I am considering buying a 01 S2000 with 50k on it. The car drives well but when decelerating in gear from a normal RPM range it kind of sound like it has a "jake brake". Is this normal? I am a little worried it might be a transmission problem.

Thanks,
rjheard

 

Its normal, but can be fixed. Its clutch buzz. There is a TSB(Service bulletin) out on it. If your buying from a dealer have them fix it before you buy it. TSB's only have to be covered under warranty.

 

Thanks. I would be buying it from an individual and the cars in average condition. No maint records, needs front bumper repainted and a couple dings taken out. Price 14,500. What do you think? Do you know how much to fix the clutch buzz?

 

i had the same problem on MY00. i replaced the clutch / pressure plate with one from an 02 and it went away. so basically you just pay for a new clutch.. price depends on where you go or if you install it yourself

 

i dont know if there is a mileage limitation on the TSB's, however you can take it into any honda dealer and tell them about the clutch buzz and simply inform them you had seen some TSB documentation stating there was a fix for it.

 

This is a misconception. TSBs have NOTHING to do with warranty. Dealers are not obligated to perform TSB services, but many dealers do it for their customers. TSBs are done whether the car is in warranty or out of warranty, and they also have NOTHING to do with extended warranties. I'd say take the car to a Honda dealer and ask them to test drive it and mention the "deceleration buzz" TSB.

 

^^^ Exactly. TSBs are not neccessarily covered warranty or no warranty.

I bought my S2000 as a certified used Honda with a 1yr bumper to bumper warranty (Honda Care). My car only had 12,600mi on it when I got it, but I had the clutch buzz issue. I thought I was all good to go since I had the "warranty", but HondaCare will NOT cover the clutch - TSB or no TSB. I had to fight with Honda, HondaCare, and my dealer for weeks before my dealer finally caved in and did the TSB fix as goodwill out of the dealer's pocket.

Andrew

 

Did they tell you what the problem was? Did the TSB problem with the "clutch buzz" solution fix the problem, or did you have to replace the whole clutch?

 

since just about every 00-01 S has this problem, i would not worry about it.

also, for 14500 is a very very low price. are you sure that it is a clean title and has not been in an accident?

 

No accident indicated by CarFax but the front bumper and a small section of the pass fender will need to be repainted because someone backed into the car. It does have a couple dings, needs a windshield and now the transmission problem worries me. If I fix everything and now have 16500 in it would that be a very good deal?