high probability that between the gauges and the exhaust it has seen some significant mods and was simply returned to semi-stock to trade in. better safe than sorry - just find an unmodded one. there are plenty out there. the other option is like others have said - make sure everything is thoroughly checked out by a mechanic - and then bargain the dealer down. point out that it shows signs of serious modifications and you're unsure of the reliability, maybe you can get them to knock some $ off.

good luck to you.

try here for more S's for sale:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showforum=109

 

Stay away from that car.

 

Agreed.

Clearly been modified, and we of course have no idea who did it, how good of a job they did, and how the car was treated.

If you had a turbo S2000, wouldn't you go out and "enjoy it" as much as possible? I certainly would.

There are plenty of other nice S2000s for sale.

 

I'm not going to jump on the its been boosted bandwagon but its defanately a possibility. Bottom line, I'd keep looking, despite the low cost/miles.

Its bad times out there now, and its winter. You can probly be pretty aggressive with your negotiations on an S2.

Find an unmolested one-

 

Thanks for all the input,

I did get some more pictures from the dealer, from what I can tell every thing under the hood looks factory, but then again I'm not super familiar with what an S looks like under the hood.

Here's the additional pics:

http://picasaweb.google.com/stroebele/S2000#

 

damn i wish i could see those engine bay pics. I would let you know right now.

So the cars been boosted? Who cares!
There are a few local owners to me that have bought boosted cars unknowingly and have been fine. One of which for the past 2 years and several lapping days or hard driving with repeated hanging vtec revs.

Talk to the dealership about the "boosted" thing and see what he says. Maybe he is willing to shell out some amazing warranty because he is so confident that it wasn't boosted and it's in top condition.

Just say there are obvious signs that this car has been boosted at one point in his life. He might even pay for the inspection at honda dealership to try and prove you wrong. Even better.

 

Picture 8 some type of anodized blue elbow fitting that has a braided line runs inside the car.
Thats the oil gauge, im curious as to how exactly. it is hooked up.
no one buys a dual gauge pod , and puts in one oil gauge. 10 bucks that the other one said "boost'
Its not an electronic gauge, so we know this guy is a bit cheap on the mods.
The electronic gauges run a wire inside the car, mechanical ones run the danger of having an oil leak in your interior.
Awfully shiny bolts on the cat/ header. the header was not on there a short time ago.

 

 

ahah s2k detectives. I really wish I could see the rest of the pics for myself.

 

Once I decided that I had to have an S2000, and settled on the specific MY car I wanted, I still had to spend a few months waiting for just the right car. Believe me, it was sell worth the wait.

The real problem with a car that has been mofidied is that there are too many unknowns. My MY00 car is boosted, lowered, and has a number of other modifications, and while the maintainence intervals are different (ie, more frequent), the car is as reliable as a stone, and I'd be very surprised if you could find another MY00 car that is in such good condition. If I were to put the stock differential back in the car and sell it (something that will not happen during my lifetime ), it would be a good buy for somebody, because the car has been given maticulous care in the extreme. BUT, without being intimately fimilar with the car, you'd have no way of knowing any of that, so buying the car would be risky.

This is just my opinion, but in looking at the pictures of the car you are considering, I am inclined to think that it was modified on the cheap by someone who may not have had a clue, so I'd definitely walk away and wait until I could find a nice, all stock, unmolested car. You may still get a car that was not well cared for, as buying used always entails risk, so be sure to check out ANY car you consider, as others have recommended here. Used cars are always a risk, but a used modified car involves greater risk, IMO.

Besides, if you wait, you extend the anticipation, and anticipation is fun.