DrAE86Toreno

i was just told about this forum a few days ago from a friend that has a beautiful S2K. Iv always wanted one but never thought I could get back into Hondas. I sold my AE86 about 8 months ago to buy a GS and my happiness has gone down since. Maybe the GS is me 10 years from now. I tried to look for an AE86 as clean as my previous one but no success. Iv'e always wanted an S2K so I decided to test drive one and iv been smiling alot more. Maybe the AE86 isnt for me right now but the S2K is. So Im interested in a particular one and was wondering what you guy's thoughts was on it.

03 - black / black - 75k miles - $14,900

I test drove it and it seemed real nice. The top still worked nicely. There is 3 smaller than a dime scratches that have been touched up but other than that I didnt see any real issues. Engine bay was clean and interior as well. I was just wondering as far as a possible near future S2K owner, Is there anything I should look for? to change or watch out for? Oh and I couldnt really tell but does the 03 have the plastic or glass rear window? I hope to join you guy's ranks sooN! Sorry for being boring lol

previous car:


current car:


h

negcamber

Welcome!

An MY03 came with a glass rear window. Check the top for rips...that's probably the most common issue. New tops are a pain to install as a DIY and expensive to pay someone else to do it.

The transmissions are so good that they will let an unsuspecting driver shift at redline of 3rd into 2nd. An over rev like that will blow the motor immediately, but minor over revs will weaken valve retainers or lightly bend valves.

To help guard against buying a damaged car, get a compression/leak down test. And you might even find a decent speed shop that does a lot of Honda work and have them inspect the valve retainers to see if any are showing signs of cracking.

Also, MY00-03 use more oil than the later cars (s2ks have banjo bolts to squirt oil on the cyl walls to keep them cool...takes more oil to keep cyl walls cool at 9k than at 8k rpm). Some folks just aren't used to topping the oil every week and that can lead to oil starvation. Normally, a rod knock from a spun bearing is pretty loud.

Otherwise, it is a normal car. Listen for unusual noises etc. Not sure where you're located, but there are s2ki regional forums...might see if a more experienced owner would go check out the car with you.

UmarS2K

Yeah, I'd suggest doing what negcamber said. Try to take someone who knows about S2Ks pretty well and see if that person can help you decide if the S2K is the right car for you.

DrAE86Toreno

thanks a lot for the info. i will def. go and try to find someone that owns an S2K before i make a decision. I had driven a few S2K's but they were all slightly modified so im not too sure how a stock one would feel but it seemed like there was nothing wrong. thanks again!

DrAE86Toreno

guys im about to check out 2 S2K's...

SILVER 04 with 81k miles for 15,000
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u...1000&cardist=32

or

BLUE 03 S2K with 90k miles for $14,600
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u...1000&cardist=32

UmarS2K

Hmm... I'd go with the '04 AP2 because it has 9K less miles and is only $400 more than the '03 AP1. I'll admit this much, though: the light blue AP1 looks better than that silverstone AP2.

UmarS2K

Maybe it is just the picture, though. I like AP2s better.

alSpeed2k

I'm not a big fan of the Suzuka Blue, so I say Silverstone AP2. Also, AP2's don't have a tendency to burn oil like the AP1's, but some people really like the 9k rpm redline. I guess you'll have to determine what you like more after test driving the different models. Good luck with the purchase!

moogleii

I wasn't a big fan of silver, but it really is nice if you keep it clean. I say go for the 04.

SkyRollin

I like Suzuka since it's different and light blue is my favorite color.
IMO, the AP1 was more fun to drive than the AP2, but naturally, the AP1's looks are getting a little outdated nowadays. (bumpers, lights, wheels)