What to look for when buying a used S2000
04-27-2008, 10:37 AM
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What to look for when buying a used S2000
Hey there, I am looking to buy a used AP1 2003 Honda S2000, and have been researching for a few hours today. I have compiled a bunch of information on what to look for in general with a used S2000. This is to help myself, as well as any other people looking to buy a used s2k!
Don't hesitate to post any information that you have to add!
I found this info from this website as well as a few others off google. I did some copy and pasting.
S2KI:
From Clag:
- drive or at least ride in another S, the car is loud in some ways, you need to know what passes for normal
- check the top inside and out for wear
- check every body panel for a VIN sticker, make sure they match (no replaced parts), the engine may have a different VIN, this is not unusual
- check under front and rear for curb rash, one I looked at actually had rear sub-frame damage from someone backing it onto a curb
- check A-arm brackets https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.ph...&#entry1446324
- check oil level and condition and for any leaks
- listen on startup, ticking and light clatter is usually valvetrain or injectors-normal, knocking could be a scuffed bore-not normal
- make sure clutch holds strong and grabs early
- shifts without grinds, particularly 1-2
- goes into 5-6 easily when warm, transmission can be a little stiff for first 15-30 min.
- do gentle figure eights in open lot to check diff for clunking
- getting a compression and leakdown check is a very good idea, if the owner will allow for it
The big three $$ are engine, trans, diff. These are some things you can do to check them.
little things that can tell you what kind of owner
- matching set of tires front and rear, appropriate size
- casually ask them how long the OEM tires lasted, I got about 18k out of the fronts,12k out of the rear
- do they do their own maintenance, what intervals, what fluids (most common: trans- Honda MTF or GM Synchromesh, diff - LE607,Mobil 1 Gear), is the oil filter Honda OEM
- condition of brake and clutch fluid (dark is bad, light or almost clear is good)
- condition of top seals (lightly greased)
- ask them about the power steering fluid (little joke, the S has electric assist, their answer might tell you a few things)
things I would do as soon as I bring it home
- pull valve cover and inspect retainers
- maybe send an oil sample off to Blackstone for an oil analysis
- have that compression test if you have not yet
- get a good alignment on it
- change all fluids and filters unless you have no doubt on their condition
- check oil often, some years drink a bit
From 3ngin33r1:
Look for: "spring spacers that are put in during shipping... The other item that sometimes gets removed or not installed are the front strakes. Check for those too, they make a big difference during driving..."
"While you're there, check each door, hood and trunk lid for the VIN sticker and make sure they match if they are there. If the sticker is gone or doesn't match, it was replaced, then you get to ask why. I haven't seen one fall off..."
"Also, get it in some light next to other cars and look at their reflections in the paint of the S2000. They should be smooth and follow the body styling. If the reflections look a bit off where they should look smooth or are wavy, chances are it has seen some damage and been repainted.
And depending on the color, check for mismatched panels, the bumpers, side strakes (if installed) lips and spoilers won't be an exact match but some colors flop when changing angles and light conditions. At least I know Suzuka Blue flops. If it doesn't flop or flops to an odd shade when looking at the rest of the panels, it's probably repainted as well. This can be hard to check as not everyone sees the flopping the same way.
When I had some door damage and a repaint, I couldn't see the mis-flop but a friend of mine could and the shop repainted it again.
Check the seams on the doors, hood, bumpers and trunk, they should measure evenly all around. If they don't, they may have been removed or replaced.
Check each wheel for curb rash too.
Crank the heater up and let it get hot, kick on the AC and spin it cold and see how long it takes to cool down. If you're got a thermometer, check the temp of what it's blowing out both hot and cold. Once it's cold, spin it back to hot but leave the AC on."
"Check the bolsters on the leather seats for wrinkled leather from larger hind quarters. Compression in these can cause premature wear on the sides of seats which would result in a hole.
Also, check the soft top fabric for wear marks. Do a search here for holes and you'll find a bunch of threads with pictures showing where to look.
Check the rear glass area for any rips, loose threads, broken defrost element wires, etc. and don't be afraid to lift up the flaps back there and look underneath.
Put the top up and down several times and make sure it works correctly.
Take the parking brake off and make sure the top doesn't operate. Drive it slowly and make sure it doesn't work then either.
Bring a CD and make sure the headunit works.
