Thoughts on this s2000
Discussion
Hi,
Currently on the look out for a mint mk1 mx5 but I keep having a little look at the s2000. This one is for sale locally and I was after opinions on it, price, age etc as well as any hints or tips on what to look out for and what they address like to drive.
Are they really as snappy as they are made out to be?
https://www.hurstcars.co.uk/used-cars/honda-s2000-...
Currently on the look out for a mint mk1 mx5 but I keep having a little look at the s2000. This one is for sale locally and I was after opinions on it, price, age etc as well as any hints or tips on what to look out for and what they address like to drive.
Are they really as snappy as they are made out to be?
https://www.hurstcars.co.uk/used-cars/honda-s2000-...
Agreed with the front bumper respray and strange that the hid washers were not colour coded at the same time. It has the rare JDM six spoke (light!) 16" alloys. Strangely the ad refers to one owner for past 16 years (almost as long as my ownership of my S2000) yet finishes with a statement of 5+ owners. I wonder whether it is a jap import?
Paper Lawyer said:
Thinking about it further, white wasn't as option in the UK in 2002 so either non original respray or an import.
That's what I thought was odd, I was expecting it to have a black engine bay and was surprised to see it's white. We never had white ones in the uk/Europe. The bumpers are not from a Jap market car as the number plate holders are wrong and it has ap2 or aftermarket rear lights.
As above, I think that’s had paint and they’re JDM alloys. I think the likelihood is that’s an import. It’s an early pre facelift car and looks to have the original hood (larger flexible rear window).
Here’s the thing though, JDM S2000s are actually quite sought after. The alloys alone in good condition go for over £1k. Certainly there’s no stigma. They come from the factory with a slightly higher peak power, but they need 99 RON to achieve it. After that I’m not sure of the differences, but they’re minimal. Some have double din stereo and half leather seats but that one seems “UK spec” even if it is an import.
For the miles it’s a fair price and they’ll all have had paint by now. They key with these is no rust and a good engine. They rust around the inner edge of the rear wheel arches and at the bottom of the sill in front of the rear arch and the boot floor. Any rust visible behind exterior paint work points to much more lurking beneath. Most will have surface rust on suspension and subframes but that’s not an issue in itself.
I’ve just bought a ‘99 UK car with 93k miles. I was previously a low mileage zealot but if looked after these take the miles really well.
I wouldn’t write off the white car as long as you know what you’re getting into - assume it’s a JDM car and it’ll need a refresh to get it anywhere near “mint”.
White is very sought after btw, being Honda’s racing colour and (at that age) an indicator of JDM.
Here’s the thing though, JDM S2000s are actually quite sought after. The alloys alone in good condition go for over £1k. Certainly there’s no stigma. They come from the factory with a slightly higher peak power, but they need 99 RON to achieve it. After that I’m not sure of the differences, but they’re minimal. Some have double din stereo and half leather seats but that one seems “UK spec” even if it is an import.
For the miles it’s a fair price and they’ll all have had paint by now. They key with these is no rust and a good engine. They rust around the inner edge of the rear wheel arches and at the bottom of the sill in front of the rear arch and the boot floor. Any rust visible behind exterior paint work points to much more lurking beneath. Most will have surface rust on suspension and subframes but that’s not an issue in itself.
I’ve just bought a ‘99 UK car with 93k miles. I was previously a low mileage zealot but if looked after these take the miles really well.
I wouldn’t write off the white car as long as you know what you’re getting into - assume it’s a JDM car and it’ll need a refresh to get it anywhere near “mint”.
White is very sought after btw, being Honda’s racing colour and (at that age) an indicator of JDM.
Edited by griffter on Sunday 4th August 08:41
I can’t comment on the snappy handling aspect as I’ve had mine nowhere near the limit. Later cars (facelift 04 onwards) are supposedly more benign.
All years have fully adjustable geo front and rear but if it hasn’t been done in a while and the adjustment bolts are seized it can be a right old (expensive) game to free them off.
All years have fully adjustable geo front and rear but if it hasn’t been done in a while and the adjustment bolts are seized it can be a right old (expensive) game to free them off.
I bought a 2006 new & at the time JDM versions were cheap & sneered at being regarded as the cheapo tight-fisted penny-pinching introduction to S2000 ownership much like the attitude to the Miata after the MX-5 was launched. JDM's did have cruise control which I was desperate for due to a leg injury making long motorways drives hell.
Got fed up with the lack of torque & having to thrash the darn thing to make it go.
Got fed up with the lack of torque & having to thrash the darn thing to make it go.
Mk1 Mx5 & S2000 are quite different propositions in stock form.
Mx5 is far more nimble and easy to read on the limit, with a supercharger and decent coilovers it is a fantastic little car for track work or fast road. It really is the sweet spot.
I replaced my track specc'd Mx5 for an s2000 recently, steering is quite numb incomparison and the back end steps out with far less warning. A supercharged mx5 is neck and neck with a stock s2000 for straight line speed. The differences in weight is also immediately obvious. I have far less confidence in the s2000
On track the s2000 engine is a peach though, revving it out gives you more time to concentrate on cornering etc..
The s2000 is a much nicer place to be inside, and more livable as a real day to day car - in the end a better compromise for me to use as a daily with track work thrown in.
Depends what you want from a car, but i would drive both in anger before keeping both in consideration
As said above, look out for rust in rear arches & boot floor, but realise they are much younger than mx5's so far less of an issue than you are used to(or fatal). If paying a good amount i would consider a compression test, the engines are reliable (not quite the longevity of MX5's) but they are difficult to rebuild thus cost a fortune to buy second hand.
Mx5 is far more nimble and easy to read on the limit, with a supercharger and decent coilovers it is a fantastic little car for track work or fast road. It really is the sweet spot.
I replaced my track specc'd Mx5 for an s2000 recently, steering is quite numb incomparison and the back end steps out with far less warning. A supercharged mx5 is neck and neck with a stock s2000 for straight line speed. The differences in weight is also immediately obvious. I have far less confidence in the s2000
On track the s2000 engine is a peach though, revving it out gives you more time to concentrate on cornering etc..
The s2000 is a much nicer place to be inside, and more livable as a real day to day car - in the end a better compromise for me to use as a daily with track work thrown in.
Depends what you want from a car, but i would drive both in anger before keeping both in consideration
As said above, look out for rust in rear arches & boot floor, but realise they are much younger than mx5's so far less of an issue than you are used to(or fatal). If paying a good amount i would consider a compression test, the engines are reliable (not quite the longevity of MX5's) but they are difficult to rebuild thus cost a fortune to buy second hand.
Edited by shantybeater on Friday 30th August 16:12
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