Buying used s2000: what to look for?
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: SF
Buying used s2000: what to look for?
Hey guys, i'm new to this forum and im planning on buying a used s2000 within the next 3-4 months. So I have a couple questions:
1) Is there anything I should look for when buying a used s2000?
2) How big of a factor is mileage?
3) What are the main issues (if any) with the s2000?
4) Where is a good place to look for s2000s, especially on this forum?
Thanks for all your help and hopefully I'll be part of this community very soon!
1) Is there anything I should look for when buying a used s2000?
2) How big of a factor is mileage?
3) What are the main issues (if any) with the s2000?
4) Where is a good place to look for s2000s, especially on this forum?
Thanks for all your help and hopefully I'll be part of this community very soon!
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 344
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From: Central
Welcome to the board. I'm new here myself and looking to buy one soon too. I have found that there are a few recalls/warranty repairs on the 2k and 2k1 models then 2k2 (2nd gear syncro and #4 cyl issues), but if you can get one with more then 8k miles (usually most problems happen around 2-3k FWIW), you should be fine.
Here's a link to the F/S forum on here:
S2000's F/S They actually have alot of nice cars on here. I know BoostedS2K8888 even has a SC'd 2k2 for sale. If you are interested, I would PM him. He is more up by fresno, but I have seen his car in person and is very clean.
As for mileage, Honda does offer the extended warranty too...5 yr 100k warranty or something. One thing to look for is ask how they broke it in. With a V-tech car, you dont want to take it to redline for the first 600 miles or so. Not good for the car. Most people will respect their car and not beat on it but you never know.
Best of luck with your search and let us know when you get one
Here's a link to the F/S forum on here:
S2000's F/S They actually have alot of nice cars on here. I know BoostedS2K8888 even has a SC'd 2k2 for sale. If you are interested, I would PM him. He is more up by fresno, but I have seen his car in person and is very clean.
As for mileage, Honda does offer the extended warranty too...5 yr 100k warranty or something. One thing to look for is ask how they broke it in. With a V-tech car, you dont want to take it to redline for the first 600 miles or so. Not good for the car. Most people will respect their car and not beat on it but you never know.
Best of luck with your search and let us know when you get one
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,037
Likes: 26
From: SoCal
Welcome to the forum.
1) Is there anything I should look for when buying a used s2000?
Like all used cars, look for a clean title and no crash damage. Specifically for the S2000, you can learn about the model year differences (etc.) by clicking on the "Library" link above. The '00 and '01 models had a few glitches that were covered by Technical Service Bulletins (TSB), you'll want to check to make sure those were done already on any car you are considering.
2) How big of a factor is mileage?
Mileage is typically low on S2000's because they are weekend cars for a large percentage of owners. There aren't any major mileage related issues, other than the typical wear items (brakes, clutch, tires). There are enough low mileage S2K's out there that you don't need to consider a high mileage car unless your budget is tight.
3) What are the main issues (if any) with the s2000?
Depends on the model year, the '02 and '03 cars have very few issues. The early cars had a plastic rear window, changed to glass in 2002. That one seems to be the biggest issue because with the plastic window you are always worried about scratching it every time you put the top up or down. The top retracts in 4 seconds, with my glass window I can use it frequently without worrying about scratches. Early cars also had some minor transmission problems that were addressed with TSBs.
The other big issue is rear tire wear, the S2K is designed for incredible handling, so it has a limited slip differential and soft/sticky tires, most people get about ~12,000 miles on their rear tires, about twice that for the front tires.
4) Where is a good place to look for s2000s, especially on this forum?
Click on the "Marketplace" link, then go to the "For Sale/Wanted" section and click on the Cars For Sale" link.
eBay also has ~40 cars at any given time, but your best bet is to buy locally so that you can inspect and drive the car.
www.kbb.com has several links to sites that have used cars listed.
Good luck with your search, you'll have a blast with the S2000.
1) Is there anything I should look for when buying a used s2000?
Like all used cars, look for a clean title and no crash damage. Specifically for the S2000, you can learn about the model year differences (etc.) by clicking on the "Library" link above. The '00 and '01 models had a few glitches that were covered by Technical Service Bulletins (TSB), you'll want to check to make sure those were done already on any car you are considering.
2) How big of a factor is mileage?
Mileage is typically low on S2000's because they are weekend cars for a large percentage of owners. There aren't any major mileage related issues, other than the typical wear items (brakes, clutch, tires). There are enough low mileage S2K's out there that you don't need to consider a high mileage car unless your budget is tight.
3) What are the main issues (if any) with the s2000?
Depends on the model year, the '02 and '03 cars have very few issues. The early cars had a plastic rear window, changed to glass in 2002. That one seems to be the biggest issue because with the plastic window you are always worried about scratching it every time you put the top up or down. The top retracts in 4 seconds, with my glass window I can use it frequently without worrying about scratches. Early cars also had some minor transmission problems that were addressed with TSBs.
The other big issue is rear tire wear, the S2K is designed for incredible handling, so it has a limited slip differential and soft/sticky tires, most people get about ~12,000 miles on their rear tires, about twice that for the front tires.
4) Where is a good place to look for s2000s, especially on this forum?
Click on the "Marketplace" link, then go to the "For Sale/Wanted" section and click on the Cars For Sale" link.
eBay also has ~40 cars at any given time, but your best bet is to buy locally so that you can inspect and drive the car.
www.kbb.com has several links to sites that have used cars listed.
Good luck with your search, you'll have a blast with the S2000.
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 45,781
Likes: 8,289
From: Mish-she-gan
Anytime you are buying a used sports car it can be tricky unless the owner's a personal friend and you know it's history. The S2000 is a high-reving, high tech car that needs careful maintenance, so the best advice I can give is to get it professionally inspected before buying one.
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