Hi Guys,

So I just joined the forums. I have been ending up here through Google, because it seems this is the Honda S2K place to be. I recently turned in my Audi S4 2013. It was a great car but now that we have a second car in the family, I am looking for some more... FUN. I used to own a 2006 RSX Type-S. That is the only background I have on this particular car. Near as I can tell the steering wheels is identical (not sure what else might be). Anyways, I am pretty convinced that I am going to get a S2000 next. I have been pretty busy the last couple of months. I have test driven many cars and ultimately decided I want to stick with the S2k. I have driven at least 4 different AP1s and 1 AP2. I love the 9k red line on the AP1- thats what got me interested in the Honda again. BUT... I have a feeling I will end up dead in that car.

Now I am not saying I don't want an AP1 for sure but right now it seems the AP2 is better suited to daily driving. I have never been on a track on my own (BMW sponsored trips in their cars not withstanding). So there will be zero track use. I do have a daily communte in DMV traffic, so that is one thing that keeps me second guessing my choice such a sporty sports car? I mean every time I test drove one my palms were sweaty and i was breathing hard. Also I am 5,6 and 130 (I am Asian) so I do think that the seating position is a bit lower than I would like. I hear that you can add bolts to make it higher. But other than that the cockpit is a great fit for my size. I love the manual and the only thing that comes close is probably a Porsche GTS shifter. Love the feeling of the wheel in my hands and the sharp turn in. The cabin noise and comfort could be better but I am not complaining. I love it.

I am looking at cars.com and cargurus.com every day for possible good matches. I also started looking at this forum for possible cars. What all do I need to look out for. The general advice I have already read as for as 10 vin stickers (how important is that btw, I found a great car missing a fender sticker). Also the compression test part. It seems I can only do that after buying. I am mostly looking at cosmetics on the AP1 (assuming the mechanicals are sound on this car) and for the AP1 i know what the clutch buzz is about (I experiecned that on atleast one car I test drove) - is there a fix for it that is sure thing.


So I don't have any questions. Just looking for advice on the best thigns to look out for when getting a new S2k. Introduce my self and say hi. I am looking for fewer miles as possible. My budget is 25k max.

 

I did think of a question though. There are two cars that I found recently. I need a vote on which to pick

Option A: 2004 S2k silver. Two owner. Clean Carfax. Missing VIN on passenger side vendor. a few minor dings on the drivers side door. A couple of wheels have curb rash and a few stone chips in bumper and one in hood. The interior is 10/10. It has the black on red seats with I prefer. New super sports 245 in the back. MX4 in the front that are older but good tread left. I intend to replace with matching super sports. Car is at a dealer.

Option B: 2005 S2k silver. Two owner. Clearn Cafax. All 10 VIN stickers present. minor chips in front bumper. Has factory lip. The paint has very issues if any. wheels have a few minor curb rashes. Falken tires all round in good condition. the steering wheels has major scratches but over all the interior is fine. sale by owner.

Both cars have 36K miles. Soft top is perfect.

Asking price is the same 20K.

My issue is that I prefer option A because of better interior color choice and overall interior condition. However option B has better paint on the outside. Which would you guys say is the better pic from a re-sale perspective. Is the missing VIN really such a big deal?

 

Welcome.

Check out the link in my signature.

 

How's the interior condition of car B?

 

Interior is pretty good shape. Other than the major scuffs on steering wheel. Which I could replace at some point, there are few aftermarket ones I like. Also a few paint marks on the roll over hoops. Other than the fact that I prefer the red interior on option A, I would say they are very very close 9/10 condition.

 

Welcome! Wow, that's a tough choice. Be sure to read through What to look for when buying a used S2000... if you haven't already. Good luck!

 

 

So guys, I talked to dealer on Car A (options i was leaning towards).

Got them to agree to touch up chips on bumper, hood, pain scratches on fender and do dent removal on the couple of dings in drivers side door and refinish the one wheel.All for the same cost 21K all inlcuding shipping and dealer fees (not tags or taxes). BTW is there an extra charge for temp tags (I will need those to get a state inspections and emissions done on a car, or can my local DMV provide that).

I had the car go through a PPI. Results were good. Following problems.

Brake and clutch fluid has moisture, so should be replaced - I was prepared to do that anyway, pus FL car so makes sense
The drivers side door is repainted in addition to the passenger fender. There are some paint overuns. The guy thinks the paint matches and is good coat, but the finishing was done poorly. He said there are some visible sanding marks if look very carefully. He thinks a detail shop can wet sand all that out.

I asked dealer, and they agreed to address that on the door. (i already expect some of that due to the 1 VIN on fender missing, the door has the VIN).

I am having the PPI shop do a compression test. Hoping for good consistent numbers... which I will post here.

So what do you guys think... Go through with the deal given the new info. I am inclined to.. It will be a daily for me and it is not a showcar so i expect at some point I would have run into something (dear or shopping cart) that would have required some respray. Now I don't have to worry about my 10 stickers all the time.

Car is mechanically sound (will wait for the engine test). Any further checks cannot be done till I take possession of the car. I am only out of pocket for the PPI and Engine test ($450 at this point). So if there is something absoulte crucial that I am missing before I lock the deal, please let me know. I do have the opperutnity for the next few hours to back out if need be

 

Compresssion test results

cyclinder 1 2 3 4
230 230 230 238

I am guessing that is what I wanted right? is the final difference a non issue on cylinder 4

 

Buy the car you like more. From a financial perspective obviously the 10 vin car will have a higher resale value, but it sounds like you already have your heart set on the other car and just want confirmation. Those are some very healthy compression numbers. You could try to talk down the price due to the door issues