Hi everyone, I'm Alastair (Ali) I'm brand new here but have set my heart on an S2000! I am upgrading from a quite modified smart Roadster to something a little more grown up!

I've read through your FAQs here and it's an outstanding font of knowledge.

I'm going to test drive a 57k miles 04 plate model on saturday, and other than the general things mentioned on the FAQ section, what should I be paying attention to?

Is the clutch likely to be all right or should I try anything in particular to see if it slips? I assume the engine itself as long as its been looked after will be good for a long time tocome - what signs are there that it might be in trouble?

The car has had its spark plugs done and has had it's 54k miles service which cost

 

The best advice I can give you is to get together with someone who owns an S2000 and take them with you to evaluate the vehicle you are interested in. Tires that don't match is not a show stopper, but you have to wonder what else was done just to sell the car. If you can't find someone to help you, then take it to an S2000 mechanic to help you evaluate it.

Good luck.

 

[QUOTE=epitrochoid,Jul 2 2009, 12:59 AM] Hi everyone, I'm Alastair (Ali) I'm brand new here but have set my heart on an S2000! I am upgrading from a quite modified smart Roadster to something a little more grown up!

I've read through your FAQs here and it's an outstanding font of knowledge.

I'm going to test drive a 57k miles 04 plate model on saturday, and other than the general things mentioned on the FAQ section, what should I be paying attention to?

Is the clutch likely to be all right or should I try anything in particular to see if it slips? I assume the engine itself as long as its been looked after will be good for a long time tocome - what signs are there that it might be in trouble?

The car has had its spark plugs done and has had it's 54k miles service which cost

 

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=590849

 

Mark355 ... what do you know, a local boy! Ali is across the pond and you are across the river.

Thanks for posting that link. I was looking for that kind of info when I first came here but couldn't find it even though i loked in the "Introductions" sub-forum.

I know a guy (through a coworker) who has a red 2001 S2K with only 6,000 miles on the clock. My coworker, who is a hardcore gear-head and SCCA racer, knows the owner well and says it's immaculate.

Guy is asking $17,000 ... but will probably take $16,000. Is this a good deal? Should I hold out for a newer S2K?

I haven't seen the car yet. I'm trying to do some research before I starting looking at cars in person, fall in love, part with a boatload of cash, etc ...

 

I would carfax to double check that the mileage is correct.

But in all honesty a car with 6k miles is essentially brand new. He probably paid low to mid $30k and you're going to pick it up 6k miles later for $17k. That seems like a pretty good deal to me, providing everything with the car checks out.

Downside being you may not be able to finance that much for a car that's 8 years old. The bank is only going to look at the numbers. You may have to cough up the value difference.

 

Hey there, where you from?

$17k is quite a bit for an 01, regardless of condition. I've seen low mileage AP1s for $14k up here.

 

Thanks metros, I'll be paying cash. That's just the way I roll.

Mark355, I'm in Albany ... not far from Holy Names Academy on New Scotland.

Yeah, from what I've found so far, the 2002+ S2Ks are supposedly a bit more "solid" ... engine is more tractable and the tranny is stronger. I don't want to pull the trigger on an '01 then realize I should have held out for a newer one.

I saw on a search that Saratoga Honda has (had?) a Silver 2007 S2K with 2,500 miles on it for $23,500. Assuming I can get both cars for $1,000 less than asking price, is it worth another $7,500 for the much newer car with 3,500 fewer miles? My gut tells me no ... but the '07 seems to be a pretty good deal in its own right.

Car will be mostly a summer weekend/fun car. My '06 Civic will remain my all-weather, all-season daily driver.

 

Thanks for that link it's exactly what I was looking for, I'll report back after my test drive!