I agree, I would never daily my AP1. It's a lousy car in the rain much less snow and ice. If you really want to daily drive an s2k why not get an AP2?

 

Makes no sense (to me) to swap the Civic for an S2000 as a daily driver, especially an early model. I'm apparently a slow leaner and drove three (3) roadsters as daily drivers but that was years ago and I have no intent to repeat the ordeals of rain and snow in what are essentially summer cars -- and I was in Georgia much of the time!

Not sure of the fascination with the older AP1 engined cars but that's another discussion other than to point out the 2006 and later cars have traction and stability control which will help while the salted roads are destroying the car in the winter. Put the paid-for Civic in the driveway and garage whatever S2000 you get. Drive it "daily" when you can and learn it's liabilities in this role.

My 2006 S2000 is our #3 car. Gets driven "daily" in nice weather but is otherwise tucked safely in the garage. In Ohio she went into winter storage the first weekend of November and sat on the lift out of the salt and slush brought in by the other cars until about Easter. A "six months" car. Here in Virginia she gets more use including roof down back roads between Christmas and New Year's Day last year.

These cars are not all alike and there are significant differences in the cars as Honda made improvements every two years during the production cycle.

-- Chuck

 

The thing with age is some find it more challenging to get in and out on a regular basis, and have less tolerance for a cramped, loud, stiff, uncompromising car. Older guys sometimes also aren't as trim as in younger years, making fitting into tight seats more difficult.

Some, despite age, feel the need for more creature comfort, convenience and space in their dd. A car that demands rapt attention at all times can be a problem as well.

As a 3 season dd, sure. If you are up for a bare bones, raw car. While this car does amazingly well in snow with the right tires, I would highly recommend not ever use it in those conditions. Just not worth the toll it takes on the car.

I'm mid 50's, 3 season dd with an 80 mile commute, and loving every minute of it.

 

IMO, if you can afford the ND2 Miata get it. I think the ND2 is the better car (nothing against the S, it did take 20 years for the Miata to catch up). It will probably be cheaper to own in the long run because its a Miata and especially as parts for the S get more scarce.

If you want to stick with a Honda and/or want some sort of exclusivity, then the S works just fine for a DD. But, just because it's a Honda does not make the car cheap to repair by any means. This is a high performance car disguised as a reliable DD capable car. Parts are not exactly cheap for this thing, especially if you are used to paying for Civic parts.

Personally, I wouldn't, and do not DD the S. DDing any car takes away some of the special appeal that a "fair weather only" car has. Getting into the S has become like an event for my kids.

 

Really appreciate all the info!

FWIW, the APK1 is the one I mention since that's what's available at the moment locally.

 

You keep typing "APK1." Is this what the car is advertised as (just curious)? The US S2000 cars used the AP1 engine up to 2003 afterwhich the larger AP2 engine was installed coincidentally with the face-lifted body and larger wheels. Colloquially the pre-2004 cars are called AP1 cars and the 2004 and later AP2. In places outside of the US, Canada, and later Japan, the AP2 engine was never used.

S2000 Model Year Changes

-- Chuck

 

I only mention "I'd do it again if I was 25" because I've got a wife, kid, responsibilities, etc. There's no way it would work for me as an only car. I've got a junker 230k mile Civic I bought for $1400 that I drive if I need more seats or the weather is nasty. The right beater daily driver will cost almost nothing to insure and maintain, it's not a bad option to consider if it's going to keep the S2000 out of the snow/salt.

 

OK, duly noted...... "AP1" and "AP2".

I dropped by and got a good look at the S2000 of interest. Did *not* have a chance to test drive yet. But it was my first time to get up close to one and sit in it, rev it, pop up the top. Some first impressions...
- Great looks
- Shifter surprised me. Has a very impressive heavy-duty yet smooth mechanical feel.
- Would have to get used to how to shift to Reverse
- I would *not* feel claustrophobic in it
- The seats and driver position IMO are very cool. My body gets into it just fine.

So, yeah, I look forward to a test drive.

Regarding having a beater around for a daily driver. Hmmmm... my '07 200k Civic Si gets paid off next year. (Yeah, I bought quite used.) I could do a lot worse for a "beater" than to keep my current Civic Si.

 

BTW, I have never shopped S2000s before. So this could just be a start before buying whatever model year makes sense.

 

I realize I haven't driven my actual daily driver since ~May.

I've been enjoying driving my AP1.

I won't drive it thru salt because salt destroys cars...and for some reason, the S2000 gets ruined faster than most. If I was willing to, however, there would be no reason this could not be my only car.

HOWEVER, you'll realise pretty quickly that there's no room in the car for most things. So if you ever need to bring home something that's large...you'll need to rent or borrow a bigger car.

Obviously, you are limited to 1 passenger as well.

And the MPG isn't really so great in real world conditions.

Idk why there's a stigma around this car being "unmanageable" in bad conditions. Its just a 200whp Honda. It drives just fine in anything.

They're old cars now, though. So unless yours was meticulously cared for...you should naturally expect some maintenance/repairs.