Carolinas A Better Place to Be

Now I know...

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Old Mar 26, 2015 | 10:43 AM
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Now I know why all of you talk so good about these cars, I bought one earlier this week and can't stop driving it. I am in love!

First let me introduce myself:
My name is Nick, I grew up in the Charlotte/Huntersville/Cornelius area, I am 24, and a Civil Engineer for the State of NC. I am currently located in Concord, NC.

I picked up a 2003 in Silverstone Metallic w/ 71k miles down in Greenville, SC. Bought from an older gentleman that took care of it well. This is my first stick shift and I am having a blast!

I am going to do an oil change, install new front brakes, and front tires with an alignment in the next week or so. Rears have 60% tread left. Other then that the car is in amazing shape.

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I have a few Questions:

1) My front tires have about 20% tread, is this unsafe in wet conditions?
2) Valve retainers? The previous owner claimed he never revved close to 9k, should I at least inspect them or upgrade to AP2's asap?

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Hopefully I will get out at the next Charlotte C&C and can meet some fellow S owners in the area! See you all around.
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Old Mar 26, 2015 | 10:54 AM
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WELCOME NICK!

Fronts wear out 1/2 as fast as rears so that's about right. If you are down to the wear bars just be careful driving in rain. It's like any other car drive safe. If you are down to or past wear bars then you definitely gotta watch things.

Retainers......they should be ok but definitely should be looked at to verify integrity. If you read about it I am sure you saw pictures of what to look for. Easiest is looking to make sure they are all exactly the same. If one is different then that's a problem. You do NOT need to upgrade them or upgrade them ASAP. If driven correctly you should be able to drive it for many many more miles without a problem....if not forever.
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Old Mar 26, 2015 | 12:03 PM
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Thanks Pinky!

I also forgot to mention one of my tires will not inflate. I am not sure if its operator error or if my valve stem is bad. I am going take it to a shop tonight, hopefully it's an easy fix.

Other then these small things, the car has been a blast. I will see you all around!
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Old Mar 26, 2015 | 02:32 PM
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I'm in Huntersville - if you need anything, let me know. I've basically taken the car apart and put it back together at this point....but if I don't know how to fix something I'll just text Andy!
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Old Mar 27, 2015 | 03:42 AM
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Welcome! Nice find on the low mileage '03!
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Old Mar 27, 2015 | 06:06 AM
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Originally Posted by InsaneSp
I'm in Huntersville - if you need anything, let me know. I've basically taken the car apart and put it back together at this point....but if I don't know how to fix something I'll just text Andy!
Lol, and when I don't know it I'll just text Alex.

Welcome Nick. Good to have another true Charlotte native among us; I was born and raised in CLT as well. Where did you go to school for civil engineering at?

Is your new S2000 going to be your daily driver? If not (or even if so) look into your options for new tires. The extreme performance summer category has several excellent choices for our cars like the Dunlop ZII (and Star Spec version), Hankook RS3 V2, BFG Rival, and so-forth. They aren't the best for cold/wet weather, but if your S is just going to be your weekend or sunny day car of choice then buying the best tires available will let you get the most out of this car.
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Old Mar 27, 2015 | 06:07 AM
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Awesome! My parents live in Cornelius so I'm up that way a bit.

Here is a few pictures of her!



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Old Mar 27, 2015 | 06:09 AM
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Originally Posted by CoolGuy094
Originally Posted by InsaneSp' timestamp='1427409146' post='23556089
I'm in Huntersville - if you need anything, let me know. I've basically taken the car apart and put it back together at this point....but if I don't know how to fix something I'll just text Andy!
Lol, and when I don't know it I'll just text Alex.

Welcome Nick. Good to have another true Charlotte native among us; I was born and raised in CLT as well. Where did you go to school for civil engineering at?

Is your new S2000 going to be your daily driver? If not (or even if so) look into your options for new tires. The extreme performance summer category has several excellent choices for our cars like the Dunlop ZII (and Star Spec version), Hankook RS3 V2, BFG Rival, and so-forth. They aren't the best for cold/wet weather, but if your S is just going to be your weekend or sunny day car of choice then buying the best tires available will let you get the most out of this car.
I went to UNC Charlotte for school. Thanks for the warm welcome!

I was actually going to ask you all on tire recommendations. I will be daily driving the S all year round.
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Old Mar 27, 2015 | 06:17 AM
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Nice! I'm a 49er grad myself out of the mechanical engineering department. All my family members are 49er grads actually... mom, dad, sister, and wife! I was probably a senior when you were a freshman.

The main drawback to DD'ing on the aforementioned tires would be winter driving and the lifespan of the tire. They aren't the best for wet/cold (and definitely not for any kind of ice/snow) and they are all in the 200tw range so they wear quicker. Other members can give better recommendations for a tire more suited for spirited daily driving duty. Maybe the S-04 Pole Positions?

Watch out... if you hang around me, InsaneSp, or will010100 too long we are bound to get you to an autocross or track day event soon enough.
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Old Mar 27, 2015 | 06:18 AM
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Also... AP1 FTW!!!!
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