I am looking at buying a 2002 S2000 locally and it has some issues that I wanted to see what I was getting myself into. The current (2nd) owner did an engine swap for a f22c, intake system, full exhaust, 6 puck clutch, electric suspension, brakes, lots of suspension upgrades etc. Original owner ran nos. not sure if thats why the engine swap.

The guy that is selling says that either a sensor and possibly the vtec solenoid is bad and the engine only revs to ~6500 rpm before it starts cutting off. Could this be the issue for the problem?

Is it as simple as unbolting the solenoid and putting in a new one? Cost?

He also said that the trans needs a few different special gear oils and because he put a little bit thicker oil in it the synchros are having a little trouble getting up to speed for shifts. Any concern here besides just going to the dealer and having them put correct oil?

I test drove it and loved it and really besides the clutch (that im not used to) and the rev cutting out everything seemed great.

Looking forward to replies

 

I can't really help you as far as what may be wrong with the car, but personally I would stay away from it until it's fixed. It sounds like a potential money pit just to get it going. Can you elaborate on the electric suspension? What trans fluid is he using? Does he have a maintenance record, etc.? Why is he selling? Those are just a few questions to ask them and yourself. If it's too much of a hassle then wait it out, something will come along.

If you're really interested in it then my suggestion is to take it to a trusted mechanic, preferably someone who knows S2000s, and have them take a look i.e. compression test, leak down test, etc.

 

If he actually did put the wrong oil in the trans and is driving around like that, he is an idiot and there is no tell what else is wrong. I would avoid that car like the plague.

 

Tein electric adjustable. you can vary the damping etc via a little control box in the center console.

forgot exactly what fluid he is using but basically what he put in was a just a little too thick.

He recently moved from up north and isnt taking well to the dirt roads he moved onto and is kind of desperate to get a truck.

its actually an ebay auction that happend to be close by me. and because of mods etc it might be going for very cheap. ive just wanted an s2000 for quite a few years and when i drove it i was very happy with it. It just sucks to pass up a deal I guess. The majority of mods I dont care for except for all the chassis/suspension mods. It felt great. Loved the shifting and seating position.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2002-...#ht_500wt_1182

 

You're walking into a money pit. I really, really, really regret buying a car that was just lightly modded. My biggest gripe is when people "mod" these cars, or any car, they tend not to put back clips, screw, insulation, you name it. From the exterior it looks alright... But then you dig a little bit deeper. I've found so many f'ed up things in one year and when I drove the car it tracked true, handled great and felt really fast. And my Vtec worked fine. If you didn't experience that car in Vtec then you truly didn't test drive it. Without Vtec my girl's rav4 would outrun my S.

I lucked out and ended up with a really strong motor and trans. Sounds like you don't even have that going for you.

If you have enough to buy this, then save for awhile longer and get one that is unmolested with low miles.


Heed the warnings brother, do not buy this car!

 

He seemed to omit the mechanical problems you mentioned in the auction details.

 

Yeaaa, noticed that too. If you can get the car for like 7500 bucks then maybe it *might* be worth it. It just looks riced and ragged out, I agree with getting a nice stock one that runs correctly.

 

Not for a first time owner I don't think. I wouldn't want my first s2000 to be one that someone else jacked up and didnt put right before selling. These cars are getting harder to find but not THAT hard. Keep looking OP. It doesn't sound like a good deal, so don't worry about passing it up.

 

who does this shit?

darcy

 

thanks for the inputs.

since its unanimous ill pass on it.

hope to find something in the near future that fits and drives as nicely as one.

Thanks again