2005 Honda S2000
Discussion
I've done a car history on here before although pics have been lost thanks to Fotki :rollseyes: here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
And I also have a 205 GTI Project which I need to do a Readers Cars thread on, but some info here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Anyway. I had an S2000 back in the day after having to get rid of my beloved Lotus S2 111S. I enjoyed it a lot, although I didn't have it for particularly long (about a year)
Fast forward 9 years and I'm ready to buy again. I held out for ages in the vein hope I could get into an Elise SC, but it was not to be. So I started a hunt for an S2000. My budget was around £10k, but I thought if I found a GT, I could sell the hard top as this would be a dry use only car. Most of the cars I saw advertised were 90k miles plus. I'm not a mile snob as the engines are fantastic, but the rest of the car can get neglected.
I really wanted a 2005. For me, this was the best year, had the revisions of the wheels, front, interior and slightly less snappy suspension, but fitted in the lower tax bracket still.
So after keeping an eye on various sites for ages, I noted an S2000 on facebook ads of all places, it was a blurry dash picture with little views. On closer inspection of the few pictures in the advert, it looked ok and the best bit it only had 59k miles. It needed a clean and wheel refurb, the interior colour wasn't my favourite, but it was workable.
So after some initial chats with the owner, I went to see and drive the car. Here are the pictures from then:
So. The problems. On travelling down, they called saying having pulled it out from winter storage (hmmm) they'd discovered a tear in the soft top and understood if I didn't want to come. I was nearly there so still went, but I thought straight away there's some negotiation.
As you can see from the pictures, it's not exactly perfect, but the paint in the main is good. I discovered through MOT history checks that it failed on a damaged/sharp front bumper. It transpired that the previous owner had a car park ding on a wall corner. The checks I'd done shows no insurance repair, but it's clearly had a new front bumper, which as you can see is fitted badly. All the rails are straight, no repairs to the structure, but I think the front wing has had some repair and respray.
The wheels had been refurbished, but were already peeling. I hate diamond cut, it's always a pain, especially in this two tone style.
Rust under front repaired wing/cracked arch liner:
One of the rear lights was cracked.
The steering wheel and controls looked bizarrely worn, odd for a car of this mileage.
The seats are good, save for the normal sagging.
Anyway, test drive time. After warming it up, it pulled hard and smooth (giggity), more so than my previous S2000, it just felt a bit quicker. It handled well, steered true and stopped confidently.
On returning the car I said I needed to do some further research.
To sum it up, I offered £8,500 due to the repairs required (£1,750 off asking) and to my surprise, they accepted. I transferred the money that day, and brought her home, with the hard top on which rattled like f
k, but was in excellent condition.
Tbc....
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
And I also have a 205 GTI Project which I need to do a Readers Cars thread on, but some info here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Anyway. I had an S2000 back in the day after having to get rid of my beloved Lotus S2 111S. I enjoyed it a lot, although I didn't have it for particularly long (about a year)
Fast forward 9 years and I'm ready to buy again. I held out for ages in the vein hope I could get into an Elise SC, but it was not to be. So I started a hunt for an S2000. My budget was around £10k, but I thought if I found a GT, I could sell the hard top as this would be a dry use only car. Most of the cars I saw advertised were 90k miles plus. I'm not a mile snob as the engines are fantastic, but the rest of the car can get neglected.
I really wanted a 2005. For me, this was the best year, had the revisions of the wheels, front, interior and slightly less snappy suspension, but fitted in the lower tax bracket still.
So after keeping an eye on various sites for ages, I noted an S2000 on facebook ads of all places, it was a blurry dash picture with little views. On closer inspection of the few pictures in the advert, it looked ok and the best bit it only had 59k miles. It needed a clean and wheel refurb, the interior colour wasn't my favourite, but it was workable.
