i just got my 03 silverstone s2000 last saturday from a private dealer. i had 7 days to have the car inspected to my satisfaction. i took it to a local honda dealer (known for being a good one, Scott Honda of West Chester PA) to have them look at it. Well here's what they said:

1) the car had barely any oil, nothin on the dipstick and it was very dirty
2) the air filter needed to be replaced
3) the tires weren't new as promised by dealer

heres the killer part, the dealer told me after i called him with what honda told me "the oil was changed recently" I dont think so, no oil leak and oil doesnt burn out in 6 days. he also said the tires were brand new, the dealer said they weren't (there was like 7/32 on them). The dealer also said it was being sold for a friend, but on the car fax report it said it was bought from an auction in upstate NY. now they're trying to tell me they may not cover the oil and air filter change. i didnt tell them about the tires becuase i just found out tonite myself and they were closed. i wonder why they're lying about all of this...any ideas/advice?

oh and 1 more thing, the honda dealer installs aftermarket parts there, and they said not to get a Cold air intake beause it could flood the engine even with a blow off valve. he said he wouldnt reccomend it, whats the deal w/ that. then the private dealer just said to get a K& N drop in filter

 

As far as the filter and oil change, that's really nothing to get in a fight over although kind of annoying as well as the tire issue.

As for a CAI, i think you mean a bypass valve not a blow off valve. There is always that risk of getting water in depending on the design of the CAI.

 

Run from this car and don't look back!

This car was obviously abused. Check the clutch and diff. I'm betting you'll find more signs of abuse. Don't make an emotional purchase 'cause you'll regret it.

If the car will be a daily driver and subject to being driven during rain events. I'd think long and hard about instaling a CAI. Mine flooded sitting in my driveway during a rain storm.

However, if its gonna be a fair weather car, definately go for it.

 

If it were me, I'd pass on the car. It's hard to say if it's been abused, but it's obviously been neglected.

 

change the oil.
pony up and have the valvetrain adjusted and closely inspected.
put LE607 in the diff.
change the trans fluid.
add an AEM V2.
and never look back. rod the hell out of it. i doubt its injured. and i doubt you can injure it.
later dave

 

You don't want this car.

 

elaborate on why i dont want this car, i need to decide by tomrrow probably. you really think there are probs w/ it, carfax came back clean and all

 

That has nothing to do with whether or not the engine has been blown up.

However, it could be fine. Nobody can tell you over the internet whether the car is good or bad.

Of course the dealer you bought it from is clearly lying, which is a bad sign but not all that unexpected. Dealers do tend to lie just about every time they open their lips.

 

As MyBad has said "the car was obviously abused". If what you said about the oil condition/level is true then it's obvious that the previous owner didn't give much thought to it. Keeping a close eye on the oil in this car is a fairly important part of a preventive maintance protocol. Oil starvation in this engine leads to failure rather quickly.
Why do business with someone that's lying to you? What lies has he left unsaid? There are plenty of S's out there for sale that have had excellent care taken of them. Take your time and find one with no obvious issues.

 

i also paid 21,995 plus tax for the car w/ 28500 miles on it. that seems like a very low price for an 03 s2000. seems like 02's go for more then that. so whats the word? think i should keep it or return it? either way im gonna go to the dealer and raise hell