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Buying guide

Honda S2000 AP2 (2004 to 2009): buying guide, problems and NZ numbers

The Honda S2000 AP2 was built from 2004 to 2009 as a convertible, with a manual gearbox, rear wheel drive and petrol power. Chassis code: AP2. Redline has a curated guide to its 6 most reported weak points, from owner club and specialist sources.

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Key facts

Years
2004 to 2009
Chassis codes
AP2
Body types
Convertible
Gearboxes
Manual
Drive
RWD (rear wheel drive)
Fuel
Petrol

On NZ roads

Counting every one on the NZ register. The first look can take up to 15 seconds.

Known weak points

Curated by Redline from owner club and specialist sources Commonly reported by owners and specialists for the Honda S2000 (1999 to 2009). Not every car has these; check this one.

  1. Oil consumption

    Specialists say they all burn a lot of oil, roughly a litre every 800 to 1,000 miles, and Honda advises weekly checks that owners often skip. Knocks point to worn bearing shells.

    Where to look
    The dipstick, and the engine at idle
    How to test
    Check the oil level and colour, ask how often it is topped up, and listen for knocking.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    High cost bearings or an engine rebuild

    Sources: evo.co.uk (opens in a new tab)

  2. Soft top leaks

    The soft top often leaks near the screen pillars.

    Where to look
    The roof seals at the top of each windscreen pillar, and the carpets
    How to test
    Feel the carpets for damp, especially in the front footwells.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost seals or a new roof

    Sources: evo.co.uk (opens in a new tab)

  3. Front lower arms and bushes

    The front lower arm is often the first suspension part to wear, and bushes clonk from about 80,000 miles.

    Where to look
    The front lower arms and bushes
    How to test
    Listen for knocks over bumps and check the tyres for uneven wear.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost arms and alignment

    Sources: evo.co.uk (opens in a new tab)

  4. Seized bolts and bushes

    Some cars left the factory without greased bolts and bushes, and specialists often drill out seized parts.

    Where to look
    The suspension bolts at each corner
    How to test
    Ask whether alignment adjusters move freely; a car that cannot be aligned may have seized bolts.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost drilling out seized parts

    Sources: evo.co.uk (opens in a new tab)

  5. Light underseal and rust

    Underseal is light, so the underside can rust.

    Where to look
    The underside, sills and rear subframe area
    How to test
    Look underneath with a torch for surface rust and ask whether it has been wax treated.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost rust treatment

    Sources: evo.co.uk (opens in a new tab)

  6. VTEC tick and valve clearances

    A light tick from the top end may be a sticking hydraulic pin, often cured by an oil change; valve clearances are checked at the major service.

    Where to look
    The top of the engine
    How to test
    Listen for a light tick at idle and check the history shows valve clearance checks.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Low cost an oil change or valve adjustment

    Sources: evo.co.uk (opens in a new tab)

General guidance from owner and specialist sources. Check the specific car with an independent inspection. Researched 1 November 2026.

What the cost bands mean
  • Low: a small job. Typically a few hundred dollars or less at an NZ workshop, often a DIY fix.
  • Medium: a proper workshop job. Typically several hundred to a couple of thousand dollars.
  • High: a major job. Typically several thousand dollars or more, enough to change what the car is worth.

Service items

Questions to ask the seller

  • How much oil does it use, and how often do you check it?
  • Is it an AP1 or AP2, and is it a Japanese import?
  • When were the valve clearances last checked?
  • Has the soft top been replaced, and does it leak?

New Zealand notes

  • NZ has NZ new and Japanese import S2000s. Japanese AP2 cars kept the F20C. Compare the export certificate odometer with the dash on imports.

An S2000 suits a driver who wants a high revving, precise roadster and will check the oil every week.

US recalls

Looking up US recall data.

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