Hi everyone, I have always loved s2000's and I finally have enough money to purchase a used one. I was wondering if you guys wouldn't mind giving me as much advice as possible as to what to look for in a used s2000 and what to avoid? thanks so much!

 

Get the color you want.

 

This should give you a good start:

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=590849

 

thanks 8ball, i actually found that after i started this thread... i wish I knew someone with an s2000 around here (philly) but they're really rare. especially among younger people. Do you guys have advice on the year to look for? I want something closer to $10k so i won't be able to afford the newer ones, but I'm thinking the 2002 because it has the glass rear window and not the plastic.

 

s2ooo's are a dime a dozen 'round here. everybody and their mother has one. good luck finding one up north...

 

Welcome. You should try and meet up with some local owners... post here https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showforum=65
It may take you quite some time to find a nice one for that price. Here is another "used" car check out lists.
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=271158

 

thanks TYM2FLY, I posted on that forum. Meantime, I've been checking many threads on this forum and it's all interesting and somewhat confusing! hopefully I'll learn a lot about the car just from this forum.

 

Theres one on craigslist for 6500 in Oklahoma. It needs work though. Should still be able to squeeze in under your 10k budget

http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/cto/901167711.html

 

Couple of tips for you fresh in my mind since I just bought one meself...

Check alloys for corrosion, check rear screen for fogginess if it's the placcy one.

Tape a magnet to a business card, and use (the business card side of it obviously!) it to check the panels for filler. S panels are steel, so the magnet should stick. If it don't, ask why. Probably filler from crash damage. Check seat and pedal wear and make sure it is reasonable given the mileage of the car, and most importantly, have it checked by Honda before you hand over the readies. They'll always find something to tell you about, so don't be put off unless it's something serious. It's more so you don't get any nasty surprises later.

Ask the previous owner what fuel and oil he was using. Check against the FAQ here that he answers correctly (98 octane plus, and appropriate sythetics). Check the wear pattern on the tyres. Check the car tracks perfectly straight under acceleration and braking. Have him accelerate away from you and pop it into second, look for blue smoke during the shift. Start it while it's cold and later again when it's hot, make sure it idles well. Open the windows and doors with the top up and down, they should go up and down smoothly in both cases.

Um, that's it for now, if I remember anything else I'll post it.

 

You could buy mine. It's an AP1 with a AP2 conversion.

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/868359273.html