After years as a long-time Italian car owner, I took the plunge and bought an S2000 two days ago. My "other" car has often been a Honda, but mostly in the transportation appliance range. My Alfas were always the fun cars. My recent move from San Francisco to Santa Monica made me crave an open 2-seater to blast over the canyon to work each day.

A couple of quick questions:

1) My car had 72 miles on it when I got it from the dealer. It had been on the showroom floor for about 5 weeks before I bought it. Though the dealer couldn't locate the manual (he swears he'll have one by the weekend), a friend who owned an S2000 gave me the break-in stats- No V-TEC for 600 miles, etc. 10w30 dino oil if it uses any during break-in, etc. My friend also warned me about my car having possibly been slammed to the redline by others who might have test-driven it before I bought it. The dealer is basically unconcerned, and says they are sure the car is fine. Any thoughts about possible trouble down the line if the car was slammed a couple of times for a minute or two?

2) Adding oil during break-in- I've noticed some posts say just use Mobil dino 10w30, if you need any. Others insist there's a special Honda-spec break-in oil. What's the general opinion on this topic?

Thanks for the help. I love the car, and can't wait until I get over 600 miles on her so I can hit the V-TEC and hear the engine wail.

Rich Lasner
03 S2000
92 Alfa Romeo 164 S
Santa Monica CA

 

I wouldn't worry about a few slams to the redline. I think most of us were not the first driver of our S's (some guys were anal about getting theirs fresh off the boat). But 72 miles on a new car ?!?! That sounds excessive to me.

I recall nobody had a specific break-in oil to add. Just use the right API rating (you'll want that owner's manual).

 

A lot of people and dealers don't know the manual might be in the secret compartment

 

Thanks guys. I was hoping for a no-miles, off the trailer machine, but I needed the car, and it was the color I wanted.

Do you mean the "secret compartment" under the wind deflector or is there another hidden compartment somewhere?

Rich Lasner
2003 S2000 Silver
1992 Alfa 164 S (128K miles and pulls like a locomotive)
Santa Monica CA

 

Congratulations on your new car and welcome to the board! I wouldn't worry about a few zings before it was yours............after all, what can you do about it now?

There is the front compartment that drops down, and then the lid opens (tilting the windscreen back) and this is where Honda puts the owners manual.

 

There are 2 compartment's under the wind deflector. Open the top one first, then release the secret hatch below that.

 

Okay, be nice- I've had the car less than two days- I released the latch that opens the vertical compartment below the wind deflector, then opened the latch for the compartment below the deflector- No manual. Is there an even more secret third compartment I can't find?

Rich Lasner
03 S2000 Metallic Silver/Black
Santa Monica CA

 

No, that's it, Rich. Did'ja check the trunk?

Welcome aboard!!!

 

Mmmmmmmmm trunk! Yes it might also be in the well at the bottom of the trunk. There is a space there between the tools and sometimes the manual is in there with the license plate mounting brackets.

 

Rich,

It's all good. You just chill till 600 miles and a good manual/S2KI review during the weekend. Some good 10w-30 top off now and again till you switch to synth and off ya go.
If it was redlined during test drives, prob was not for long. Short shots should cause no perm damage.
Get the extended warranty for piece of mind.