I wanted an extra ignition key for my 2003 AP1 and drove down to my local Honda dealership. I step into the Parts Department and the fellow behind the counter greets me quite politely. After pleasantries, I explain what I want and he asks for the VIN number. I step outside, take a photo of the VIN number and step back in. He then enters the number on his computer and up pops the vehicle info. He says he can cut a key and "program" it all for $32.00. He walks away for a few minutes, steps back and hands me my new key.

He asks if he can do anything else, and this is where things get interesting. I ask for an oil filter. He immediately reaches under the counter and hands me a small (I mean TINY) filter. I look at him and tell him "No way. This is the wrong filter". He looks at me and wants to argue. I insist: "It is the wrong filter"...

So... With the VIN info still on his monitor, he asks me: "What car?".

"A 2003 S2000", I reply. Geez!!!

So he walked away again and after a few more minutes he brings out the correct filter. Just to screw with him, I ask: "Just out of curiosity, what kind of car did that VIN number you just entered bring back up?".

He got real quiet. Then proceeds to tell me Honda makes 3 filters. One for Accords/Civics/etc; another for yadda-yadda and the third for "all the others". He said mine was "one of all the others".

Even with the damn VIN number staring him in the face he got it wrong. Amazing!

I know - take a chill pill. I know my car has been out of production for a long time but this is beyond crazy!!!

And yes, I guess I should thank my lucky stars: the key was only $32.00; I called another local dealer and they wanted over $100.00 for one. Finally a local locksmith quoted me $50.00 for the key.

 

Sorry to hear. Most times I go to the parts counter at the Honda Dealer and they put the vin in for the parts they seem to always ask if the S is outside! A couple of times come out and even look at it!

 

Yeah...my local dealership says that they rarely see an S2000 come in for service...

 

The oil filter switcheroo is a common occurrence at Honda dealers. Someone at Honda believes that there is no difference in performance between the filters but we as owners of the car feel better with the correct sized filter and that is all that matters.

I bought 10 Hamp filters this summer and they all came in at the smaller size, I was told that they were perfectly safe but I gave them to my nephew to use on his Civic, I wasn't going to risk it even if it was perfectly safe.

You did get a great price on the key, you don't want to know what our dealers charge over here for keys.

Lastly, parts guys tend to repeat what they are told, they don't seem to think independently for some reason. Someone tells them that the smaller filters will work and that is what they go with to keep things simple. Seen it happen many times.

 

Agreed. All they know is to ask for the everlasting VIN number and then, even with the thing staring them in the face they still can't figure things out. I know, I am being very harsh. But when the VIN is given that should be the end-all of end-all's. At any rate, I got the filter I expected and that is what counts.

Thanks all for hearing me out - I suppose the reason I wanted to bring this up is buyer-beware.

 

My goodness I have these people changing my oil! Good to know what I need to look for next time!

 

I always go in with the part number. Harder for them to screw up that way.

 

Very good price on the cut&programmed key.

I've called all the Honda dealers around where I'm at, and they charge $130 to cut&program a key. And, that's excluding the actual physical key; which, they charge another $130-240 for.

 

As a service adviser at an Acura dealership and S2000 owner, I just shake my head at all this. I can read a VIN unaided by a computer and tell you a lot about a car. And I know which damn oil filter to get.

 

Best to do your own minor maintenance. Oil & lube change. Air filter. Accessory belt change. Valve adjustment. Etc. Or have someone who knows what he/she is doing, service your car. This Honda is not like your typical Accord or Civic. Mildly tuned cars that have wide tolerance for maintenance and service skills.

I view the S2000 with same requirements as the high performance Honda dirt and street bikes.