Hello All,

Fairly new here and I don't post much but I'm trying to learn about the S2k before purchasing one. Now, all cars have their various quirks, gremlins, and problems. I doubt the S2k is much different though it sounds like the basic mechanicals of the car are pretty solid.

The question is, what common problems or maintenance issues are typical with the S2000?

This question popped into my head after reading a tread about a replaced top. Got the sense wear holes were a common thing. And it sounds like seat theft is another thing to be concerned about (though this is not an inherent maintenance problem). Also, I gather the clutch is somewhat weak and many need replacement around 25-40k miles (is this due to high RPM clutch dumps for drag racing, hm?). Tires also seem to be replaced at a more frequent rate. Is this just the rear tires or all four?

So, as a future owner of the S2000, what sorts of issues can I look forward to with the car?

Thanks, all. Just trying to get a bead on this fabulous machine before I take the plung.

 

It's a lot of fun to drive. That's the most common "issue."

Depending on the year and condition of the car you're looking to purchase, some of the issues you mentioned may not be relevant.

The tires are a soft compound. Replacing the rears tires every 15K is part of the price of admission.

Good luck.

 

Some have the 2nd gear griding issue.

 

I think the biggest problem with S's is speeding tickets.

 

yeah lupin, specify what year you looking to buy. AP1 i'd go 02 or prefferrably 03. AP2 i'd go 05 or wait a few months for the 06.

The 02-03 have the following improvements over the 00-01:

soft top glass, leather on the center console or shift knob, ecu upgrade, standard windscreen, upgraded (non fading) taillamps, trans and clutch issues fixed, some chrome rings around the lights (not and improvement IMO...), interior 'brushed metal' finish.

Thats all i can think of off the top of my head...

 

Did some research and if I were to get an ap1 (likely based on price) I would defnitely like to get an 02+. I read how they switched to a glass rear window that year. In my '03 Miata I have the glass and it would be hard to go back to a vinyl window. The ones in my Jeep are completely scratched up.

However, depending on price and how much my Miata will be worth I'm thinking I might need to go with an older S2k.

I'm not "too" concerned with low tire milage. I have a pair of Faulken Azenis on the Miata now and I understand you only get about 15k miles out of those.

Good to know about the improvements for the '02-03 years. I will add that to my database I'm compiling on the car.

Anybody know where to find the year-to-year changes on the car?

I guess my biggest concerns when looking at a particular year is not so much the cosmetic improvement such as the silver rings around the tail lights or the leather work or brushed silver interiors. It's more function / maintenance stuff that's harder to upgrade. Things like the glass rear window, or an upgraded ECU, or the improved shifting.

Oh, out of curiosity, how stiff is the S2000 chassis? That's my biggest complain with my Miata is there's a lot of cowl shake and chassis flex and supposedly the '01+ are supposed to be significantly stiffer than the older cars.

Does the S2000 have any prominent squeaks or rattles or is it a pretty well buttoned down car?

Thanks again, guys.

 

Typical issue with S2000 isn't the car. it's the owner.
Too much car for some drivers. Ending up sky rocketing our insurance premiums.
Getting the car for the wrong purposes. At the end, they complain because they have no idea why the car was built in the first place.

 

supposedly, the s2k is one of the stiffest cars out there, attributed to is monoque-high-x-bone frame. As far as rattles go, i get nothing with the top down. With the top up, you get the occasional rattle from the latches over bumpy roads.

Other that there, the common noises ppl hear are the seatbelt buckle from the passenger side (rattles against the interior trim panel: simple fix... slide it all the way up the belt), back of the seat hitting the roll bar trim (fix... move the seat up 1 notch), and the seatbelt rubbing against the leather seat when buckled in (fix... get a peice of tape, or the soft side of a velcro strip, and stick it to the seat right below the seatbelt guide loop).