Just checking it out

[Silver Phoenix]

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Alex, I am 18 years old and I live in Orlando, FL. To be honest, I am not a huge Honda fan, but love the S2000. I am looking into these cars and doing plenty of research before I buy one. Rather talk to the owners and enthusiasts directly instead of reading about the car on wikipedia. I didn't do very much research on my current car and I am very disappointed and it has too many common problems.

I would just like to know what, if any, common problems these cars have. I absolutely love these cars and the many different ways they can be tastefully modded. I wouldn't go crazy with modding, just like to know that I can .

I look forward to getting to know these cars and also you guys on this site.

[Java Junky]

Alex, welcome aboard.
Rather than repeatin' a very popular question/answer (Ya godda understan' . . after about the hundredth time, it get's a little old) you've got a wealth'a knowledge available here on the site with past n' present posts n' the search option up on the blue bar.
'Probably more info than you're lookin' for, but certainly answers to any questions you may have.
You've landed on a great site with some extremely capable n' knowledgeable members. Pu'cher bags down n' look aroun'.
Be well,
Java

[D1sclaimer]

The differential is weak. If you get into the habit of launching at high rpms, you can say bye bye to it soon.

Mine has what people call "second gear crunch." When racing, sometimes 2nd just won't go in and it'll grind. Most people fix it by flushing the tranny fluid and putting some better fluid in.

Finally, the s2k is tuned to perfection by Honda. If you go cheap on your mods, expect yourself to actually lose hp. Thus, many people go sc or turbo since its tuned great stock.

Driver error. Like myself, many people have gotten into accidents cause we think we can drive it without practice. My tail end lost control and i spun out and hit a POS saturn. All of it happened while going about 25-30mph.

[Silver Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Java Junky

Alex, welcome aboard.
Rather than repeatin' a very popular question/answer (Ya godda understan' . . after about the hundredth time, it get's a little old) you've got a wealth'a knowledge available here on the site with past n' present posts n' the search option up on the blue bar.
'Probably more info than you're lookin' for, but certainly answers to any questions you may have.
You've landed on a great site with some extremely capable n' knowledgeable members. Pu'cher bags down n' look aroun'.
Be well,
Java

Sorry about that, thanks for the welcome though!

Originally Posted by D1sclaimer

The differential is weak. If you get into the habit of launching at high rpms, you can say bye bye to it soon.

Mine has what people call "second gear crunch." When racing, sometimes 2nd just won't go in and it'll grind. Most people fix it by flushing the tranny fluid and putting some better fluid in.

Finally, the s2k is tuned to perfection by Honda. If you go cheap on your mods, expect yourself to actually lose hp. Thus, many people go sc or turbo since its tuned great stock.

Driver error. Like myself, many people have gotten into accidents cause we think we can drive it without practice. My tail end lost control and i spun out and hit a POS saturn. All of it happened while going about 25-30mph.

I never drive a car hard until I know it inside and out. or unless I'm in an empty space with no possible consequences or shots at disaster. I never launch at high rpms. I also don't plan on too much performance mods, maybe exhaust but nothing too huge. Definitely susension though.

[Scooter]

Good attitude, you'll do fine! If you want to mod the suspension, I'd first say try an AP2 - I thought the ride was rough (but fun) in my AP1 and when I traded it in for an 07 the primary reason was the ride got WAY smoother, now it's great for the daily commute. Other than that I don't recommend changes on the handling - it rocks in both versions as far as handling curves, any change is likely to actually reduce that...

[Silver Phoenix]

What about sway bars and coilovers? I've never seen them deny a car. Haha

Also, what are the years for the models? Like you mentioned AP1 and AP2. I will probably be in search of something around 2003-2005

[Scooter]

Search the threads, as Java would say, there are some good explanations. The brief is that AP1 was through 2003, AP2 since then. I had a 2003 and loved it, and love my 2007 even more 'cause I'm getting older and like the smoother ride. If you want the AP1, I'd say 2003 and if AP2 get the latest year you can afford - I'm a strong advocate of the latest year of any design (knowing how engineers keep tinkering to make it better every year)

[D1sclaimer]

Originally Posted by Silver Phoenix

What about sway bars and coilovers? I've never seen them deny a car. Haha

Also, what are the years for the models? Like you mentioned AP1 and AP2. I will probably be in search of something around 2003-2005

All s2ks come with sway bars(anti-roll bars). They have changed the diameters though over the years. You can buy cusco, comptech(adjustable or non), and tanabe sway bars for the s2k if you want a different feel. Theres a couple more but these are the most popular. I have no clue about coilovers. Also, if you want a little more stiff chassis, upper front strut bars don't really help our car out. I have heard from a few people that the spoon front lower crossbar does give a little noticible difference. You could find one for a little under 200 dollars.

2000-2003 =chassis code AP1 F20C 2.0L engine 9k redline
2004-up =chassis code AP2 F22C1 2.2L engine 8.3k redline + the .2L bigger displacement to get 10lbs more torque but the same hp

[Silver Phoenix]

ok, thanks guys. I got most of my questions answered. Just the fun part of finding out insurance