Advice on potential S2k purchase
 

Hey All,

I currently have the opportunity to purchase a 2005, NFR, 48k miles s2k for 26.3k. The car has oem front lip, side strake, and oem wing.

This transaction has been solely online and the owner has sent me videos of the car driving and under carriage. Car looks incredibly clean with no engine modifications. Owner is selling as he needs a more comfortable car as they are is 70+ with arthritis.

car has 8/10 vins, rear bumper and driver side fender vins missing. Carfax shows minor accident by the first owner within the first year of the car being sold as new. Owner doesn’t have history which body panel was in an accident. The last two owners have been meticulous with maintenance.

I would have to pay for shipping which is roughly 1500. Which brings the total car price of 27.8k. Do you guys think this is a good deal?

One detail I forgot, car was repainted as the front bumper vin is painted over. The current owner does not know if the whole car was repainted or just the front bumper.

yeah sounds like a decent deal if the paint job was well done.

I'd personally not spend that much on a pre-2006 car. The reason being the 2006+ cars are FlashPRO tunable as long as a high flow cat is fitted. With VTEC lowered to the 3600rpm range the engine wakes up at those mid-rpm ranges and doesn't require running above 6000 rpm all the time to get any power. The power just rolls on.

2006+ was the first item on my priority list (got one?) when I was looking for a S2000. I didn't even bother looking at pre-2006 cars. Regarding a priority list color was not on my list since I was mainly concerned with condition and mileage -- and the ability to FlashPRO tune the car on the road without needing a dyno.

I'd also never buy a car sight-unseen. Spend another $1000 and inspect the car before writing the check.

Curious where the car is sitting. I'd feel better if it was in Arizona and less if it was in the Rust Belt or in some coastal location -- You need to see the car on a lift.

Best of luck on your decision. :)

-- Chuck

Thanks all for your reply.

I don’t plan on modifying the car or tuning so looking for the cleanest car I can find for the money. If I do get the itch to tune the car I would have to swallows the cost for a standalone and tune. I would prefer 06+ but I can find any clean s2000 under 60k miles that isn’t going for 30k+. Owner sent me videos of the under carriage and my mechanic said there is hardly any rust. I was very concerned of the location of the car but the last two owners garaged the car throughout winter.

That is not terrible price for a 48,000 mile S2k right now really. May try to bring them down a bit but likely wont get them to budge if this is legit. And there is no real reason to not get the pre 2006 anyways really. There are other tuning options out there for those that want to and if you dont plan on it then you dont care.

Are you having someone inspect this car in person? You arent just buying it remotely based upon the videos and pics are you? Very, very bad idea if so. People get scammed all the time on that. No way I buy any car that I do not go inspect in person and drive myself, or have someone I trust very well to go do that for me. They could be showing you info of any S2000 otherwise.

Lot of money to trust on pictures only :nails:

I plan on setting up a PPI for this weekend.

Good choice! Good luck on it!

https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/775...#entry18385384

https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/102...replace-first/