After exhausting the search option (which i did find a lot of useful info) i do have a specific question. I am looking at a 02 Sebring silver S2K w/ 38k miles, they are asking 16,900 which reems very reasonable for my area. It is is good shape other than a few cosmetic flaws consistent with a now 5 year old car....and an alignment issue...

It pulls to the right really bad. And it has i THINK 225/50/16 tires on ALL 4 (i know its the same size all around). Now stock specs i believe are 205/55/16 front and 225/50/16 rear right?
I mentioned this to the salesperson and he wrote on the purchase agreement "front end alignment". Now I am not taking this car unless it drives straight and i think that an alignment will fix it.....but it also seems to handle.....sloppy? the wheel sits crooked as it would if it was going to the right but a right turn VS left turn feel different and that could be a camber or toe in issue? But i guess what im asking is are the tires being those sizes opposed to the stock specs a problem in this issue?
The car is such a good deal when compared to blue book even with the issues (which new tires and an alignment would be around 500) but do you think there is more to the problem?

I really am looking forward to S2k ownership, i now have an Audi TT and I have wanted a S2k since they came out.

Small issue...how hard/easy/cheap are new keys/FOB's to come by? it only comes with one?

I really appreciate all the help

Nate

 

My advice to you is to keep looking. Someone has obviously not taken care of the car.

Markk

 

for that price or a little bit more, you should be able to find a much better maintained example which will save you tons of money and headaches in the future. Don't rush it.

 

seems like a really good price to me...but as you describe and as markk wrote above, the car obviously wasn't taken care of. pass! i agree w/both markk and sireousrex.

 

if it could be fixed with a simple alignment, i am wondering why the dealer wouldnt have already done it?

 

It is VERY noticable, and they say they have had it for a month. I saw the carfax on it and it is very clean. 2 previous owners and the last time in 2005 when it was sold it was a honda certified vehicle. I'm guessing when the dealer got it they put those tires on it (they are 'federal' brand) and didnt align it. I know when i bought my Audi they had some crap brand of tires on there, but they were 100% tread, probably 100$ for all 4. I am going to go talk to him today and request that it drives straight, regardless of how that has to be done: 4 wheel alignment, right size tires, etc. Is that odd that the tires are all the same size? what detremental effects could/would that have on the car?
This car books at a little over 20,000 for PRIVATE party, 23,500 for retail....so it appears to me that its a pretty good deal with such low miles. Now....it doesnt matter how cheap it is if there are problems that will appear throughout my ownership, but honestly it looks like an alignment issue to me.. Thanks again for your help and any more insight would be appreciated. A little new to the RWD roadster thing!

Nate

 

Tell them to put the proper size tires on it (check the tire and wheel forum for proper sizes on AP1) in a comparable grade max performance tire as OEM S-O2's. Then tell them you want it aligned exactly to factory specs with you sitting in the car. Then drive the car and buy it if you like it! Good luck.

 

Just becaue the carfax is clean doesnt mean diddly. When I traded in my first S2000, it had a very clean carfax as well. I guess they missed the front end collision that had cost $18k to repair including cutting off and replacing the left frame rail.

My point is this: if there is already signs of wear (needing alignment) and impropper service (wrong tires) and not just a cheap brand here, they didn't even take the time to realize it is a stagered setup... What else has been done wrong or neglected? Oil changes, beat on by previous owner, shoddy repairs performed. Just hold out or you may be buying a headache. And, if it turns out bad later, you are stuck with it. Good things come to those that wait.

 

but then again, 17 grand is a great price for this car. it could be easy to fix, and you shouldn't make the seller put new tires on, you should do it, because you'll want S02's which look great and drive even better. if they have to install them the price will shoot up alot. after a month on the lot you can prob even go lower in price. have it thoroughly checked out, including compression test and retainer check (above and below with a dentist mirror). ignorance and neglect are better than abuse with this car. those tires don't last long, so the dealer or seller may have put them on for a quick sell. pull the carpet in the trunk and look for signs of a repaired wreck. look under the car for wear and cleanliness. check inside the vinyl top for the usual wear spots. most importantly, compare it to other S2000's. listen while driving, take notes. it could be a sukka, or it could be a diamond in the rough.

 

First off for the tires. Print out this post: https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=48572

Take it with you and make them put on the proper size tires(their fronts are wrong wrong, and while their rears are wrong, they probably don't know that).

That's the easier part. Next up you really need to know people who fix and or align cars well(hopefully both). What you want to know is 2 things, was the car wrecked? And will it align up straight now? My opinion is that if it was wrecked, but it aligns well, and the repairs are good quality, I'm ok with that as long as I don't pay a premium. You may not be, that's your choice. This is not a decision to make uniformed however, have a pro check it out.


If they offer you a cut in price to get this crap fixed, don't take it...have them fix it before you buy it. You want to know that its right before purchasing it. Also, don't let them align the car. If the car has been wrecked and isn't straight, they could "cover up" that problem w/an alignment that ends up making the car not pull, but is out of spec thus causing issues w/tire wear and other stuff that's unsafe. Bottom line is that pulling isn't the only thing alignments are for.

Make sure you listen for strange noises at the rear end(differential). That means top up, stereo off...you are listening for a whooshing(what mine sounded like) or a whining or anything bad coming from behind you. If in doubt, have a mechanic listen to it.

Keep in mind that you are paying a lower price and for that price you may only find a car that's been wrecked and fixed. The question of whether its been serviced well is almost moot imo. Only a very few people keep good notes on their services. Those people are going to get more money for their cars than you are looking at for this one. If you are worried about it, get an extended warranty(thus eating up some fo the money you were saving...Catch-22 sucks, don't it?).


Good luck