So after some initial chats with the owner, I went to see and drive the car. Here are the pictures from then:
So. The problems. On travelling down, they called saying having pulled it out from winter storage (hmmm) they'd discovered a tear in the soft top and understood if I didn't want to come. I was nearly there so still went, but I thought straight away there's some negotiation.
As you can see from the pictures, it's not exactly perfect, but the paint in the main is good. I discovered through MOT history checks that it failed on a damaged/sharp front bumper. It transpired that the previous owner had a car park ding on a wall corner. The checks I'd done shows no insurance repair, but it's clearly had a new front bumper, which as you can see is fitted badly. All the rails are straight, no repairs to the structure, but I think the front wing has had some repair and respray.
The wheels had been refurbished, but were already peeling. I hate diamond cut, it's always a pain, especially in this two tone style.
Rust under front repaired wing/cracked arch liner:
One of the rear lights was cracked.
The steering wheel and controls looked bizarrely worn, odd for a car of this mileage.
The seats are good, save for the normal sagging.
Anyway, test drive time. After warming it up, it pulled hard and smooth (giggity), more so than my previous S2000, it just felt a bit quicker. It handled well, steered true and stopped confidently.
On returning the car I said I needed to do some further research.
To sum it up, I offered £8,500 due to the repairs required (£1,750 off asking) and to my surprise, they accepted. I transferred the money that day, and brought her home, with the hard top on which rattled like f
k, but was in excellent condition.Tbc....
Edited by Quags on Monday 12th August 20:34
So I began work.
The plan was to sell the hardtop (yes, it might effect the value a little, but in reality not much. It took a while but I eventually sold it for £1,000.
In the mean time i'd sourced some black/red door cars, seats and red carpet. I also had the steering wheel retrimmed with red stitching. I couldn't afford the seats until the hardtop sold, but I got the rest, boxes started to arrive....
I unpacked the carpets and gave them a good clean and wash (new 205 carpet there too):
I then did the carpets, door cards and wheel. The whole job took about 3 hours.
I was really pleased and desperately wanted the seats, good red/black ones are hard to find, so I slapped a deposit on them so they were held for me.
In the meantime I cracked on with other jobs. The headlights were faded, so i got the buffer out, they came up superb. I also removed the front numberplate holder that was broken, and fitted new plates, a much cleaner look. I also sourced some NSX-R badges and replaced the standard silver ones.
Next I tried to refit the front bumper. I'll be buggered if I can figure out why it won't fit properly, I may need to take it to a body shop.
During this time the hardtop sold and I ordered the replacement seats, they're fantastic!
I had also wanted the OEM spoiler, but finding one in my colour that wasn't damaged or crazy expensive was impossible.
So I took a chance and ordered a replica OEM spoiler from Taiwan, painted. For the princely sum of £69 delivered. What could go wrong right?
Well, so far, nothing! It seems a good match in garage light, perfect fit. Just resting at mo, i'll fit it once cleaned and claybarred the car.
That's now to current day. I'm hoping to get the wheels done soon, in a straight silver colour. Annoyingly the last refurb butchered the centre caps, so I'll have them sprayed and get my brother to vinyl cut some red 'H' emblems.
The stable is looking good! Although I still yearn for a Lotus, i'm a realist!
I'll update more as time goes on.
The plan was to sell the hardtop (yes, it might effect the value a little, but in reality not much. It took a while but I eventually sold it for £1,000.
In the mean time i'd sourced some black/red door cars, seats and red carpet. I also had the steering wheel retrimmed with red stitching. I couldn't afford the seats until the hardtop sold, but I got the rest, boxes started to arrive....
I unpacked the carpets and gave them a good clean and wash (new 205 carpet there too):
I then did the carpets, door cards and wheel. The whole job took about 3 hours.
I was really pleased and desperately wanted the seats, good red/black ones are hard to find, so I slapped a deposit on them so they were held for me.
In the meantime I cracked on with other jobs. The headlights were faded, so i got the buffer out, they came up superb. I also removed the front numberplate holder that was broken, and fitted new plates, a much cleaner look. I also sourced some NSX-R badges and replaced the standard silver ones.
