Should I buy?
 

Hello S2ki,

New member here with limited knowledge of S2000. I have been looking for a roadster, mainly a Miata, for a few months now, but found a S2000 at a dealer only five minutes from my house. I took a test drive and absolutely love it. I put down a deposit after negotiating a price and am very excited for the new car. I am planning to complete the transaction Monday (tomorrow) but stopped by the dealer to take another look at it.

here’s what I know about the car:
-same owner since 2014 and 35k miles according to Carfax

-105k miles on it now

-involved in a minor accident in 2020-2021 time frame

- has Truhart suspension

-Lived in Minnesota since 2014

- has some rust on the corner of the wheel well that was covered up

- I thought it drove well and didn’t have any issues.

my questions and concerns are:

- is there anything someone with more knowledge would recognize as trouble?

- is this a car I should stay away from?

-what should I be concerned with

the negotiated price is 20k. I think it’s a fair deal. The car isn’t mint but I think it’s in good shape. I like that I’m buying it from a dealer and understand I may not get the absolute best deal possible.

what are the thoughts here?

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https://www.edenprairienissan.com/viewdetails/used/JHMAP21476S004748/?utm_creative=&utm_adgroupid=&store=1111&utm_sourc e=google&utm_medium=paid&agency=tvm&utm_id=2250052 7955&utm_campaign=va%20-%20used&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22507068392&gc lid=Cj0KCQjwm6POBhCrARIsAIG58CI9UtGGLfnahlwM9gcudz zelSD75KK47Gglja2kJp0lxukesaYZD3gaAjxoEALw_wcB

Not seeing many S2000s for under $20,000 these days. Photographed well. Lots of miles in the salt! :( Hopefully this will not be a daily driver and can be kept out of the brine on the roads..

2006+ and later cars are inexpensively tuned for more midrange power.

Found the car on the dealer's website including the CarFax and it appears to have had good routine maintenance. Not sure who owned it before but it looks like two (2) clutch replacements and lots of work on the brakes. A check of the oil filter will determine how much attention was paid during oil changes. Regardless of the number of valve adjustments noted in the CarFax I'd put this on the list for the near future.

Obvious concerns are the body rust but that's reflected in the price.

-- Chuck

How is the top? It looks brand new in the pictures. Is it just dressing or is it the original? Any wear spots or holes? If it was replaced, check the operation and leaks.

You mentioned an accident. Any idea what happened? Are the VIN tags in place for the truck, hood and fenders? If the accident damaged the frame or suspension, it might be a little more problematic. A door hit is another matter.

The top looked great from what I saw but I am
not sure if it was original or not. Is there anything that would indicate original versus replacement?

I believe it was hit a light/stop sign. It is listed as minor in the carfax so I’m not sure concerned with it.


I do not plan to daily this car. I have daily driver and Am planning to use this car on weekends, nights out, or the occasional drive to work.

from the dealer, the prior owner traded it in for a Nissan Z, so I’m thinking it was owner and cared for by an enthusiast.

as far as valve adjustments go - any idea what this might cost? Would it be a reason to not buy the car?

thanks for all your input - im hoping it saves me from lighting 20k on fire

ehh the rust and the cheapo suspension kinda kill it for me on this one.

If the roof looks great it's not original. :) Budget $1500 for a new one which may change your opinion on the deal you're working on.

Valve clearance check is 2 or 3 hours on a Saturday morning with hand tools. Bent feeler gauges and a $20 tool. Hint: If you can't hear the valves they're too tight. They should be set to the loosest setting and the exhaust 0.01 looser than that. If the clearances are correct they won't need adjustment.

-- Chuck

rust, accidents, truhart suspension is a big nope for me. If you really gotta have an s2000, go for the accident free, summer driven one. I'd rather have a clean, no accidents NC Miata than this s2000. I hate rust. I live in an area where roads are heavily salted. I undercoat all my cars extensively to protect against corrosion- this car was not.

but make your money, spend your money...but you could spend but $3000 more and have this...

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/market/1223641
(no affiliation)
darcy

My '06 all stock with 200k street miles in 44 states(no track use) will go on sale in a month or 2 for 18k, no rust.

Rod

I expected underneath the car to look a lot worse because of that rust on the sill. weird

Tbh that car looks decent underneath and the visible rust isn’t the end of the world. If you’re not looking for a concours car (which most of them aren’t) and don’t need to maximize resale, it would probably serve you well.

i would personally replace the truharts, but even that isn’t the end of the world