What's up everyone? An S2000 is in my very near future (days, weeks), so i did a little research on it and found this place. But now i'm wondering if it's in my best interest because i'm reading about quite a few problems. Don't get me wrong, one of my current cars (Contour SVT) is known to have it's share of problems, but i don't want to regret a $30,000 purchase.

Where do i start? Tranny, clutch and rear end weaknesses. Are these really problems associated with the car, or could they be driver error/abuse? Example: SVT's have weak diff's and quite a few have grenaded. People also report clutches going out, along with waterpumps. People have grenaded their diff's on their first or second time at a track. I've yet (fingers crossed) to blow my diff and i have over 30 runs in the past year. Something i'm doing right or just plain luck? I'm nearing 30K on my SVT and my clutch is doing just fine. Two of my friends, one with a Z24, the other an Accord, both are getting their clutches replaced with approximately the same miles as me due to slipping. Is my Ford clutch better than the Chevy and Honda clutches, or are my buddies a little rougher on them than i am?

What i'm getting at is if the problems truly lie in the S. I read the thread about the Lemon deal. With a car over $30K, people will not expect to hear a squeak, creek or moan, and therefore will complain about it. I've been driving a car with creeks and rattles for 30K miles and have learned to just turn the damn radio up and roll the windows down.

Do i want a roadster? Yes. That's not the question. The question is, do the problems that really do exist outweigh owning the vehicle?

 

Creaks and rattles? After all, it is a Ford.

Honestly, you only hear about all of the problems. I have had no issues at all with my S2K, not even a drop of oil lost yet. I also drive it pretty hard, so it isn't like I am babying it. I am sure there are a lot of people out there who are in the same boat....it is just that people tend to go on chat boards to complain (and rightly so) but those who have no problems don't just jump on to say so.

Contour SVT vs. S2K? No question at all.

As for the Accord guy? I have no idea what he is doing to that car. My del Sol has 93,000 piss-beaten miles and the clutch is original. Downshifts that rev to 6000 - 6500 RPM are commonplace. I can't imagine an Accord clutch being that weak.

 

Hi Erd. Welcome to the board. You will find a wealth of information here on any subject and pleasant people to converse with.

I too live in Houston and am in your same situation. I have decided to wait for MY 2003 on my purchase. Good luck with your decision and purchase.

 

With a car over $30K, people will not expect to hear a squeak, creek or moan, and therefore will complain about it.

I don't hear any squeak, creek or moan, just a nice roar when I want to!

I am very happy with the car, and it feels very solid. It corners like a champion! The shifting is precise and the 2nd and 3rd gear can be tricky sometimes. But is it a problem with the transmission - I don't think so. I think everybody is just very vocal about this car and shares every little detail with everybody. I think for a high performance sportscar it kills in reliability.

I say go ahead, and enjoy.

 

Message boards always emphasize the bad, while not talking enough about the good. The S2000 has relatively few minor problems and no major problems. There have been isolated cases of a few major problems, but they are surely the exception. I've got a 2000 model that has caused me no problems except a battery going out at about 30,000 miles, which was replaced without a hassle under warranty.

If you want this car, get it. By far, it's the best roadster for your money with Honda build quality.

 

I have almost 14K miles on mine and have had absolutely no problems. I was very careful during the break-in period and to-date have never had to add a drop of oil. I push her limits ... love to hear/feel that VTEC ... and I don't baby her at all.

My other car, a 93 Accord EX, has 255,xxx miles (woo hoo!) and is still on her original clutch. And that's after teaching two teenagers how to shift.

Lemon list? Bah humbug! Get the car ... and enjoy the fun we're all having.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by same
[B]With a car over $30K, people will not expect to hear a squeak, creek or moan, and therefore will complain about it.

 

It's perspective.

Maybe My 2002 S2000 creaks, rattles, and moans, but:

The 1995 Dodge Neon Sport Coupe I traded in for it had windows that never sat right from day one.

For 30K+, your doors should sit right.

For less than half of that, I didn't care, because it was my first new car and I was thrilled that it had 150HP

If there is a creak, rattle or moan, I won't notice it...at least not until I get that Ferrari.

 

i personally think this honda is quite different from other hondas. the sound you close the door is totally different from what i heard from (civic, prelude, integra, accord, TL) and the chasis feels a lot more solid. i never hear any rattle from it.

but then my friends can still complain that for a $30k car, i don't even have tilt steering.

 

Goodluck on your purchase! I just wanted to put in my 2-cents.

When I first bought my s2k I had a hard time getting used to the high-reving nature of the car. Now, for ten hours a day (at work) I cant wait to get into my car and vtech all the way home!!!

I will certainly bet (I dont know what right now, how about my sister) that for $30k there is no better car out there. So good luck on your purchase. I know for sure you will LOVE it just as much I do.