Next I tried to refit the front bumper. I'll be buggered if I can figure out why it won't fit properly, I may need to take it to a body shop.
During this time the hardtop sold and I ordered the replacement seats, they're fantastic!
I had also wanted the OEM spoiler, but finding one in my colour that wasn't damaged or crazy expensive was impossible.
So I took a chance and ordered a replica OEM spoiler from Taiwan, painted. For the princely sum of £69 delivered. What could go wrong right?
Well, so far, nothing! It seems a good match in garage light, perfect fit. Just resting at mo, i'll fit it once cleaned and claybarred the car.
That's now to current day. I'm hoping to get the wheels done soon, in a straight silver colour. Annoyingly the last refurb butchered the centre caps, so I'll have them sprayed and get my brother to vinyl cut some red 'H' emblems.
The stable is looking good! Although I still yearn for a Lotus, i'm a realist!
I'll update more as time goes on.
JacobsCracker said:
Nice. I keep scanning with the same criteria as you, and then something else pipes up and my S2000 dreams go out the window... By the time I get round to buying one the price will probably have gone up and ruled me out!
Yes I know that feeling well. Moved house, job issues and also spent a long time getting the garage sorted. Been without a fun car for so long and missed it dreadfully, yes, the 205 is there, but that's a long term project and also technically SWMBO's. I just do all the work on it.RelentlessForwardProgress said:
Great work on the S2000, I’ve always wanted one of them. Looks like you’ve got a nice combo of 4 pots renowned for being torquey and gutsy in the French corner and screaming and revvy in the Japanese corner. Nice work.
Is the rust treatable on the wing? Do replacements just bolt on?
The 205 is on dual open carbs, high lift cam, forged pistons etc etc and is comically fun the few times i've driven it!Is the rust treatable on the wing? Do replacements just bolt on?
The rust is, but the slight rippling on the arch lip (I assume from damage repair) I'm not so sure about. Yes, they do bolt on, but finding a good one is nigh on impossible now unless anyone reading has a mint Moonrock drivers wing?
Killer2005 said:
Great work on it so far, looking very nice.
I had an AP1, but it sadly had to go as I needed room for a wife and dog. Seriously loved that car. The engine note above 6,000 rpm
Thank you. I have the other half and big dog, but thankfully a company car and her fiat 500 to transport them. The noise still surprises me, all stock too!I had an AP1, but it sadly had to go as I needed room for a wife and dog. Seriously loved that car. The engine note above 6,000 rpm
51mes said:
That's already a vast improvement, loving the red interior.
Can't see me ever wanting to get rid of mine, though know I've got some big bills on their way... Clutch, re underseal and possible respray...
Keep up the good work!
Thanks, its a huge improvement, was too grey before! The red isn't as bright as in the photos either.Can't see me ever wanting to get rid of mine, though know I've got some big bills on their way... Clutch, re underseal and possible respray...
Keep up the good work!
I think this has sat outside previously for sometime, i'd love to do all the underseal, strip the suspension/geobolts etc I'll think about it over the winter...
It's slow progress as I have a L4/L5 disc prolapse in my back (yep and S2000 and Lotus are the worst for that, but I won't be beaten!) so I have to pace myself!
Thanks all, the roof is on the list but it's such a small tear (which I've used some seal on). I'm in the S2000 club and get a discount locally for a roof 
I need to do the geo bolts, I'm nervous about them, but not even had the car in the air yet, that will hopefully be a winter job.
All go today, dropped her off for wheel refurb. Being fully dipped, stripped and painted silver. I've taken all the centre caps off and need to figure out how I'll refurb those as they are £45 a pop new
Also dropped off the 205 seats for a retrim. Not a cheap month!
I need to do the geo bolts, I'm nervous about them, but not even had the car in the air yet, that will hopefully be a winter job.
