Keep in mind how expensive a new top is, and while that is something for you to consider (because you may think you'll have to replace it), it's also something the current owner has to consider. Maybe he's fine with it having 2 patched holes, and he'd rather not spend another $3000 to have the dealer install a new top. I guess I just think about it from the seller's point of view. My top has a tear in it, but I'm not about to spend the money and take the time to replace the top for one two inch long tear. I have other expenses that need money to be spent on them, a new top is more like a luxury thing, it doesn't leak and I don't have so much money that I can afford to replace it now. Seller is probably in the same boat.

 

Any ideas as to why so many S2000s are for sale through dealers? I'm looking for an 06+ with higher mileage and searching through autotrader gives me 14 cars with only 2 being sold privately. Do people just trade these in when they get to the higher mileages, or am I looking in all the wrong places for a private sale?

In total there are 444 dealer listed and 171 private sales covering every s2000 on at.

 

I noticed this also when looking for my car. I'd guess its dealers doing what dealers do best. They want to sell the current S owner a new car (which they get paid commission on) so they make an offer at a good price, so they can in turn make the sale. The issue I had was dealers didn't do a good job inspecting the s2000's that come in. They do a quick look over and then price it at top dollar. The car sits on the lot for a few months (because they price it high and likely overpaid for it) and then they either lower the price or sell it off at a dealer auction.

Case in point: I looked at a silverstone 07 with 33K miles on it, still had warranty and looked nice. Craigslist owner wanted 23K for the car. Clean carfax but both front fenders had been replaced along with the front and rear bumper. No lining in the wheel wells. Car showed signs of being modded and then put back to to stock (sort of) I wasn't interested in a car with non matching vins so it was a no go for me. But I wouldn't have paid more than 19K for the car as it was. The dealer offered the owner 21K... then put it back online for 24k (after it had been on CL for more than a month at 23K) I went to look at cars at multiple dealers and none of them knew about matching vins - even the honda dealer... so they didn't check for them and as long as the carfax is clean they are willing to give you good money for a car that may or may not have been in a small accident.

I probably overpaid for my car, I bought it private party but it was the only one I could find that hadn't been in some sort of accident (as far as I can tell), lowish miles, 06+, and local... lots of those cars exist, I just couldn't find one local in almost 2 months of looking (heck I think a member here pretty much does this as a business in the bay area - picks up low mile newer cars and drives them back to sell for "market" prices... he ends up sitting on them for a while to get his prices but they all seem to move).

 

Yeah, I've brought up the VIN thing and dealers think I'm crazy. I'm simply looking for an 06+ with 70k+ mileage and in good condition. Any color, any location etc and I still can't find anything worth anywhere near asking price.

 

Im currently looking at a my2000 with a f22c motor. Chassis has 100k and the motor has 90k on it. It is a clean title and the body is clean with the exception of a small dent. Top is also in good condition but the tires will need to be replaced soon. He is asking for 9k. Should i pull the trigger? The f22 is a plus for me, but how do i tell the difference beside the gold valve cover? Im going to give him an offer and have my mechanic take a look. Edit: forgot to mention car is under non op and tags are expired siince october. How much would it cost to register?

 

I've been looking at a car near by and yesterday I took it to my mechanic. There were a few problems with it but I'm hoping someone can let me know if they are problems I should be worried about.
It is a Sebring Silver 2003 with 72,100 miles on it for $14,591
Exterior: 9/10
Interior: 8/10
The problems: I took it to get a compression test and the results were:
#1 170
#2 180
#3 140 (my biggest concern)
#4 180
I'm relatively new to the S2000, but I have been researching these cars for almost a year and the compression test was the first thing I did. My initial reaction is to forget about this car and move on. Any opinions?

 

sounds a little sketchy. i'd want more info on the car first. when was the engine swap done and who did it? why is it non-op? is it also non-running?!
cheap, yes. headaches, maybe.

i'd pass on that for the simple fact that it's over priced.

 

Hey guys,
My Miata was recently totaled by an SUV crossing over the line in a snow storm and now I'm in the market for a new car. I like the idea of an S2000 and think it'd be a great next car. Anyway, I found an '05 with 47,000 miles selling for $20,000 at a dealership. Car looks real nice from the pictures, but I'd like more of an opinion on the price. Thanks.

 

alright, i'll pipe up again! obviously used cars are always more expensive at a dealership than from a private party. and what do you get from the dealership for the extra cost? nothing. no guarantees, no warranties, no maintenance records, no history of the car, and usually no knowledge about the car. only thing they could possibly offer is financing. i've bought/sold/traded in many used cars and in my opinion the only reason to go to a dealership is to buy a brand new car. i much prefer to buy used cars private party.

 

Unfortunately something I noticed while looking for a new car is that private sales of these cars are few are far between depending on what you are looking for. When looking for a car I found a total of about 25 cars on the market that fit what I wanted, only two were private sales and one had been wrecked and the guy selling the other wouldn't call me back nor return emails.