I saw my first S2000 in the year 2000. I was only 12, but I fell in love. All through high school and into college I was a Honda guy. Of course I couldn't afford an S2000 yet, but I knew I would own one eventually. This day came yesterday, when I picked up a MY00 Formula Red on black. Not my favorite combo (which is black on red), but it still makes me smile when I drive it. I'm now 26, still in college chasing an Engineering degree. I totaled my car last Monday, a '99 Civic, so I scoured CraigsList for my next car. Only getting $2000 back from my insurance company (luckily they let me keep the wheels and coilovers), I knew I was going to take out a small loan for my next car and set my budget for $7000. I didn't even think I would be able to find an S2000 in my area for this price. I found a nice 5th gen Prelude (huge Prelude enthusiast) for $4500 thinking it would be my next car, even set up a time to go look at it. This is when I found an S2000, and the owner was only asking $6800. It was a '00 with only 150k (according to the ad), but it needed work. The front bumper and passenger fender were both replaced, and primer covering quite a bit of the car. After talking to the owner I discovered he bought it wrecked and was fixing it for one of his sons who was about to turn 16. The wife did not like the idea and forced him to sell it, well that's the story anyways. The previous owners hydroplaned, took the insurance money, and sold the car. Still has a clean title. I set up a meeting time at a shop in his area and had them put it on the lift. The only noticeable damage underneath was a bent radiator support, hopefully that is all of the damage. I ended up talking them down to $6000, dropped the top, and drove it home.





First thing happening is an oil change and a tune-up. I've already ordered the NGK Iridium plugs, but I'm still searching for oil recommendations. I've read that Mobil 1 burns in these early AP1s, are any other synthetic oils any better? I will be ordering the Honda PCX filter. I will also be doing the "just bought an S2000" checklist, especially the subframe bolts since I think mine are loose. I still have a little money left over from the insurance check, so paint will also be coming soon.

 

Congrats! Check out themikewoo's new owner thread for some maintenance suggestions.

Please read up on snap-oversteer as well!

 

Congrats! That's a great price for a great car.

 

Welcome.

Glad you found my thread. Best of luck with the car.

 

Congrats man! You practically stole the car for that price! I am also a new S2K owner on a budget, so I know what you are going through.
The only thing that really matters is how you feel behind the wheel. You don't need paint to enjoy the crap out of that thing.

 

Welcome and congrats!

You even got the front lip, side strakes and rear spoiler! You made out like a bandit!!!

 

Thanks guys. The car is in the shop right now getting all of the maintenance stuff taken care of. I wish I had the tools here at school for me to do it myself. Three of the tube seals are leaking pretty bad so I've already ordered a valve cover set from Honda, which will open up the opportunity for me to take the valve cover off and inspect the spring retainers. Hopefully after I pick the car up today it will be running 10x better. Already got a few paint quotes, should be looking like new before middle of summer!

By the way, about the side strakes, are these two piece? Also, the one on the drivers side was ripped off in the accident, now laying in the trunk. The clip that holds the side strake on was missing so I ordered it from Honda, but the guy wasn't sure he ordered me the right part. Does anyone happen to know the part number?

 

 

welcome!

 

Congrats Bro,