2005 Honda S2000
Discussion
Having owned an Elise for 2 years I decided It was just a bit too hardcore for me so went round in circles for a few months trying to decide what to do next.
An MX5 NC was a contender but I would have felt the urge to modify it so turned my attention to the S2000.
I had forgotten about it after reading it did not suit taller people and the handling was described as a bit lairy. The more research I did suggested it was blown out of proportion a little and as I do not really drive a car that fast on the public roads It was worth a go.
So I picked it up yesterday and so far am very happy with the choice, Im 6 foot and 18 stone and fit ok.
The steering wheel is a little close to you but it does not foul my legs, no worse than my NA MX5 really, headroom is good too.
I can only describe the driving experience as feeling like its a car that Is begging you to wring its neck at every opportunity, not that quick by todays standards but I do not feel it needs anything extra.
Very happy so far.
Some jobs to do:
Window regulator drivers side not working, seller provided a spare.
A/C not working due to damaged condenser, not bothered about this so will either remove the whole A/C system and keep the bits or just leave it alone.
Rear lights misting inside, common issue, will clean out and see how it goes as its a garage queen that does not see water.
Check roof drain tuibes. (not looked into this yet)
Change gearbox and diff fluids.
Strip and clean/lube brakes.
Full engine service after the summer.
Clean up and rust proof the underside/wheel arches etc using Bilt Hamber products.
Remove front and rear bumpers and clean up/treat any rust.
Sort out a little bit of rust on the lower passenger side sill at the rear, not too bad at the moment.
Just looking to keep the car standard and preserve and enjoy it really, could well be a forever car for me.
An MX5 NC was a contender but I would have felt the urge to modify it so turned my attention to the S2000.
I had forgotten about it after reading it did not suit taller people and the handling was described as a bit lairy. The more research I did suggested it was blown out of proportion a little and as I do not really drive a car that fast on the public roads It was worth a go.
So I picked it up yesterday and so far am very happy with the choice, Im 6 foot and 18 stone and fit ok.
The steering wheel is a little close to you but it does not foul my legs, no worse than my NA MX5 really, headroom is good too.
I can only describe the driving experience as feeling like its a car that Is begging you to wring its neck at every opportunity, not that quick by todays standards but I do not feel it needs anything extra.
Very happy so far.
Some jobs to do:
Window regulator drivers side not working, seller provided a spare.
A/C not working due to damaged condenser, not bothered about this so will either remove the whole A/C system and keep the bits or just leave it alone.
Rear lights misting inside, common issue, will clean out and see how it goes as its a garage queen that does not see water.
Check roof drain tuibes. (not looked into this yet)
Change gearbox and diff fluids.
Strip and clean/lube brakes.
Full engine service after the summer.
Clean up and rust proof the underside/wheel arches etc using Bilt Hamber products.
Remove front and rear bumpers and clean up/treat any rust.
Sort out a little bit of rust on the lower passenger side sill at the rear, not too bad at the moment.
Just looking to keep the car standard and preserve and enjoy it really, could well be a forever car for me.
Replaced the defective window regulator yesterday, could not get it to work so on checking the fuses someone had removed the one for the drivers side which got my spider senses tingling. Put the fuse back in and the window went down on its own and didnt cut out so im guessing this was the original issue that caused the regulator to fail.
I am suspecting the master switch assembly so will do some testing today, the windows are driven down by the roof operation on this so it is something to consider too.
Not a fan of electric roofs with the issues they bring.
The tail lights had some condensation in them which is a common fault but I did not fancy splitting the lights just yet to reseal, so i removed the bulbs and poured in some Bilt Hamber traceless which is a clear fast evaporating fantastic glass cleaner.
I did get a bit gung ho and drilled a small 2mm hole in the bottom of the light to drain it out, it will be covered by the bumper when its put back in and any issues i can re seal it.
2 common issues with these are the light assembly to body neoprene seals failing and the lens to light sealant, pressure washing does not help but hopefully when they are dry I wont have further issues with it being a fine weather car and rarely washed with pressure.
