-Official- Is this car worth it thread - vol. 2
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Joined: May 2012
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From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by eremoy' timestamp='1339020653' post='21760623
[quote name='IronChef' timestamp='1338595282' post='21747706']
So I have seen the car (not driven it yet, he wouldn't drive it in the rain) and the only damage I could find (actually he had to point them out) were a couple of tiny chips on the front and another tiny one on the drivers side. The side bolster has some wear but not bad at all for 10 years. Besides that the car looks incredible for a 2002. The hardtop was immaculate. NADA and Edmunds value the car (with all the options including hardtop, rear spoiler, side strakes, and front lip spoiler) at about $12K. I am thinking about offering $12,500 and seeing what he comes back at. I think at $12,500 it would be a steal. At $13,500 I think it would be a good deal. He replaced the spark plugs with NGK Iridiums. The tires have quite a bit of rubber left too. Soft top appears to be in great shape too. This may be the one ladies and gentlemen! He needs the money to buy a plane so lets see how motivated he is too let it go.
So I have seen the car (not driven it yet, he wouldn't drive it in the rain) and the only damage I could find (actually he had to point them out) were a couple of tiny chips on the front and another tiny one on the drivers side. The side bolster has some wear but not bad at all for 10 years. Besides that the car looks incredible for a 2002. The hardtop was immaculate. NADA and Edmunds value the car (with all the options including hardtop, rear spoiler, side strakes, and front lip spoiler) at about $12K. I am thinking about offering $12,500 and seeing what he comes back at. I think at $12,500 it would be a steal. At $13,500 I think it would be a good deal. He replaced the spark plugs with NGK Iridiums. The tires have quite a bit of rubber left too. Soft top appears to be in great shape too. This may be the one ladies and gentlemen! He needs the money to buy a plane so lets see how motivated he is too let it go.
[/quote]
Going back to look at it again tomorrow. I can't help but think a 2002 with 41K miles, in excellent condition, with an OEM hardtop might just be a great buy and that I can darn well get used to the color combo. Anyone disagree?
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I'm going to use this thread for this question as i'm looking for buying one right now.
The one i'm looking at is a AP1 '02. While reading through the "buying guide" on this forums, i saw the thing about the oil bolts and torque on spark plugs and i was wondering if there was an official recall of some sort for this. I just looked at honda's recall site (http://www.honda.ca/recalls) with the VIN and there are no recalls on the vehicle. Would you consider looking further with engine number to make sure everything is fine with these things ?
Best regards,
trep
The one i'm looking at is a AP1 '02. While reading through the "buying guide" on this forums, i saw the thing about the oil bolts and torque on spark plugs and i was wondering if there was an official recall of some sort for this. I just looked at honda's recall site (http://www.honda.ca/recalls) with the VIN and there are no recalls on the vehicle. Would you consider looking further with engine number to make sure everything is fine with these things ?
Best regards,
trep
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I'm looking at a 2006 with 24k miles. Owner says it's bone stock, never tracked, has the original car cover. He said he has a 7 year, 100k miles extended warranty, which I value nearly not at all. He wants nearly $23k which I think is probably way too expensive for a private sale. What does the hive mind think a good price for a low miles, excellent condition 2006 should be?
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From: North Carolina
I've driven several S2000's in my quest for "the one." I need some feedback from those of you that know these cars inside and out.
Clutch: I noticed the clutch had a pretty high uptake before it engaged. Is that normal? Typically I associate that with a clutch that is nearing it's end of life. But this car (albeit a 2002) has less than 45K miles.
Brakes: Inspected and measured at 4mm front and 6mm rear. How close are they to needing to be replaced. Brake effort was fine but did seem like the brake pedal was a bit low which may be perfectly normal for pads showing their age.
VTEC: Having driven several AP1's this one didn't seem to "kick me back in the seat" as strongly as some of the 2001's I've driven. Does it vary that much between motors or does that indicate potential problems. You could definitely feel it kick in but it wasn't like "WOW." Maybe I am just growing acclimated to it and it's not as dramatic anymore.
Spark Plugs: He did mention that at 21K miles the car was running a little rough and he found "condensation" on one of the spark plug wires. He said there were no problems with the plug itself but yet he replaced all four plugs. That seems odd to me. Is it possible for condensation to get down into the spark plug well like that or perhaps there actually was a spark plug issue (e.g., coming loose causing it to run rich thus explaining the lower VTEC kick)? Maybe the coil on that cylinder is bad?
He is the second owner, mature adult, that has clearly babied this car and owned the car since 2008.
Anything you see as a red flag?
Clutch: I noticed the clutch had a pretty high uptake before it engaged. Is that normal? Typically I associate that with a clutch that is nearing it's end of life. But this car (albeit a 2002) has less than 45K miles.
Brakes: Inspected and measured at 4mm front and 6mm rear. How close are they to needing to be replaced. Brake effort was fine but did seem like the brake pedal was a bit low which may be perfectly normal for pads showing their age.
VTEC: Having driven several AP1's this one didn't seem to "kick me back in the seat" as strongly as some of the 2001's I've driven. Does it vary that much between motors or does that indicate potential problems. You could definitely feel it kick in but it wasn't like "WOW." Maybe I am just growing acclimated to it and it's not as dramatic anymore.
