here is a draft of my letter to my dealer prior to taking delivery. it's mostly a straight copt of what's on the s2ki.com site, just re-worded slightly to read more or less in the second person:

Automotive-centre Van Nieuwkerk Alphen aan den Rijn Bv
John van der Haven
Sales / Fleetsales

Dear Mr.van der Haven,

Here are a few details for your kind attention prior to collecting my car, and oblige.

1. Please inform your vehicle preparation people not to rev the engine over 5500 RPM as stated in the handbook, this is vital to the life of the engine. It needs 600 miles before engaging VTEC.
2. The soft-top is HAND WASH only (pressure washing or rinsing may get water underneath the weather seals and ruin them) and not to use soap when washing the convertible top in the pre-delivery process! The top is WATER WASH only and will spot if they use soap. The top needs to be completely dry before putting it down.
3. All Fluid levels checked. Wheels inflated to correct pressure.
4. Fuel in tank.
5. Please advise the VIN, because I need this for insurance purposes.
6. Please make sure the miles on odometer are as low as reasonably possible.
7. Please make sure the spring spacers are removed.
8. Please make sure Floor mats are installed correctly with no cuts in the carpet from mat installation.
9. Wind deflector installed.
10. Please, No scratches on rear window!
11. No front tag bracket, no holes in bumper. If holes are present, to be filled with body-coloured caps.
12. No dealer decals or emblems please.

In the upper storage compartment additional material should be located:

1. 2 remote controls
2. 2 master keys
3. 1 valet key
4. Small key punch-out with key code
5. Radio code card
6. Owner

 

Might want to mention that these items are mentioned by members of S2Ki on their "new car delivery" fact site as best practices for delivery of the New S2000. S2Ki is a group of over 1,000 dedicated S2000 current owners. These practices have been defined over the delivery of over 1,000 vehicles and try to preclude mistakes previously made by other dealers who see precious few cars of these classic automobiles....

That way you won't come off as an arrogant SOB that doesn't think the dealer knows how to deliver a car. Good luck!

 

People who order breakfast like this often get their eggs with spit on them. No one in a shop will read this letter and it will have no effect on what they do. Sorry, but it's true.

Don't worry though. All of our cars were delivered without respect to most of the things on your list. They survived. Yours will be a favorite acquisition!

 

heli,

I think jschmidt is right on this one...although if you insist on sending in this letter, here are my suggestions:

1,2) Good
3,4) They should do this for all cars, but good reminder
5) They'd be bent NOT to do this
6) THAT'S asking for trouble
7) Specify number of spacers
8,9) Fine
10) Would someone go out of their way to PUT scratches in? Maybe if you mentioned it in a letter, they would...
11) Fine
12) Fine, I strip 'em the first momnt I get home, too

The next 6 listed are definitely good to have in writing...shows you know exactly what should come with the car. I think the main thing in the list above is #7...specify how many spacers they should be looking for.

My 2 cents...

 

Ask them for your spacers. That's what cdelena did, I think.

If the spacers are left in, the ride is incredibly harsh. However, even with the spacers removed, the ride is incredibly harsh; so, unless you see the springs from underneath, or have the spacers in your hand, you'll wonder.

There are usually 14 spacers according to this thread:
http://www.s2000online.com/forums/showthre...p?threadid=6063

See also:
https://www.s2ki.com/faqs/faq_springspacer.php

I think the aeroscreen is installed at the factory for MY2001. I think the dealer installs the mats but a cut is made at the factory for this.

Otherwise, I'd send the letter and let them laugh. You're paying them $4,000.00 in profit. That probably equals two to four sales of new non-S2000 Hondas. If they think you're finicky and chuckle at is, SO WHAT! If Honda didn't want to attract finicky buyers, they didn't have to make the S2000.

my two cents.

Barry

 

I bought mine from Kendall Honda in Eugene, Oregon. I sent the sales associate a similar letter (in an e-mail) based on the stuff on the s2ki.com website, only mine was much, much shorter, with just the most important stuff. He replied promptly saying they would follow the instructions exactly. I think its very important how you word the letter. When I wrote it, I tried to be as polite as possible while maintaining the fact that I AM the customer and that my needs are equally as important (if not more) than their profits. He even asked me if I would like them to leave the plastic on the car. I received my car in great condition and was quite pleased.

Also, don't put stuff on their that would insult their intelligence. There are some things that the dealer knows how to do as standard procedure anyway. However, something like "not putting on the front plate" is something they should know about if you don't want it, since this has more to do with individual customer preference and not standard procedure.

Good Luck!

 

Confession time;
I do admit this is not the first time I

 

Try this one. The dealer was actually more than happy to agree to the terms. When I took delivery she was exactly as I asked.

http://www.s2000online.com/forums/showthre...p?threadid=2685