£5k S2000, what should I worry about?
Discussion
I'm going to be shopping around for an S2000 in the next few months, and was just wondering what I should be looking for on cars within my £5000 budget. (I'm estimating that insurance will probably run to about another £600-800 on top of this, even on a low mileage scheme).
I've heard the engines are pretty bulletproof but I'd like to know what potentially big problems should I be looking for on one with about 75k - 100k miles? I'll only be taking it out to play on evenings and weekends.
Also, does it make sense to drop a grand off, and just get one with more miles on the clock? (e.g. http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4150889.htm or http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3973521.htm)
I was originally planning on getting a TVR Chim, but I can't help thinking that keeping it on the road would cost a fortune in comparison.
I've heard the engines are pretty bulletproof but I'd like to know what potentially big problems should I be looking for on one with about 75k - 100k miles? I'll only be taking it out to play on evenings and weekends.
Also, does it make sense to drop a grand off, and just get one with more miles on the clock? (e.g. http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4150889.htm or http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3973521.htm)
I was originally planning on getting a TVR Chim, but I can't help thinking that keeping it on the road would cost a fortune in comparison.
Edited by js281 on Wednesday 15th August 19:50
Only had mine for 6 months as I found it a bit soul-less but had an issue with it popping out of 1st gear a few times and the cat needed replacing which wasn't cheap.
As you say, engine should be pretty bulletproof though.
Being a Honda, I don't think many cars as quick are as cheap to maintain as the S2000.
As you say, engine should be pretty bulletproof though.
Being a Honda, I don't think many cars as quick are as cheap to maintain as the S2000.
bencollins4 said:
Only had mine for 6 months as I found it a bit soul-less
See, this is the other thing that bothers me. I've heard mixed reports, some people love them and others say they've got no soul.
Can I ask, what've you had before? It's hard to tell if folks who think it's dull have just been used to driving Porsches and whatnot.
I bought a 2001 car for £4700 with 73k miles in black a few months ago.
Handling was terrible, turned out to be the tyres! They were new but cheap, also had geometry checked. These cars are very sensitive set up and tyres. Fantastic when set up properly.
I had no other problems, in fact sold it recently.
Handling was terrible, turned out to be the tyres! They were new but cheap, also had geometry checked. These cars are very sensitive set up and tyres. Fantastic when set up properly.
I had no other problems, in fact sold it recently.
js281 said:
bencollins4 said:
Only had mine for 6 months as I found it a bit soul-less
See, this is the other thing that bothers me. I've heard mixed reports, some people love them and others say they've got no soul.
Can I ask, what've you had before? It's hard to tell if folks who think it's dull have just been used to driving Porsches and whatnot.
js281 said:
Don't tempt me! First time it broke I'd probably have to sell my daily driver to get it fixed.
I've been lucky with mine so far, but generally they aren't as bad as people make out.Unlike the newer TVR's the Chims are pretty basic cars.
Having said that, I was parked next to an S2000 a couple of weeks ago and seeing him put his roof down in a few seconds while I struggled with putting my roof in its bag and fitting it in the boot made me think I wanted something more modern next!
I soon forgot about it with the V8 soundtrack though.
In terms of potential cost I think the main thing is the suspension bolts as the car is sensitive to set up and these bolts seize and are expensive to sort out, one thats had a recent geo set up should be fine.
I ran mine for about a year and loved it, I did 13,000 miles a trip to spa and the ring and around 15-20 sprints and it never missed a beat, engines are strong my chain tensioner could get a little noisy at times but even thats cheap to repair.
Mine did have an attraction to deer, managed to hit 2 so can confirm body panels are quite cheap, headlights most definitely aren't
I ran mine for about a year and loved it, I did 13,000 miles a trip to spa and the ring and around 15-20 sprints and it never missed a beat, engines are strong my chain tensioner could get a little noisy at times but even thats cheap to repair.
Mine did have an attraction to deer, managed to hit 2 so can confirm body panels are quite cheap, headlights most definitely aren't
I had an 2000 myr model.
Timing chain tensioners go, suspension adjusters seize and some are getting rusty now. The engines are not bullet proof (contrary to popular belief) and if they have been bounced off the limiter can easily throw a rod. If they have been driven thru a deep puddle they also get hydro locked. The engine isn't really repairable as parts are expensive. Some of the run out models had engine failures at under 10k. The only way is a replacement engine at £3-4k plus fitting.....
At 70k they may need valve shims and the clutch is normally past it's best at that mileage clutch is a £500 job - AP1 clutches rattle anyway. Supercharging is a popular mod but also not cheap at circa £4-5k.
The hood can wear badly behind the doors and above the shoulders and is £750 to replace as it cannot easily be repaired. when replacing most go for the glass rear screen upgrade although visibility is reduced.