Re sealing the lens to light is a pain, some put them in the oven on a low heat to soften the seal and then prise them open but i do not fancy that yet!
I am suspecting the master switch assembly so will do some testing today, the windows are driven down by the roof operation on this so it is something to consider too.
Not a fan of electric roofs with the issues they bring.
The tail lights had some condensation in them which is a common fault but I did not fancy splitting the lights just yet to reseal, so i removed the bulbs and poured in some Bilt Hamber traceless which is a clear fast evaporating fantastic glass cleaner.
I did get a bit gung ho and drilled a small 2mm hole in the bottom of the light to drain it out, it will be covered by the bumper when its put back in and any issues i can re seal it.
2 common issues with these are the light assembly to body neoprene seals failing and the lens to light sealant, pressure washing does not help but hopefully when they are dry I wont have further issues with it being a fine weather car and rarely washed with pressure.
Re sealing the lens to light is a pain, some put them in the oven on a low heat to soften the seal and then prise them open but i do not fancy that yet!
I love a good S2000 thread. Please say you are not going to modify the hell out of it..
I had a 1999 S2 for 7 years and loved it. They are very sensitive to geometry set up, so make sure all adjusting bolts are free and all bushed and joints are in perfect condition.
The rust at the back of the sil needs looking at with some urgency, unfortunately I can almost guarantee the corrosion will be far worse than it looks I'm sorry to say...
good luck..
I had a 1999 S2 for 7 years and loved it. They are very sensitive to geometry set up, so make sure all adjusting bolts are free and all bushed and joints are in perfect condition.
The rust at the back of the sil needs looking at with some urgency, unfortunately I can almost guarantee the corrosion will be far worse than it looks I'm sorry to say...
good luck..
I have to say I have kind of fallen in love with it already, I was a huge fan of my Mk1 Mx5 and this is similar but just on another level.
I do see some of the issues that people mentioned that did put me off initially but to be honest they are not deal breakers.
Have now done the gearbox and diff oils with genuine Honda fluids, thought about changing them to something from Redline which a lot do but the gearbox fluid was out of stock everywhere so stuck to oem.
Window now works as it should, was the drivers side master switch which cost me £20 on ebay.
Roof drains cleaned out.
Brakes stripped, cleaned and lubed.
Some retro fit Bosch aero wipers added as the wire originals were worn.
Started the underside yesterday, exhaust and rear bumper off for better access and will now give everything a good clean down, treat any rust and use bilt hamber ub as the topcoat. Not looking to go overboard on a full on resto but just tackle any corrosion before it gets worse.
There are some areas of concern but it looks worse than it is.
Wishbones will come off for cleaning up painting, will give me chance to free up all the geometry adjusters so I hope they are kind to me!
Pictures to follow.
I do see some of the issues that people mentioned that did put me off initially but to be honest they are not deal breakers.
Have now done the gearbox and diff oils with genuine Honda fluids, thought about changing them to something from Redline which a lot do but the gearbox fluid was out of stock everywhere so stuck to oem.
Window now works as it should, was the drivers side master switch which cost me £20 on ebay.
Roof drains cleaned out.
Brakes stripped, cleaned and lubed.
Some retro fit Bosch aero wipers added as the wire originals were worn.
Started the underside yesterday, exhaust and rear bumper off for better access and will now give everything a good clean down, treat any rust and use bilt hamber ub as the topcoat. Not looking to go overboard on a full on resto but just tackle any corrosion before it gets worse.
There are some areas of concern but it looks worse than it is.
Wishbones will come off for cleaning up painting, will give me chance to free up all the geometry adjusters so I hope they are kind to me!
Pictures to follow.
Forgot to update this.
Cleaned up the underside as best I could, was mostly surface rust so used Jenolite rust converter spray followed by a decent coating of bilt hamber UB.
Whilst cleaning the arches etc I found some rust in the passenger side rear sill which pissed me off a bit but that`s the nature of these cars sadly, Im putting the repair off for a while as its not a major concern at the moment.
