I have a deposit down on a 2001 AP1. The dealer is replacing the diff bearings on the car but my novice inspection tells me it is a good car. I was wondering if any of you have suggestions of what else I should look at. I had the car on a lift and can't find any thing wrong with the car. It is remarkably clean.

I have owned 12 of so Honda's over the years including two CivicSis. Have always dreamed of an S2000.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions on what to look for in a final inspection or once I take delivery.

Current Cars: ‘’22 Honda HR-V Sport, 20 Honda CR-V EXL, '15 MB GLA45, ’12 VW EOS, ’05 MB SLK 55 '03 Honda Civic SiPrevious Cars: '17 MB B250E, '14 MB B250 Electric Drive, '14 MB CLA250, '12 Honda Civic Si, ’08 Honda Fit, '08 Honda Odyssey, '07 VW EOS 2.0T, '05 Audi S4, '03 Honda Odyssey, '01 Honda Accord, 1998 Honda Accord, 1997 Honda Odyssey, 1995 Honda Civic EX, 1992 Honda Civic LX, 1986 Honda Civic Si, 1979 VW Rabbit, 1975 Olds Delta 88, 1971 Saab 99, 1971 Olds Delta 88

Why are the diff bearings being replaced? What is the mileage? That is not really a normal issue/service. It has been an observed (don't want to say common) occurrence that Honda dealers are unfamiliar with these cars and end up using the wrong fluid in the diff. I don't think any other Honda vehicles use the same type of gear lube the S2k rear uses. The CRV and their other AWD models use an oddball fluid but it's typically the only thing dealers have around that is labeled as differential fluid. They put the CRV stuff in the S2k diff and the diff goes bad. Idk if the failure mode is bad bearings. The diff in these cars also has a ridiculously small fluid capacity (< 1L) and should be changed at pretty quick intervals. I believe the book rate is every 15k miles. Very possible a non-enthusiast owner does not know that and runs it to its death.

I think I'd want some type of written agreement about a warranty on the driveline. If this is done and the diff ends up whining, leaking, or vibrating in a month, you'd want to be covered.

Where ya parking all those cars?

"Dealer" as in Honda dealer or Bubba's Used Cars dealer? Typical recommendations are a compression check, valve clearance and retainer check, and verification all preventive maintenance is up to date to include brake, clutch, and antifreeze replacement. Really about the same of any quasi limited production and older used car. Any and all modifications are suspects until verified good. Crappy tires are in indication of indifferent previous ownership. Yeah it's a Honda and yeah it's over 20 years old.

This car won't drive the same as all those front-wheel drive Hondas.

-- Chuck

My mistake, they are replacing the rear differential mounting bushings. It nothing apparently wrong inside the diff. Car has good maintenance record for the first 17 years, and only 3000 miles put on the car in the last 5 years with just oil changes. New tires in 2020 and new brakes just now by the dealer. I will have a Honda dealer I trust or my mechanic change all the fluids as soon as I get the car so I know exactly what is in the car.

Clutch was replace and flywheel at about 68K miles. I will get all fluids changed. Only 5 cars currently. The rest are past cars.

Do not have the dealership change fluids.

What parts for the clutch/flywheel and tires?

That'll probably tell you a pretty good amount about how it was maintained/treated. Non-Honda discs are mostly crap for stock power. Pressure plate changes are fairly common but not needed. Tires should be nice branded summer tires, hopefully. Off-brand indicates owners cheap on maintenance. Not always a huge deal but it's just an indicator.

Looks like it was maintained well. All service was done at Honda dealers including the clutch. Battery was replaced with a Honda Battery. Air filter is a Honda as is oil filter. Tires are Michelin Pilot Sport. My impression right now is this was taken care of. I will ask the current dealer about the brake parts he used as well as the bushings. The current dealer I'm getting it from is not a Honda dealer.



I do appreciate all of you chiming in.

Yea, all of those are good indicators. People on here aren't generally fans of Honda dealers but it does ensure that they used OEM Honda parts for the clutch and stuff. That's great. Does seem odd that a clutch goes at 68k though. I've owned two cars above 110k on the OG clutch. I just replaced mine this year as preventative maintenance and mine still had some life left. That clutch has seen at least 400+ launches @5k+ RPM too. Had a few hot spots but still behaved fine and had life left. I wouldn't fret about it being replaced but it just seems outside of the norm.