What to look for?
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What to look for?
Hi,
I am hopefully going to be buying a used 2002 s2000 from a dealership and just wanted to know some key points to check for in terms off possible problems, common replacements and so on.
What should i look for or check for when inspecting and test driving the car?
I already took a trip to the dealer yesterday and test drove it.
The ac was cold, the car tracked straight, carfax says no problems, and it looks like its in pretty good condition.
I plan to make another trip tomorrow (today [ Monday]) lol, and would like to know if there are specific things to look for.
I didn't hear any unusual noises while driving the car, and everything felt ok. But i was soo excited im sure i wasnt too thorough,
thanks in advance
I am hopefully going to be buying a used 2002 s2000 from a dealership and just wanted to know some key points to check for in terms off possible problems, common replacements and so on.
What should i look for or check for when inspecting and test driving the car?
I already took a trip to the dealer yesterday and test drove it.
The ac was cold, the car tracked straight, carfax says no problems, and it looks like its in pretty good condition.
I plan to make another trip tomorrow (today [ Monday]) lol, and would like to know if there are specific things to look for.
I didn't hear any unusual noises while driving the car, and everything felt ok. But i was soo excited im sure i wasnt too thorough,
thanks in advance
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 312
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From: Littleton, CO
Please excuse the copy paste from another thread (some suggestions may not apply), feeling a bit lazy this afternoon.
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.ph...pic=581734&hl=
Few suggestions
- drive or at least ride in another S, the car is loud in some ways, you need to know what passes for normal
- check the top inside and out for wear
- check every body panel for a VIN sticker, make sure they match (no replaced parts), the engine may have a different VIN, this is not unusual
- check under front and rear for curb rash, one I looked at actually had rear sub-frame damage from someone backing it onto a curb
- check A-arm brackets https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.ph...&#entry1446324
- check oil level and condition and for any leaks
- listen on startup, ticking and light clatter is usually valvetrain or injectors-normal, knocking could be a scuffed bore-not normal
- make sure clutch holds strong and grabs early
- shifts without grinds, particularly 1-2
- goes into 5-6 easily when warm, transmission can be a little stiff for first 15-30 min.
- do gentle figure eights in open lot to check diff for clunking
- getting a compression and leakdown check is a very good idea, if the owner will allow for it
The big three $$ are engine, trans, diff. These are some things you can do to check them.
little things that can tell you what kind of owner
- matching set of tires front and rear, appropriate size
- casually ask them how long the OEM tires lasted, I got about 18k out of the fronts,12k out of the rear
- do they do their own maintenance, what intervals, what fluids (most common: trans- Honda MTF or GM Synchromesh, diff - LE607,Mobil 1 Gear), is the oil filter Honda OEM
- condition of brake and clutch fluid (dark is bad, light or almost clear is good)
- condition of top seals (lightly greased)
- ask them about the power steering fluid (little joke, the S has electric assist, their answer might tell you a few things)
things I would do as soon as I bring it home
- pull valve cover and inspect retainers
- maybe send an oil sample off to Blackstone for an oil analysis
- have that compression test if you have not yet
- get a good alignment on it
- change all fluids and filters unless you have no doubt on their condition
- check oil often, some years drink a bit
- autocross!!
Good luck.
- drive or at least ride in another S, the car is loud in some ways, you need to know what passes for normal
- check the top inside and out for wear
- check every body panel for a VIN sticker, make sure they match (no replaced parts), the engine may have a different VIN, this is not unusual
- check under front and rear for curb rash, one I looked at actually had rear sub-frame damage from someone backing it onto a curb
- check A-arm brackets https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.ph...&#entry1446324
- check oil level and condition and for any leaks
- listen on startup, ticking and light clatter is usually valvetrain or injectors-normal, knocking could be a scuffed bore-not normal
- make sure clutch holds strong and grabs early
- shifts without grinds, particularly 1-2
- goes into 5-6 easily when warm, transmission can be a little stiff for first 15-30 min.
- do gentle figure eights in open lot to check diff for clunking
- getting a compression and leakdown check is a very good idea, if the owner will allow for it
The big three $$ are engine, trans, diff. These are some things you can do to check them.
little things that can tell you what kind of owner
- matching set of tires front and rear, appropriate size
- casually ask them how long the OEM tires lasted, I got about 18k out of the fronts,12k out of the rear
- do they do their own maintenance, what intervals, what fluids (most common: trans- Honda MTF or GM Synchromesh, diff - LE607,Mobil 1 Gear), is the oil filter Honda OEM
- condition of brake and clutch fluid (dark is bad, light or almost clear is good)
- condition of top seals (lightly greased)
- ask them about the power steering fluid (little joke, the S has electric assist, their answer might tell you a few things)
things I would do as soon as I bring it home
- pull valve cover and inspect retainers
- maybe send an oil sample off to Blackstone for an oil analysis
- have that compression test if you have not yet
- get a good alignment on it
- change all fluids and filters unless you have no doubt on their condition
- check oil often, some years drink a bit
- autocross!!
Good luck.
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hokiemax
Mid-Atlantic S2000 Owners
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Feb 12, 2006 03:54 PM