£5k S2000. Any good?

[white_goodman]

I quite fancy an S2000 but only have up to £5k to spend which would only bag me an early one. I know that for this money and this type of car, the sensible money would be on an MX5 but I've already owned one of them (great car) but fancy something a bit harder-edged. I imagine (but I may be wrong) that an S2000 would be a bit like an MX5 but turned up to 11! However, I've heard the handling on the early ones is a bit dodgy and am concerned that it might feel a bit gutless in normal driving. So would an early S2000 be any good or is my money best spent elsewhere?

[Robbo101]

For £5000 you would in all probability get a 1999-2001 plate with upwards of 100,000 miles. I was looking for one of these earlier in the year, but decided that Id done the convertible thing & changed tac to a 350Z (strangely though now looking for a 350Z Roadster - go figure).

From the (very) limited experience I have of the Honda though, it appears to be a fairly bullet proof car, both mechanically & electrically, with a propensity on the earlier ones to oversteer into the scenery if the rear suspension geo isnt set up properly (apparently later ones were "adjusted" by Honda to avoid this). The only aspect I found of concern was the roof, be it in the plastic rear screen which tended to be cloudy (from 2003 on you get a glass rear screen) & actual roof itself which tears on the points of stress.

The interiors though were very hard wearing & I particularly liked the red leather interior (!!).

Oh & there an Insurance Group 20 as well, so check your Insurance quotes if you dont have as many grey hairs as me. Happy hunting.

[deadmau5]

They still have 158 lbs/ft of torque, which is fine for daily driving. Don't treat it like a diesel and you'll be fine.

[Monty Python]

You can pick up 2000/2001 S2000 with less than 50k on them for less than £5k:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

[bakerstreet]

The engine and running gear is pretty solid.

The suspension is not.

The bushes and linkages had problems from the factory and were made worse by the weather conditions here. Its mainly the wishbones.

It can manifest itself at MOT time when the suspension becomes loose or it wears the tyres unevenly.

There is a geo company out there who are know bto be able to get the best out of S2000 suspen, but I can't remember their name. I think thee is a trhead about it on the S2000 UK forums.

If they can't do anything with the suspension, you can get new components from Honda for the price of kidney, or you can get them from a breakers.

However, tat suspension issue is pretty much the only bad thing

I nearly bought one a few years ago, but the insurance was quite pricey. Al;so, I wasn't that taken with car when I drove it

[Famous Graham]

bakerstreet said:

There is a geo company out there who are know bto be able to get the best out of S2000 suspen, but I can't remember their name. I think thee is a trhead about it on the S2000 UK forums.

Center Gravity : http://www.centergravity.co.uk/

And yes, the bushes can seize if not looked after (or replaced with poly ones). The insurance is the real fly in the ointment, though.

[JM]

Monty Python said:

You can pick up 2000/2001 S2000 with less than 50k on them for less than £5k:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Haha, one with a new engine 40,000 mls ago (120,000mls on the rest of the car) and the other with an engine problem. Doubt I'd rush out for either of them.

[Patrick Bateman]

Friend of mine picked one up with 35,000 miles, V reg, FHSH and in super condition for £5000.

Unbelievably jammy bd.