Will the S2000 value appreciate?

[2-Fathers]

G'day all,
I'm planning on picking up an early model S2000 in the next few years and hope to pay around $25,000. I know that I can get one at that price at the moment, but how likely is it that they will begin to appreciate now that production has stopped and that Australian sales were relatively limited? I've read a recent article that has already called them a collector's item.

Will the S2000 appreciate in value? If so, how soon?
Will a particular year/model be more valuable?
Will the unmodified stock form be more sought after as has been the case with Aussie muscle cars?
How low will the price of good examples go before they plateau?

Thanks in advance,

Darren

[AP1 F20c]

No, it will never appreciate. Not even the NSX will appreciate. It will simply join the depreciation value as current owners continue to sell them lower and lower, allowing 3rd, 4th generation owners to finally fulfill their dream of ever owning one.

The fact is, the majority of examples being sold or is being owned by 2nd generation owners onwards are either poorly maintained, heavily abused or destroyed by useless BS mods. Threads like this simply encourage for further lowballing, bottom out prices in reflect of their substandard condition.

[vyets]

The s2000 is much more appreciated in other countries then it is in Australia. But the price will continue to drop dramatically it was pretty hard to find a s2000 under 30k a year ago now most are under 30k

[ludecrs]

I think in 30yrs time, a well maintained, ultra low milage example, in stock form with all factory options will be worth some coin.... but nothing more than say about $50K.

Its a mass produced Jap car. What more does one expect?

The S2000 is now what the Miata was in the 90's. Really just that simple.

[hectik_7]

I remember when the S2000 first came out, they were such head turners, were pretty expensive and absolutely gorgeous..

Now in my area all i see is every bob dick and harry wants one, ultra low with 20" chromies and a fully sick mufflers whilst abusing the **** out of it..

[vyets]

However I must say the S2000 is a timeless car. 10 years old and still looks more modern then some of the cars that are coming out at the moment haha.

[jaeyon]

i dotn think it will appreciate, so if your looking to buy one dont stress. however if you find a nice clean one now, its better to pay a bit more to get it rather than waiting for one which may be a few k cheaper but in terrible condition

my 2c

[2-Fathers]

If we asked the same question of owners of SLR5000's, Monaros, GT Falcons and Ford Capris 20 years ago, wouldn't they have given the same answers? Isn't it possible that the current popular models for young drivers, like the STi, Evo and S2000 will become the 2030 version of the muscle cars? Surely as many of these cars slowly rust or fall into disrepair, that the most pristine stock samples will be more highly sought after? If 100-odd people want the best example and there's only 20 or so perfect models left, then the demand will ensure that the seller can put a premium on the price. A limited number of S2000's in Australia (approx 1800?) will mean there's less to pick from in 10, 20 years time, and DOTARS restrictions will prevent flooding from other LHD markets with greater numbers.

[2-Fathers]

If we asked the same question of owners of SLR5000's, Monaros, GT Falcons and Ford Capris 20 years ago.

I'm showing my age there. I should have said 40 years ago!

[Age_S2000]

mines in great condition with 104000klm on it and it will stay that way. its only driven on weekends and always parked under cover with a cover over it, its cleaned inside and out every weekend.

carsguide seems to think they will become a collectors item it was in the paper when honda said they were stopping production this year and most likly will see price rises over the coming years

oh and btw when i went S2K shopping ALL the ones i saw for less then 30K were in very poor condition.....

[2-Fathers]

oh and btw when i went S2K shopping ALL the ones i saw for less then 30K were in very poor condition.....

Thanks for that Age. Maybe I'll have to go an extra 5G to get a good model.

[EK1.6LCIV]

If we asked the same question of owners of SLR5000's, Monaros, GT Falcons and Ford Capris 20 years ago, wouldn't they have given the same answers? Isn't it possible that the current popular models for young drivers, like the STi, Evo and S2000 will become the 2030 version of the muscle cars? Surely as many of these cars slowly rust or fall into disrepair, that the most pristine stock samples will be more highly sought after? If 100-odd people want the best example and there's only 20 or so perfect models left, then the demand will ensure that the seller can put a premium on the price. A limited number of S2000's in Australia (approx 1800?) will mean there's less to pick from in 10, 20 years time, and DOTARS restrictions will prevent flooding from other LHD markets with greater numbers.

