Hey all,

So I've been looking for a Laguna Blue s2k for a while now and, hey! I found one! ... only the interior has been modified to incorporate an xbox into the glovebox area and a touchscreen. How much dough would it cost me to remove these things and put it closer to stock? Estimates? Experience?

--CJ

link to the car I'm talking about

 

Wow, I have no idea how much it would cost to put the interior back to stock, but I'm sure it will not be cheap. The stuff for between the seats could probably be found for a reasonable price. As for the dash, I don't know, will depend how donkeyed up it is. As for the price on that car, in my opinion it is over priced by 6k if in excellent condition. I know it's a dealer, but still to high. The Xbox does nothing for value!!

 

S'what I said! They're pretty proud of themselves that they found an s2k with an xbox conversion, but they started talking to me about price when I brought up the fact that this car, despite its low miles and rare color, has been sitting on their lot for a while. I put it to them bluntly: that it would be long gone if not for the xbox conversion. I'm willing to pay a reasonable price for it, provided they leave me enough to put things back to the way they were...and providing it's not too messed up. The engine is stock, too, as well as the rest of the car. Seemed worth it to bring it up here.

 

Hard to say without more detailed pics.. If they only replaced the glovebox/secret compartment area those shouldnt be too expensive to replace as they were the same throughout the years, but there's no telling whats going on behind there either.. Also, once replaced you would have to have it rekeyed if you ever wanted to lock it. To get rid of the screen you would need to replace the whole dash which is time consuming and a bit harder to resource. As far as the center console, it looks painted and I dont think would ever be right again if you tried to strip it.. An AP2 version is $2-$300 used depending on condition. However I guess it could be covered with vinyl.. Something you'd have to look at.

Unless you get it a few grand below the kbb value and are okay with putting that much into it (+ or -, depending on price of replacement parts and if you pay someone or do it yourself) to get it back to stock, i'd keep looking.

 

My experience is to run away fast from cars that have these types of mods. It's just my opinion, but I'd rather buy an S from a driving enthusiast, not someone who wants to ruin it with flatscreens, Xboxs, etc. It could have just been a show car and never abused, or it could have been modded even more and put back to stock under the hood, and the mods left in the car (Xbox, Dash) are obviously something they couldn't easily un-do.

I guess ask yourself who would want to do this to an S2000 (especially a low mileage, potentially mint one), and is that the type of prior owner you would ideally like to purchase a car from?

Owner 1 - yeah I bought the S because I loved the vehicle and it's handling.
Owner 2- yeah I bought this S because I wanted to cut it up and through a video game console in there, a touch screen, etc. It will be Baller.

Which would be the better prior owner for you? For me it's #1

I also am skeptical of buying used vehicles from dealerships. I'd rather meet the owner face to face and try to suss out any sketchy details, etc.

 

We were talking about this car a few weeks ago. As stupid as it is they seemed to do a pretty clean job on it. I'd say if you get a good deal go for it. If not, keep on looking.

 

Hoo.. ok ok lots of replies here

AE_Racer: true, I would have to get a good look at it myself to see the handiwork done on it. You're right about the replacement for the dash though. Looks like they cut into it to install the screen pretty thoroughly. I...suppose one option I have is converting the screen to some other kind of entertainment system/navigation mod and just reinstalling the glovebox/secret compartment. And good call about rekeying.

AZH: Its mileage, to me, show that at some point the guy just wanted to make it a show-car....but you're right dude's hacked it to death. And absolutely, I'd rather it come from owner 1.

IrishCarBomb (and everyone I suppose): if I get a mean deal on it, I'll go for it. The car has been sitting there for ages now, and Im sure they'd rather sell it at a discounted price rather than wait for someone who wants a roadster with an outdated console system for way too much money.

but that's a big IF, and from what you all have contributed, it sounds like a lot of time and money to get this thing looking "normal" again. Plus the reinstall of a completely new dash, if AE is right, would devastate the value of the car, at least I'd think so.

--CJ

 

You know what, yeah, let's continue on that. What if I didn't remove the screen and just re-purposed it? Do my homework and buy quality in car satellite radio/sat nav system, reinstall the glovebox (I do like having a glovebox in the car), and just keep the screen that way?

 

Changing the dash wouldn't really kill the value.. The vin plate is riveted on but it should easy to cut it out and rivet it on the replacement. Im sure if you took pics of everything throughout the process a new owner would understand why you did it.

You could absolutely repurpose the screen, its just rather large (IMO)

This is the factory nav system that could be purchased with JDM S2000's and wasn't offered here, but people here have fitted them

 

I think I've seen the center glove box units for sale in the $600-$900 range? Also a new center console is around $250? Is that right? For about 1K you could retro it to stock minus the dash flatscreen.

I'd check to see how pro the wiring job was done too if you're going to pull the trigger on the car.

Good luck! LBP is an awesome color - hope it works out for you.