I'm coming to this site, after deciding I don't want to drop 35k on a brand new 350Z, and I'm thinking of an 00 or 01 S2000 now. But I'm trying to make a "smart decision", blah, blah and doing my research. Now, I've heard tons about how fun these cars are, and I am planning to drive on this week, and maybe buy. But it also seems like they are a pain to maintain. I'm not going to be racing this thing, I just want a car that is fast, sweet-looking and a good deal. Hence my interest in the s2000. "should i let her drive", is of course, talking about my girlfriend, who has only driven a manual a little bit, but I actually worry about myself, after reading about how you have to baby this car so much. I guess I just never realized how damaging a missed-shift resulting in a grind can be on a car. Should I worry a lot about this for any car (I'm also considering a BMW 328), or is it just especially bad on a car like the S2k? I already read about the kid who didn't check the oil enough and fukt over his engine because of it.. I would have thought that checking your oil every fill-up is excessive, but I can handle that.

I'm sure someone will say, "If you aren't ready for a true sports car, then go buy that Bimmer that my grandma owns" Not everyone needs to race around 24-7. Doesn't mean I don't want a fun/fast car.

 

Get the s2k, don't let the girlfriend drive it until she has some practice....nuff said....

The main problems occur with misshifts and things during performance driving. A little crapping around while you are getting the feel at daily driver speeds shouldn't hurt too much.

It's your choice, if you cant it get it. Get regular oil changes. I don't check my oil that often and I've had 0 problems in 21000 miles. When you read the posts here, read between the lines. xviper had a great thread called,"did your s2000 start today?" that pointed out that you get a skewed view on this site. Generally the car IMO is much less tempermental than it's european counterparts. Just my $.02

 

yeah get the s2000, its really a trouble free car! not as much as my accord but really trouble free!

 

I appreciate your guys' comments. I've been in need of a car for a while thought I might've found exactly what I want (the s2000), but then got scared that it might be too high-maintenance to be practical (yeah, I know it ain't a Camry, so I use the word 'practical' a little loose here).

Should I steer away from MY00 and look for a MY01, as far a fewer problems? It seems like people have talked of problems with the first year S.
Another question: I love the red interior that I've seen (only in internet pictures, not in person) on the black model. Can the silverstone (or graystone, sorry I can't remember the exact colors) also come with the red int.?

I can't wait to hop in one this week and see what it's like.

 

dcak,

It seems you have only read posts of people bitching about problems. I can honestly tell you that my car has had none. I think the HUGE majority of the people on this board have had no problems with the car, just the dealers. I would also guess that the majority of people who have had problems with their cars have either abused them or failed to do required maintenance. Get the car, take reasonable care of it and keep an eye on the oil level and you will have the car for a long time.

 

dcak, by the way, when you get the car, drive it to Indy and lets tear it up.

 

dcak, i have a silerstone w/ red intr and it is sharp looking. If you want a car that everyone just stares at while you drive by then the s2k is definitely the car for you. I really dont think you should be to concerned w/ an older model s2k like a 00 or 01 they are all the same to me. glass- no glass. i actually like the plastic just because its bigger to see out of. Just keep it clean w/ some 3m plastic cleaner/polish and its just like glass

good luck

ps- i never let my chick drive my car!!!

jason

 

Also, remember that you can hook up good prices in the Chicago area. The Indiana dealers that I dealt with (this was March 2001) were useless. I got mine for a great price at Grand Honda in Chicago. Use search to look up a thread called,"Chicago Prices" or PM Ulrich. I don't know how much you have to spend, but I'd go for an 03 which can be had these days for about invoice.

Raj

 

dont ever let a girl on s2k jk....

 

Don't let an unexperienced stick driver drive an S-2000 The biggest single cause for blown engines on this board is missed DOWNSHIFT, ie going from 5th to 4th but catching 2nd instead, resulting in massive overreving. There is no rev-limiter in the world that can catch it. You will send the pistons into orbit ! Warranty will not cover a missed downshift, as it is 100% driver error.

Jonas