Hello everyone,

I'm definitly going to buy an s2k within the month maybe even within the week if the price is right. I'm so excited that I can't fall asleep at night.

Right now I'm looking at an 05 with about 15,500 miles on it. It's a certified used at the Honda dealership.

They are asking $24,400

While inspecting the car I found a few paint chips in the front and peeling paint about an inch in length and a half an inch in width on th lower front bumper.

The trunk's inside lip on the passenger side doesn't line up with the body. I asked if this car was ever in an accident and the salesman said no! and Carfax said no too.

It has 4 brand new tires. He said that the stock tires last about 14,xxx - 15,xxx miles, so it's about time to change them.

All of the rims have a little curb rash.

While the car was at idle I heard a ticking sound coming from under the car(sort of like what you hear coming from your cat converter after you shut your car off. Is that normal?

I was going to shoot a price of 18,000 at them and see what they say. What o you guys think too low or high?

This car was definitly not a garage queen so I don't want to pay a high price for it.

Do all of these problems sound normal to you guys in a used S2k?

I want to pull the trigger on this one but I am getting cold feet.

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks

 

rock chips are pretty normal as Honda paint is pretty thin.

Peeling paint, I'd be very concerned about.

Trunk not aligning could be because someone tried to close it while the trunk was too full and bent the lid a little. Not a normal issue.

Carfax does not always list accidents, especially when not reported to insurance.

4 brand new tires = no need to change. Treadwear varies from tire to tire. If they are OEM tires, expect 10-15k out of a brand new set on the rear.

Not sure on the other issues.

 

Thats a lot to spend on a car youre already not feeling good about. I think you can do much better if youre just patient.

Youll find a better deal here on the for sale section, thats been better taken care of.

 

wait it out...paint chips are going to happen. Carfax doesn't report everything, I notice paint cracks on my bumper while looking at it for purchase, and pulled Carfax...at the time of purchase it was a good deal. The ticking can be a valve adjustment needed under the car. After the car turns off you will hear the tick: that's the cat coverter area.

The trunk? don't know what to tell you. Rims curbed and what not at 15K miles, crappy driver if you ask me, let alone the care for the car doesn't sound like it's there.

You're detail oriented it looks like, so you pull the trigger, I don't see you happy because you already know you need to have work done.

WAIT IT OUT MAN! You'll be fine!

 

I wouldn't even think of buying it at that price unless there going to fix all the belmishes in the paint, figure out why the trunk isn't lining up right and get you some new wheels.

 

I'd give them an offer of 20K OTD and have everything fixed at a body shop of your choice at the dealers expense. The ticking is more than likely just the injectors as they are very loud. If they don't accept the offer then look for another one.

 

yeah really. plenty of us have mint condition s2k's that are older with more miles, so @ 15k there's no excuse! i would look @ this site's FS section. u get plenty of people vouching 4 the clean rides for sale there!



~tina~

 

certified is tough to negotiate - its like a warranty 100,000 on Everything.

They have fixed or should have fixed everything.

 

I'd wait it out to find another one. Just because there is nothing on CarFax doesn't mean it is accident free. The car could have been in an accident and the person could have order parts and fixed it on their own with out the insurance company getting involved. It's sketchy, but it happens. I'm sure if you keep looking around you'll find some other S2Ks popping up in your area.

 

Ticking is normal, if I think we're talking about the same thing. Under the car, so I'm guessing away from the engine? Normal.

The paint chips. You say front - you mean the hood, or the bumper, or what?

With the trunk, could just be paranoia. I remember scrutinizing S2k's, and if just a little thing was out of line, I thought it was abnormal, but after asking other S2k owners, and bringing them for visual inspection, they said it was normal. Got pics?

24,4's a bit high imo. I highly doubt you'll get it for 18, though, but it doesn't hurt to ask. W/o seeing the car, I'm betting 20-23 will be more realistic.