Maryland to Texas in two days!
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Registered User
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13
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From: North Texas
Maryland to Texas in two days!
My first S2000!
2009
17k miles
... and never been in the rain! Even on the 1450-mile journey back to Texas, there was no moisture!
I'm not sure what I was expecting, having never been behind the wheel of one of these 'rocket ships', but my expectation would have been far exceeded by the sheer joy of it all... and besides that, the scenery through the Great Smoky Mountains was a huge plus!
My mechanic brother and I will be checking valve clearances soon... are there any other "must perform" maintenance procedures that need to be checked out before continuing on this journey?
Thanks to this great community for all you do to make the ownership experience even more rewarding than it already is!
(the blue painters tape performed beautifully all the way...)
... now, if I can just figure out how to upload images, all will be well!
2009
17k miles
... and never been in the rain! Even on the 1450-mile journey back to Texas, there was no moisture!
I'm not sure what I was expecting, having never been behind the wheel of one of these 'rocket ships', but my expectation would have been far exceeded by the sheer joy of it all... and besides that, the scenery through the Great Smoky Mountains was a huge plus!
My mechanic brother and I will be checking valve clearances soon... are there any other "must perform" maintenance procedures that need to be checked out before continuing on this journey?
Thanks to this great community for all you do to make the ownership experience even more rewarding than it already is!
(the blue painters tape performed beautifully all the way...)
... now, if I can just figure out how to upload images, all will be well!
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 13,829
Likes: 1,550
From: Chesterfield VA
Low miles but brake/clutch fluid and coolant are on a time change interval, not mileage so unless you know they were just changed I'd do them. Instructions in the maintenance section. Use Honda fluids. Cheap insurance.
Oil and filter change also won't hurt and you'll feel better knowing you changed them. Most recommend a good 10W-30 synthetic. Honda manual transmission fluid (two quarts) and LE1605 (one quart) for the differential for the same reason. Easy on a lift, possible on jack stands. Get new washers. Some (most?) Honda dealers will just give you the washers to avoid the paperwork of a sale. Reset the Maintenance Minder. You can change the fluids more often than spec, of course. but it's mostly wasted oil.
Skip the air filter. You'll want a K&N FIPK or similar anyway. For the induction sounds if nothing else! Leaving the air box cover off works too and costs nothing.
Valve clearance needs to be done with a cold engine. Simple if tedious. You have to pull the spark plugs to check clearance (so you can rotate the engine). New plugs are not necessary at all but for $40 and with the holes already open, why not?
Tires are paramount. If you intend on spirited driving get "extreme performance summer tires." You won't be happy with anything less. If you fit all season radials even the Miatas will out-corner you. Bridgestone RE-71R are a popular choice. Hopefully you won't be driving this car in winter weather.
You can turn the car into a money pit with little effort. Unless you need to tune your suspension for a specific race track or Autocross ignore things like coil-overs. Most guys with them have no clue how to set them anyway.
You'll be tempted by stuff like a different exhaust system. Resist. At least until you're familiar with the car. I resisted for nearly a year. The stock exhaust is too refined for me and now safely resides in my shed should the next owner want a pure stock car. Try to listen to actual exhausts, not sound clips. There are some horrible, raspy "ricer" exhausts out there that sound like Civics driven by high school guys. Or maybe you want that sound? 
I've restricted personal touches to OEM/JDM items. Clear side lights, CR shift knob and radio cover are about it. OEM parts bagged and stored.
I installed a Modiction Rev/Shift Beeper and am happy I did. Scary when the rev limiter cuts out. I can anticipate that better now.
Looking forward to your photos!
-- Chuck
Oil and filter change also won't hurt and you'll feel better knowing you changed them. Most recommend a good 10W-30 synthetic. Honda manual transmission fluid (two quarts) and LE1605 (one quart) for the differential for the same reason. Easy on a lift, possible on jack stands. Get new washers. Some (most?) Honda dealers will just give you the washers to avoid the paperwork of a sale. Reset the Maintenance Minder. You can change the fluids more often than spec, of course. but it's mostly wasted oil.
Skip the air filter. You'll want a K&N FIPK or similar anyway. For the induction sounds if nothing else! Leaving the air box cover off works too and costs nothing.
Valve clearance needs to be done with a cold engine. Simple if tedious. You have to pull the spark plugs to check clearance (so you can rotate the engine). New plugs are not necessary at all but for $40 and with the holes already open, why not?
Tires are paramount. If you intend on spirited driving get "extreme performance summer tires." You won't be happy with anything less. If you fit all season radials even the Miatas will out-corner you. Bridgestone RE-71R are a popular choice. Hopefully you won't be driving this car in winter weather.
You can turn the car into a money pit with little effort. Unless you need to tune your suspension for a specific race track or Autocross ignore things like coil-overs. Most guys with them have no clue how to set them anyway.
You'll be tempted by stuff like a different exhaust system. Resist. At least until you're familiar with the car. I resisted for nearly a year. The stock exhaust is too refined for me and now safely resides in my shed should the next owner want a pure stock car. Try to listen to actual exhausts, not sound clips. There are some horrible, raspy "ricer" exhausts out there that sound like Civics driven by high school guys. Or maybe you want that sound? I've restricted personal touches to OEM/JDM items. Clear side lights, CR shift knob and radio cover are about it. OEM parts bagged and stored.
I installed a Modiction Rev/Shift Beeper and am happy I did. Scary when the rev limiter cuts out. I can anticipate that better now.
Looking forward to your photos!
-- Chuck
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Tulsa, Oklahoma USA
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 860
Likes: 196
From: Palm Bay, FL
Welcome! Where in MD are you? Harford County guys have regular meets. Keep an eye on the Mid Atlantic section for more info.
Here are 2 especially useful threads I found before I actually went and looked for a car:
https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/548...d-maintenance/
https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/775...#entry18385358
They should have most of the info and additional links you will ever need.
Here are 2 especially useful threads I found before I actually went and looked for a car:
https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/548...d-maintenance/
https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/775...#entry18385358
They should have most of the info and additional links you will ever need.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13
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From: North Texas
Congrats and welcome! 
I'm surprised no one has mentioned retorquing the axle nuts.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned retorquing the axle nuts.Forgot to mention that the previous owner only made one change from stock, and that was a very nice Pioneer unit that still utilizes all the stock switches, etc. for the audio... sounded great on the road!
I sure am glad that there are so many folks on here that have the experience to lead us new ones in the right direction... sure don't want to do any damage to this beautiful machine!!!