I'm 36 and pay £500 per year for mine.
We still have the AP2 designation in the UK for the facelift but we didn't get the 2.2 engine like the USDM
There was never an AP2 designation for the UK. They are all AP1 but are referred to as "facelift AP1". It's a common mistake and understandable as even Honda dealers refer to them as AP2 sometimes.
Also believe they moved from a throttle cable to an electronic throttle on later cars but no idea how much difference that makes to the drive.
2006 and it makes no difference.
The later cars are softer and less prone to swapping ends in the hands of idiots. Some don't like this (me included) so have the earlier model year geometry setup to get back the pointyness.
I would buy on condition and history rather than age. I prefer the look of the facelift so my preference would be to go for a 2004 to 2007 model. 2008 - 2009 models have had reports of engine issues with some guys in the owners club covering less than 20k miles before needing a new motor. The general consensus is that the newest S2000 you should buy is a 2007.
You want a FSH preferably from a specialist rather than Honda. Honda don't know how to look after these cars and frequently miss service items that are unique to the S2000.
WHatever you buy, make sure you get proof that the geometry is correct and that the geo bolts have been greased. If they can't provide proof, INSIST that the geo is done and the bolts greased as part of the condition of sale. Seized bolts can present you with a £1k bill to have them replaced so this is vital.
Here are all the model changes by year for the UK:
MY02 differences
• Glass Rear Screen
• Cd player with tweeters built into the door
• Slightly restyled polished alloys
• Chrome rings around the rear lights and chrome front light surrounds
• A softer suspension setting which makes the car slightly less "pointy"
• Repositioned headlamp washer switch
MY04 Differences
• New front and rear bumper design
• 17" wheels with different Bridgestone tyres
• New front and rear lights
• Facelifted interior
• Some suspension changes which include a slight ride height change and a little softening of the rear end.
• Colour coded headlamp washers
• Factory fitted alarm
• New colours...
MY06 Differences
• New Colours - Deep Burgundy Metallic, Bermuda Blue Metallic
• New Interior Colour - Brown Leather
• Drive-By-Wire Throttle System. Ues a computer sensor to input throttle as opposed to pulling on the throttle cable
• Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with traction control. A combination of computer controlled throttle and individual wheel braking to control sudden changes in vehicle behavior. VSA has a turn-off switch where the defrost button (moved) used to be.
• 20 lbs heavier
• Redesigned road wheels
• Redesigned steering wheel
• Brake Assist, which helps drivers apply full braking pressure in an accident avoidance situation via the ABS actuator. Braking pressure is maintained momentarily after the driver's initial braking action to help the driver stop promptly. It deactivates when the driver releases pressure on the brake pedal
• Exterior temperature gauge
• New seats (interfaced to air bags for weight and position)
• 4 of the 8 speaker audio system are integrated roll bar speakers
• New intake manifold, fuel rail, intake support bracket, and injector cover
• Only one cam sensor
• New style map sensor
• IAT sensor has moved to the rubber intake tract
• Fuel line at engine is now a quick-release type
• Air pump, associated lines and and control valve, have been eliminated
• Fan switch in the radiator has been replaced with a second CTS, in turn the fans are now computer controlled
• HO2S in the header is now referred to as an Air fuel ratio sensor
• New exhaust center section
) and paying £360 with 11 or so years of NCB.
