on it..

 

okay, you have a point....but you cant say that any person would purchase an s2k w/100k miles over one with 20k miles. as for the glass window, i do see it as a BENEFIT, does not require to be 'cared' for, does not 'haze' up, and has the defrost. if this car is gonna be your daily, yes, those are 'benefits'.

edit: just about 99% of 00-01 s2k owners i have had a conversasion with, have said that they wish they had a glass window.

the rear plastic can be a 'preference' if you want the car in its rawest/most original form. to the OP, if thats what you want, go for it.

 

so since 99% of those owners are lazy and dont wanna maintain their plastic rear windows its not better then the glass?

the plastic has a tons more visble clearance over the glass rear.
as for the miles its up in the air. because like i said a lower mile car can be in worst condition then a higher mileage one.

 

yeah, i agree that the plastic has a lot more visibility. as for the people that didnt want to take care of the plastic, that might have been the case, but a lot have said that the glass looks better too.

 

i personally dont like the glass, it makes the *** end of the car look fat like the girls Frank (JDM knowledge) picks up from bars.

 

I figured with my price range I'd be looking for something 2002 - 2003, but since it turns out that those years came with the improved radio, door tweeters, and glass (which I, myself, would prefer), that works out perfectly. I test drove a 2003 yellow s2000 and it was awesome. I also test drove a 2004 bmw z4, which was very nice as well, but not as fast as the s2000 and too many extra things for the race car enthusiast inside me. The z4 just seemed too big and heavy for my taste and not as nimble and quick as the s2000.

Thanks for the answers to the questions guys. Also, when shopping for my s2000, were there any problems prone to the 2002 - 2003 s2000's that I should keep an eye out for?