Hey guys just wanted some input before I move forward with anything...

Short version: I bought a repaired rebuilt title 2002 S2k back in 2007 when I could first afford it (I want to say it had about 60k miles and was around $15.5k at that time). No issues at all, loved it but ended up selling it in 2015 for something more practical for Utah weather (2008 Element AWD auto).
6 years later and I'm in a much better financial situation and really been missing the joys of just cruising around in the S2k.
My two dream cars forever had/have been an 03-05 NSX, and the AP1 S2k - specifically an 02-03 Suzuka Blue exactly what I had before. For some reason S2k's and NSX's have skyrocketed in price over the last 3 years so while I'd expected to find an 05 NSX with higher mileage for maybe 40-50k, even 91's with 200k miles are going for $100k which is outside what I can comfortably do right now.
On the other hand, decent 02-03 S2k's seem to be around 20-30k which I can definitely do, plus as mentioned I really want my 02 Suzuka Blue back.

That all leads to now, I found one in California that appears to be pretty much mint, just under 70k miles, exactly the same as what I used to own but clean titled.

So my questions for you guys are mainly - I'm in Utah and the car is about 800 miles away. Google is telling me it's 11ish hours pretty much driving straight across Nevada to get back here from where the car is in Cali and that's not really something I'm willing to do anyway in an S2k and especially during summer.
Would I be a complete idiot to buy this thing without flying out to test drive it in person?
Since it will be just a weekend/fun car I don't mind if some suspension or non-engine-internals work needs to be done, but is that still too much of a risk?
Carfax matches up with the seller's description (he is the 2nd owner, car has never been in any accidents, never left California, etc) but does any of that make potentially purchasing it seem less risky or doesn't make a difference?

Anyway anything you guys can suggest would be great. Of course an in-person inspection and test drive would be ideal but I'm not sure spending $600 to fly out and look at it on top of around $1k to have it shipped sounds great either. The only other 2 02-03 Suzuka blue's with sub-100k miles I've found are both up in the far northeast like Delaware/New Hampshire which is out of the question since shipping them clear out here to Utah would add another ~2k to the overall price.

Thanks in advance and either way, hopefully I'll be rejoining the S2k ownership club here before too long


*EDIT*
the listing says the car is in San Jose - if anyone here is in that area and wouldn't mind taking a look at it that would give me invaluable peace of mind!

 

If you post the town the car is in, you might get an owner to go look at it for you.

 

There is no way that I would do the purchase without looking the car over myself UNLESS I was willing to roll the dice with the entire purchase price of the car.

 

ahh sorry it's in San Jose - I'll edit my OP to include that.

If someone was nearby and wouldn't mind taking a look that would be amazing!

 

good point. It's definitely a big chunk of money for me but I guess it seems less risky since I won't be financing anything either way. I guess on the plus side it looks like the guy has been trying to sell it for 3 or 4 months so I don't need to rush any decisions.

 

People buy cars all the time without actually seeing them in person or driving the car, such as would occur if you bought a car off of Bringatrailer.com. Personally, I'd bite the bullet, go see it, and have a decent pre-purchase inspection performed on the car if at all possible.

 

I bought my first s2000 in 2011 sight unseen (2003, 32K miles). I never drove it until the day I picked it up. The dealer was excellent and said if it didn't meet expectation, deal was off. He dropped it off to my hotel 12 hours from my home after I flew in the night before. He led me to the Honda dealer where they changed all the fluids, battery for my 1200 kms drive home...all without plates on it. It was insured obviously.

Suzuka is my favourite colour- I'd choose an '03, or a late production '02.

good luck!
darcy

 

My previous S2000 was a 2006 Suzuka Blue that I absolutely loved. I bought it at auction with "engine noise" needing a some cosmetic love but it just needed a TCT and valve adjustment for good measure. I drove it from 97k to 350k then sold it for what I had in it. After so many cars I came back to S2000s but haven't had another black dash Suzuka which is a shame.

I do love my current 03 AP1 but Silverstone isn't as sporty of a color to me.

 

I live in Sacramento and found my perfect car in Phoenix, at a dealer. Negotiated over the phone, had lots of pictures and entered into a contract that could be broken if the car was not as represented. I sent the money and it was 2 weeks before I drove it home (in the summer) stopping in Las Vegas for the night at a friends.

I have driven several times in Death Valley with this car and it performs very well even in 118 F heat. You may want to move fast because that car in San Jose will not be on the market long. It may be gone as I write this.

 

plenty of bay area owners on here. If the selling is willing to bring it to a shop for a PPT, sure why not. make sure its a reputable shop, there are plenty here and have them check compression and overall inspection.

Now the question is, how good are YOU at inspecting a car prior to purchase. If you know nothing, then buying sight unseen is pretty close. have the owner face time you and walk around, send detailed photos for you to view and go from there. It will take a longer time to do the process, and if you send him the $$$, he just needs to arrange for shipping. Easier if it looks good, you fly out and drive it home.