Spark Plugs: He did mention that at 21K miles the car was running a little rough and he found "condensation" on one of the spark plug wires. He said there were no problems with the plug itself but yet he replaced all four plugs. That seems odd to me. Is it possible for condensation to get down into the spark plug well like that or perhaps there actually was a spark plug issue (e.g., coming loose causing it to run rich thus explaining the lower VTEC kick)? Maybe the coil on that cylinder is bad?
He is the second owner, mature adult, that has clearly babied this car and owned the car since 2008.
Anything you see as a red flag?
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Joined: May 2009
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From: Indiana
Clutch could be any number of things, but wear is probably not one of them at 45k unless it was abused. Did it slip at any point? It could just be due for a fluid change or adjustment. See this thread, post 13 for info on adjusting: https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/275...ge-this-early/
Brakes, can't say just by measurement (I just don't know what is considered good) but they aren't exactly expensive nor hard to replace yourself.
Vtec: No clue on the AP1, but I've read it's not as abrupt as the AP2 is stock. It's not some huge night and day difference like a turbo spooling, though. Some people seem to think it is...
Plugs: Not sure. If it was at 21k and the car now sits at 45k it's probably fine.
Sorry I couldn't be more help. I'm sure more posts will come along.
Brakes, can't say just by measurement (I just don't know what is considered good) but they aren't exactly expensive nor hard to replace yourself.
Vtec: No clue on the AP1, but I've read it's not as abrupt as the AP2 is stock. It's not some huge night and day difference like a turbo spooling, though. Some people seem to think it is...
Plugs: Not sure. If it was at 21k and the car now sits at 45k it's probably fine.
Sorry I couldn't be more help. I'm sure more posts will come along.
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I've driven several S2000's in my quest for "the one." I need some feedback from those of you that know these cars inside and out.
Clutch: I noticed the clutch had a pretty high uptake before it engaged. Is that normal? Typically I associate that with a clutch that is nearing it's end of life. But this car (albeit a 2002) has less than 45K miles.
Brakes: Inspected and measured at 4mm front and 6mm rear. How close are they to needing to be replaced. Brake effort was fine but did seem like the brake pedal was a bit low which may be perfectly normal for pads showing their age.
VTEC: Having driven several AP1's this one didn't seem to "kick me back in the seat" as strongly as some of the 2001's I've driven. Does it vary that much between motors or does that indicate potential problems. You could definitely feel it kick in but it wasn't like "WOW." Maybe I am just growing acclimated to it and it's not as dramatic anymore.
Spark Plugs: He did mention that at 21K miles the car was running a little rough and he found "condensation" on one of the spark plug wires. He said there were no problems with the plug itself but yet he replaced all four plugs. That seems odd to me. Is it possible for condensation to get down into the spark plug well like that or perhaps there actually was a spark plug issue (e.g., coming loose causing it to run rich thus explaining the lower VTEC kick)? Maybe the coil on that cylinder is bad?
He is the second owner, mature adult, that has clearly babied this car and owned the car since 2008.
Anything you see as a red flag?
Clutch: I noticed the clutch had a pretty high uptake before it engaged. Is that normal? Typically I associate that with a clutch that is nearing it's end of life. But this car (albeit a 2002) has less than 45K miles.
Brakes: Inspected and measured at 4mm front and 6mm rear. How close are they to needing to be replaced. Brake effort was fine but did seem like the brake pedal was a bit low which may be perfectly normal for pads showing their age.
VTEC: Having driven several AP1's this one didn't seem to "kick me back in the seat" as strongly as some of the 2001's I've driven. Does it vary that much between motors or does that indicate potential problems. You could definitely feel it kick in but it wasn't like "WOW." Maybe I am just growing acclimated to it and it's not as dramatic anymore.
Spark Plugs: He did mention that at 21K miles the car was running a little rough and he found "condensation" on one of the spark plug wires. He said there were no problems with the plug itself but yet he replaced all four plugs. That seems odd to me. Is it possible for condensation to get down into the spark plug well like that or perhaps there actually was a spark plug issue (e.g., coming loose causing it to run rich thus explaining the lower VTEC kick)? Maybe the coil on that cylinder is bad?
He is the second owner, mature adult, that has clearly babied this car and owned the car since 2008.
Anything you see as a red flag?
Brakes: that is kind of low (to me). I like to replace my pads when they get close to the thickness of the backing plate
VTEC: I experienced the same thing between different AP1s. I would pass on this one if it is actually a noticeable difference.
Spark plug: Condensation on the spark plug wire? I'm not sure what he is talking about. The ignition coil sits right on top of the plug.
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Also, I don't know if you know this but check for the vin tags on the body panels to see if it was in any unreported collisions.
https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/841...n-body-panels/
I would also get the engine compression tested if you can. Ap1s have a few things you should address if you plan to track the car. I would imagine at that mileage you plan to make it a weekend car though. Good luck!
https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/841...n-body-panels/
I would also get the engine compression tested if you can. Ap1s have a few things you should address if you plan to track the car. I would imagine at that mileage you plan to make it a weekend car though. Good luck!
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IMO, the AP2 may be the better value considering the 3 years newer factor. In 5 years, this may not be a factor at all. If saving $1200 instantly is important, go with the AP1, Both deals are simular when considering mileage.
Edit- The AP2 does have some improvements over the AP1, but others would argue the 9000rpm redline makes up for this and is the better ride. Your choice
Edit- The AP2 does have some improvements over the AP1, but others would argue the 9000rpm redline makes up for this and is the better ride. Your choice