First off, hello to everyone! I've been driving a 2003 Hyundai Tiburon the past 4 years now and am ready to move on. I've been looking into all sorts of cars for over 2 years now. Mazda RX-7, Nissan 300zx, Nissan Silvia (was dreaming on that one), and the S2000 more recently than the others.

I'm looking for a 2000-2003 model simply because I want it in it's sportier form with the 9000rpm redline 2.0L engine. I've read about the updates with each year and about a few of the problems but some questions still linger after all of this searching through s2000 informational sites.

So far i've gathered that the jump to 2001 it gained floormats, a clock, modified suspension, and the Indy Yellow color. Into 2002 it gained a glass rear window, more modified suspension, more aluminum trim on the inside, revised tailights, and the color Suzuka Blue. Into 2003 it gained tan interiors for white cars.

On consumerguideauto.com the s2000 only got a 2/10 rating for realiabilty with a few trouble spots such as a/c condesation drips onto the passengers foot and the rear window becomes easily creased when putting the top down.

Here are my questions. First, any idea why it got such a low rating on consumerguide? Does anyone have these problems that consumerguide listed? Also is there anything else I should know other than what i've listed above. Such as tires wear easily, clutch shits out quickly, brakes suck, engine sucks, etc? I wouldn't mind getting a 2000 S2K, I don't need a clock or any of those luxuries, but how is the suspension on the 2000 if they kept modifying it for the 2001 and 2002 years? Also on the 2000 and 2001 models, does the plastic rear window fog easily?

I think I got it all out that was on my mind. Thank you for having me on the boards and thank you even more for anyone who replies! I hope to be joining you all out on the road soon in an S2K.

 

I just bought an 02.....was looking at 00/01's.
Glass window was a big one, but i believe they made some changes to the transmission in 02. I think its supposed to shift better? I drove a few 00/01's and i do much prefer mine, especially the shift knob that came with it (aluminium w/leather).
I think they made suspension changes often but they were minor. There was a thread recently that had spring rates for the different years. I believe the earlier the year the firmer they were but VERY minor, i never could tell a difference between AP1 years. The big change was in 04.
The 00/01's run a bit richer than 02/03 but if you are looking to mod w/VAFC that will take care of it.

Your intent to mod may determine whether these changes matter to you.

Also.....I have a clock on my radio but no where else. I think in 06 it got a clock up on the dash, i dont know if thats what you were talking about. I have to flip my radio door down each time i want to see the clock!
I looked at consumerguide as well. Their value in class rating doesnt mean too much to me since they take into consideration ride, cargo room, and other things the S2000 doesnt do (and wasnt designed to do) well.
I am a newer owner and havent had the car long enough to say its been reliable, but from what i heard unless you go FI or other major mods, they are typical Hondas with regard to reliability.

 

Heres one of the s2000's I have my eye on
http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dda/deta...ice=&cardist=25
what do you all think about it? It's a reputable used car dealership over here in Tampa. And thank you for that information Nate4635! Whats a VAFC btw? What octane gasoline do they take under daily driving conditions?

 

If you want the most trouble free experience it would seem you should buy the newest model you can afford.
Glass window model will save you from headaches.

If you are looking for a straight line haul ass car this may not be the car for you.
If you love the twisties and some of the best grip in a car then this one is the car - other then a Lotus.

You'll know what car to drive when you test them out.

 

VAFC is an Air Fuel Controller and it also adjusts VTEC engagement (hence the V in AFC). You can set WOT A/F values across the RPM band. It also allows you to do partial throttle tuning but the ECU will relearn that so unless you want to reset it everytime you drive....WOT is best.

What radcliffe said was true - the newer the model the better odds you have of it lasting longer. However anytime you look at cars that are 5-7 years old I think its a case by case basis. There are probably 05-06 models that have been treated so bad id run to a well cared for 00 model. And of course the opposite is true.

You just need to go there check it out, get a pre-purchase inspection by an independant dealer, and drive it.

Drive it and come back here and ask us if you feel anything thats not normal... I had a few questions thats for sure. Wind noise, brake feel, sloppy handling....i had questions on all of those.

I have a tendency to get all gitty when im looking at cars but i try to refrain from making a $20,000+ mistake. There are good deals out there that are not that great once you get into them, and there are diamonds in the rough. But never assume.... For YOUR assurance that you are getting what you paid for.

Nate

 

Clock on radio in 02, glass in soft top 02. Usually people get about 10-15k miles on the rears and 20-30k on the fronts.

 

awesome, thank you NNY, radcliffe, and nate. I'm going to be checking out the s2000 i linked above hopefully this weekend. What's the big deal about having a glass rear window compared to a plastic rear window? Everyone so far has gone with liking the glass but why? And how are the clutches on the '00 - '03 models? Do they give out quickly (of course if you can't shift worth a shit) but under normal shifting conditions, not racing or shitty shifts? I've never had a manual car being my first and only car has been an automatic (I do know how to drive manual though) so I'm not sure what good and bad is for the question about the clutch. Oh and of course, how long do s2000 engines last with proper maintenance and break in?

 

Hard to tell how long a properly maintained engine will last, quite a few have well over 100k miles on them. Most people like myself prefer the glass as it isn't prone to scratching, fogging, and cracking like the plastic.

 

Yea..........plastic rear window resembles a clear shower curtain. A few years (or less) out in the sun and its a not so clear shower curtain. My friend just replaced his 00 soft top with an 02+ and when it took his off it was nasty....cracked and foggy, couldnt see through it at all.

My clutch is still good at 41k on my 02. I think it depends heavily on your driving. I never launch or peel out or feather the clutch at a stoplight etc...

Nate

 

My friend just replaced his 00 soft top with an 02+ and when it took his off it was nasty....cracked and foggy
Any idea how much this mod cost him?