honda s2000 advice
Discussion
spend some time checking this website out, theyre generally bombproof -some suspension issues apparently but more info on s2k:
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showforum=25
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showforum=25
Generally they're very reliable but some have gearbox issues so worth getting a warranty. I bought one from Honda and on the test drive there was a noise that i pointed out but didn't know if it was a problem or not. They said it was nothing so I got them to note it on the receipt. Shortly after it was identified as a gearbox problem and after a fair bit of arguing I got my money back and bought a mint one privately. This is now for sale on here by the way as I traded it in for a Porsche yesterday and it has a warranty until Oct 08 as I extended it at the last service having just passed the 3 year warranty expiry. I'm not sure if it's too new for you but worth a look.
Wadeski said:
Also, get an insurance quote...a lot of people buy them as a first powerful RWD car because "its a Honda, so it will be easy to live with" then stuff it into a post first time it rains.
deffo agree!demands your utmost respect in ALL conditions, especially the wet! That said though, its a truly sweet car and my experience of driving with the roof down on a warm winters night, xenons glaring and the engine screaming at 9000rpm is yet to be bettered.
check insurance, if you can afford it, get one!
not many issues- mine was bulletproof for 15k miles
The old Hamilton-Palmer alarms are sh'te, and have a habit of dying after a while (2-6 years, depending on how lucky you are), immobilising the car. If it's still got the original, factor in a replacement at some point.
The suspension bushes aren't the issue...it's the adjustment bolts in them. Keep 'em greased and you're fine. But expensive to replace if they seize, as the OE part is the whole wishbone!!!
Otherwise...nothing much to write-home about, risk-wise. Hondacare Warranty good but not the best a-market warranty out there...and on a >5y.o. car not cheap. Toss a coin whether you want to bother or not...
Oh...and if you've not done rwd before get some driving lessons. Not being rude, but it's a car that can and will bite (esp. in the wet) if you drive it like a fwd hot-hatch. Needs a lot more respect and smooth hands/feet on the controls...
...and when you work it out it's a dream!!!
The suspension bushes aren't the issue...it's the adjustment bolts in them. Keep 'em greased and you're fine. But expensive to replace if they seize, as the OE part is the whole wishbone!!!
Otherwise...nothing much to write-home about, risk-wise. Hondacare Warranty good but not the best a-market warranty out there...and on a >5y.o. car not cheap. Toss a coin whether you want to bother or not...
Oh...and if you've not done rwd before get some driving lessons. Not being rude, but it's a car that can and will bite (esp. in the wet) if you drive it like a fwd hot-hatch. Needs a lot more respect and smooth hands/feet on the controls...
...and when you work it out it's a dream!!!
Very true about the handling. I found it great, even in the wet. You just have to think and be smooth. That said I was struggling to keep up with new Renaultsport Clio but on a very twisty very wet road and he wasn't driving particularly brilliantly just that I always drive about 80% of my limit in the wet. I like the fact that you have to have some skill to drive it fast and in the dry - fantastic, just lacking a bit of power!
I have the 911 now and am finding myself driving slower rouund the corners - this is probably mostly due to me getting used to it but also testament to how good the Honda is on a B Road and how communicative when you get the hang of it.
If you want some training try Anthony Dunn - excellent and good value.
I have the 911 now and am finding myself driving slower rouund the corners - this is probably mostly due to me getting used to it but also testament to how good the Honda is on a B Road and how communicative when you get the hang of it.
If you want some training try Anthony Dunn - excellent and good value.
Had my 72K service and at the same time had the Hydrolic Tensioner for the CAM chains replaced (apparently they can go sloppy from around 60K miles. you find the engine will sound rattlie on warm start-up for about 10-15 seconds then is fine). This was my first servie since buying the car so was worried what they might find, so I was pleasently surprised to find the bill come in at £460 and the Service sheet showing ticks all the way down in the Green column meaning that everything was in tip-top condition (Well it is a Honda!).
One thing you will hear and must obay - Keep checking the oil!!! Before the service mine would go through a litre every 1k miles or so!!! I have to say that since the service and tensioner change it seems beeter (Although in the winter mionths I don't tend to use the top end of the rev limit!!!
Roll on the Goodwood Breakfast Club meets!!
One thing you will hear and must obay - Keep checking the oil!!! Before the service mine would go through a litre every 1k miles or so!!! I have to say that since the service and tensioner change it seems beeter (Although in the winter mionths I don't tend to use the top end of the rev limit!!!
Roll on the Goodwood Breakfast Club meets!!
sparkys2k said:
One thing you will hear and must obay - Keep checking the oil!!! Before the service mine would go through a litre every 1k miles or so!!! I have to say that since the service and tensioner change it seems beeter (Although in the winter mionths I don't tend to use the top end of the rev limit!!!
I think I've only put in 1L over the last 6k miles. It seems to use very little oil (I check it every week) yet one of my mates is close to 1L every 2kGassing Station | Honda | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff