At the <$9k price point, it'll either be an AP1 with >100k miles or a salvage title.

Don't get me wrong, I love the S2k, but it's no magic bullet either.  A few gotchas I've learned over the past year (mine is a dedicated racecar):

- it's very easy to misshift (I'm merely an average shifter - if a sequential was available for $5k I'd already have one)

- on RA1s, stock calipers and rotors are fine but you will crack rotors every 4-6 track days (they're only $35/each)

- the car is designed for someone in the 5'8" range.  I could drive it stock but was uncomfortable.  I bought a seat lowering bracket and that helped a lot but I really, really wish the steering wheel telescoped.

- Both motors have a huge amount of blow-by in corners that crest a hill (think T9 at Thunderhill).  My AP2 motor and catch-can setup go through at least 1qt a day.  It's a PITA.

- Bolt-ons help a little, but you won't see more than ~215whp  (F22c)  and -205whp (F20c) without an AEM.  2006+ cars also have the Hondata option but that's not cheap either.

- I get about 9mpg on track running 92.8octane and making 231whp on a dynapack

- wheels offsets are very high and finding cheap light wheels that fit was very hard before 949 released their 6ULR series

The car responds to suspension and alignment much more so than the Evo so it's tough to summarize.