I went to California Motor Direct in Standon, CA today to test drive a 2002 with 119K miles on it, one owner (according to CarFax).

I read the very informative article from the S2KI forums: https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/775...-a-used-s2000/
I basically printed it out and ran down the check list and found everything satisfactory.
I will also bring the car into a Honda dealership for a pre-purchase inspection. I hope they can check the for Banjo Bolt issues, Cracked Retainers, and other 2002 (AP1) known issues. Anybody have recommendations on who to independently inspect a used s2000 in that area?

I honestly don't have much experience with 2000s, but as I was driving, I felt the engine, tranny, and suspension seemed clean.

Then at a red light, I was at a stop and took a right turn and to gassed it and intentionally caused the car oversteer.
My M3 (E92) has traction control and would prevent any horrible from happening.
Well, the 2K basically did a catastrophic oversteer and I over compensated, which caused the car to turn the opposite way and do a 180. At that point I basically parallel parked between two cars that were on the other side of the street. I was very, very lucky that I didn't hit another car!

Is that normal? Perhaps I am used to my M3 and thought the Traction Control would kick-in, but it did not.

The tires weren't great quality, but were in good condition.

Is it just me not knowing how an S2K would react?

Any suggestions are welcome.

Thank you

 

Normal.

 

I also drive an '02 and recently had my own incident like your own. I wound up in a ravine in between two HUGE trees and my back tires rolling interdependently above a lake, luckily the rear bumper and trunk ran into a small but sturdy tree bough preventing the entire car from flying into the lake or hitting either two huge trees.

A new bumper, trunk, third brake light, rim, and ABS unit and the only thing to show for it is some shoddy paint work.


This is a driver's car without a doubt, come into it with the mindset of just gassing it and shenanigans and you'll get your ass bitten




Enjoy your potential purchase, you're in for some good times if you decide to take delivery

 

Stay away from those dealerships

http://mycalifornialemonlaw.com/cate...motors-direct/

They change their name frequently, used to be Southern California Auto Sales, search the SoCal forum for horror stories.

 

02 doesnt have traction control

 

^ this.

you are the traction control.

 

For the love of god, some people just need to stick to there fancy cars that control themselves.










Lol no jk, but yea like mentioned before you are the traction control. Don't ever try to purposly oversteer an ap1 or things could get very ugly, unless your in a big empty parking lot. Either way its an amazing machine that you will have a blast with, get to know her, respect both her and your limits and invest in a track day, hope you take delivery and see you soon on the board

 

I can never get MY04 to oversteer

In serious note, it is normal, just learn how to drive without traction control. (go to a few autocross events) And you should be fine down the line.

 

Thank you very much for the comments.

I should get a bit of a whipping since I was one of those Fancy car owners who depended on technology too much and had Miatas and S2000 lap me at the track.

Time for a real track with real track lash.

 

Great new attitude! You'l be even faster with your M3

the 2002 does not come with traction control.

Your feet and hands are all you have !