Hello all, Yeah I'm a newbie. looking at a 2002 S2000 w/3K on it. Its Suzuka Blue and has a factory hardtop. I haven't seen it yet but it should look brand new. They want $35K for it. Is that a good price? Are there any problems w/ these cars? I'm 6'0 and headroom can be an issue for me sometimes. I had to sell my Audi S4 because of it. Does the S2000 have a good amount of headroom?

 

I'm 6' and there is no headroom problem for me. $35K seems high for a car with 3K miles on it (even if it does have a hard top). Maybe you should negotiate. Tell us more about the car. Was it a demo? Is there a chance that it was raced or not broken in properly?

 

Just saw the ad. Haven't called on it yet. Do you have to break it in properly?

 

YES!!!!!
You need to constantly check the oil level and should not go above 5500 RPM until you've reached 600 miles or more.

 

Any reports or recalls on these cars? Any concerns by current owners?

 

@ 3k it is broken in. Properly only the first owner knows for sure.
You need to not run over 5500rmp for the first 600 miles, and check the oil. The S burns oil during the break-in.

@35k for a used MY02 with Hardtop is close to MSRP of a new one. Negotiate buy all means. Check eBay to see what they have been selling for (eBay S2000 Listings), This will give you a rough idea or the going rates. Some of the member here have bought out of state, and driven (or had it shipped) and bought them new for less then MSRP. So it is worth the time looking.

If nothing else, you can get a test drive in it, and see how well you fit. Some have found it hard to get a test drive, since the dealers with the new ones know they can sell them or already have. I am 5'11" and I fit fine, but I drive with the top down all the time, but where you live it rains all the time, so the top will be up more then down.

 

Thats why I'd like to get one w/ a hardtop. I'd say from November til about May or so the hardtop would be on all the time.

 

Regarding Driver Height:

I'm 6'1" and have found that i wouldn't want to be any taller in the car. With the top down, you get a lot of wind on your head. I took a test drive in a used '01 up to around 90 with the top down and my whole head felt numb afterwards! I'd say wearing a cap would help keep the wind from jerking your hair around (my hair is short too...bought 1 to 1 1/2 inches). I'm also not used to the whole convertible thing, so the experience is kinda in-your-face and abrasive for me as a convertible newbie.

On the other hand, i wouldn't worry about the clearance when the top is up. I sat in the car in the showroom with the top up and thought there was plenty of extra clearance between the top of my head and the cloth

 

I'm 6'1" and have owned my S2000 for 2 1/2 years now. It has plenty of headroom with the top up and I don't consider the wind to be a problem at any speed with the top down, which is pretty much the only way I drive my car. The only problem with the top up is seeing some traffic lights. The visors are also completely worthless for me.

Used S2000's should be around $29K and with a hardtop, maybe $32K. I would say your dealer is charging too much.

 

I'm 6'0" and the headroom is fine - even with the top up. However, my ex-gf had an A4 and I had plenty of headroom in that, too. Perhaps you have a longer torso than some of us. Overall, IMO, this is a great car. The handling and acceleration are incredible. That doesn't mean that I don't have a few minor issues:

1) With the top up, if I'm close to a traffic light, I have to lean over to see the light. If the top is down, I just look over the top of the windshield frame. There is a post in the library about lowering your seat (up to 2"). I haven't done it, but am considering it for the traffic lights.

2) This is my first convertable and the roll bars behind the seats being significantly lower than the top of my head is cause for concern to me (my mother once rolled a car).

3) The radio is a joke - you might just as well turn it off when you're driving with the top down (it doesn't sound all that great under any circumstances).

4) Other than that, a little more torque would be nice for driving around town (a topic that has been argued about ad nauseum around here).

5) I think that although the car feels incredibly tight and solid for a convertable, rattles are part of the deal with convertables.

No flames, please. I believe shmokinS2000 was looking for gripes.