Hi everyone. I'm the original owner of my '02 Suzuka blue with under 55K miles. No mods and it looks great. The car lives in a heated garage when it isn't being used. I did have the front bumper and hood resprayed due to rock chips a few years ago.

But it isn't lost on me that this car is knocking on 20 years old. While I still love the car, I'm weighing future maintenance against buying something new. I've done regular oil, tranny, diff and other fluid changes. I've replaced several sets of tires and three batteries. I had a new clutch installed, replaced the driver's side window regulator, and of course new air filters.

I think I may need to replace the clutch master and slave cylinders soon. The pedal drops down after sitting for a while. I notice I can pump it back up to the top. Flushing the system with new fluid brings it back, but then the cycle starts again. I have not yet replaced the brake pads, but I know that's coming. I guess I'll also be needing the valve adjustment and maybe retainer replacement soon. The rear wheel bearings seem fine.

Two or three years ago I started to notice what sounds like a suspension squeak. I only hear it when I go over bumps. I crawled under it, but couldn't find anything, so I took it to the dealer. They said it needed a new shock, so I had it replaced. I still hear the squeak. I tried disconnecting the sway bar links and then driving it around the block to see if the noise went away. It didn't.

So with things like the brake pads, valve train maintenance, clutch cylinders and suspension noise, I'm wondering what other failures I may expect in the future. I've been reading some of the discussions here and in under the hood, but problems seem somewhat random to me. Any information on other common failures I should look out for would be appreciated. Given the prices of used low mile S2000s, I may be better off addressing the current issues and then selling the car and buying something new.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

I'd get the valves adjusted if they haven't been done yet. Change plugs, serpentine belt, regrease shifter, flush coolant, TCT, etc... Also changing the clutch master cylinder is super easy and it's inexpensive

This maintenance is pretty easy and cost friendly. Esp compared to other cars. If your not willing to upkeep the vehicle maybe it's time to move on to a newer car with less miles?

As for the squeak where is it coming from? Front, rear, certain side?

 

Geese! Get on the ferry to Long Island and tell your problems to Billman! His therapy is only good with cash, but he will cure all of your troubles - probably in just one day long session. He is not inexpensive, but he will be less expensive than the CT sales tax on a new vehicle. If that doesn’t cure your blues, let me have first dibs on the car.

 

Hi Bill, just wondering what you are considering replacing your S with? I think you should keep yours and if you want just add another vehicle to your fleet.
Levi

 

Hey there, I wouldn’t consider these failures but regular inexpensive maintenance. As mentioned above, take it to billman and he will literally bring this AP1 back to life. I would replace the clutch master, all fluids, valve adjust, and check the condition all suspension components. Maybe there’s a part of you who maybe wants to move on to another car....before you do that, freshen things up with billman, then drive this car again on a proper road. You may just fall in love again. If not, there will be many suitors waiting on the side line to pick up a clean s2000. Good luck sir!

 

It sounds like the front and only when I go over road irregularities. Most folks suggest the sway bar links, but I think I eliminated that possibility.

 

I don’t live in CT.

 

Hi Levi. With four cars and three boats, the fleet is already too big. I have not gone too far down the new car road. But the two (maybe three) front runners on the sports car side are the new Corvette and Cayman/Boxster. The Porsches are a bit pricey, especially with the six cylinder engines.

 

My mistake. But you're not in Sacramento either. Go the day before and just plan to stay overnight.

 

I do all the fluids regularly myself, with the exception of the coolant. But I have the dealer take care of that. I think my biggest irritation is that I don’t like mystery problems. The squeak and the clutch pedal are both annoying. I feel like replacing the cylinders is more of an educated guess than an actual diagnosis. There are no fluid leaks inside or outside the car. So why does the pedal get soft over time? Something internal, I guess. It started after the clutch was replaced.

It isn’t normal maintenance I’m concerned about here. I’ve read posts about electronic failures, engine failures and tranny failures. I’ve read about engine and tranny failures going back to when my car was new. So just wondering.