Hi Vancouver S2ki,

I am looking at a 2000 AP1 (108k km) that I am interested in getting. So far I have spoken with the owner and have looked through it myself and have been for a test drive. It is stock except for a DC Sports header the owner was unaware it even had. I also know the car will potentially need new speakers and a windshield washer fluid pump, according to the owner. About how much will those two cost?

Theres a lot of information on S2ki and I have done my best to cover what has been posted on the what to look for before buying thread. I am planning to get a BCAA inspection.

Are there other things you recommend before purchasing? I havent been through this process and want to do it properly before investing in something expensive.

Best regards.

 

All the VIN stickers on the body panels? Do they all match? USA or CDN VIN? Mileage? Price? Sports header and stock exhaust? CarFAX?

-- Chuck

 

Thanks Chuck,

I will look into that. The BCAA report turned out decent. I will need to replace the rear tires, battery and a low beam bulb. That looks like it can be over $500. Do you, or anyone else have any estimates for those items as well? Cheers.

 

Battery and low beam bulb should be cheap. I bought my battery from Costco, it works great (iirc, less than $90); some of the guys go back to Honda and buy OEM. Tires will be the most expensive item. Many of the local guys buy from the US (Tirerack or DTD) and get them shipped to Pt. Roberts. It's recommended to buy a matching set of tires (although I know of members that don't do this) and don't cheap out and buy crap tires either, good tires will increase your enjoyment of the car. You definitely don't want front tires that are grippier than the rears. A 2000my car is the most unforgiving; search snap-oversteer on this site and you'll find out why.

 

you can get a winsheild washer pump for cheap cheap from a US salvage yard and shipping wouldnt be much. search on facebook for 'limitless honda' who has stuff and can ship.

 

Pay attention to the early AP1 owners cautions of oversteer! This was designed into the car but fewer folks could handle it and Honda modified the suspension and tires just about every year to try to control it. Too much grip on the front = oversteer. More grip in back helps control it. I think the CRs came with 255 rear tires, the widest of them all. I think many of the guys with wide front tires (non-staggered) are just posing the car in photos (or on Saturday night) and don't run the back roads with them. Or they're damn good drivers!

The 17" wheel setup on the AP2 seems to be better handling if you stick with the staggered OEM sizes. That's a decision you need to make before you spend the money on 16" tires. The early cars swap ends more easily than the later.

-- Chuck

 

Be smart and follow Chuck S's advice and get a CARFAX/Carproof done. It may be the best money you will spend.

 

One more thing, AP1s were more prone to mechanical over revs and so it's worth checking the retainers to ensure they aren't cracked. A lot of the early AP1s owners have upgraded to AP2 parts, but probably not all. Note that BCAA doesn't check for this.



From this thread.

 

At 108k, if the clutch hasn't already been changed, it will likely be slipping soon.

 

Thanks for the advice! Im looking forward to performing some maintenance items on it next weekend.