Hello S2ki,

I have been searching for an S for a while now and I found a AP1 2000 NFR with around 66k miles on it. Its all stock except for the front lip. I am going to check it out later today.. just curious on what to keep an eye out for and KBB is around $13k for this vehicle.

thanks in advance!

 

check the top and rear window for wear then based on that bargain for a lower price

 

He is asking $13k because thats his payoff.

 

Hmm... If he owes 13k on an '00 he's turning that car over quick. Why? Lots of legitimate reasons to want to get out of an s2000 such as needing something more practical or just plain not liking it (its not the car for everyone). On the other hand it also could be that he bought it with something wrong and is offloading the problem onto the next schmuck.

 

He said he moved to the city and doesnt need a vehicle anymore and doesnt drive the s a lot.

 

sounds like the owner didnt drive it alot if its an MY00 with 66k miles

 

Buy the nicest, newest, lowest mileage one you can afford. They're often second cars for people, and I found that finding well kept examples was pretty easy if you're patient. I searched for months and ended up buying one from a dealer about 5 miles from me.

All the usual checks for a used car, obviously, apply to an S2000. Look at things like the bolts that hold the front fenders on - if it looks like they've ever had a wrench on them, the car's had its fenders off, which implies body work of some sort.

I also contend that you should buy a stock, unmodified car. That way, if you decide you want to modify it, you can do what you want instead of living with what someone else wanted.

Get one. You'll be glad you did.

 

take it in and get a compression test done on it. You can also get the NADA value and use that to bargain with. It is usually a bit lower than KBB.

-Ian

 

Unless you specifically want the "features" of the earlier cars, and most people don't, then you really should get the newest and best cared for car that you can afford. Whether you are looking for a specific MY car, or just a good used car, I think mileage and complete service records are actually more important than the age of the car. My car has been problem free for 8 years, and even though it's been modified and driven hard, if I decided to get rid of it at this point in time, I would have no concerns selling it to a friend, or even my daughter. It's a good, sound, and very reliable car, even after all the years, miles, and hard driving.

But try to find a good, clean, low mileage car, that has been driven by someone who loved it and was anal about the care the car received. If you wait until you find the perfect car, you'll never regret it. If you rush into something, the risk of dissipointment and troubles is much higher.

I'd also suggest getting a compression check done before you buy the car, and a leak down test isn't a bad idea either. If you get an AP1 you will probably want to have the valve spring retainers inspected soon after you get the car.

Take the time to find just the right car, so you can be sure that you'll have the same trouble free owner experience that most of us have enjoyed. I have no doubt that you'll end up loving your S2000 just as much as the rest of the people you'll meet here on S2kI.

 

thanks for the replies. I am going to check it out tomorrow after work.