What effect will the short block replacement have on the resale value of my S2000? Is there someway of IDing that I had a short block changed? Say maybe a VIN type number that would be unique to the major components of the car.

 

That is a good question. i dont think this is like a '67 vette (unless you are somewhere about 20 years in the future)where the #'s have to match, but..... I personally don't even call when someone has "new engine" listed on a car with 30k miles. I just assume abuse...although not the case with the S2000 (apparently)

Not disclosing it to a potential buyer? is that something that **needs** to be disclosed??? I know salvage titles need to be disclosed, but new shortblocks???

Scot

 

I seem to remember (I could be wrong) that dealers are obligated to divulge such info (if they will), but individuals are under no such obligation.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rowland
[B]What effect will the short block replacement have on the resale value of my S2000?

 

S2000 Driver

would you buy a car with a new shortblock and 10k miles? I wouldn't. i say no effect if you don't tell potential buyer.... HUGE effect if you do tell potential buyer

i wouldn't feel real great not telling someone i was selling my car to if it had a new engine though.

Just my opinion....

Scot


[QUOTE]Originally posted by S2000 Driver
[B][QUOTE]Originally posted by Rowland
[b]What effect will the short block replacement have on the resale value of my S2000?

 

If done properly to factory specs with a factory long or short block and full documentation you should be just fine. You can't fool the market. If these cars wind up being coveted collector's items in a few decades, and if some of the present reported engine issues become more well known and involve more cars, it might even be a plus. Over the years, certain Porsches had motor troubles requiring factory fixes. Excellence magazine reports that the value issue is not a problem at all IF things like those mentioned in the first sentence above apply. They were specifically asked about this type of engine repair issue by a concerned owner. I forget which model, maybe it involved an early boxter. Some of them had terminal motor troubles. Many of those guys wound up getting a credit and then dropping in 996 motors.

Stan

 

I know I am legally bound to disclose this.

I was just trying to figure out my losses should I move in that direction. I love my car, but I love my wife even more. So I will have to step down to a SLK that is not as fun and more like a yuppi, snob car and watch the S2000s pass me by.

God I hope it does not come to that.

I'm depressed.

[Edited by Rowland on 03-15-2001 at 02:32 PM]

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Scot
S2000 Driver

would you buy a car with a new shortblock and 10k miles? I wouldn't. i say no effect if you don't tell potential buyer.... HUGE effect if you do tell potential buyer

i wouldn't feel real great not telling someone i was selling my car to if it had a new engine though.

Just my opinion....

Scot

Personally? No, I wouldn't buy it but I am not your typical buyer.

If it was serviced under warranty by a Honda dealership with all genuine Honda parts and the remaining manufacturer's warranty was still in effect, many buyers wouldn't care as long as the car looked and worked great and there was some adjustment to the sales price.

But, I could be wrong...

[Edited by S2000 Driver on 03-15-2001 at 02:36 PM]

 

Rowland,

Sorry to hear you may have to sell the S2000.

When my short block was replaced I had the same concern about the potential depreciation due to major surgery; I wouldn't buy my car knowing that the short block has been replaced. To keep me happy Honda extended the warranty on my power train to 5 years / 60,000 miles. I'll have to check to see if the extended warranty is transferable which should help the resale value. Check to see if Honda will pony up an extended warranty for you.

As for your original questions, I don't know if companies like CarFax (www.carfax.com) have access to dealer service records. All dealer service work is tracked by VIN, so if CarFax has access, they can tell your short block has been replaced. I'm pretty sure that the short block has the VIN on it somewhere.

 

Buying a brand new S2000 as an investment is thinking with your heart, not with your head. If you want to spend $30,000 on an auto investment, you are much better off buying a 20 or 30 year old Porsche that you carefully seek out. Those cars will go up for sure and, with luck, may even do better than Treasury notes.

I think my short block repair puts me back to 100%. Honda has warranted the car as new. I've got an extended Honda warranty also which is transferrable. The car works great and the dealer is taking extra care to be sure my new engine lives up to full specs.

In 20 years, when my heirs consider selling my S2000, a smart buyer should be more concerned with the compression and other specs on my engine than with whether I got a new short blocks 650 miles after taking delivery. That will be water over the dam. And, my heirs will be able to say honestly, no S2000 on the planet has been better cared for during its life.

Barry