S2000 ownership costs

[mat205125]

Everywhere that I have read, the S2000 has got a reputation for being a bullet proof and entertaining sports car.

Are there any things that I need to look out for when viewing one? Expensive service internals when the chain gets done? Common faults?

I heard a rumour that the percentage of cars with repaired accident damage is very high on the earlier cars (that I would be limited to due to budget) due to them being "a little twitchy".

I'd be doing about 20k a year in it if that matters.

Ownership experiences and opinions much appreicated.

[mat205125]

douglasr said:

Have a look at my profile. Cheap as chips for what it is apart from insurance.

Thanks for that. That was the kind of ball park that I was expecting. Haven't got an insurance quote, but I'm sure it'll be fine.

Do the S2000's have the indicator stalk on the right hand side of the column like many jap cars? As a 99% euro driver I find this a little distracting, however get used to it quickly enough.

[mat205125]

MrFlibbles said:

Indicators on the left.

Yes! One less obstacle / hurdle.

Starting to really like the look of one of these.

[mat205125]

Bibbs said:

MrFlibbles said:

Indicators on the left.

Imports are on the correct (right) side.
So you can indicate and change gear at the same time.

..... so long as it's not raining

[mat205125]

Bibbs said:

mat205125 said:

..... so long as it's not raining

Ha ha ha, I couldn't imagine the number of times I've wanted to change wiper speed while changing gear

Edited by Bibbs on Tuesday 22 May 13:21

I can't think of a time when I've not had enough vision of the road ahead, and planned my manoever badly enough, to need to change gear and switch the indicators at the same time



touche!

[mat205125]

Couple of topics mentioned above that I have a query about:

Oil Consumption

When viewing a car, what could be the signs that a particular car consumes an "excessive" amount of oil? Dirty tail pipes? Black plugs?

Seized Suspension

I'm assuming that we are referring to finding the bolts and bushes seized when it becomes necessary to adjust the geometry. Is geometry adjustment quite regular? Are there any obvious signs of mis alignment - worn tyres? When we say "expensive", what could be the worst case price?

[mat205125]

Cheers for the reply Bibbs.

Hardly horror story in my book, and certainly not for a "performance" type car.

Seems quite reasonable

[mat205125]

Heebeegeetee said:

mat205125 said:

I can't think of a time when I've not had enough vision of the road ahead, and planned my manoever badly enough, to need to change gear and switch the indicators at the same time

touche!

Blimey. you've never had an indicator cancel as you turn into a roundabout?

Of course! Opposite lock has that effect

It doesn't take legendary premonition skills to make sure you are in the correct gear before turning through a roundabout either.

Enough on indicator stalks anyway. It makes no odds in the real world, I'm just glad they are on the left. Not because it is in some way better, but because that's what I'm used to.

[mat205125]

Famous Graham said:

As for the suspension bushes issue - the main problem is Honda don't supply the bushes independently. So if they seize, you're looking at an entire wishbone replacement, despite the part involved only really costing a tenner. Ouch.

Got a contact who custom makes bushes. Result!

Any half competant machinist with a lathe could make some given the right materials to be honest.

[mat205125]

ScoobieWRX said:

C'mon Bushes....here bushy bushes,,,, come and get your bushes...

[mat205125]

RedCabbage said:

Every VTEC dance I have seems to cost me a bar on the fuel gauge!
However I have got about 240 miles/tank out of mine. (still treating it with respect!)

To put that in perspective, how large is the tank?