My left tail light burned out. On my Prelude there was a little door that you could open to access the tail light bulbs to replace them. Quick, simple.

On the S2000 you have to partially remove the trunk liner, which is held in place with plastic plugs. To remove the plug you have to push down on the center of the plug which has a little insert. That causes the insert to drop away and the clip comes loose. The clips are not reusable.

I replaced the bulb which was $4 at Pep Boys. Then I went to my Honda dealer to get replacement plugs. He did not have them in stock, but advised me they would cost $6.40 each. I did not order any and am looking for alternative fasteners.

So Honda saved a little money by not providing easy access for bulb replacement and pushed the cost up for the owner.

 

Try contacting Jeff at http://www.hardtopguy.com

Keep in mind that no matter which way they would have done it, you would be paying for it.

 

your dealer is ripping you. LIST PRICE IS $1.82. Go to your dealer and ask them straight up if it is their policy to triple honda MSRP for parts!

i've bought them from acura for $2 each and that was high.

hondaautomotiveparts.com sells them for $1.36 for the 1-piece and $2.21 for the 2-piece (but only $1.30 for the 2-piece in red or blue, go figure).

 

They are SO reusable. I've removed mine three times at least. Do you remember those fake handcuffs when you were a kid? If you close the handcuff without it being around a wrist, it will cycle through. I hope you see where I'm going with this. After pushing the center piece in (please don't push it into the car's body panel cavity), it will continue out through the bottom. Now, with the clip in place for replacement, put the center piece BACK in.


EDIT: I just re-read your post. Looks like you pushed the center part too far in and it fell. They are meant to be reused.

 

They are meant to be re-used but you have to be gentle with them or the prongs will break.