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Is this a lot of rust?
In the process of acquiring a 2002 S2000 in Pennsylvania. It’s been a New Jersey car with only one owner. They sent me these pictures of the underbody and I’m not sure how concerned I should be about the surface rust and white corrosion on the diff and engine block. later today I will be getting a video of the underbody later today. Looking for feedback because they are asking top dollar for this car !
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.s2k...8750ad0b9.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.s2k...8db1c135f.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.s2k...5f6de8cdc.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.s2k...f7d64c919.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.s2k...3ae322863.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.s2k...c6c2723a7c.png |
Top dollars can go to "Western" cars, those that live in California and Arizona; no rust exists on them. That is why aircraft boneyards are in the southwest. Nothing decays.
I am not sure how you define top dollar based on the cars other attributes but the corrosion issue can be used for negotiation. Good luck. For reference, here is my 2009 with 86K miles on an Arizona/California car. Big difference. Maybe you can show this to the sellers. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.s2k...b5059c9b94.png |
For most of us that store our cars in the northern locales that is a lot of rust, but for those that drive in winter that is pretty normal. It is ugly, not a structural issue and these cars do pretty well overall with winter salt and moisture. I would say most of those bolts and fasteners are going to be a problem in the future, even on a pristine S2000 the suspension bolts seize up, so I would say most of yours will be seized. Not a huge issue but it may require some bolt replacements in the future on the suspension if you ever need to do suspension work. If it was my car I would have it undercoated with black coloured Woolwax product, it is a lanolin based product, better than asphaltic undercoatings.
A new valve cover will go a long way to getting that engine bay looking good, and some good detailing work. Things like the radiator support brackets can be spray painted black tremclad or silver , you can clean up some o the aluminum parts like the intake manifold with some polishing and deep clean the entire bay. The exhaust looks remarkably good. Think of this as a nice project car, don't let the cosmetics detract you , nice of you to save and home a stray like this , lol. Everything I see can be improved upon, there are no structural issues, but keep in mind what I said about the suspension bolts. If the front and rear upper A-arm bolts ever strip out on you, I have posted a fix for that on these forums somewhere years ago using Honda bolt parts, they even strip out on pristine S2000 cars so it can surely happen to this one, that only happens when attempting suspension changes or repairs. Good luck |
Originally Posted by cosmomiller
(Post 25125705)
Top dollars can go to "Western" cars, those that live in California and Arizona; no rust exists on them. That is why aircraft boneyards are in the southwest. Nothing decays.
I am not sure how you define top dollar based on the cars other attributes but the corrosion issue can be used for negotiation. Good luck. For reference, here is my 2009 with 86K miles on an Arizona/California car. Big difference. Maybe you can show this to the sellers. it’s a 2002 white on red with 59k miles. One owner no accidents per carfax. And it appears to be 100% stock! They wanted $34k I got them down to $30k. I used to have a 2003 silverstone on red and sold it 11-12 years ago. I always wanted either a black or white 2002 with full red interior. They’re hard to find and I want it pretty bad but I know myself and I’ll look past the issues and the rust has me a little worried. It’s odd to me that a one owner car would have been driven in the snow. Maybe it’s from the ocean air given it was a jersey car. |
Originally Posted by zeroptzero
(Post 25125706)
For most of us that store our cars in the northern locales that is a lot of rust, but for those that drive in winter that is pretty normal. It is ugly, not a structural issue and these cars do pretty well overall with winter salt and moisture. I would say most of those bolts and fasteners are going to be a problem in the future, even on a pristine S2000 the suspension bolts seize up, so I would say most of yours will be seized. Not a huge issue but it may require some bolt replacements in the future on the suspension if you ever need to do suspension work. If it was my car I would have it undercoated with black coloured Woolwax product, it is a lanolin based product, better than asphaltic undercoatings.
A new valve cover will go a long way to getting that engine bay looking good, and some good detailing work. Things like the radiator support brackets can be spray painted black tremclad or silver , you can clean up some o the aluminum parts like the intake manifold with some polishing and deep clean the entire bay. The exhaust looks remarkably good. Think of this as a nice project car, don't let the cosmetics detract you , nice of you to save and home a stray like this , lol. Everything I see can be improved upon, there are no structural issues, but keep in mind what I said about the suspension bolts. If the front and rear upper A-arm bolts ever strip out on you, I have posted a fix for that on these forums somewhere years ago using Honda bolt parts, they even strip out on pristine S2000 cars so it can surely happen to this one, that only happens when attempting suspension changes or repairs. Good luck |
Originally Posted by Fiducial.
(Post 25125718)
I appreciate your feedback! I can handle some cosmetic fixes and I have a good shop I trust. I need people to tell me that it’s not that bad so I can feel good about getting on a plane Tuesday to pick it up
It is normal for a car that sees winter conditions, or is located near an Ocean. Even cars in Florida can look like that if they are seaside. |
Originally Posted by Fiducial.
(Post 25125717)
it’s a 2002 white on red with 59k miles. One owner no accidents per carfax. And it appears to be 100% stock!
They wanted $34k I got them down to $30k. I used to have a 2003 silverstone on red and sold it 11-12 years ago. I always wanted either a black or white 2002 with full red interior. They’re hard to find and I want it pretty bad but I know myself and I’ll look past the issues and the rust has me a little worried. It’s odd to me that a one owner car would have been driven in the snow. Maybe it’s from the ocean air given it was a jersey car. A winter driven S2000 isn't worth $30K You can find a rust free one for that much. I would even take one with more miles that is rust free. |
Originally Posted by Fiducial.
(Post 25125717)
it’s a 2002 white on red with 59k miles. One owner no accidents per carfax. And it appears to be 100% stock!
They wanted $34k I got them down to $30k. |
I see rust seeping through the trunk floor and around a grommet/on spot welds on the actual chassis of the car. For a daily driver that would be fine but not on a $30k s2000.
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No body rust , I can handle topical rust underneath , but never on a body panel, like never ever, I hate rust.
I would check the trunk and see if there are signs of leaks in the trunk under the spare,, that will cause ruse to drip below as noted above . The trunks are known sources of leaks. |
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