Advice on Potential Purchase
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Joined: Mar 2020
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When I bought my S2k 5-6 years ago, I thought I overpaid by $1k-$2k. I could have waited and hoped the seller would eventually take less but did not want to risk losing the S2k over $1k-$2k. I was very particular in what I wanted and even 5-6 years ago, clean, unmolested, one-owner, low mileage, and well cared for S2ks were not very common.
Today, I do not regret that I may have overpaid and am thankful I pulled trigger. Especially with some of the asking prices I am seeing today. I don't have the same handle on the market as when I was looking for an S2k, but I do remember that any reasonably priced clean and unmolested S2k would be sold within a week or two. Of course, any S2k that had a dreamer's price on it would sit and sit and sit. Even if it was a clean, low mileage example. It would eventually sell, but it would take awhile for the market to catch up to the price. One example I can think of sat for close to two years before selling.
Today, I do not regret that I may have overpaid and am thankful I pulled trigger. Especially with some of the asking prices I am seeing today. I don't have the same handle on the market as when I was looking for an S2k, but I do remember that any reasonably priced clean and unmolested S2k would be sold within a week or two. Of course, any S2k that had a dreamer's price on it would sit and sit and sit. Even if it was a clean, low mileage example. It would eventually sell, but it would take awhile for the market to catch up to the price. One example I can think of sat for close to two years before selling.
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 533
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Curious as to why you would buy a car that is 6k above your budget (previous thread you started), and not exactly the year you wanted? These cars have gone up, but aren't exactly unicorns. Personally I'd wait until I found what I wanted, and not have any regrets later. Bumping your budget to 30k opens a lot more doors. Good luck.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2022
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aloha all - also in the same boat and I'm reading through the links above and those are super helpful. I'm in Hawaiʻi and unfortunately we don't have the luxury of shopping around for these cars unless we want to ship them from the continent. I'm actually looking at an '06, 62k miles, recently repainted to formula red (clean carfax), new GAHH soft top, clean pre-sale inspection done by the seller, and the cosmetic cons are a ripped drivers seat. I'm scheduled to view the car this weekend and will be getting an inspection done at a trusted auto shop (owner drives a modified S2000) recommended to me. asking price is $25k. based on what I'm reading here, that sounds like a good deal given the circumstances and barring any mechanical issues. seller only put on 400 miles on the car since he was restoring it but is selling to buy a different car.
other than the pre-check items from the links above (in addition to the VIN stickers), anything else I should check?
other than the pre-check items from the links above (in addition to the VIN stickers), anything else I should check?
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,867
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aloha all - also in the same boat and I'm reading through the links above and those are super helpful. I'm in Hawaiʻi and unfortunately we don't have the luxury of shopping around for these cars unless we want to ship them from the continent. I'm actually looking at an '06, 62k miles, recently repainted to formula red (clean carfax), new GAHH soft top, clean pre-sale inspection done by the seller, and the cosmetic cons are a ripped drivers seat. I'm scheduled to view the car this weekend and will be getting an inspection done at a trusted auto shop (owner drives a modified S2000) recommended to me. asking price is $25k. based on what I'm reading here, that sounds like a good deal given the circumstances and barring any mechanical issues. seller only put on 400 miles on the car since he was restoring it but is selling to buy a different car.
other than the pre-check items from the links above (in addition to the VIN stickers), anything else I should check?
other than the pre-check items from the links above (in addition to the VIN stickers), anything else I should check?
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 7
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seller said he's restoring it. looks like the original owner (at least based on pictures I saw) either parked it outside all the time and/or didn't take care of the paint. which is strange since records show he/she maintained the car (at their local Honda) frequently. this is something I'm planning to talk to the seller about this weekend. carfax says no accidents, but I guess that will be revealed when I verify all the vin plates? the only things flagged by in the pre-sale inspection done by the seller is a suggested drive belt replacement (worn) which he'll provide and the rear tires need to be changed.
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 4,378
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From: um, a house
aloha all - also in the same boat and I'm reading through the links above and those are super helpful. I'm in Hawaiʻi and unfortunately we don't have the luxury of shopping around for these cars unless we want to ship them from the continent. I'm actually looking at an '06, 62k miles, recently repainted to formula red (clean carfax), new GAHH soft top, clean pre-sale inspection done by the seller, and the cosmetic cons are a ripped drivers seat. I'm scheduled to view the car this weekend and will be getting an inspection done at a trusted auto shop (owner drives a modified S2000) recommended to me. asking price is $25k. based on what I'm reading here, that sounds like a good deal given the circumstances and barring any mechanical issues. seller only put on 400 miles on the car since he was restoring it but is selling to buy a different car.
other than the pre-check items from the links above (in addition to the VIN stickers), anything else I should check?
other than the pre-check items from the links above (in addition to the VIN stickers), anything else I should check?
darcy
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Joined: Mar 2022
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I'll be honest, I'm not very knowledgeable about these cars, I've just wanted one since they first came out but couldn't afford one. when I could afford one, none were for sale haha. in typical Hawaiʻi fashion, I've been a Toyota truck guy for a long time. this S2000 is going to be my "fun" car (money pit). I passed on a low mileage one 5 years ago and have regretted that since.
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 13,825
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From: Chesterfield VA
$25K for that car as described does seem like a decent deal considering the nearly unique location and environment. Valve adjustment for the '06 is considered vital and a WARNING has been posted here for several years. Your trusted mechanic should be familiar with the simple but tedious process.
VIN tags may not have survived the repaint. Curious if the repaint is the same color as the original car.
-- Chuck
VIN tags may not have survived the repaint. Curious if the repaint is the same color as the original car.
-- Chuck