Ok guys...I really love my EK, but I think its time to move on to something new. I hope to be purchasing an S2000 sometime within the next month or so. Two of my buddies already have S2K's and they suggested that I go with an 02-03 because of the glass window in the rear. What do you guys think about that? If I do get a 00-01 could I retrofit the glass onto it for a reasonable price, if its even possible?

I really want Spa or Suzuka....can you guys let me know what going rates are on these with somewhat low miles and them also being 02-03?

thanks.....soon to be an S2000 owner, JDMjdawg

 

BTW....what would be a good dual outlet exhaust? I have a Mugen twin-loop on my EK and am very satisfied with it. How does the Mugen exhaust sound and perform on the S2000? I know Mugen is always quality, but the price tag on the S2000 exhaust is up there. Anyone ever sell the exhaust used, and if so whats the average price on it? thanks again

 

You'll be looking at almost $1000 to retrofit a glass window into and older model. I'd go ahead and buy one with the glass window and save myself the trouble. As for the Mugen exhaust, I've no clue. I've an Invidia on mine. Hope this helps a little.

 

Thanks alot for the info.....My brother is a mechanic at Honda so I can get the parts for pretty cheap. Do you know if the $1000 is for parts and labor or just parts? Could it be a DIY job or something that needs a pro to do?

 

lol...this is pretty cool, theres no need for bumping in the S2000 section of H-T

 

the top itself can be purchased for about $850. $1000 or so list. If you can follow directions well, there are instructions at s2ki.

 

What's your budget? I recently just saw a MY02 Spa Yellow with 38,000 miles for $22K @ Valencia BMW. Kinda high mileage for a MY02, but a very good deal for $22K. Good luck on the search It will definitely be worth the wait.

 

Wow, thats a good deal! My budget is right around that price range. I was hoping to get one for right around $20K.

 

$20k for a 02-03 is stretching it....unless it's got high miles.

but just look on autotrader and see what they have out there. that's what i did when looking for my s2k.

got the car for a sweet deal. 24k miles, 02 GPW/all red with extended warranty up to 100k miles for $23,6

 

I've seen a few for around $18-20K, I'm expecting to find one for about $22K though

 

I bought this MY02 from a Honda dealer with Honda Certified Warranty at ebay about a month ago:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...%3AIT

13K miles, perfect in & out, no gear grinding, Honda certified warranty, $24K miles. It was $24750 with two set of wheels (see pics) but I opted out of the black wheels and he gave me a $750 discount.

I have since then seen a couple of MY02 with higher milage went for between $21-23K. So, I think you are right within range.

Good luck. The shopping part is the most fun.

 

Cool...Sounds promising

 

IMO 00-03 are all the same minus a few things that you dont need. I have a hardtop so the window issue isn't a factor for me. Infact I yanked that POC softop out of the car. Its 70 pounds I had to get rid of.. IMO any year is good. Its a great car and you will love it if you buy a 00 or an 04... Good luck!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by J’sAP1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">IMO 00-03 are all the same minus a few things that you dont need. I have a hardtop so the window issue isn't a factor for me. Infact I yanked that POC softop out of the car. Its 70 pounds I had to get rid of.. IMO any year is good. Its a great car and you will love it if you buy a 00 or an 04... Good luck! </TD></TR></TABLE>

I am beginning to agree with J'sAp1. Though I won't yank the soft top on my S2k, I love the drop top. As J's said the differences between them are minimal, I am going to look at a 00 Thursday and might go back and look at an 01 I drove a week ago. You can always swap out parts in the future if you want. good luck on whatever you decide

 

Thanks alot guys...I'll keep my options open I guess

 

I personally dont mind the plastic rear window, that's your decision though. It would be cool to have glass I guess but if it's a difference of a lot of money I would go for pre-02. I paid 22k for my 00 with 15k on it, garaged and dealer maintained with papers.

 

I wouldnt mind getting a pre 02'. I just dont want the rear window to fade and look bad. I also heard something about the 02' and up having a better tranny...

 

If you take care of the window and make sure it folds right it will last.

Also, it is bigger than the glass giving better (but still poor) visibility.

 

I would just look for a clean and properly maintained S2000. It will benefit you in the long run. You could always swap the plastic for glass later. Its somewhat of a PITA but it can be done.

 

Thats true, but a couple of my friends say that the 00-01's have a weaker tranny.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JDMjdawg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thats true, but a couple of my friends say that the 00-01's have a weaker tranny.</TD></TR></TABLE>

perhaps a couple of your friends aren't good manuel drivers? There's nothing "weak" about the 00-01 trannsmissions.

 

Thats not it at all, both of my friends tranny's are fine. And, both know how to drive manual transmissions. They just told me that the 00-01's have tranny issues.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JDMjdawg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thats not it at all, both of my friends tranny's are fine. And, both know how to drive manual transmissions. They just told me that the 00-01's have tranny issues.</TD></TR></TABLE>

the tranny issues arise from a lot of people that make a few bad shifts and continue making those bad shifts and as you know, it doesn't take many grinds to permanently kill the synchros. The s2000 was one of the few cars that came with such a short throw from the factory and believe it or not, many are not used to that. The hand always moves faster than the foot and to hear that silly rumor that the '00-'01 model years had tranny issues is far from true. The 5th/6th combo can get messed up if too many shifts from 2-5 occur instead of 2-3. I've seen experience race car drivers make that error in the s2000 b/c they are not used to the short throws and shift pattern.

The only "issue" with the '00-'01 powertrain is the springs in the hub of the friction disk in the clutch assembly. They resonate at the 3-4krpm range on deceleration.

 

I read that 2-3 gear grinds are common too, I occasionally get them. Not very much of an audible grind but just a notchy feel to it. Yes the clutch is all the way in when it happens.

 

I have not experienced any grinds other than my own error. There seems to be a trend where the faster I shift, the likely hood of error increases. But I might just have a fluke tranny.