Check your cruise control too, and not just on/off with the switch, make sure it disengages on brake AND on clutch in. You should be able to tap the clutch peddle and it will disengage (nice feature, keeps your brake lights from flashing and throwing off other drivers behind you). Once it disengages, make sure the resume works."
LBC S2K: "DEFINITELY take a close look at the top, especially the passenger side/rear area, it is well documented that this area is subject to some excess friction that wears down and eventually creates a hole. Do a search you'll find pics and further info."
Chazmo: "First of all, I recommend a carfax report. It's not foolproof, but it'll help verify claims by the previous owner, or catch him/her as a liar. If something shows up there that can't be explained by the owner, I'd run away. There's usually someone in the Introductions forum or the S2000 Talk forum that can run a carfax for you.
Now, you're right that body damage can be repaired perfectly, essentially. There's no reason to rule out a car just because it's had some repaired cosmetic damage.
Engine damage is tricky. First, depending on the year S you're looking at, you should make sure that spark plug recall was done and that you have a nice history of the warrantee work (known as TSBs) that have been done to the car. I don't know if that stuff shows up in carfax. A Honda dealer can run a report like that for you.
On any used S, I recommend that you get a compression test and a leak-down test (I'm not exactly sure what the latter is, but it's been recommended many times to me). This can give you early warning signs to internal engine damage.
Finally, see if you can get service records from the owner. You want to see that fluids have been properly maintained. Oil is a problem for early year S2000s, and some bozo owners have let the oil all burn off and had trouble. Early year (pre MY04) S2000s do burn oil (normally), and have to be topped off every few hundred miles."
notamaster: "check the oil pan for a oil return line fitting. that will tell you if the car was turbo/supercharged at one time" I am not sure about this topic, but this is some more information...
From s2kca:
"- 2001 cars have a plastic rear window. Make sure you can still see out it.
- If it's a low VIN (last 4 numbers below 4000 or so), check for buzzing from the transmission when decelerating between 4000 and 3000 RPM, especially in 3rd and 4th gears. If it's clearly there, you might have a bad tranny in the making...
- Find a place (long on-ramp) to do some hard acceleration up to a fairly high speed. In 2nd or 3rd gear, under full throttle acceleration, feel for a shake/vibration coming from the rear right side. You'll feel it through your butt if its there. Indicator of the pinion rings wearing.
- Might want to see if the spark plug TSB was done."
"The buzzing mentioned may also come from the clutch disk. Check to see if the car has had the clutch disk TSB.
Check to see if the car has had the Spark Plug TSB, too.
If you buy it, get together with some of your more knowledgeable and mechanically inclined club members to do an oil jet bolt upgrade on the bottom end. Takes about an hour.
Check the convertible top from the inside out for wear at the joints of the support mechanism. Some tops have had holes worn in them.
Check the shift from 2-3 and 3-2 to make sure it is free of grinds. If not, you'll want to have the transmission TSB done on it.
If you have the time and owner's permission, have the differential fluid checked for metal shavings."
That "TSB" they are referring to is this.
From ehow.com:
"f you are buying a used S2000, make sure it comes with a tonneau cover. Car dealers have a sleazy reputation for a reason; they will try to pull a fast one on you any chance they get. One way dealers will try to deceive a S2000 buyer is to "forget" to include the tonneau cover (also called a "boot" cover). The S2000 tonneau cover is the large, vinyl strip that snaps in over the collapsed, convertible roof that hides the mechanical workings. Dealers and the Honda factory sell these covers after the fact for several hundred dollars, so it is an easy way for the dealer to scam you. However, If you ever purchase an S2000 without a tonneau cover, you should be able to find one in excellent condition for about $110 (including shipping costs) on Ebay"
"Make sure the dealer gives you two sets of keys. A spare key is another item dealers will "forget" to include when selling a used S2000. Get the spare key up front. If the dealer says he has to order one, get it in writing that the dealer still owes you another key."
"Check for the tow-tools. There are a set of tow tools underneath the carpet in the trunk. Make sure that all of the pieces are included prior to buying."
Also from s2ki:
NEW CAR INSPECTION by Destiny2002: Take a look at this, it can also relate to used cars...
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=54653
Extra information: Check the tires.. see wear
Do a carfax/take it to a mechanic to be checked out.
Yeah this probably just looks like a huge wall of text, but I compiled all this data from a few different sources, and have also tried to give credit to the sources I used.
Feel free to add any information! Thanks.
Don't hesitate to post any information that you have to add!
