I have had the S2000, and hung around this forum, for about 10 days now. The other forum I also hang around is one for 5th generation VW Passat owners (1999-2002). Very good vehicle of a different type, but that forum has given me acute sphincteritis, because of the very, very frequent reports of mechanical reliability problems and bone-headed dealership service.
Is it my imagination, or is it just true that these S2000's do not suffer very many service and reliability problems? Half the posts on the VW forum are about CV joints that have let go, other suspension failures, electrical problems, you name it. There seems to be almost none of that going on here. Since I have a 2002 model, I need not worry about shifter problems (whatever they may be) or foggy plastic windows. Can it be that I will have no troubles at all?
My dealer has so far been kind of nice. Just received a free box of cookies in the mail, along with a request to vote them as 'excellent' in the survey form. I have accepted their bribe, eaten two of the cookies, and probably will rate them well.

 

Some folks have had problems... but I think most people haven't. I've had my s2k 1 year(next week) with about 9600 miles. no problems at all.

-Shing

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jelliotlevy
[B]I have had the S2000, and hung around this forum, for about 10 days now.

 

There's probably a much better than average chance that you have a trouble free car being that it is a MY2002. Honda builds a GREAT car. There were some probems with the MY2000 and less in the 2001. Most of the problems people bring up are IMHO ownership problems. For example - the plastic rear window getting foggy and scratched (people just have to take care of the window better), not enough torque (they should have known that before they bought it), oil consumption mainly during break-in period (nothing that adding oil won't hurt), surprise spinning out of car (people have to learn to warm up the tires before driving the car hard). A lot of the problems stem because many don't know they have the closest thing to a race car made and HAVE to learn how to handle this car.
Much good luck with your car and many years of happines.

 

I don't think VW has the monopoly on "bone-headed dealership service". You should see some of the posts here about that. I avoid dealership service like the plague. I have MY2000. No problems here except for spark plugs not torqued in right but that's under normal owner routine checks to make sure all is well.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jelliotlevy
[B]Just received a free box of cookies in the mail, along with a request to vote them as 'excellent' in the survey form.

 

I've owned 2 VW's, and my parent have owned 4, and every one of them had the electrical system fry up. My favorite was the day I was driving 87 16v Scirocco, it was winter, and I flipped the rear window defrost switch, and about 10 seconds later black smoke came billowing out of the dash. Plus VW's are expensive to fix. The reason you haven't seen much on s2000 problems is that it's a Honda, and Honda's generally don't have mechanical problems. Especially after just a few years.

I can't think of another automobile maker that can produce a new car and engine, and have it run without a problem for 100k + miles. ie b18c engine.

 

the first year of any production model should have the most problems. the best model is the last model year that car is being made but then again at that time, there will be a newer model comming

 

I have had my car for two and a half years and it has 20K miles of sport driving. I have had numerous problems. Each of these is at least one dealer visit.

Seat belts hanging (TSB)
Top cover replacement (TSB)
Transmission (1-2) grind (TSB)
Clutch noise - replacement (TSB)
MAP sensor (finally replaced myself)
Transmission (4th gear)
Clutch replacement (worn)

 

The drivetrain components are what I worry about most on this car. I luckily haven't had many problems with them yet, but they seem to be the weakest part of the car. I think the engine is bulletproof, but the tranny, clutch, and differential are what I worry about the most.

 

[QUOTE]
[B]I have had my car for two and a half years and it has 20K miles of sport driving. I have had numerous problems. Each of these is at least one dealer visit.

Seat belts hanging (TSB)
Top cover replacement (TSB)
Transmission (1-2) grind (TSB)
Clutch noise - replacement (TSB)
MAP sensor (finally replaced myself)
Transmission (4th gear)
Clutch replacement (worn)