https://cars.ksl.com/listing/5815548?ad_cid=31

2001 SPA Yellow salvage title 67k miles for $12k... Description says was hit by a tree branch damaging the window frame and hard top hence the salvage title. This would be my first S2k, looks clean but just unsure what to think about Salvage title and what it does to values. Would you be concerned about this and worth a trip to kick the tires?

 

Hi,

Probably will not last long. If you plan on keeping it, definitely go drive it. Salvage is always a concern on resale,

Maybe this will help, see “What To Look For When Buying A Used S2000.”

S2000.club [Your Honda S2000 Resource]

Best to you!

Michael

 

Id stay away personall, its overpriced for its branded title. Just so you know how salvage works in the eyes of insurance companies: If you get totaled, the insurance company will deduct 30% (because its salvage title) from the value of a clean title car. So if they determine the average selling price of an s2000 is 10,000, they will at max give you 7,000, all because your car is salvage. Just thought you should know.

 

Also, insurance companies dont use carfax or kbb to determine values, those are useless. They use actual comparable vehicles in the market.

If u still want to pursue this car, ask for pictures of the car with the damage. Anyone can tell a story but pictures will provide more information.

 

Sounds like a good deal to me. With a little wiggle room in the price and an extra set of wheels that you can sell, and if all the other vin. numbers are there, you could have yourself a clean low mileage AP1. Could it hurt resale value? To a purist yes. This is the same as someone not buying a car because the seats were stolen and the car was branded. Shouldn't affect look or driveability. Everyone to their own I guess.

 

Wow prices has jumped on these cars. Definitely go check it out if you’re considering it.

 

Salvage titled s2000's generally sell for 25% less than clean titled cars. Value for money? perhaps.

The sill extensions are, um, ass, however. but that's a personal choice.

12K is a decent price.
darcy

 

Thanks all I will reach out to the seller to schedule an appointment. I’ll see if there is any wiggle on price but I do have a preference toward AP1 and the color. Other AP1’s within 250 miles and similar mileage that are non-salvage are going for $20k+ so this might be worthwhile if I can snag it for $11k or so...

I’ve seen a few non-salvage for $15k+ with 120k+ miles so not sure if I should go higher mileage or try the lower mileage/salvage route.

 

Reference listing

https://cars.ksl.com/listing/5833454?ad_cid=4

 

So, nowadays, pretty much ALL S2000 are bought with a little bit of a question mark because you're looking into the used car market:
1) It is a sports car, and the previous owner probably DID drive like it.
2) Although the S2000 is generally easy to maintain, there are some unique maintenance habits unique to the S2000 (and most purpose built machines)

I for one will never buy a salvaged S2000, ESPECIALLY if this is my first S2000. It's a personal preference but the salvage title is the biggest question mark of all.

Lastly, tree branch or not, anytime the S2000 gets hit, it's a big no no for me. On the outside, it may look straight and well. But if there is frame damage, you should know that because of the rigid nature of this car's frame, frame damage is often unrepairable.

If I was in your shoes, and I'm looking for my first S2000, this is an easy hard pass.

Be patient.