I'm neither, just a humble engineer, I but find that all the revisions on the 04 are attractive touches..... the lights, 17" wheels as oppose to 16", the bumpers and the oval tailpipes being the main ones.
All changes are cosmetic, as far as I know (and therefore subjective), but make the car look more agressive IMO.

If you can't drive both, at least have a good look at the 04 against the 02 and see if you agree.

 

The suspension and damping on the 04 is significantly different Al

 

Hi Bonce, What you need is one of these


(subtle plug )

 

It can't still be that clean, is it Rob?

 

HaggisMuncher Have you even driven an 04?

Bonce, the 04 has supposedly been "toned down" to make it a touch less tail-happy. In reality, it doesn't drive much differently to the 99-01 original or the 02-03 after the first version of the "tweaks" - on the road, at least; I can't really speak for on the limit on the track. I had an 02 before my 04 and it didn't handle appreciably differently (when it was handling properly anyway, but that's another story......)

As Neil says, you might want to test drive an older one to compare and contrast with a new one to see whether you can notice any difference and whether one suits your driving style better than others.

I certainly agree that you'd be better off with an 02 onwards, not least for the glass rear screen.

 

Just goes to show - never listen to a newbie!

Thanks Neil, I wasn't aware they had touched the suspension.

 

Nah! I just remember how slow yours was on the way to the Arran meet

 

Nice pics Bonce, get an 02 or 03, these were the best years Preferably with a full pimped-up interior .Is that Carzee's red S? I spend a bit of time on PH and I'm sure I've seen that reg before.

 

Nah, that was the optional left seat brake - it's a performance-diminishing mod which knocks at least 30mph off the top speed and 40 bhp off the engine output

 

I don't think they've succeeded in taming the car much There have already been a few 04 MisHaps