even damage to the rear quarter (which is a bitch to replace), trunk, and bumper is not something likely to be totalled. I think you're at about $8K in damage (based on the estimate for my 2001 which had rear quarter, bumper, trunk, door, and frame damage).

frame damage is what adds to the cost.

there probably IS frame damage; maybe they thought it wasn't enough to work on (ie, "good enough") and are saying there is none.

I think a "fair" price for a salvage is $12-14K. You could probably find a mid-mileage 2002 for $20-21K, high mileage $19K, low mileage probably $22-23K.

Save up the money. The fact that it is a clean title will MORE than make up for the additional cost when you sell it.

I believe that S2000 prices will level out in the $10-15K level for quite a long time (as most Japanese RWD sportscars are doing now) due to the high demand from younger people at that price point ($20K is too much for them, thus they are not in the market now). With a salvage title you won't enjoy that.