Hello,
I don't own an S2k but I have been looking to buy one for a few years and I finally sold my other car and am ready to buy. I know quite a bit about them from reviews, online forums, and I test drove one plus do autox and have seen a bunch through there. I just want to make sure an S is for me and that I get a good one. Any help at all would make my life a lot easier. Some things you should know.

I live in Minnesota. I won't drive the car year round and will probably have to buy a car out of state and pay to have it shipped or pick it up so I don't know if I would be able to test drive it first.

I am young. I'm 21 in college.

I am not a real big car guy. I like to do autox and drive cars but I don't have a whole lot of know how on repair. I have installed new CAIs and changed oil and stuff like that but I don't have a lot of tools and or garage access. I can and am willing to learn though.

I would probably use the car as my DD for half the year and use it for Autox and on a track.

I have about 10-15k to spend. Or would like to spend I should say. I can go over 15k for the right car if I have to but don't really want to go over 15k.

Also I don't really see any need to buy a newer S2k. I don't know if it is just me or not but as I know it they are almost all the same and the AP2 really doesn't have much advantage over the AP1. Not to mention i would rather have a 9k redline plus hondas normally last forever and even the older AP1s normally don't have much miles on them anyway. I just don't see a need to spend $10000 more on the same car with same miles that will last forever anyway just because it newer.

With that said is there anything I should look out for? how common are problems? I have a few friends with civics and they are always drive fine even with lots of miles. Also knowing me I would probably spend all my money on upgrades so I planned on getting a car that already has some mods. What should I look out for with that? I have seen a few cars on here for sale for 15 -16k asking price that have turbos. would an FI car be reliable or do these cars just have problems and the owners are trying to ditch them? I would really want to buy a car with as much mods as I can afford at the moment because I know as soon as I get the car I will start throwing cash into it until there isn't a whole lot more I can reasonably do. It just makes a lot more sense to buy a car already modded for a little bit more cash then buying the mods myself at a way higher price later and going through the install.

I am almost positive that I will get an s2k. I am still going to drive a few other cars but I used to have a mustang and sold it because I wanted something of higher quality that had modern parts and was smaller and lighter. The s2000 seems like the best bang for your buck while still getting a reliable car. I am just really looking for a fun car to drive with a manual. being a vert is a plus and I really have no need for back seats and don't want to drive a bigger car just to have them.

Any suggestions you can give me or advice would be great. I'm not really sure what the best approach is for getting one of these cars since I can't just go to a used car lot and test drive them till I find one i like.

 

Well, you can get a less used S for a decent price these days, so don't rule out AP2's right off the back.

Since you won't be there to view the vehicle, having someone inspect it would be your first stop. Not sure who you could call to do that, but its a must. You can only take one's word so far.

I am a fairly new S owner myself. I bought my 05 NFR AP2 back in October. I bought mine Honda Pre-Owned Certified, so I had a some piece of mind right off the bat. I also picked up the extended warranty (68000 miles bumper to bumper and 100000 miles powertrain). If you can, go a similar route. The price difference will be nearly negligible. Try to look around at different Honda dealerships and keep an eye out for one (again, try for POC).

Reading this forum gives you plenty of insights as to what problems exist with the AP1 and AP2, none of which are severe or showstoppers. And the S is fairly easy to work with, maintenance wise. I just did an oil and tranny fluid change myself over the weekend, easy! Plus with all the DIY's on this forum, you can't go wrong.

Good luck in finding your S. Take your time, make sure its a smart purchase (ie make sure it gets checked out...if you can't check it out yourself, then either go Honda POC or find someone in an area that can check it out for you - I am sure members on here will be willing to help out. I would - if you find one in Huntsville, Alabama, let me know and I will check it out for you!).

Good luck!

 

Thanks for the quick reply. When I find a car I am interested in I was probably going to have a local shop check it out.

 

^^A must. Doing it yourself, or at least being there would be even better, but at a minimum, if its an as is buy, as least have a shop inspect it and let you know it's ok as is. Try to find one with Honda (specifically S) experience.

 

Read the stickies at the top of this forum

 

I read them before posting.

 

I would check the s2ki classifieds if you want a car with mods already done to it. You have a bit more peace of mind to because you can go through some of the seller posts and see how they treat the car.

Personally I rather buy a car that is bone-stock so that i can do the mods myself and to my liking. Also for the experience and sense of accomplishment.

If you are just looking for a small, convertible top, light weight car that is cheap also consider the miata. It is pretty much an s2k but cheaper and less power, unless your set on an s2k.

Agree with above post about getting cpo gives you peace of mind. Im sure you can get an 04-05 with around i say 50-70k miles for under $15,000

 

Yes I have been looking on the S2ki classifieds and will probably end up getting one off there. Id like to do the mods myself as well but I added up how much it would be to buy the mods I wanted and it would be about 10k all said and done. It's just a lot cheaper to buy a used modded car.

I do like that Idea of buying an 04 or 05. They should be in my price range. Also how would I get a CPO? would I have to buy it from a honda dealer? I also Like the Mx5s but they are kind of girly looking honestly and to me the performance and feel of the S2k is worth the extra cash.

Also is there anything I need to look for if I end up buying a used s2k with a turbo or SC? I am leaning more towards this if I can find one in good shape that is kind of in my price range. The Idea of a light sports car vert that handles amazing AND has power kind of puts it in a new class.

 

That makes sense, just to me i like to see the progression of the car kinda like it is growing and and maturing.

I don't know if you can get a car cpo from a private sell, but when i bought mines from the dealer i had cpo it for $500 more for powertain warranty.

As far as what you should look for with a sc or tc s2k i wouldn't know too much since i have never bought or have a car sc or tc maybe someone else can give you more info on that.

 

I'd would recommand skip the any FI cars if your budget is tight and if you looking for DD also if you not have enough experience with fixing a car, it will not be good choice to buying FI cars. You can put turbo or SC later once your budget gets allow and once you learn about pros/cons of FI parts and kits.

Edit: You also can buy a warranty from dealer that you buying it from(that's about more than 1k). But i pref buy from honda dealer that already a certified pre-owned car. That will be a lot easier for you if the car isn't very good condition also you don't need to buy a warranty.