OK well I posted about this in the introduction forum, but I guess it was the wrong spot so I will try it again here.


I found an s2000 from a Honda dealership in NY.
The s2000 was listed for $16,995. It is a 2003 silver with black interior. It has 30,315 miles on it. Clear title with no reports of anything negative.

Price seemed too good to be true.
Went there today to look at it. It has some paint chipping and scratches and such on the front bumper. The rear bumper is missing some sort of round piece which I'm sure could be replaced. The hood also has a little bubble in the paint or some sort of defect there.

I drove it and when idling the car would shake a tincy bit when letting the revs drop back down to idle for a second. Seems like it would go a little bit low and then back up to normal idling.

On the road I could see the alignment was off. No big deal.
Upon getting up to around 50 mph the car would start to shake pretty bad in the rear only when on the gas. As soon as I would let off the gas it would stop shaking.
I could not feel the shaking in the steering wheel or anything, but definitely could tell it was coming from the rear of the car. Maybe the rear diff. or the axles or something?

OK well speaking with them about it, they told me that the car once signed for would go through the rigorous Honda certified used car inspection process and everything wrong would be 100% fixed. The reason they gave me for having to purchase it first is; The car will be sent out of the dealership (since winter is coming) if it is not sold shortly. Thus they aren't going to do the work on it unless they have someone buying for sure. They assured me that after them fixing it and if it wasn't good then I wouldn't have to go through with it, but at that point I would have already signed for it and financed it and everything. Can you really cancel all that out without being charged?
Also they said the car would be certified but was selling for the low price because of the paint defects and such. Upon reading the certification standards it seems that the paint is checked and has to have a good smooth chip free surface. Am I missing something there?

The car will also be under the certified warranty until July of 2010.
I got really frustrated and left cause the salesman was horribly pushy. Kept just telling me to sign here and it would be fine etc. I was thinking of maybe trying again with a different salesperson. What do you think?

How does this sound to you all? I don't have experience with Honda or even really buying new or used cars. Bought my one and only car from a private party with cash.

What do you guys think about

A)the problems with the shaking
B)them telling me that after I sign for purchasing the car it will be put through the certified process and everything guaranteed to be fixed
C)That they told me I could come test drive it once fixed and it would be canceled if it wasn't done perfect
D)The fact that they say it will be certified but that it wont have the paint fixed or anything?
F)Whats your overall experience with the certified s2000's if anyone has bought one and also the warranty service if it should need it?

Sorry for the really long post, just trying to not get screwed and really want an s2000. This seems like a great deal once those problems are fixed and all.

 

That sounds shady as hell to me. I'd stay as far away as I could and find another one that satisfies you. From the sound of your post. you'll hate yourself down the road if you get into this one.

 

^^ stay away from it.

 

hell no.

do not trust.

 

Yeah I am starting to think the same. Anyone know what sort of a scam they can be trying to pull?
It is a Honda dealership, but I don't know what that really means in regards to not getting screwed.
How would they be able to scam with it being a certified car though?

 

I don't know what they are trying to pull, but I do know dealers will say ANYTHING to get you into a car.

 

Is there any use speaking to their manager or would he try just as hard and lie to get me to buy their car?

Anyone else have any ideas of what they could try to pull with this one?

If I get them to sign something stating that after they fix it and certify it I have the right to not take the car if it is not to my satisfactory and get all my money back without any charges from financing etc. what could they do?

 

Dude please just walk away. They should fix all those things BEFORE you sign for it. Do not pay any money. Once you sign they'll totally forget about when they said they'd fix everything up for you. They just want to make a sale. Find another car, there are plenty out there.

 

Yeah guess I'll have to start looking for a new one or get them to fix everything first.
Damn!! Was so close to my first real sports car haha.
Oh well I'm sure there will be more S2000's out there I can find.

 

Be patient and find that perfect one that is out there waiting for you.