S2000 (AP1) - Good for DD?
 

I'm looking for a DD. While the idea of getting a used 07-08 350z or the new Genesis coupe float around my head, I just can't bring it to buy a 20K+ car for a DD as of now. :(

I stumbled across this deal today. Knowing nothing about the S2k, what do you guys think? :)

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/1592388887.html

looks clean, def worth checking out

hate the color, love the car :P

I daily drive my AP2. If you can spare a few more grand, look into an 04. There is much debate between the AP1s and AP2's, but no matter how you slice it, it's newer technology, and in my opinion, I like the AP2 torque and suspension much better for a DD.

Here's an example:
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=753691

This is a really low price for an 05, but if you search, it's doable for private sales

AP2 > AP1

but really... the s2k in any form isnt a "good" daily driver. u can do it, and several people do, and i used to do it with my old one... but watever.

Why don't you think it's a good DD? I prefer the stiff suspension, noise, etc as a DD because it keeps me entertained and loving driving for my 45 minute commute every day as opposed to a vanilla commuter car that would make me just hate the drive. Even after a year+ of driving it 50+ miles a day I still smile every time I start thinking about my drive to/from work.

because exactly of all those traits. yes they are indeed fun. but for a daily driver, it gets old. obviously not for u it hasnt yet. but after daily driving mine for 18months, it got old and so i got rid of it. its a helluva car to drive and mash on... but i see a "daily driver" as a car thats comfortable, no stress about driveways/parkingblocks/potholes/etc., no noisy interior, and decent gas mileage. the only the s2k fits in that, is the gas mileage part. everything else it is not. who said a daily driver has to be a "vanilla commuter"? i just dont see a raw roadster being a particularly "good" daily driver.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Oh, I also mean it to be a fun DD & Occasional track car. That's why I'm looking at sport models. I do tend to push my car a lot ;)

Also found this one for a cheaper price? Honestly, isn't that that much worth it to go for AP2 (I'm talking 4-5K)

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/ctd/1592724188.html

I agree with Eddie about the S2000 not being a "good" daily driver. Worry about potholes, people slashing your top, wind noise with the top up, limited space for baggage or groceries, somewhat twitchy handling if you stop paying attention during the commute, etc. It can certainly be done if you are willing to deal with the limitations, but in your price range there are plenty of "fun" cars that would make much better commuters. RSX-S, WRX, & MS3, to name the ones that are tossed out most often.

I would never DD a convertible, but that's just me. Security and noise are the primary concerns, but there's also that thing about a car rolling over on your head :oh:

i used to daily drive my S2000 until i couldnt take it anymore :loco: the thing i hated the most was it's short range...average 200 miles per tank.

werd, i suggest he buys a z4m. :rick:

it works well when it's not a daily driver also :oh:

yall are a bunch of pansies, I use to love driving the evo as a daily. i would love to have the s2000 as a daily.

no back seat
no roof

but the evo doesnt sit on the ground, has an actual cabin, backseats, a trunk, and seats that adjust more than 2 inches.

Weekend/track car yes!
Daily drive Hell no!
that's a nice price for an AP1
Can't you just swap the ECU from a Ap2 into an Ap1:dunno:

the F20 and F22 have diff internals. doing that is like putting a GSR ecu into a Type R.

Newer technology? Different lights, slightly different gearing, different cluster, and .2L more displacement? The 06+ had the new technology with the traction control, DBW, and ECU that can be reflashed.

I miss driving my MR2 as my daily. It was fun. The Jeep is just....well a Jeep.

winter mode :lmao:

I daily drove my Miata for 4 years. Mostly because I wanted a Miata and could only afford 1 car.

Sure I'd get another roadster but probably not for a commuter car.

everything you listed, yes. also, newer as in less aged. beyond that, the suspension is leaps and bounds ahead. i'll find the video of the 2 tracked side by side by pro drivers....the difference is pretty impressive.

bah, i can't find the video...i'll look more tomorrow.

Obviously they're going to be different, as the AP2 has larger diameter and width wheels tires. Different? Sure. Leaps and bounds? I don't think so. It's still a spring/shock combo...nothing groundbreaking. None of this stuff is really "new technology" until you get to the 06+. Not trying to bust your balls, just sayin.

I daily drive mine 100 miles a day...takes it like a champ. Could another car be more comfortable and suitable to commuting? Sure...but I wouldn't have it any other way. I like the stiff suspension too and just the overall way it drives. I like to have fun when I drive, and I do every time. The only thing that sucks is sitting in rush hour SF traffic. :(

The video tested the AP2 wheels on the AP1 and vice versa. Made marginal differences.

The best one I've seen is a stock AP1 (might have been an AP2) vs another stock with 4.57's...big difference. If I didn't commute so far I'd get some, or 4.77's :oh:

The best overview I can give on the video was that the AP1 was more apt to kick out early and require correction than the AP2 and it kept adding time on each turn.

Hm....I guess you guys made it a valid point being a 2 seater (which I don't really care) and a convertible. I kinda overlooked that fact considering it's the DD. Especially in winter mode and all. The reason I gave those a look is because of the price & performance I can get for a car like that. But being a DD, I begin to think that it won't be feasible after all.

I'm still on the market for one. I will go test drive the Genesis Coupe this weekend as well as this one and see. Who knows, if the price is too good to pass up, I might snatch it and deal with it. It'll be garage kept, so I'm not too worried about the "wear & tear" on it much.

It's not a good daily driver, but that doesn't keep me from driving it.

I know its not an s2k, but I DD my slammed miata. The convertible part isn't a big deal...... if you live in San Diego. But yeah, I would look forward to Fridays when I drove my nice comfy expedition to work.

No trunk, + small car commuting a long time sharing the road with bigger cars is a major thumbs down.

I always have my top down. Rain, cold, hot, etc....it's a main reason i bought the car....then again, you can always hard top it if you don't like the top. I might be biased though b/c I own a non-2-seater also for the family.

If you DD in a shitty climate, get a hardtop. If it snows/gets icy where you live, don't even think about it.

350z or WRX really is a much better car for the money. More practical too. And faster. And handles better.

:dunno:

this.

I had a GST spyder. Very breifly. Nothing like scraping ice off the INSIDE of your windshield :mad:

Yes, No, No

I couldnt stand my evo as a daily driver. so that should say what I think about having an S2k as a daily.

didnt u have a baller ass G35 before? or do u still have it?

I drove a friend's AP1 with no glass window, blizzak's, slammed and it went fine through a big snow storm last year even without T/C. Actually was fun and easy to drive, more so than my AP1 with 10-20% tread left in the summer. :oh: Only thing done to prep for winter mode was to take off the front lip, as it just plows through snow. Wouldn't say it's the best DD but it works. :fawk:

I don't think I've ever seen anyone drive an s2k in the winter around here. :chuckles:

lol me either, not around here - storms get out of control and the amount of salt we have on the roads just eats cars.

But I DD my AP2 for as long as I owned it (In spring summer and fall). Had no issues, it was the reason I bought the car, I didn't want it as a weekend warrior, I wanted to drive it all the time. I had a 60 mile round trip drive, and the car made it tolerable. I'd still suggest the AP2 over the AP1 for several reasons, but to each their own.