Brake calipers seize if neglected but are cheap.
Many prefer the AP1 drive as the purer experience. Imports are the same as uk spec so no concerns buying one.
Biggest worry is accident damage as a lot do get thrown off the road backwards or fishtail into oncoming which writes off or forces a repair on the cheap. Look very carefully at history and panel fit for gaos in either.If they haven't had recent alignment WIM in Hemel are the best but budget £500 to £1k for seized bolts unless you DIY. They are also very sensitive to tyres.
All said they are a good car if you are careful what you buy.
I bought a good one after dreaming of one for years but didnt gel with it.
I probably wouldn't have another.
Timing chain tensioners go, suspension adjusters seize and some are getting rusty now. The engines are not bullet proof (contrary to popular belief) and if they have been bounced off the limiter can easily throw a rod. If they have been driven thru a deep puddle they also get hydro locked. The engine isn't really repairable as parts are expensive. Some of the run out models had engine failures at under 10k. The only way is a replacement engine at £3-4k plus fitting.....
At 70k they may need valve shims and the clutch is normally past it's best at that mileage clutch is a £500 job - AP1 clutches rattle anyway. Supercharging is a popular mod but also not cheap at circa £4-5k.
The hood can wear badly behind the doors and above the shoulders and is £750 to replace as it cannot easily be repaired. when replacing most go for the glass rear screen upgrade although visibility is reduced.
Brake calipers seize if neglected but are cheap.
Many prefer the AP1 drive as the purer experience. Imports are the same as uk spec so no concerns buying one.
Biggest worry is accident damage as a lot do get thrown off the road backwards or fishtail into oncoming which writes off or forces a repair on the cheap. Look very carefully at history and panel fit for gaos in either.If they haven't had recent alignment WIM in Hemel are the best but budget £500 to £1k for seized bolts unless you DIY. They are also very sensitive to tyres.
All said they are a good car if you are careful what you buy.
I bought a good one after dreaming of one for years but didnt gel with it.
I probably wouldn't have another.
Edited by psychoR1 on Thursday 16th August 06:46
I just have to say how much I'm still enjoying my S2000 after almost 3 years of ownership.
It is a 2001 model with 70k on the clock. I use it everyday, come rain or shine (or even snow!) and it has been faultless.
The only thing I regularly do to maintain is to make sure I check the oil every week as it does like a drink.
Apart from that it still goes to Honda every 6 months or so for its service and thats about it.
I did purcahse a new hood when I bought the car, as another post pointed out it can wear on the shoulders, but the S2ki forum is a wealth of information and people there recommend wrapping the inner frame at these points with velcro'd chain guards! It helps amazingly well to limit any wear in the future.
Overall I love the car and would totally recommend one. It's a lot of car for just 5k.
It is a 2001 model with 70k on the clock. I use it everyday, come rain or shine (or even snow!) and it has been faultless.
The only thing I regularly do to maintain is to make sure I check the oil every week as it does like a drink.
Apart from that it still goes to Honda every 6 months or so for its service and thats about it.
I did purcahse a new hood when I bought the car, as another post pointed out it can wear on the shoulders, but the S2ki forum is a wealth of information and people there recommend wrapping the inner frame at these points with velcro'd chain guards! It helps amazingly well to limit any wear in the future.
Overall I love the car and would totally recommend one. It's a lot of car for just 5k.
Lets presume for a moment you don't buy a cat-c lemon with crash damage, screwed up geo and a hood that's torn to shreds.
A 2004/2005 car will be the facelift model with 17" wheels. It'll cost you £260 tax, £250 Honda service and £300 for 2 new bridgestone re050mz tyres when the time comes. Not exactly expensive.
If you intend to track it, sure you might find the standard car's handling snappy when driven at 10/10ths, but in dry conditions you will probably find it has too much grip on A and B roads if anything. In wet conditions, you need to be a bit more careful, but that should be pretty obvious for any rwd car anyway.
When you hook up a sequence of 2nd and 3rd gear B road turns, keeping above 6k rpm on a sunny sunday morning, you'll know it was money well spent.
A 2004/2005 car will be the facelift model with 17" wheels. It'll cost you £260 tax, £250 Honda service and £300 for 2 new bridgestone re050mz tyres when the time comes. Not exactly expensive.
If you intend to track it, sure you might find the standard car's handling snappy when driven at 10/10ths, but in dry conditions you will probably find it has too much grip on A and B roads if anything. In wet conditions, you need to be a bit more careful, but that should be pretty obvious for any rwd car anyway.
When you hook up a sequence of 2nd and 3rd gear B road turns, keeping above 6k rpm on a sunny sunday morning, you'll know it was money well spent.
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