Long time lerker and long time lover of s2000s. I'm finally at the point in my life where it's time to buy an s2000.
I've been searching for awhile and I believe I found one but need advise.
I found a 2003 s2000 Sebring silver with 48000miles on it. He's asking $14000, but only things I found wrong where the TCT was noisey,needs a new top, headlights are slightly faded and very very minor scratches. All and all car is perfect, and interior/maintence is on point with all Honda factory and honda maintained, new tires (Bridgestone), all fluids changed 1 year ago and so on. I believe the gentleman is the 2nd onwer along from and older gentleman who had before him. He never beat on the car of drove hard (he's scared of the redline).
I need everyone input about the possible purchase.

I'm a mechanic myself and wouldn't mind tackling the top and TCT myself, just alittle concerned a out damage to timing chain/wear plate.

Thanks in advance!
Danny

 

I don't believe a noisy Tct will cause any other damage if the car hasn't been driven extremely hard and at redline often.

If you can get the guy down a little bit to help you pay for the top it would be a good deal, maybe $500 less. If you get the car check your regional forum to see if there's any members near you that have installed tops multiple times. It's a tedious job and its good to have somebody whose done it before to help you.

Even if the guy won't come down on the price I probably wouldn't walk away from it.

 

I agree, he said he was going to Honda today to do and oil change and inspection on it. I asked him to look into changing the TCT or price quote. I'll do it myself if I have to, I read/heard its not hard at all. But I agree I'll try and knock him down 500$ for it. I called for a new top and it's less then $600 with shipping. But I think my friend and I will tackle the job, I was a tech for Hyundai for 12 years and he's was a Toyota tech for 7 so we should be able to tackle the job.

 

I went there (a dealership) to look at an '03 Silverstone S...looked to be
all oem..beautiful finish.only 74K miles.... according to
their craigslist ad was 1 owner a rather older
gentleman who never raced/abused/ or tracked the car in anyway.

I get there in my '02 NFR S..84K miles..Axis 18inchers and of
course they want to know why would I want to trade
an S for an S?

I explain their '03 is newer...less miles..ad I love the
silver paint of an S..not to mention in the future always the
chance of changing out interior for red here and there.

Then..they inform me the S is out back and not for sale
anymore..according to them all 2000-2003 Honda S2000's have
compression..idle..heat issues and this is what made this
car misfire now and have a ruined cylinder.

I was like....WHAT? all 2000-2003's?
Had never heard that..I've driven quite a few
AP1's and most have been awesome.
Well..they then tell me they have located a "new" engine..
I dont exactly know what their definition of "new" is..
but they tell me they can install new engine for $4,000. dollars
and this comes with a 1 year warranty.
They were asking like $14,500 for this car so I asked what the new retail
would be..of course the GM stated he has figured that amount yet.

Does $4K sound right?...any opines on this deal?

 

Yeah I have some opines for ya. Walk away.

 

So, I found this in Ohio.

132,000 miles

$ 12,000

2.2L 6 speed. Competition stage 4 6 puck sprung clutch, new master and slave cylinder for clutch installed, CR front sway bar, K&N filter, CR side markers, OEM optional lip and spoiler, tinted windows, Alpine door speakers type S component set, and Euro alignment specs. Also have a cold air intake for the car and another rear diff that has 4.77 gears in it.

It's an 04 Grand Prix White with tan interior. I'm sure I could talk him down a bit, but I'm looking at the mileage. Car looks to be in pretty good shape overall, no flaws exterior wise that I can see. Top looks brand new. Only downside are the tan painted AP2V1s. There's alot of mileage on it, but my 03 Suzuka has 139000 so I'm not too bent out of shape over it.

 

Miles wouldn't bother me, but stage 4 - 6 puck clutch? I would probably avoid, who needs a stage four clutch for things other than racing?

 

That stuck out to me as well. Bit odd.

 

I'm in the process of looking at AP1 s2000's as well out in the Bay Area. The prices that are be asked for by dealers for AP1's are way up there. In general anything around 70k miles is listed for ~$18k+. Ouch. What do you guys think of this:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/ctd/3978809491.html

$21k for an '03 with 50k miles? Even with a year warranty, they seem to be about $6k too high.

Or this:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/ctd/4016392162.html

$19k for an '01 with vinyl rear window, lowered, with I believe AP2 wheels, 54k miles.

Sigh, it's also pushing up what private party people are asking for as well.

 

LOL. If I ever sell mine I'll drive it to the Bay Area and my wife and I will just hang out and see the sights until it sells.

I love the Bay Area but I don't know how regular people can afford to live there.