All go today, dropped her off for wheel refurb. Being fully dipped, stripped and painted silver. I've taken all the centre caps off and need to figure out how I'll refurb those as they are £45 a pop new
Also dropped off the 205 seats for a retrim. Not a cheap month!
Nezquick said:
I had a black 2005 S2000 - wonderful car and such a fantastic engine.
I did, however, manage to put mine backwards through a hedge on the A14 one evening in the wet, so be careful with it - they have a habit of being a bit unforgiving if you drive like a nob!
Check out Centre Gravity for the geo bolts - they're renowned for sorting the S2000 handling out.
Yes, having been used to a Lotus before my last S2000, it did catch me out in the wet, but thankfully I didn't bin it.I did, however, manage to put mine backwards through a hedge on the A14 one evening in the wet, so be careful with it - they have a habit of being a bit unforgiving if you drive like a nob!
Check out Centre Gravity for the geo bolts - they're renowned for sorting the S2000 handling out.
Cool I'll look into it thanks
fernando the frog said:
looks excellent, shame you had to sell the roof 
probably worth checking the rear arches for rust because the s2000's are pretty notorious for hiding rust well
also if you're open to buying things from asia (like your spoiler), you might be able to find some replica Honda centre caps from china or somewhere
Yes I checked the arches and they seemed ok, but I'll have a proper look when it's in the air. It's a dry use car only now (annoyingly it's raining as it's at alloy wheel refurb place for 3 days).probably worth checking the rear arches for rust because the s2000's are pretty notorious for hiding rust well
also if you're open to buying things from asia (like your spoiler), you might be able to find some replica Honda centre caps from china or somewhere
I really wasn't fussed about the roof. The only thing for me it did was look good. It was impossibly heavy, awkward to fit, and the latch bolts rattled like a mofo. I understand why people get them, but that much weight I didn't like. Was worth too much to leave in spare room (Ms Quag was not impressed)
I've looked for centre caps all over, but no joy.
They're plastic wrapped in aluminium film, logo stuck on and lacquered. I was surprised as thought they were metal!
It still surprises me how fast it can be. I find they're very weight sensitive, which being a 6'4" powerfully (fat) built company manager obviously has an effect. But two up with a bootfull of luggage does make a noticeable difference on N/A cars.
The plans I have are to get it looking as nice as possible with some subtle mods. I believe these are proper classics now and worth looking after.
Plans are:
Wheel refurb: in progress as I write!
Attach rear spoiler
Get some decent OEM full red floor mats - £160!!!
Front bumper re-alignment/paint
Drivers front wing, repaint or replace
Full engine bay detail (it still looks like it does in the pics, but I've just had the stuff arrived to change that)
Rocker cover stripped and repainted in red crackle paint
Coil cover refurbished in black
Remove, refurbish and replace rear calipers
White S2000 or Honda logos on front calipers
Upgraded headunit to include bluetooth
Upgraded speakers
Modifry phone bracket/Modifry harness adaptor & remote adaptor
Replace Hood
Strip suspension, refurbish all bushes and items as required
Undercoat/seal car, especially under arches
Possibly an upgraded exhaust, but I'd like it to look stock and not be too loud, I just wish it had a slight burble/howl on acceleration but was comfortable at cruise
Personally I think i've already increased the cars value to more than it was originally advertised, having spent a fraction of that.
The plans I have are to get it looking as nice as possible with some subtle mods. I believe these are proper classics now and worth looking after.
Plans are:
Wheel refurb: in progress as I write!
Attach rear spoiler
Get some decent OEM full red floor mats - £160!!!
