Debating trading in my current car and getting an S2000. Figured I'd venture over here and ask for some advice. I've been a VW guy my whole life, on my third one now and I think it's time for something new. I really want a two seater for some reason and something with a hardtop is just a bonus, so instead of a miata I want to give Honda a shot. I've always had a soft spot for JDM cars, actually almost got an 8th gen civic instead of my MK5, but regardless I'm looking for some insight. Are there certain years to stay away from? Is one engine code better than the other? What mileage is too much with these cars? etc etc.. Give me all the info you can. Here are some of my recent cars for reference, since I know you all love german.





I wont post my new once since it's just a stock 2008 white Jetta. Nothing yet. Figure before the mod bug hits this one I'll get the car I truly want.

Don't flame. Thanks in advance.

 

im sure uv been on vw forums and figured out how the search botton works. well we have one on here too. everything u want to know has been covered 8736578345786437 times.

btw s2ki.com is also a good site for info

gl and im pretty sure u wont regret getting a s2k aslong as u dont hellagay it out.

 

Yup, and just like the vortex, people are ignorant here too. Thanks for the help buddy, glad you couldn't just link me a thread of something you remember seeing useful or maybe knowing of something in the FAQ.

At least now I know what to expect from here.
And don't worry, I won't "hellagay it out".

 

You sure? Because If your Jetta is any indication, it's too late.

 

lol. Yallz some haters.

VW guy, I'm doubtful that you'll be 100% happy with the S2000. I think that once you get comfortable with a certain brand of car, you kind of subscribe to that brand's style of building. My friend is a huge VW jerk. He bought a 09 Si sedan....but for many reasons which seemed dumb to me, he went back to a VR6 Jetta. He likes torque, laziness, refinement, and comfort. He can start his VR6 in 2nd gear and it has already made enough power to tow a semi by 2500 RPM. The Si was buzzy, loud, rode hard, revved to 8200RPM and was way too awesome for him.

I've had Hondas most of my driving life. So I don't think I'd ever be happy going to a VW. Maybe a TDi Jetta as DD would be cool. I just don't really trust the reliability of any German car.

Things you will be annoyed by:
-Torque
-Some facets of refinement (heated mirrors, seats, etc).

Things you'll look forward to:
-S2000 won't break every day
-S2000 Electical issues are rare.
-Convertible top!
-Solid build quality without marketing gimmicks to make you think you're buying a car that's been perfectly "engineered".
-No more lug studs!!
-Car handles better than a yacht.
-Car with brake pedal that actually does something.
-Car with steering wheel...not "direction suggestion" wheel.

The AP2 (2004-2009) had fewer overall problems. I think that for general street driving, though, either AP1 or AP2 is SUPER solid. The AP2 models are slightly more liveable. The 06+ comes with crazy, unheard of fancy items like traction control (OMGZ welcome to the future!).

But for the finer points, I would suggest either asking more specific questions based on research that you've done. The scope of your questions is too broad at this point.

 

like s2000 people don't put brightly colored BBS wheels on also. i'm sure he'd fit in just fine.

Be prepared to spend WAAAYYY more on mods than you would normally. the S2000 name tag carries a high price tag. If it looks cheap, it is cheap and you should stay away from it.

 

From what I can see, people are either AP1 or AP2. No one likes both. The thing I like about the AP2 is the bumper (off the bat) and apparently the interior is nicer but I haven't gotten a chance to experience that myself. I'm budgeting my spending on this car so it will probably be an AP1, no biggie.

I guess my big question is as a DD do you hate having a two seater? Limited trunk and RWD in the bad weather. I'm from New England so I see lots of snow, all though not this year, usually it's misery. How hard did you guys get hit on insurance since it's a "fancy sports car"?

And about the wheels, we all make mistakes. I was 18 It is what it is. I just felt that as a VW driver I had to own a set of RS's at some point. Here's a different set, these are MAM MT1's. Couldn't afford Tracers hah.

 

i like both the AP1 and AP2's...its just that an AP1 is more of a drivers car...its twitchy, loud, doesnt have all the stupid gadgets AP2's have, and just feels better as far as response goes...AP2's feel kinda watered down to me, like honda got too many complaint letters from consumer reports from women and old people...i think my loud, twitchy, uncomfortable AP1 is perfect and i wouldnt change a thing...(ok, maybe the wind noise) but yes, this has been covered a million and a half times and in fact, i think theres even a sticky if you were to look

 

Driving a twitchy car is nothing new to me. My MK2 had more rattles and shakes than anything I've ever been in. I took the cat out and every time I drove it I smelt like I had been rolling in gasoline haha.

