We definitely have no shame when it comes to our love for the Honda S2000 and we want to spread our joy and admiration for it with everyone. As such, it has come to our attention once again that the prices for used Honda S2000s are on the rise — even during the pandemic — and in case anyone is looking to buy one, then there are a few factors to think about when it comes to figuring out if you’re getting a good price.

Which model year Honda S2000 are you looking for?

If you’re shopping for a Honda S2000, then chances are that you already know all the specs and features of both of the generations it was available in. If not, here are a few facts:

• The 2000 to 2003 model years of the S2000 were referred to as the AP1 (chassis code)
• The AP1 had a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine under the hood that produced 240 hp and 153 lb-ft of torque. Its redline was at 8,900 rpm, although most will say 9,000
• The 2004 to 2009 models were referred to as the AP2
• The AP2 models received with a minor facelift, a more-compliant suspension, and a more robust 2.2-liter engine that produced 240 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque
• The somewhat softer suspension and broader torque curve of the AP2 made it more suitable for daily driving, although some prefer the rev-happy nature of the AP1 instead

As we can see, there are slight differences between the generations and you can expect to pay different prices depending on the model year that you desire. Just like any other car currently on the used market, the newer S2000s with fewer miles on them will likely cost more. However, we have seen some older models in great condition priced pretty high.

How much are Honda S2000s currently going for?

For reference, the Honda S2000 sold for around $32,000 when it was new. However, the used market doesn’t exactly show a linear rate of depreciation for this car. Cargurus has a handy feature that will show you the pricing trends of any car and in the year 2020 alone, we can see that the values are holding strong across the board for both the AP1 and the AP2 chassis. In fact, you can expect to pay around $21,000 for a 2000 model year and $23,000 for a 2005 model year, however, the 2003 model year dips below the $20,000 mark.

But those aren’t real-world numbers

Of course, those are just averages as prices can vary greatly depending on the car’s condition, mileage, and location. Doing a nationwide search on Cargurus, we found that 2000 to 2003 S2000s are currently being listed at anywhere from $10,000 to $44,000 for the really clean and low-mileage ones. We wouldn’t suggest scraping the bottom of the price barrel for one though, as most of the S2000s that we have seen listed under $15,000 typically need some work. Keep in mind that this car is nearly 20 years old.

For the 2004 to 2009 models, we saw prices as high as $45,000 for the low-mileage newer ones and as low as $18,000 for the 2004 models, but those had well over 100,000 miles on them. It’s amazing to think that a car that retailed for $32,000 is now still technically worth more than half its value 16 years and over 100,000 miles later.

Which one should you get?

If you have the means to buy one, then we suggest finding a clean AP2 model in the low to mid-$20,000 range with as lowest amount of miles on the odometer as you can find. Even though you might not be looking for a “garage queen,” we do suggest finding the one in the best shape possible so that you don’t need to do much work to it and can enjoy it for years to come. After all, prices are only going up from here.