Hey guys/gals,

Thinking of picking up an S soon and was wonder what factory options everyone got with their S.

 

I am not sure that they even have factory options past things like floor mats or cargo nets for the trunk. Correct me if I'm wrong...

The only big ticket option is the hardtop and thats really a personal preference thing. For me, 2 grand or whatever it costs is just silly considering I am a huge fan of driving the convertible.

 

I wish I had the CD-changer and the OEM front lip.

 

Honda doesn't really have "factory" options, per say. They have Honda OEM parts, body work, CD players, fog lights, alarm systems, etc. depending on which car you're talking about but they aren't "factory" installed. They're simply dealer installed so you not only have to negotiate now much the part costs but also how much the dealer is going to gouge you to install them.

We, as consumers really need to keep an eye on that last part. When I bought my '01 Odyssey in June of that year, there was a lady who asked the Odyssey forum how much she should let the dealer charge her to install a cargo tray. Bear in mind, this "cargo tray" is simply a plastic bucket that is dropped into the well in the back of the van that the rear seat fits into when it's folded down. All they have to do is open the rear hatch, raise the rear seat (if it's in the down position) and drop the cargo tray in. Absolute maximum installation time, assuming a totally inept mechanic, about two minutes. Her dealer wanted to charge her $60 for this! Needless to say, several of us let her know what a scam this was and she didn't get suckered into it although she might have if she hadn't had the input of a forum like this one.

FWIW!

Drive Safe,
Steve R.

 

Sort of off-topic, but if I buy a Honda OEM CD-changer is the needed wiring already in the trunk?

*edit* Just found my answer, it just requires running one BUS cable to the deck.

 

Whatever "extras" you want, now is the best time to get them. You can work these things into the deal and save a bundle of money. If the dealer thinks the sale of the car hinges on whether or not you get those extras for a good package price, he's more likely to reduce his profit margin on those extras, including the hardtop. After the sale, all that stuff will most likely cost you full retail. They're more willing to "give" you the extras (at cost) if it prevents you from walking out the door to another dealership who really needs to sell another car.
For example, in Canadian dollars, my HT retails for around $5000.00. I worked it into the deal and got it for $3800.00. This was the first time the HT was made available and noone was selling these for less than full retail as there was a long waiting period for them to arrive.

ps. If they'll "throw them in", then get the wheel locks and block heater if you live in a "winter" place. I don't know what's stock on a new S2000 now, but floor mats and wind deflector are nice to have. Of course, then there's the front and rear lip/spoiler/wing and hardtop.

 

I personally disagree with working the "options" into the price of the car. You can get those options cheaper from Hardtopguy.com. Browse Jeffs site or give him a call for everything you might want added. If your near ohio or near norther Cali he can even get you an S2000 cheaper than you'd hfind at most dealerships. So far the cheapest warranty (extended) is from him. Something between 800 and 1000 depending on the terms you want. Check his site out first before you go buying anything from a dealer. As an example a hardtop from hi is now $2500USD or ~$3000CD of course that's not installed. I'm pretty sure you can get it installed for under $500

 

I picked up my 2005 a few months ago. The additional accessories I added include:
OEM front lip
OEM rear hood spoiler
Wheel locks
Behind the seat cargo net/carrier
OEM 8 CD changer
Honda alarm system

I enjoy all of the Honda accessories and got a good deal on them. When the dealer tried to stick it to me with the price, I had with me the lowest online printouts for the parts. Accordingly, the dealer matched the prices and good negotiation obtained free installation.

Of all the accessories, the only one that I should NOT have purchased was the CD Changer. If you plan on keeping the stock sound system, it is nice to have, but I am upgrading to an Alpine system.

Not surprisingly, xviper is correct...if you want the extras, get them included in the deal. Good luck!

 

Wheel locks came free with my car. Can't believe a dealer would even think about charging you for them.

If I'm not mistaken Xviper got some sort of sick deal where he probably got the car for under invoice. I wouldn't expect anyone to be able to duplicate that.

 

Don't get me wrong. I'm a HUGE fan of Jeff (Hardtopguy) and he's the first one I send people to who need something. However, if you can work the extras in as part of the deal, you can sometimes get them thrown in for free or at cost. As good as Jeff is, he can't sell for cost and stay in business. When you buy a new car, they can throw stuff in and just reduce their profit margin on the car.
Also, keep in mind that for the price on the car, there are usually 3 numbers you need to consider:
1. MSRP (retail)
2. Invoice (what the dealer would like you "think" he paid for the car)
3. Actual dealer cost (there are things like "hold backs", incentives to dealer, quotas for the next season - all these things mean money to the dealer). Selling a car below "invoice" doesn't mean the dealer is losing money.
For example, in Cannuck bucks, in MY 2000, an S2000 MSRP was $48,500.00. Dealer invoice was around $46,000.00. Actual dealer "cost" was $43,000.00. So you see, there is a lot of room to "give you stuff". While a dealer is less willing to "discount" the selling price of a car by much, he is more willing to "give" you stuff to "sweeten" the deal.