[QUOTE]Originally posted by josh3io
[B]i know what you mean...i tried to get some warranty work done and when the dealership called in the part with my VIN number they denied it immediately.

Sunchild, for the sake of dicussion, I'd like to keep this on an informative level. I'm not trying to cast doubt on his creditability. I'm just offering up another possible conclusion to the problem. He claimed that he has raced the vehicle. Yes, he said that he hasn't abused the car eather. But even the best built race cars succum to reliability problems. I didn't say it was the drivers fault. I only related to the fact that racing does produce extreme conditions and mechanical problems. Yes, some owner abuse their S2000. But in this case I'll have to take his word for it.

I think Chris is right about this. When my #4 cylinder went bad, Joe worked closely with Honda-Tech line. They told him how to diagnose it and they made the warranty decision.

However, when I took in my car because the plastic rear window was defective, Joe just ordered the part and made an arrangement to have a local upholsterer do the work and bill it to AHM.

I've got to go back for some repair of scratches on the doorsill the upholsterer created replacing the driver's seat. I'll ask Joe if you have this one right, Chris.

I'm sorry for AHM being "sticky" about the warranty. I drive all my cars very conservatively. I hope this one has longevity after getting past teething issues.

Track or no track, this car should be capable of a 8900 rpm shift from 1st to 2nd without grinding. Honda claims people abuse the syncro's or claims "what grind" since it is hard to reproduce on demand. The problem with the '01 and post TSB '00 cars is that some still have tolerance problems under certain condition when hot. My car was grind free for a month, then ground twice in one trip.

Very interesting responses in this thread, let me respond to some and tell you about my conversations with Honda today.

Although I do take the car to the track, I do not race it. And those of you that track the car know that if you are tough on the clutch or gearbox on the track you are doing something wrong (most of my track shifts are between 3,4, & 5 and do not grind). It is all about lapping smoothly and consistently that will be very demanding on tires, brakes, and to a certain extent the suspension but does not include rough treatment of the drivetrain. It is not abusive like drag racing launches or other pursuits that I have avoided for many years.

I do believe the clutch in this car is not only small but lacks clamping force and has friction materials that are not well suited to the rpm. As a result, aggressive driving especially in hilly areas can start a slip sometimes. Even a simple mistake where the driver slips a little is a problem on this clutch where it is not on others.

The gearbox is another issue.. some of them have a tolerance problem (even after the TSB change) where a 1

Chris, keep the pressure up. Write certified letters to god and everyone in Torrance.

I'd wait a week or so before arranging my own clutch fix. I think there's a good chance Honda will come through and fix it for you.

I have followed the problems Chris has had since back on the old board. I feel fairly sure his problems started prior to any racing.

If racing is a problem why hasn't Greg Stevens had any problems? I would guess he has raced his car a lot more than Chris.

I think Honda should give Chris a new car to make up for all the headaches he has had to put up with.

I have never bought an extended warranty on a Honda or Acura, but if I keep this car I will definitely be getting one.

I just spoke with my dealer... "What shift problem?"

UGH!

for the record, I received the "S2000" SCCA brochure with my car. I took my car to the track once, and was one of the slowest people there; it was the first time on the track and definitely took it pretty easy.

If it was a few of the "crazier" ones, I'd say yeah, it's abuse, but this seems to be the car.

2 cents.

It seems you have a strong case for getting the fixes you seek. I hope all goes well.

I want to put my two cents in on this issue. My car right now is sitting at a Honda Dealership waiting the go/no go decision as to warrantying my clutch. It is 100% fried. Has been slipping pretty much since 1000 miles. I reported it to them at 3500 miles and they did nothing for me. I was on my way home and it started slipping like crazy up hills and in an attempt to make it home, the clutch got completely fried (needless to say, I did not make it home) I'd be lying if I said I do not drive the car hard, but that is why I bought it, to enjoy it, not to sit in my garage and take out on weekends and never rev above 6K (16K miles in 6 months). Now they advertise the S2000 as a sports car, that goes 0-60 in 5.8.....seconds, yet the clutch can't take anywhere near that. I am expecting to get denied tommorrow and I will be down at the dealer to talk to the rep or whomever. If a car puts out 240 hp and the clutch can't support that amount of power, is that fair to the consumers? Camaros and vettes aren't sold with a clutch that can't take any of the power thrown at it. If I brought a Civic EX back there with a toasted clutch, I'd expect them to be like driver error. But a sports car should be expected to be beat on and thus built to handle it in my eyes.