S2000 / VX220 Turbo / Impreza WRX STi

Having just been through this, you want:

2004 to March 2006 for the lower VED but still a facelift (note, we never got the AP2 in the UK. That refers to the US model with the 2.2 engine. We did get the styling though) - Makes a big difference. (£695 vs £395)
Unmodified example, although intake and exhaust are popular so shouldn't be avoided.
Recent geo so you can be confident that the suspension adjustment hasn't siezed.
No holes in roof - although a replacement is around £500 ish fitted so could be used as a bargaining tool.
No cam-chain rattles. Make sure you start it both hot and cold and listen. It shouldn't rattle at all. If it does, it means the chain has stretched. This can be masked by replacing the tensioner but ultimately it will need a timing job. Check to see if the tensioner has been replaced. If it has, that's a good sign that someone has tried to mask a stretched chain.
Water leaks. Take the took-kit out of the boot and check for damp under the carpet there. It's an easy fix (the vent seals degrade behind the bumper) but if it's been doing it for ages it can rot the boot floor out.
Rad fan. Make sure it stays off until the car is up to temperature. If it comes on with the ignition then the sensor is bad.
Rear drain channels - to the side of the seats with the roof down. Check for obstructions. If they get blocked with leaves or other crap they drain straight in to the boot.

Just be aware that you are buying a 19-year-old car. They still look fresh and drive well but will suffer from all the same issues a 19-year-old anything will have. THey are just more likely to have been looked after than your average Focus.
 
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Rilot said:
Having just been through this, you want:

2004 to March 2006 for the lower VED but still a facelift (note, we never got the AP2 in the UK. That refers to the US model with the 2.2 engine. We did get the styling though) - Makes a big difference. (£695 vs £395)
Unmodified example, although intake and exhaust are popular so shouldn't be avoided.
Recent geo so you can be confident that the suspension adjustment hasn't siezed.
No holes in roof - although a replacement is around £500 ish fitted so could be used as a bargaining tool.
No cam-chain rattles. Make sure you start it both hot and cold and listen. It shouldn't rattle at all. If it does, it means the chain has stretched. This can be masked by replacing the tensioner but ultimately it will need a timing job. Check to see if the tensioner has been replaced. If it has, that's a good sign that someone has tried to mask a stretched chain.
Water leaks. Take the took-kit out of the boot and check for damp under the carpet there. It's an easy fix (the vent seals degrade behind the bumper) but if it's been doing it for ages it can rot the boot floor out.
Rad fan. Make sure it stays off until the car is up to temperature. If it comes on with the ignition then the sensor is bad.
Rear drain channels - to the side of the seats with the roof down. Check for obstructions. If they get blocked with leaves or other crap they drain straight in to the boot.

Just be aware that you are buying a 19-year-old car. They still look fresh and drive well but will suffer from all the same issues a 19-year-old anything will have. THey are just more likely to have been looked after than your average Focus.
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Thanks for all the info!

What sort of mileage would be a good get around my budget? Or is that not really a major concern.

I'm assuming 60k-ish

Also Roadster and GT? I'm assuming GT is the way to go
 
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60k is where I'd want to be, although there's no reason to be scared of high milages. Mine was on 60k when I bought it and still feels tight.
Roadster or GT is entirely up to you. I went for a roadster as I don't really have the free space to store the hard top and when I had my last S2000GT, the hard top spent the entire time in the garage just sat there. It does make the car more pleasant on longer journeys and saves the soft-top from the usual winter damage of leaves, ice, other crap. I wouldn't go in to it saying you MUST have one or the other though. There are so few good ones on the market it would be silly to ignore one due to it having the wrong roof. You can always buy one 2nd hand (although they are very expensive at £3k ish).
 
If your intention is to keep it for a long period of time, there is always the option of getting a real low mile garage queen.. keep it tip top and I suspect it's value will only go one way..

e.g. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304106138447

Having seen what happened with E46 M3's where low mileage ones went mental price wise, and they command a huge premium if under 60k miles and cars like mine with over 100K got swamped with bad examples so it was always hit and miss..
 
Demon said:
If your intention is to keep it for a long period of time, there is always the option of getting a real low mile garage queen.. keep it tip top and I suspect it's value will only go one way..

e.g. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304106138447

Having seen what happened with E46 M3's where low mileage ones went mental price wise, and they command a huge premium if under 60k miles and cars like mine with over 100K got swamped with bad examples so it was always hit and miss..
Click to expand...

STOP IT YOU’RE MAKING ME MISS MINE :mad:
 
Demon said:
If your intention is to keep it for a long period of time, there is always the option of getting a real low mile garage queen.. keep it tip top and I suspect it's value will only go one way..

e.g. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304106138447

Having seen what happened with E46 M3's where low mileage ones went mental price wise, and they command a huge premium if under 60k miles and cars like mine with over 100K got swamped with bad examples so it was always hit and miss..
Click to expand...
I saw this one too. Not sure if I ultimately prefer the darker Grey colour? Not sure, that one does look lovely. Ad reads well too, the owner clearly looks after it.

I intend to drive it. Most likely, daily.
 
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Rilot said:
60k is where I'd want to be, although there's no reason to be scared of high milages. Mine was on 60k when I bought it and still feels tight.
Roadster or GT is entirely up to you. I went for a roadster as I don't really have the free space to store the hard top and when I had my last S2000GT, the hard top spent the entire time in the garage just sat there. It does make the car more pleasant on longer journeys and saves the soft-top from the usual winter damage of leaves, ice, other crap. I wouldn't go in to it saying you MUST have one or the other though. There are so few good ones on the market it would be silly to ignore one due to it having the wrong roof. You can always buy one 2nd hand (although they are very expensive at £3k ish).
Click to expand...

Is the roof the only difference with them?

Or is there styling changes too?
 
Rilot said:
Seeing as you have an MX already and are looking at cars in the £18k bracket; have you considered an ND MX5 184? They are very light and so the lack of power isn't evident. A friend recently got one and it's a total hoot. Pretty well appointed too for what they are with CarPlay, heated seats, lane departure warning, nav, decent hifi etc. The 184s have an LSD too.
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Actually just had a proper look at these and actually really like them aesthetically. The RF model is actually quite appealing, or is it a sin to not go full soft top
 
kinger8938 said:
But then a cracking 220 pops up, this one looks great. Wasn't overly sure on the yellow but this example looks clean

Some I've seen, they kind of look greenish hard to explain.

Still torn on what to go for

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312214993642
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Just go and take a look..

The entry/exit contortion you have to do is so extreme you'll know instantly if its for you, if that doesn't bother you, nothing on your list will come close to the awesome driving experience, the Turbo is insanely quick and the handling idiotically engaging..

If you get in and find it awkward and find the raw-ness of it a PITA then at least you've learnt something.]

That one looks clean and whilst press cars can get a hard life in a short time, that pedigree is appealing in this case.
 
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Demon said:
Just go and take a look..

The entry/exit contortion you have to do is so extreme you'll know instantly if its for you, if that doesn't bother you, nothing on your list will come close to the awesome driving experience, the Turbo is insanely quick and the handling idiotically engaging..

If you get in and find it awkward and find the raw-ness of it a PITA then at least you've learnt something.]

That one looks clean and whilst press cars can get a hard life in a short time, that pedigree is appealing in this case.
Click to expand...

Yeah that's true. I'd have to try one. Maybe even worth trying the non turbo? Many suggest that may be the better option?

This one is very appealing and certainly looks clean
 
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