My AP1 S2000: Three Years with Honda's Masterpiece

How I Found It

I had been searching for an S2000 for about six months when this one appeared on a local enthusiast forum. It was a 2002 AP1 in Sebring Silver with 67,000 miles, owned by a retired engineer who had maintained it meticulously. The PPI came back clean, the soft top was original and still in good shape, and the car had never been modified beyond a Modifry cupholder. I knew within the first test drive that this was the one.

The Purchase

I paid $34,000 in late 2023, which felt steep at the time but has proven to be a smart buy. The car came with a binder of service records going back to the original purchase, including every oil change and valve adjustment. The seller also included the original window sticker and both keys -- details that matter when you are buying a car you plan to keep.

Living With It

Three years in, the S2000 has been remarkably trouble-free. I drive it every dry weekend from April through October, putting on about 3,000 miles per year. The only maintenance beyond scheduled service has been a new soft top -- the original finally started showing its age at 22 years old. I installed an OEM Honda replacement for about $1,100 including labor.

The driving experience remains unmatched by anything else I have driven. The F20C engine's willingness to rev to 9,000 RPM is addictive in a way that modern turbocharged cars simply cannot replicate. The steering communicates every surface change, and the short-throw six-speed is one of the best manual transmissions ever produced.

What I Love

The S2000 has connected me to a community of owners who share the same appreciation for analog driving. Portland has an active S2000 group that runs canyon drives and technical sessions, and the knowledge base within the community is incredible. More than the car itself, owning an S2000 has given me a reason to explore roads I never would have found otherwise. Every drive is an event, and after three years, the thrill has not diminished one bit.