What seems like a reasonable offer then ?

depending on which site I look at I get values at full retail even from a dealer of (at best condition) of $16,4xx high end to other site says just $12k
[/quote]

For reference in 2014 I purchased my '02 with 35k miles/2 owner/stock/no accident/clean car for $14.5K, plus tax from a dealer. If everything checks out, e.g., VIN #s match, maintenance history, top/interior/exterior in good+ condition, no accidents, etc. I would think something in $15k-$17k range. I would also research why the car has had 5 owners in less than 30k miles...might be a red flag. If you live in CA there also might be a little price
premium. Best of luck.
[/quote]


I appreciate the information

I will look at the car considering your points

question - oil banjo bolts - is that a necessary update? or more so if a person was to modify (such as FI)?

thank you
[/quote]

Not a problem...just trying to pay it forward. Regarding the oil banjo bolts my VERY knowledgeable S2K mechanic here in NC indicated that since my '02 will not be tracked/auto crossed/driven aggressively/modded that I did not need to have the banjo bolts changed. I did have the valve retainers changed from AP1s to AP2s for piece of mind since I did not know if the prior owner missed any shifts along the way. My AP1 retainers were fine, but it was well worth the money to know.

Whether you plan to have the banjo bolts/valve retainers done you could you these possible repairs as negotiating points.

 

What seems like a reasonable offer then ?

depending on which site I look at I get values at full retail even from a dealer of (at best condition) of $16,4xx high end to other site says just $12k
[/quote]

For reference in 2014 I purchased my '02 with 35k miles/2 owner/stock/no accident/clean car for $14.5K, plus tax from a dealer. If everything checks out, e.g., VIN #s match, maintenance history, top/interior/exterior in good+ condition, no accidents, etc. I would think something in $15k-$17k range. I would also research why the car has had 5 owners in less than 30k miles...might be a red flag. If you live in CA there also might be a little price
premium. Best of luck.
[/quote]


I appreciate the information

I will look at the car considering your points

question - oil banjo bolts - is that a necessary update? or more so if a person was to modify (such as FI)?

thank you
[/quote]

Not a problem...just trying to pay it forward. Regarding the oil banjo bolts my VERY knowledgeable S2K mechanic here in NC indicated that since my '02 will not be tracked/auto crossed/driven aggressively/modded that I did not need to have the banjo bolts changed. I did have the valve retainers changed from AP1s to AP2s for piece of mind since I did not know if the prior owner missed any shifts along the way. My AP1 retainers were fine, but it was well worth the money to know.

Whether you plan to have the banjo bolts/valve retainers done you could you these possible repairs as negotiating points.
[/quote]

Well I drove the car today

drives fine

needs some striker? / seal work above the driver's side of the windshield (where the roof meets the top of windshield) - at highway speed is loud sound of wind coming through ,

plastic window at rear is cloudy - told me can be polished back to new? - as is especially at night - vision is restricted looking through

I tried to work that repair into the price

close to a $1k if buy new plastic window and then have sewn in?

I'll throw it out here and ask - has anyone had good results with attempts to polish a cloudy plastic rear window ??

(I'll save the post and then promise to use the "search" feature)

the car is not spotless but straight and clean

interior looks good

black carpet maybe a bit faded

thank you again for your thoughts on the car's value

 

Hello all- Looking for some guidance regarding a recent craigslist s2000 I found. From the pictures the vehicle looked well taken care of and it seemed as though it was worth taking the short trip see it in person. Once meeting the buyer, (let's call him J) I later find out is the owner of a pre-owned car dealership and he is looking to get rid of his S to purchase something else. Some details of the car are as follows:

-2002
-78K
-3 owners
-clear title
-current owner has had the vehicle in his possession for 4 years and put approx. 16,000 miles on the car
-No maintenance records found
-vehicle is not in any kind of pristine shape
-interior shows signs of age (top of steering wheel shows excessive wear along with both seats)
-Soft top has 3 rips that were patched
-exterior has not been waxed in a long time and front and rear bumpers could use painted or even replaced, in addition the hood has some bubbling and there are blemishes/scratches/dents that can be spotted around the car.
- the AP1 rims show signs of curb rash and a lack of love
-the rear tires need replaced and the front tires show some cracking (dry rot) on the outside of the tread
-The owner has a new set of brake pads for the rear that he never installed and we could hear a squeaking from the rear drivers side rotor during decel/braking and as well as low mph
-It looked as though the front bumper was painted at some point throughout the years
-vins on all body panels match (although the small/clear square 3/4"X3/4"stickers that are placed on top of the vin stickers were missing from the front two fenders (vin stickers were present though) and I could not reach the vin on the motor so that will have to be addressed

During the test drive the engine felt strong, no clutch issues, and there were no odd sounds or smoke present. Considering I know what the owner does (purchase used cars and fix whats needed before making a quick profit) i'm fearful in moving forward with this venture. He could be a honest person who is telling nothing but the truth, but I have also had my share of shady deals occur in the past.

