Low mileage MR2 for high mile S2000?

[irodger]

Hi all,

I was browsing the classifieds and Autotrader as we all do when bored, when I noticed how much Honda S2000s have dropped in price. I also noticed how much cheaper they are down south than up here in Scotland.

I saw a '99 V-reg with 99k miles on it, boring usual colour combo of grey with red leather, but its still a lovely car. As its down across the border, its going for what seems to be a similar amount to what I could expect my low-ish mileage MR2 roadster ('01, 59k miles, immaculate with a complete history) to fetch up here.

Question is, would it be wise to swap a known reliable, low mileage car for a car that is unkown and, although perhaps even below average for year, has an extra 40k miles on it? I know my car is sound, have never had any serious issues with it and I love it to bits. It also costs next to nothing to run, being easy on fuel, tyres, brakes and other consumables. Its one of the best handling cars I've owned, and I've grown to love its ability to keep its pace without having great oomph behind it. But I've always wanted an S2000 and this seems like a good opportunity to finally own one. Fuel, insurance, tyres etc I expect will be greater on the Honda, but not by a great margin.

Both cars seem to have a reputation for reliability and don't have any serious known issues, but with the S2000 having the extra legs on it, would things like bushes, springs, seals, etc be needing attention now? Is it going to be a money pit? Should I stick with what I know for the time being and wait 'til I have the funds for a lower mileage Honda?

Also, I have a winter shed that I'm thinking about using for my commute even in the better weather, so the mileage of the second car will be circa 5k miles per year.

Thoughts and comments?

[irodger]

Thanks for the replies, good input there

I've driven an S2000 before, though it was on a test drive and not exactly pushing it on to be fair, it still felt great to drive. Certain cars need only be driven a few miles or so and you instantly know they're good. The weight of the steering, brake feel and the gearbox were all lovely IIRC.

Its just the issue of potential running costs and maintenance that are niggling away at me. I've only ever had one car with decent miles on it and that cost me a fortune in keeping it on the road (it was 20yrs old though, a 190E 2.5-16). With that it was all the perishables that required doing, things that mileage takes it's toll on. I know how good an S2000 is to drive, but I also know my MR2 is sound in a mechanical sense.

Also, the car is approx 200 miles away, so I'd need to be pretty sure I was intending to buy if it turned out to be a good 'un.

Maybe if I'm having to ask the question, my heart's not in it at the moment?

[irodger]

Ari said:

Is it not going to be a bit "baggy" with 100,000 miles up?

Personally I'd stick with the MR2, I know the Honda is a "better" car, but to go older and (much) more miles seems a backward step to me.

This is what is stopping me jumping straight in. Though its not holding me back entirely, as I'm considering the available routes to take.

[irodger]

OlberJ said:

Hate to ask but what are you valuing your 2 at?

Everything is selling cheap these days.

Up here, a bit more than across the border, so high 3s would be nice and, going by the other cars available around the central belt, would be one of the cheapest around if advertised at £4k. I know similar cars are being sold for £3k and less in London, but people don't seem willing to travel and are prepared to pay for the locality.

I can't believe the difference in prices between here and, say Manchester and further south. I know of a couple of guys who are buying cars from London at over £1000 below the going rate for up here, selling them for less than the cheapest one around this area and still making profit. I'm thinking this will be the way ahead for me, though not making profit, just minimising depreciation after running a car for a year or so.

[irodger]

OlberJ said:

Are you on your 1st engine?

Remember the pre-facelifts are rather prone to the old empty bang bang syndrome and folk seem to avoid them like the plague.

With your low mileage though it certainly will help sell it.

If i were you i'd go for a trade-in against an S2K if that's what you want but it's such a pig selling cars at the "right" price just now.


FWIW, the S2K is a very different drive, you wont treat it like you do the '2, but given an open long road you'll see what the fuss is about, the top end is brilliant on them.

One other thing, have you changed your log in name? If not, why have we not seen you on any runs?

I've had the pre-cats removed, if that's what you're on about re the engine going bang. TBH I was just having my usual browse, looking at Ferraris, TVRs, everything and anything both within and well outwith my pricerange. I'm not even looking in particular to change. But this one car leapt out because of its price and because I hadn't realised how much they've came down in price recently. So, if it passes me by I'm not going to be too perturbed, but at the same time I don't want to kick myself a few months down the line for not making the move on it.

re The TT and 330Ci being cheaper in Scotland... As a general rule, there is far greater choice and volume of cars for sale, as well as many more buyers for said cars, in the more populated parts of Englandshire. This naturally drives down the value of certain models (most prestige/sports/performance tbh). But there does seem to be lots of TTs and 3series coupes up here, there will be a few exceptions to the rule. R32s, Elises, MR2s, most Porsches etc I've noticed are all £1k more up here.

Ollie, I've only been active for the past few months, a long time spent dormant on here. But you lot keep having runs on early Saturday and Sunday mornings! I'm usually working or sleeping off a hangover! I've tried to make the Dakota meet a few times but as luck would have it I've been working those nights too! I will get along to one sometime

[irodger]

OlberJ said:

Even with the pre-cats done, keep a super close eye on your oil consumption. Almost every pre-facelift model uses a lot of oil, it's easy to let it get too low and then you have very oval shaped cylinders within a few miles. Trust me, i've replaced a lot of them.

Definitely try and make it along to the next Dakota meet and i'll take you out for a blast in the V6, i'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Noooooooo!!!!! You'll make me want to spend lots of £££££s on a conversion for mine!!! Are you doing work again? I noticed you were moving premises earlier in the year.

The wee girl doesn't do many miles now and she's well looked after. Im on MR2ROC (I recognise your moniker from there) so I've read up on most of the issues. I even done some research on there before buying it, which is unheard of for me!