Other than that, do you honestly hate anything about your car?

 

Umm....twitchy meaning like...handles kinda on edge. Twitchy. Not crappy. The S2000 isn't going to smell like it's breaking down when you drive it. It's not a VW.

It does have rattles and stuff. It's a japanese roadster. So refinement isn't it's strong suit. It's just the little things. Overall, I think that the car is pretty well composed and tame when you're want it to just drive like a normal car. Considering how buck *** wild (fast) these cars can get out on a track, that's impressive.

I like both the AP1 and AP2. I think that if I totaled my AP1 or something else happened to it, I'd defnitely buy an AP2...possibly a CR.

I DD my S2000 pretty much all summer long. But...I do have cars with 4 seats and even 4 doors at my disposal. I own a S2000, an ITR, a 2001 CDM Integra SE-RS, and my GF has a 2001 4dr. GSR.

I don't really mind having 2 seats. But obviously, there will be times that you need more space. My friend's sole car is an 06 S2000....but he lives in L.A. He seems to be just fine. My other friend from San Diego owned a 07 S2000 as his only car and he hated it. But that dude claims he hates everything.

I love driving my S2000 everywhere. I even took a 4600 mile long trip in it, chronicled here: https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-s2000-5/track-time-4600mi-trip-blew-clutch-crossed-50k-miles-track-time-broke-diff-3004219/

So...mixed opinions on that topic.

Insurance wise, IDK. It can go very well or very badly for you depending on your driving record and insurance company. For me, with all 3 cars, 30+ traffic tickets (only 1 on my record, though), and no accidents, I pay like $175ish a month fully covered. It's like $68.xx per month on my S2000. Allstate.

For snow driving, it's not the optimal car....but you can put on snow tires and be just fine. Obviously....use common sense. I don't drive my S2000 or my ITR in the winter as a personal choice to keep them salt free. That's just a preference. I see plenty of people driving S2000s with snow tires. Hell, around here, there are plenty of people driving Porsche 911s, Corvettes, and even Lotus Elises with snow tires.

 

Thanks, you guys have been pretty helpful with this. My dad used to have a C4 corvette and I've had to drive it in the snow unfortunately so I think I'll be alright. Just use discretion. I checked with my insurance company and it's only about 20$ more a month than my current car. I think I'm gonna test drive an AP1 tomorrow at a local dealer just to get the feel for it, the one I'm eyeing is about 1.5 hours away from me. Let's see if I can make the JDM switch.

 

Please refrain from using the term "JDM"

 

I don't hate anything but the plastic rear window on my '00. try and get an 02+ to avoid this problem. there is also an ecu complaint about 00-01's but i haven't seen it first hand.

yeah stay away from JDM period. its a long road that will not end well.

 

Noted.

 

i love everything about my 01 including plastic window and pig rich ecu

 

Hey, the 01s get a luxurious OEM clock feature

 

yup, on an awesome OEM radio that works when it wants to

 

^ do they i duno. its an 01 shell but everything is from my 00. i did get the 02-03 head unit when i had my 00 for the clock feature, got tired of using/tryin to get m phone out of my pocket

 

^ this.

 

00-01 plastic window for me was the most disgusting crap turn out of any car i have ever owned.. after 3 years it went from perfect to growing fungus.. rest the car spotless lol..

glass frame conversion ftw, 9k rpm, ap1 ftw

 

02 here. Love it. Though I would not want to daily it.

 

never got why people don't daily the s2000... like yay i get to drive and be seen in a frigging toyota camry.. wow i'm winning at life.. lol

 

If I lived somewhere like Socal or Miami....or anywhere it didn't snow, I would daily my S2000. I think people are such babies when they say the car is uncomfortable or tiring to drive. I would, however, have to have access to a 4+ seater car for practicality purposes. Like...I'd probably have my GF buy something that had 4 drs. Or just buy a 4dr. car to use when the occasion arose.

 

I don't daily an S2000 because i have a 6speed TSX. Any questions?

 

cool story...nobody gives a ****