I decided to tackle the dreaded alignment bolts and true to fashion they were all seized solid, I kind of knew this would be the case.
The only option was to cut out the old bolts/bushes and fit aftermarket bushings so I decided to do them all with the Hardrace 26 piece kit, what a ballache of a job that was and not cheap.
Added some braided HEL brake lines while I was in there as the existing rubber looked a bit tired.
Fitted the K&N intake system as I wanted a bit more induction noise and it did not disappoint, a must for me really with this engine.
So all in all I have spent a few grand on it which should serve as a warning to others really, I was fully aware of the issues when I bought one but you kind of hope they will be kind to you.
The car looked Immaculate on the top when I viewed it and the sellers description lured me in too so I got a bit of new car rose tinted spectacles as most of us do from time to time.
I question if the seller knew what was needed as he did not have it long but seemed honest enough.
I would guess the rust repairs will be around £1000 so that`s not too bad really.
I have been right through it servicing wise and the only jobs left now are a valve clearance check and maybe the timing chain tensioner, which I will do soon.
Probably will end up selling it in the future as my Dad passed away suddenly last year and I inherited his old Triumph Tiger cub motorbike and that has me thinking about doing my test!
Cleaned up the underside as best I could, was mostly surface rust so used Jenolite rust converter spray followed by a decent coating of bilt hamber UB.
Whilst cleaning the arches etc I found some rust in the passenger side rear sill which pissed me off a bit but that`s the nature of these cars sadly, Im putting the repair off for a while as its not a major concern at the moment.
I decided to tackle the dreaded alignment bolts and true to fashion they were all seized solid, I kind of knew this would be the case.
The only option was to cut out the old bolts/bushes and fit aftermarket bushings so I decided to do them all with the Hardrace 26 piece kit, what a ballache of a job that was and not cheap.
Added some braided HEL brake lines while I was in there as the existing rubber looked a bit tired.
Fitted the K&N intake system as I wanted a bit more induction noise and it did not disappoint, a must for me really with this engine.
So all in all I have spent a few grand on it which should serve as a warning to others really, I was fully aware of the issues when I bought one but you kind of hope they will be kind to you.
The car looked Immaculate on the top when I viewed it and the sellers description lured me in too so I got a bit of new car rose tinted spectacles as most of us do from time to time.
I question if the seller knew what was needed as he did not have it long but seemed honest enough.
I would guess the rust repairs will be around £1000 so that`s not too bad really.
I have been right through it servicing wise and the only jobs left now are a valve clearance check and maybe the timing chain tensioner, which I will do soon.
Probably will end up selling it in the future as my Dad passed away suddenly last year and I inherited his old Triumph Tiger cub motorbike and that has me thinking about doing my test!
Edited by Belle427 on Sunday 1st March 08:49
Edited by Belle427 on Wednesday 4th March 06:37
That's a fair bit of corrosion but compared to two I've had here recently it's nothing near as bad, unless these cars have had a garage queen
life or have been fastidiously maintained underneath at least once a year then the chances are it will be terminally rotten on the underside,
as many old Hondas often are, and once that tin rot gets a hold you really are fighting a battle you will be unlikely to win.
I wouldn't even consider an S2K these days unless it was something really special, great cars but the tin rot is more often than not
a major issue nowadays.
A friend up in Aberdeen has one SORN'd, he has holes through the floorpan into the interior and rats have been in and chewed
it to bits, it's only fit for breaking now.
life or have been fastidiously maintained underneath at least once a year then the chances are it will be terminally rotten on the underside,
as many old Hondas often are, and once that tin rot gets a hold you really are fighting a battle you will be unlikely to win.
I wouldn't even consider an S2K these days unless it was something really special, great cars but the tin rot is more often than not
a major issue nowadays.
A friend up in Aberdeen has one SORN'd, he has holes through the floorpan into the interior and rats have been in and chewed
it to bits, it's only fit for breaking now.
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