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Just got a used 2003 White S2000!

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Old Jul 7, 2007 | 11:15 PM
  #1  
buyos1717's Avatar
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From: The Pearl
Default Just got a used 2003 White S2000!

I just got a 2003 white s2k with 51,000 miles on it. It is bone stock and i made sure to [joke] get one with the 240 hp GT option and a 6 spd! I hear this combo is rare! [/joke]

This is my first 200+ hp car and my first RWD car. I had a subaru 2.5rs before this and the s2k is so much fun. I kinda told myself i would not get a FWD car again unless its purpose was to be an economical daily driver. However, i am in no position to have two cars so the s2k is now my daily driver. I've been riding a motorcycle for like 2 months and i thought the transition to a car would be depressing but i havent felt that way yet except in the turns. I know this car handles well but it scare me shitless because it has so much power and its rwd. Anyways, i was wondering if you could address a couple of questions.

Exterior:
My plans long term plans (because of my budget) are to clear my headlights, clear sidemarkers and rims. Oh, and i was wondering what your feelings are for tinted windows. I love how my arms wouldn't get burnt but i think it would look a little awkward with the top down and windows up, and of course the police. I tried looking in the gallery but i havent seen any pictures that accurately depict what im talking about

I read the thread about taking care of the softop and i plan on putting some of that stuff on that protects it (i.e. make water bead and protect it from the sun). Does it cause excessive wear from putting up the top up and down? i tend to do it about...3 times a day

Concerns:
The car seems to be really slide happy when i hit water. And i know that this is a rwd car but this isnt under heavy acceleration. I've heard stories of the car becoming a devil in rain and stuff and was wondering if this is common in a RWD car. I figured it may be my tires (potenzas, i think the RE 92's?) because they look fairly new with a lot of tread left.

There is also a sound that sounds kind of like a flat spot on the tire. It's basically sounds like the tire is making a slight thumping noise in sync with its revolutions. Do you think this is the tire or is this a normal sound?

Im thinking about getting my alignment checked out for the tire and im not sure but i heard it helps with handling in watery situations.

Please dont flame , i realize im a noob but this car has to last me a while. Any suggestions or things i should expect would be great. I have tried searching for some of the topics that i am referencing but havent came across any concrete answers.

Damn, i didn't expect it this post to be this long but ....
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Old Jul 8, 2007 | 01:39 AM
  #2  
tekstar's Avatar
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Joined: Jul 2005
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Default

Welcome and congrats on your purchase!

Tinted windows: if your top is down, why would your windows be up anyway? If I were you I would just go with 20% tint all around. You could also try UV Tints, they are clear tints that keep out the uv rays..

Softtop: Keeping you top clean and protected with Ragg Top or 303 actually helps preserve your top. Putting your top up and down multiple times a day should not be an issue.

I don't know what tires you are running, but the stock tires are Potenza S-02's, and though they are not the best tire for the rain, keep out of VTEC and you should be fine. You could always switch to all-season tires if this is a concern for you.

A little more information would be needed about the "flat spot" on your tire. If this sound still occurs after your alignment, you might try posting in S2000 talk and see if you get some more responses there.

Hope this helps
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Old Jul 9, 2007 | 05:52 AM
  #3  
Lionheart's Avatar
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From: LittlecountrynamedBelgium
Default

Originally Posted by buyos1717,Jul 8 2007, 08:15 AM
Concerns:
The car seems to be really slide happy when i hit water. And i know that this is a rwd car but this isnt under heavy acceleration. I've heard stories of the car becoming a devil in rain and stuff and was wondering if this is common in a RWD car. I figured it may be my tires (potenzas, i think the RE 92's?) because they look fairly new with a lot of tread left.
Welcome

Can you explain this problem a little further? Is it in a straight line? Only in corners? When just cruising or under accel/braking etc...

The S is no AWD in the rain, but it's not that bad if you take it easy in the rain...
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Old Jul 9, 2007 | 08:33 PM
  #4  
buyos1717's Avatar
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From: The Pearl
Default

Thanks guys.

Im still a little bit concerned with the whole water issue, even on my all season tires. I just went outside to check and i forgot what they were called, but i know they weren't anything special. i'll definitely drive slower/smoother in rain.

I looked on autopia and this site for the rag top care and im probably going to follow their instructions. What is the '03 top made out of?

The tire noise is not too loud, it just sounds like a flat spot on the tire that makes a small thump noise everytime it rotates. At this point in time, im thinking it might just be the road noise because i was never so close to the rear tires in my other cars haha. The noise is there all the time, it simply sounds like theres something on the tire.

Thanks guys! I dont think i will ever get sick of this car.
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