I found this info from this website as well as a few others off google. I did some copy and pasting.
S2KI:
From Clag:
- drive or at least ride in another S, the car is loud in some ways, you need to know what passes for normal
- check the top inside and out for wear
- check every body panel for a VIN sticker, make sure they match (no replaced parts), the engine may have a different VIN, this is not unusual
- check under front and rear for curb rash, one I looked at actually had rear sub-frame damage from someone backing it onto a curb
- check A-arm brackets https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.ph...&#entry1446324
- check oil level and condition and for any leaks
- listen on startup, ticking and light clatter is usually valvetrain or injectors-normal, knocking could be a scuffed bore-not normal
- make sure clutch holds strong and grabs early
- shifts without grinds, particularly 1-2
- goes into 5-6 easily when warm, transmission can be a little stiff for first 15-30 min.
- do gentle figure eights in open lot to check diff for clunking
- getting a compression and leakdown check is a very good idea, if the owner will allow for it
The big three $$ are engine, trans, diff. These are some things you can do to check them.
little things that can tell you what kind of owner
- matching set of tires front and rear, appropriate size
- casually ask them how long the OEM tires lasted, I got about 18k out of the fronts,12k out of the rear
- do they do their own maintenance, what intervals, what fluids (most common: trans- Honda MTF or GM Synchromesh, diff - LE607,Mobil 1 Gear), is the oil filter Honda OEM
- condition of brake and clutch fluid (dark is bad, light or almost clear is good)
- condition of top seals (lightly greased)
- ask them about the power steering fluid (little joke, the S has electric assist, their answer might tell you a few things)
things I would do as soon as I bring it home
- pull valve cover and inspect retainers
- maybe send an oil sample off to Blackstone for an oil analysis
- have that compression test if you have not yet
- get a good alignment on it
- change all fluids and filters unless you have no doubt on their condition
- check oil often, some years drink a bit
From 3ngin33r1:
Look for: "spring spacers that are put in during shipping... The other item that sometimes gets removed or not installed are the front strakes. Check for those too, they make a big difference during driving..."
"While you're there, check each door, hood and trunk lid for the VIN sticker and make sure they match if they are there. If the sticker is gone or doesn't match, it was replaced, then you get to ask why. I haven't seen one fall off..."
"Also, get it in some light next to other cars and look at their reflections in the paint of the S2000. They should be smooth and follow the body styling. If the reflections look a bit off where they should look smooth or are wavy, chances are it has seen some damage and been repainted.
And depending on the color, check for mismatched panels, the bumpers, side strakes (if installed) lips and spoilers won't be an exact match but some colors flop when changing angles and light conditions. At least I know Suzuka Blue flops. If it doesn't flop or flops to an odd shade when looking at the rest of the panels, it's probably repainted as well. This can be hard to check as not everyone sees the flopping the same way.
When I had some door damage and a repaint, I couldn't see the mis-flop but a friend of mine could and the shop repainted it again.
Check the seams on the doors, hood, bumpers and trunk, they should measure evenly all around. If they don't, they may have been removed or replaced.
Check each wheel for curb rash too.
Crank the heater up and let it get hot, kick on the AC and spin it cold and see how long it takes to cool down. If you're got a thermometer, check the temp of what it's blowing out both hot and cold. Once it's cold, spin it back to hot but leave the AC on."
"Check the bolsters on the leather seats for wrinkled leather from larger hind quarters. Compression in these can cause premature wear on the sides of seats which would result in a hole.
Also, check the soft top fabric for wear marks. Do a search here for holes and you'll find a bunch of threads with pictures showing where to look.
Check the rear glass area for any rips, loose threads, broken defrost element wires, etc. and don't be afraid to lift up the flaps back there and look underneath.
Put the top up and down several times and make sure it works correctly.
Take the parking brake off and make sure the top doesn't operate. Drive it slowly and make sure it doesn't work then either.
Bring a CD and make sure the headunit works.
Check your cruise control too, and not just on/off with the switch, make sure it disengages on brake AND on clutch in. You should be able to tap the clutch peddle and it will disengage (nice feature, keeps your brake lights from flashing and throwing off other drivers behind you). Once it disengages, make sure the resume works."
LBC S2K: "DEFINITELY take a close look at the top, especially the passenger side/rear area, it is well documented that this area is subject to some excess friction that wears down and eventually creates a hole. Do a search you'll find pics and further info."