Front bumper re-alignment/paint
Drivers front wing, repaint or replace
Full engine bay detail (it still looks like it does in the pics, but I've just had the stuff arrived to change that)
Rocker cover stripped and repainted in red crackle paint
Coil cover refurbished in black
Remove, refurbish and replace rear calipers
White S2000 or Honda logos on front calipers
Upgraded headunit to include bluetooth
Upgraded speakers
Modifry phone bracket/Modifry harness adaptor & remote adaptor
Replace Hood
Strip suspension, refurbish all bushes and items as required
Undercoat/seal car, especially under arches
Possibly an upgraded exhaust, but I'd like it to look stock and not be too loud, I just wish it had a slight burble/howl on acceleration but was comfortable at cruise
Personally I think i've already increased the cars value to more than it was originally advertised, having spent a fraction of that.
fido said:
The original badge looks better - type-R looks too garish IMO.
It doesn't look as red as in the pictures, but I understand that, I just really like it I have the original badges still and can always put them back if change my mind, or fashion them into an amusing beastie boys-esque jewellery
Thanks for the kind comments, they are great cars and need love, so its certainly a pleasure doing it.
It is a shame how many have been trashed and hard to find a good one without spending silly money, even then they can have their issues. Bodywork wise, I think i've been lucky. Yes the bumper and wing need attention, but the rest is pretty mint. I need to do a full claybar, buff, polish and ceramic coat once i've had the bits done to preserve it.
Congratulations on finding yours, got a link to the thread?
Another 'mod' arrived today, a red/chrome steering wheel badge, I wonder if I'm taking the red/black theme too far
But I do find the standard interior, especially on mine originally, very bland. I like the design, just needed some colour. I think the best modification I have done so far is the steering wheel retrim. It transforms the feel of the car for me. It's about 2mm thicker, looks good, feels great and really smartens things up inside. I highly recommend it!
I like to think that everything I'm doing is pretty much in keeping with OEM, save for a couple of badges.
I'm excited to get the car back from having the wheels done! Possibly tomorrow, if not Saturday. I need to get cracking on the center caps!
It is a shame how many have been trashed and hard to find a good one without spending silly money, even then they can have their issues. Bodywork wise, I think i've been lucky. Yes the bumper and wing need attention, but the rest is pretty mint. I need to do a full claybar, buff, polish and ceramic coat once i've had the bits done to preserve it.
Congratulations on finding yours, got a link to the thread?
Another 'mod' arrived today, a red/chrome steering wheel badge, I wonder if I'm taking the red/black theme too far
But I do find the standard interior, especially on mine originally, very bland. I like the design, just needed some colour. I think the best modification I have done so far is the steering wheel retrim. It transforms the feel of the car for me. It's about 2mm thicker, looks good, feels great and really smartens things up inside. I highly recommend it!
I like to think that everything I'm doing is pretty much in keeping with OEM, save for a couple of badges.
I'm excited to get the car back from having the wheels done! Possibly tomorrow, if not Saturday. I need to get cracking on the center caps!
Finally got the car back from having the wheels refurbished.
Powdercoated silver
Not great pics at mo, but so pleased these are done.
Rather worryingly on the drive back, I was travelling down a d/c about 70 and there was a bang from what seemed like just behind me, but nothing changed driving wise. Couldn't see anything when pulled over, and not in garage either
No idea what it was!
Powdercoated silver
Not great pics at mo, but so pleased these are done.
Rather worryingly on the drive back, I was travelling down a d/c about 70 and there was a bang from what seemed like just behind me, but nothing changed driving wise. Couldn't see anything when pulled over, and not in garage either
No idea what it was!
Kewy said:
Congrats on getting back in an S2K OP.
If you need red H's then drop me a message. Can do a set of 5 posted for a tenner Plotted vinyl.
Not sure if this post is allowed – mods please edit if not.
Thank you, but my brother has all the gear so he did them for me If you need red H's then drop me a message. Can do a set of 5 posted for a tenner
Plotted vinyl.Not sure if this post is allowed – mods please edit if not.
Worked on these today. I couldn't get the aluminium tape how I wanted it, but it will do for now, just don't look too closely!
I think they look good, but being Mr OCD I will redo them at some point but other things to do first! I did look at the machined look by using a scrubber etc but didn't bother.
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