After some negotiating we got down to $9,000. Although I feel as though if I flashed him $8000 he would of accepted. I have until Monday to make a decision so i'm looked for as must feedback and honest advice as possible. I'm not desperate to buy as this would be a weekend/project car. Greatly Appreciated!

 

The things you mention in your post don't really inspire any confidence that the car was maintained well mechanically...I think you can find better for 9 to 10k if you're patient. I would keep looking but I'm demanding and like to play it safer Lol

 

Unless you want to work on the car -- vs drive the car -- I'd pass. Especially if this guy is "flipping" cars. No doubt fixable -- assuming the mechanicals are good and you can't tell. Bad engine showing up 2 months later is known to happen. Hidden defects are probably abundant

-- Chuck

 

Top $1000
Paint $1500 to $5000
Tires $500
Seats $600
Windshield?
Steering wheel $300

Doesn't really make sense if you want something pristine. Sounds more like a fun beater at a decent price considering the mileage.

 

hey gents, would really appreciate some insight and was wondering if i should buy this ap1.
it would be my first s2k and im really trying to decide
if it would be a dumb move seeing that it has definitely been tracked and would probably end being my dd here and there
in the summer time next year and the last couple months of this year before snow
fall here in South Dakota. Also even the price he has is a lil bit of
a stretch off my budget because I would be financing it through my bank.
seller just dropped price on post to $10,000

2001 Honda S2000: 108k miles. f20c dohc vtec (240hp and 9000 rpm redline), 6 speed, rear wheel drive, power windows, air conditioning, cruise, abs, 4 wheel disc brakes, cold air intake, stock exhaust with cat delete, new secondary o2 sensor, new serp belt and idler, upper adjustable control arms, rear camber kit, new rear wheel bearing, adjustable coilover suspension, just had a professional alignment, ap2 17" wheels, new tires all around (225s up front and 245s in the rear), license plate relocate bracket, front lip, carbon creations carbon fiber hardtop, front hardtop bolt on brackets, hardtop install kit with tinted lexan rear window, custom paint with hidden color change stripes and 2 tone, shaved emblems, new carpet, redone door panels, and race seats with 4 point harnesses. http://rapidcity.craigslist.org/cto/5131880571.html

 

If a (relatively impractical) car stretches your budget, you're probably better off looking at something less expensive. There are plenty of reliable cars to be had at less than $10k. I wanted an S2000 when they first came out but by no means could I afford it. I finally got one, almost 15 years later...and you'll be able to find them for many years to come as your income and savings increase.

That being said, notable drawbacks to the car you mentioned are: no soft top, odd paint job and a mileage inconsistency between the description and the odometer photo (a 7k mile difference). Make what you will of the mods, but personally I'd pay more for something a lot closer to stock.

 

Thanks man! I appreciate your thoughts and I definitely agree. Just thought that if this was a "hard to pass deal" I would like to know.

 

how about a 2007 S2000

just under 60k miles



black interior very clean - no tears even seat bolsters are very good

top has the usual 2 or 3 small patches (one small un repaired tear)



exterior is black paint is not perfect

a few areas that where done with touch up paint (probably usual parking / door stuff)

surfaces like the hood and trunk - really nice

but no swirls in the paint - for a 8 year old car black paint - its really good - not faded

1 small area that paint less dent repair can fix (rear fender) - I almost missed spotting it



wheels left side are no problem

slight curb rash right side wheels - mechanic said could be repaired



2 owner car



my mechanic told me about what I could see - will need rear tires
otherwise passed inspection

Drives fine

doesn't pull - tracks straight

stops fine

transmission shifts great

(much easier than the 2000 model year car I drove last week)



with 2 owners and the car has been maintained



does $ 22500 sound reasonable for this car?




Really other than the small tear in the roof and needs 2 rear tires

its pretty clean



I can tell the owner will not like giving it up

but due to kids - needs the money from this to buy a newer sedan




I like it and it drives great - so you can tell I'm already sold on the car



I just need a nudge from the great knowledge of this board to say go for it




(and need to add it has the small spoiler on trunk and the small front lip spoiler)

- not even rock chips on the nose