Chazmo: "First of all, I recommend a carfax report. It's not foolproof, but it'll help verify claims by the previous owner, or catch him/her as a liar. If something shows up there that can't be explained by the owner, I'd run away. There's usually someone in the Introductions forum or the S2000 Talk forum that can run a carfax for you.
Now, you're right that body damage can be repaired perfectly, essentially. There's no reason to rule out a car just because it's had some repaired cosmetic damage.
Engine damage is tricky. First, depending on the year S you're looking at, you should make sure that spark plug recall was done and that you have a nice history of the warrantee work (known as TSBs) that have been done to the car. I don't know if that stuff shows up in carfax. A Honda dealer can run a report like that for you.
On any used S, I recommend that you get a compression test and a leak-down test (I'm not exactly sure what the latter is, but it's been recommended many times to me). This can give you early warning signs to internal engine damage.
Finally, see if you can get service records from the owner. You want to see that fluids have been properly maintained. Oil is a problem for early year S2000s, and some bozo owners have let the oil all burn off and had trouble. Early year (pre MY04) S2000s do burn oil (normally), and have to be topped off every few hundred miles."
notamaster: "check the oil pan for a oil return line fitting. that will tell you if the car was turbo/supercharged at one time" I am not sure about this topic, but this is some more information...
From s2kca:
"- 2001 cars have a plastic rear window. Make sure you can still see out it.
- If it's a low VIN (last 4 numbers below 4000 or so), check for buzzing from the transmission when decelerating between 4000 and 3000 RPM, especially in 3rd and 4th gears. If it's clearly there, you might have a bad tranny in the making...
- Find a place (long on-ramp) to do some hard acceleration up to a fairly high speed. In 2nd or 3rd gear, under full throttle acceleration, feel for a shake/vibration coming from the rear right side. You'll feel it through your butt if its there. Indicator of the pinion rings wearing.
- Might want to see if the spark plug TSB was done."
"The buzzing mentioned may also come from the clutch disk. Check to see if the car has had the clutch disk TSB.
Check to see if the car has had the Spark Plug TSB, too.
If you buy it, get together with some of your more knowledgeable and mechanically inclined club members to do an oil jet bolt upgrade on the bottom end. Takes about an hour.
Check the convertible top from the inside out for wear at the joints of the support mechanism. Some tops have had holes worn in them.
Check the shift from 2-3 and 3-2 to make sure it is free of grinds. If not, you'll want to have the transmission TSB done on it.
If you have the time and owner's permission, have the differential fluid checked for metal shavings."
That "TSB" they are referring to is this.
From ehow.com:
"f you are buying a used S2000, make sure it comes with a tonneau cover. Car dealers have a sleazy reputation for a reason; they will try to pull a fast one on you any chance they get. One way dealers will try to deceive a S2000 buyer is to "forget" to include the tonneau cover (also called a "boot" cover). The S2000 tonneau cover is the large, vinyl strip that snaps in over the collapsed, convertible roof that hides the mechanical workings. Dealers and the Honda factory sell these covers after the fact for several hundred dollars, so it is an easy way for the dealer to scam you. However, If you ever purchase an S2000 without a tonneau cover, you should be able to find one in excellent condition for about $110 (including shipping costs) on Ebay"
"Make sure the dealer gives you two sets of keys. A spare key is another item dealers will "forget" to include when selling a used S2000. Get the spare key up front. If the dealer says he has to order one, get it in writing that the dealer still owes you another key."
"Check for the tow-tools. There are a set of tow tools underneath the carpet in the trunk. Make sure that all of the pieces are included prior to buying."
Also from s2ki:
NEW CAR INSPECTION by Destiny2002: Take a look at this, it can also relate to used cars...
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=54653
Extra information: Check the tires.. see wear
Do a carfax/take it to a mechanic to be checked out.
Yeah this probably just looks like a huge wall of text, but I compiled all this data from a few different sources, and have also tried to give credit to the sources I used.
Feel free to add any information! Thanks.
04-27-2008, 04:06 PM
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Yeah guys, no problem, I was doing all types of research on what to check on for a used S2000, and decided to put it all together to help any other prospective buyers. I know it just looks like a huge laundry list, but it is basically everything I found [Thus far] to check on for a used s2k.
04-28-2008, 01:23 PM
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thanks for this post i've been searching for a bunch of this information b/c i'm in the market to get one too. i have some more information if you'd guys like to see that i've complied from the different websites.