Ive seen one of a fair few 1957 2door Bel-Air's c/w 16,000miles on the dial stored since the early 60s (ppl go to war, forget about things, the other relatives never drove cars in my old neighborhood in the US so it sat there til they needed space in the garage) in my friends garage back in the 90s when it got sold (next to it was the same spec model in pink), compared to the cars of today it was an antique, with chrome accents from back to front, winged tail lights, they dont make them like that anymore. (It sold back in 95' for a sum of $50,oooUSD, back then that was alot of dosh, hell you couldve bought 3 100yr old brick two story homes on my street for that sum)

The S2000 is space age in its own right, but that same soul isnt there (like the evo and any other mass produced import turbo car of this era) in the same volume as the older classics, the only ones that stand a chance at being worth anything more than a 2nd hand convertible with direct competition to a miata are ethier going to be ones that have been stored away for decades, rare additions and those carrying paint codes ppl in 30yrs think are retro. Then you have to hope a spare parts builder takes a liking to the shell, trimming and other things that will fatigue with age so you can restore them like the old Fords, GMs and Holdens as Honda would long discontinue anything in 30yrs for a car that old (hell 10yrs for them building certain optional extra items is rare)

[JAP-S2K]

It's much the same as asking will a R32, R33, R34 GTR hold it's value(how much were these cars new, and what are they worth now)? No, very few cars do these days, because we live in a disposible world. We love this car today and hate it the next, or as soon as something superseeds it. I'm suprised to see NSX's still fetch decent coin considering there age.

[onecoop]

Its pretty simple really and this is a discussion that comes up all the time when talking about popular cars that are a bit different, eg: I own an RX3 coupe which has appreciated year on year in the 12 years I have had it.


For any car to appreciate in value, supply has to outstrip demand. Now the problem with cars these days is that they are built and marketed to be disposable. Buy one new, sell it after 4-5 years and then buy another new car.

15 years, 5 owners and 250,000kms later and the car is rubbish.At this point in time 1 of 2 things happens.

1 - The car has been & gone. Its outdated and the wreckers will give you $50 for it. Good example, early 90s SOHC Civic.
2 - The car is for some reason a little special and its built up a cult following. Good condition, low kms examples are getting really hard to find and and they are fetching good money.

If its number 2, then over the next 20 years it may go from a popular car to an enthusiasts car to a cult classic. The price wont start going up until the demand for a good one is higher than the pain in the ass value of owning it.

If we knew what would become classic, we would all be rich because we would buy one now along with a container load of spare parts and lock it up for 30 years. But they key things that seem to apply to most cars that get to cult classic and then classic status are:

1 - The top spec model of that range
2 - The car is a little unusual in some respect
3 - It is recognised as having a successfull racing history
4 - It was a popular model which sold well
5 - Easy to modify for more HP

Most cars never make it past the enthusiast barrier, but if I had to pick a Honda that possibly could I would say EF CRX. A good tidy one fetches way more an Si Civic from the same year and they have a strong worldwide following. Small, light, handle and stop well and go like the clappers which makes them fun to drive and appeal to a wide range of people, yet still practical with 4 seats (JDM spec) and will easily take an upgrade in the form of a B18 conversion.

[kidder]

I've said this before in another thread, go over to carsales and check the prices of Holden Gemini's .... I saw one for 40k.... it's just a matter of time before the s2k becomes valuable as a collectors item. How much time is the question - I expect at least 10 years.

[onecoop]

While you are there check the price of an RX4 or a ford escort. Same era, both have some history and arent worth a lot. Your $40k gemini has probably had $100k spent on it but one in relatively stock condition is still worth next to nothing, unlike a true classic or cult classic which is highly sought after in stock condition.

not all cars become classic and no one can predict what will and wont be.

[gumus89]

Honda did well around 2000 with their two doors.
Until things change drastically, I dont see an s2000, Late NSX or 5th gen Prelude(:)) looking old.

I guess its largely in the condition. You will get people with money paying for the best. Just like people paying ridiculously huge sums for old falcons and commies. They are immaculate and people with more money than sense will pay out their ass.

[dc2dc2dc2]

ahahaha

what a joke

honda fan boys

no chance s2000 will apprecaite.

saying that is liek saying if i keep an ek9 in mint condition with low kms

im gonna sell it for 50k in 20 years

yeh right....dreamers.

[kidder]

Maybe you need to look at it like this, if you get one today for 30k or less your not going to tear up us much money as the guy who paid 80k for one from new, and your still getting a great car. Clearly there are better financial opportunites around today. I guess the real question is how well this car will be regarded in years to come.