Hi all,

This is my first post here, so please don't be too rough on me

I'm looking into buying a 2004 or 2005 S2000 in the near future and I am wondering if a "certified" used car from a Honda dealer is worth the extra price these cars are demanding.

The big issue is I am planning to purchase from the US, and then export it back to Canada. I want to find a car that is low mileage, right price, right color, etc. no matter where it is in the country. I'll then fly down and perform a final inspection myself, test drive, sign the paperwork, then make a road trip back with the car. Of course, I want to make sure the car meets high standards and I'd obviously want to only make 1 flight looking for the car. I don't want to get there and find out the car is not as represented, and have to spend the money to fly home, then find a different car to check out. I'll have photos up the ying-yang sent to me, purchase from a new car dealer, or maybe from someone on here. I'd like to try and stay away from private sales, and shady "used car" dealers.

Having taken these precautions do you think its worth it to spend the (on average) $2K more to buy a "certified" car, or is it money wasted? If you can offer any more tips on looking, that would be appreciated too!

Thanks
-Rich.

 

I purchased my car 2 years ago, Honda Certified with 16k miles on it. I haven't used my warranty once. However, I am getting a weird vibration in vtec, feels like wheel hop, but maybe it's because my rear tires need replacing. I honestly don't know if it's worth it, especially if you think you might get the itch to modify the car, but it does give you peace of mind knowing that if the engine blows 100k miles from now, you can get it replaced.

 

Thanks for the reply. I guess I should also mention that since the car will be coming to Canada Honda will void the warranty when I register it. The only advantage I'd get to buying a certified car would be in pre-sale inspection from Honda. Also, the car will be a stock class autocross car (so only a few mods will be done: shocks/fsb/exhaust/wheels/tires)

 

Absolutely zero point in spending the extra $$ for a "certified car" if you will not have a warranty. The "120 point" inspection they do is they hose off the car and look underneath it for a few seconds. They dont ACTUALLY check it out. Even IF they did, you have the right to have an independant mechaninc look at a car before you buy it. Pay him $50 to do a 120 point inspection for you instead of 1000's for "certification"

 

Not if he takes it to Canada! Warranty will be voided.

 

Not to sound mean but it's a "Honda." Buy with peace of mind.

 

 

It doesn't sound mean... you are correct, however, there is such a thing as wear & abuse. mavm86, I would have a qualified mechanic check out your prospective purchase... it may take sometime on the phone, but in the end, you will have that confidence level and peace of mind AsianQing refers to. Make sure you ask a lot of pointed questions so you don't end up wasting your time.
Used car purchase checklist: https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=271158

 

Thanks for the checklist, thats helpful even though most is common stuff you'd look for when buying a used car.

One other question, does anyone know of any particular problems that I should be watching out for on the 2004 and 2005 cars?