Discussion
DanielJames said:
Capt Bravz said:
Picking mine up on Sat all being well.
Train ticket booked and insurance sorted. Just the 350 mile journey back to contend with :-)
Quite excited to be fair!!
I love stories like that, how did it go?Train ticket booked and insurance sorted. Just the 350 mile journey back to contend with :-)
Quite excited to be fair!!
I've been looking at Honda S2000s for a while now. Fell in love with them after a brief stint working with Honda but the insurance and purchase costs have always put me off. Found one at dealer, part ex to clear, that sounded ok so went ahead and took the plunge. Deal was done over the phone in 20 mins, car unseen.
So, full of excitement, got the train down to London Euston on Friday eve. 3hrs 15 mins of first class lovliness. Snacks, coffee, goats cheese tart, comfy seat and a quiet carriage. The way you could feel the train banking into the faster curves was awesome too. Been a while since I've travelled by rail and was pleasantly surprised by the experience.
Got collected at the station by my Uncle as I have relatives living on the outskirts of London. Got a quick blink and you'd miss it night time tour of Big Ben, Downing St etc and back to my Auntie's house for a curry and a beer.
Bed.
Got up and cracking early doors on Sat and was given a lift to the dealership by my Aunt.
As I clapped eyes on my new toy first impressions of the car were not good. I'd bought it as a trade sale as I'm motor trade myself. Seen a couple of photos online and had a crack on the phone about the condition. I wasn't expecting a full on handover, far from it, but the car hadn't even been washed.
Sat at the back of the forecourt looking very sorry for itself, paint dull and dirty, wheels scabby, few ping dints and badly touched in marks here and there. All of these were disclosed to me and are sortable but just added to the unloved state of the car.
Interior (black leather)looked like it had never been valeted in its life. Very dusty everywhere. No mats, carpet slightly torn on the drivers floor brace, bit musty smelling.
With a sinking heart about what I'd just bought, all be it at a very good price, I fired up the engine (how cool is that button)to find the car running on fumes. Not one bar of the digital fuel guage was lit.
Still, no going back now. Paperwork completed I pulled off the forecourt and veeeery gingerly nursed the Honda to the nearest fuel station 4 miles away. We made it ok and by this point I was slightly happier as the car drove very well despite it's cosmetic flaws. A full Honda history probably counts towards this so at least the previous keeper looked after the car mechanically he just didn't wash it.
After consulting the handbook to locate the fuel release (hangs head in shame cos I used to sell these)and a full tank of the good stuff now in the tank, I pointed the long nose Northward and began what turned out to be a 348 mile return journey home.
Temp guage remained constant all the way back, car didn't miss a beat. Everything electrical inside the cabin worked. Put the radio on to find everything faded down to the front drivers door. Adjusted the settings and was pleased to discover that there are speakers in the headrests. Nice. Something else I should have known haha.
As I pulled up to the M6 toll I realised I'd just been pottering along in an attempt to conserve my fuel. Not once had the revs been anywhere above 4k let alone approaching the magic 6 mark.
As the barrier rose I felt it would be prudent to check that the engine was still operating as Honda had intended.
First gear up to about 5k. Snick. Lovely gear change on these cars.
Second gear engaged and the puff of black smoke from the rear of the diesel Jag next to me as an old boy tries to undertake me was all the encouragement I needed.
Foot hard down and 6k reveals the VTEC is still the buzz I remeber it to be. Snick.
Third gear and hold on 'til the redline. Jag man has dropped back behind me so I block change to sixth and settle back into relaxed cruise mode. Grinning.
The rest of my journey passes without incident. I am reminded of the exclusivity of the S2000 as I don't see another one all the way home. Plenty of Boxsters, TT's etc mind.
As I pull onto my drive I have no fuel left but I'm not concerned at working out the consumption as for me the car is about smiles per gallon. Something it has already delivered on. However, I'm shattered so after a quick tea I have one last peep out of the curtains and head to kip.
Sunday is valet day. I use the one pressure washer and a soapy sponge method.
Already the car looks tons better. Giving the interior a clean using the damp cloth method I am even more impressed.
When the clocks go forwards and the light nights are here I'll give it a proper going over. My dent guy is gonna pop out the dints and the wheels will be refurbed as a favour from another contact.
After a couple of weeks of ownership I have to say I am very happy indeed with my purchase. With a bit of tlc it'll make a lovely car and already friends and family have commented about how nice they think it is.
So, 2005 05, S2000 Moonrock with black, 65000, fhsh....
....welcome to my drive. Hopefully they'll be some sun this summer.
TaylotS2K said:
Capt Bravz said:
krunchkin said:
was this from Chiswick Honda?
Nope, small indie dealer.Lovely little family owned place south of Guilford. The car I bought didn't fit their stock profile and was offered as a part ex to clear. Being in the trade I rang up and bought it as a trade sale.
Quick turn around and everyone wins.
History is fully documented Honda stamps. Im more than happy :-)
Darren156 said:
Guys, my father in law is having the clutch done on his 1999 S2000 by a mechanic friend of mine, would it be worth getting the flywheel machined at the same time do you reckon??? Or only if it needs it?
If it's smooth and not pitted or scored then leave it alone, however if there are ridges etc on the face then by all means skim it, not sure how much you can take off these as they are quite light weight as standard, good luck.Cheers.....Tony..
tozerman said:
If it's smooth and not pitted or scored then leave it alone, however if there are ridges etc on the face then by all means skim it, not sure how much you can take off these as they are quite light weight as standard, good luck.
Cheers.....Tony..
Hey Tony, there were a few ridges and scoring so had it lightly reskimmed for an extra £50, thought it would be worth it in the long run? Clutch seems great now! It was slipping like mad before, pulling away in 1st was almost impossible.Cheers.....Tony..
Right, it is service time on my06 S and it is the big 54k one, as this is the first service since buying it I am not sure of the main dealer reps.
I have spoken to ottershaw Honda just outside Woking and they have quoted me £600 for it. 1 that seems a lot of money after reading this thread, and 2, I am not sure that justifies keeping up the ffsh for the savings at resale. I also want the geo done and that is another £100 through them.
Honda Gatwick look cheap according to this thread but the prices on here are quoted from 2 years ago, so not sure if there has been a big price increase since then.
Any recommendations, and any good knowledgable independents?
....and a pic from a Cornwall tour with it looking well used
I have spoken to ottershaw Honda just outside Woking and they have quoted me £600 for it. 1 that seems a lot of money after reading this thread, and 2, I am not sure that justifies keeping up the ffsh for the savings at resale. I also want the geo done and that is another £100 through them.
Honda Gatwick look cheap according to this thread but the prices on here are quoted from 2 years ago, so not sure if there has been a big price increase since then.
Any recommendations, and any good knowledgable independents?
....and a pic from a Cornwall tour with it looking well used
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