Hey Guys,

I'm excited to say I'm finally getting an S2K assuming everything checks out (carfax, mechanic inspection, etc). I test drove it last night and spent an hour with the guy. If anyone could please give input into what I should look for, what might be an issue, or why I should or should not purchase this car please list your thoughts. I am a little familiar with S2Ks but have not owned one yet. Here are the details of it:

2000 GPW
100K~ Miles

From the ad:

All Parts Either New or Replaced within last 3k miles:

Crower Black Nitrate Valves
AP2 Valve Retainers and Locks
Port Matched Intake Ports and Intake Manifold
Polished Intake Manifold Runners
Polished/Deburred Intake Ports
Polished/Deburred Exhaust Ports
2 Layer Head Gasket (11.4:1 CR)
Buddy Club Fan Switch
Mugen Air Filter
"Rally Box" Modified Air Box

It all looks OK but I do not know the significance of the Crower Nitrate Valves and the AP2 Vale Retainers and Locks, could someone give input into why those would have been changed out?

It has new brakes, tires, and convertible top from a 02+ with glass window. It's got a proximity sensor alarm system.

He was telling me he bought it from a guy who had it sitting outside for awhile (like a year) and wasn't driven much. It was dirty, the engine had to be cleaned up a bit, and that's why he put the new top on also.

My impressions are good overall and the car seems to be in good shape. It's really clean, everything works as it should, the engine seems to be running strong, and the clutch (he didn't know if it was original or not, but it should be stock) did not slip at all while running through the gears.

I would like to know what you guys think. I'm not too familiar with the engine work listed above, or how that will affect the longevity/reliability of the car if I have it for 2-3 years. Also, at 100K miles is there any big maintenance item that I'll need to watch out for?

The final price is around $11,000ish.

Thank you!

 

11k is a lot for that many miles

 

keep looking

 

Why? Can you elaborate please?

 

Depending on where you live there are plenty of 2000-2003 S2000's going for $12,000 with 50 or 60,000 miles and no engine mods.

Engine mods should tell you that the car was likely NOT babied and probably ran pretty hard most of it's life.

 

just because it was dirty is not a good reason for changing the top. might have been broken into or something along those lines, which isn't uncommon for soft top cars.

ap2 retainers means he COULD have mis-shifted and overrevved the engine dropping some valves, which is why he may have gotten the nitrate whatever valves to replace them. ap2 retainers are stronger than ap1 retainers and people do do it preventatively, so it might have just been an "upgrade" while he was getting all that head work done.

 

11k for 2000 ap1 with over 100k miles is too much.
i got my 01 with 47k for about $11k.

i dont think you should pay above 10k.

 

I replaced the top on my AP1 for the same reason a lot of ppl do: they fade, rip, and leak! Denim+plastic window FTL! I upgraded to canvas/glass too and it was worth every dime.

New valves and HG seem like a LOT of work for no reason, so that would concern me. AP2 retainers are completely common as preventative maintenance, especially for anyone ever tracked the car or considered going FI. I just don't see a point in replacing the HG and to increase CR by .3 unless there was some damage done. In fact, I haven't heard of anyone needing a new HG unless they overheated the engine and warped the head.

Maybe just look for another one. Sounds like this one could have had a rough history. Then again, with the top-end already done its a great candidate for a supercharger! For that many miles it better be immaculate for 11k.

 

Thanks for the replies guys, this really helps. The guy said his plan was to track it so that would make sense. Reason he is selling is cause he wants to buy a house.

 

You sound like you're going to buy it, regardless of what people here tell you. Don't.