Aftermarket Support
The S2000 gets a ton of love from the aftermarket. Companies such as Amuse build parts solely for S2000s. The AP1/2 is a common choice for Japanese tuning houses for a naturally aspirated time attack car. Top Fuel, Spoon, Mugen, and Autobacs Secondhand Market are just a few of the many teams with race-prepped S2000s.
Currently, the ASM S2K holds the record for naturally aspirated cars on the Tsukuba Circuit at 0:59.283 seconds. It's the first naturally aspirated car to break the 1-minute barrier. Even better, all the parts on the ASM AP1 are available on the market. How would you like to drive that car to work every day?
Recalls/Service Announcements
Safety Recalls00-078 Recall - Seat Belt Retractor Sensor Replacement00-020 Recall - Convertible Top Cover General Recalls02-042 Campaign - Spark Replacement Service Bulletins02-065 Body - Convertible Top Won't Open Properly01-037 Body - Convertible Top Rattle/Wind Noise02-063 Drivetrain - Vibration From Rear Upon Acceleration02-046 M/T - Difficult Reverse/Fifth Gear Selection00-054 M/T - Buzz/Rattle on Deceleration00-055 M/T - Grinds Shifting Into Second Gear at High Rpm00-083 Heater Unit - Water Drips Onto Passenger's Carpet00-037 Convertable Top Rear Window - Creased, Cloudy, Scratched
Precautions
There are a few things to check into before buying a used S2000. The S2K clutch is very expensive, so make sure there's a lot of life in it or that you are getting some cash taken out of the price to account for the $1,000-plus replacement cost. Find out if any warranty work was done, and if so, get the specifics.
The AP1 had a few transmission problems in the early models. Reports of transmissions "popping out of gear" are not common, but are something to be aware of. Don't trust the mileage as a sign of the car's condition. Make sure to ask the previous owner for records of services. Ask whether the car has ever been modified/tracked/raced because you don't want to end up with a car that somebody has already put the hurt on.
Changes In '04 Models
* 84mm stroke to 90.7mm stroke* 1997cc to 2157cc* Horsepower peak 500-rpm earlier* 11.0:1 to 11.1:1 compression ratio* 4-percent shorter gears 1 through 4* 1-percent shorter fifth gear* 2-percent longer sixth gear* Redesigned clutch made to absorb impact from quick shifts* 16-inch wheels to 17-inch wheels* 205/55R-16 front and 225/50R-16 rear to 215/45R-17 front and 245/40R-17 rear* Bridgestone Potenza S-02s replaced by Potenza RE050s* Springs 7-percent stiffer in the front, 10-percent softer in the rear* Rear sway bar 1.8mm thinner in diameter