Just read a few *more* threads about problems and poor Honda service.

It is, to me, incredibly ironic that many of us bought a "Honda" sports-car because we felt it would have the performance of a Porsche or BMW (or better ) with the famed "reliability" of a Honda.

Little did we know that Honda was really ill-equipped to deal with the needs of high performance, high(er) priced cars and enthusiast owners. Not only does the car have an amount of glitches seemingly as high as any euro marque, but stories of abysmal service, uncooperative district service managers, and absolutely indifferent corporate customer relations abound.

What a shame. Who would have guessed that American Honda could alienate so many customers so quickly...

 

Are they actually THAT bad??? I mean I know the TT and Z3 are FULLY covered for 4yrs/50k and 3yrs/36k respectively (including brake pads, wipers, oil changes, etc)... and the Honda doesn't have the comprehensive coverage. But does the car have so many glitches?

 

Well, if you don't count engine and transmission problems, very few actually

Look, all cars are going to have problems. But in my mind, it is unacceptable that when an engine fails, Honda immediately tries to defer and deflect responsibility onto the owner...

 

I have read many of the horror stories about the problems with both the S2000 and individual dealers, but my S2000 has been trouble free and my dealer very easy to work with. Granted, when you have no problems it's hard to tell how good a dealer REALLY is, but he did install the hardtop for me and did an excellent job on the dealer prep (i.e., no spring spacers in my S2k). FWIW, my S2k runs DAILY in upstate NY winters and on the track and autoX circuit during the rest of the year. In short and AFAIC, my S2k has been every thing I expected and more.

 

If what you say is true (and that is a matter of opinion) and Honda get's a perfect reliability score from Consumer Reports, imagine what problems the people are having with the cars they don't rate so well.

 

Except for top cover, windows, seatbelts, dash, clutch, windshield, carpet, etc., etc. I think you were right on with the original observation.

I have had more problems than with any of the dozens of cars I have owned except maybe a '77 VW. And it has been more difficult to get problem free service as well. As entertaining as this car is, I worry about the problems of keeping it long term, and question that I will buy another Honda in the future.

 

This is a great car but it does seem to have a fair number of stupid engineering defects (like the window regulator; clutch noise; dipstick-filler cap-oil filter-sparkplugs coming loose; and lately more reports of top flapping) that are still not adequately addressed.

Honda built a reputation on the courtesy warranty. When the first Honda's arrived on these shores, they were prone to warping heads at around 30k. In each case, the owner was told that the problem was unheard of and the head was replaced at no charge. Each owner left believing that their car was an abberation of an otherwise highly reliable car and that Honda was a high quality vendor for the no cost repair.

They still act like they are doing you a favor when they fix something that wasn't made correctly. Obviously that strategy won't work for an internet-enabled enthusiast group. We'll see if they can move up to the standards level required at this price point. I know they can. I think they will.

 

Maybe you are having so many problems because you own a '00 model? It is generally known that the first model year of ANY car is going to have issues... That's why it's safe to buy a model after it has been in production for 2 years or so...

That would make the '02 S2000 better off... IMHO. Has any of you '02 model owners experienced much problems?

 

My opinion on this is that the problem resides with AHM and their Honda dealer nework and their unwillingness and inexperience dealing with "higher" end clients.

Most s2000s haven't had too many problems but their lack of proper service when problems arise is what is upsetting. They tend to adopt the, "what have you done this time", "did you take it up all the way to 9000 rpms again", "those tires look like you were driving faster then the speed limit", "it is close enough to spec"...

SOme of the coments are sometimes said in a humerous manner, however I am paying major $$$ every month so I can drive a $60k CDN Honda, I didn't buy a civic daily driver, I bought a precise sports car. I demand better service.

 

I think this forum...and many others like it, will soon bring out the numerous problems in all cars. There are lots of satisfied owners out there and the vocal ones are the ones with problems. It's great that you should post your problems on this forum so that many owners can be informed and identify what issues are out there. I don't think any of us can claim this car is 'problematic' because we all don't know what everyone's experience with this car is. Considering the technology and precise engineering in this car...I think it's phenomenal! No car is perfect.... we all know that. We also know there are tons of vehicles with WORSE reputations.