I have been riding Honda motorcycles for the last 10 years, and so when I decided to buy my first new car, I settled on a Honda S2000. It is also my first car, as my other vehicles have all been Toyota trucks.

I bought the car new last July. The transmission is notchy, and once or twice it has just popped itself out of 1st. Reviews say the car is supposed to have a smooth transmission, but the shifting so far was worse than either of my Tacomas. I figured it was just breaking in. After 7 months I finally put 2900 miles on it and went in for my first scheduled oil change(I spend a lot more time on my 1000RR).

After getting my oil change, the shifting was shit. Felt like it lurched through the gears. Honda techs said everything was perfect. Anyhow, I decided to play a little and get it into VTEC. Take it to ~7500 RPMs, all the sudden it starts blowing gray-white smoke out the back and I lose power. Drop it a gear and all it does is click from under the car and struggle ahead. Few secs later I am off on the side of the road, went into 1st and it went back to normal, but I have not taken it over 4500 RPMs and just drove straight home.

I am taking it in tomorrow, but I would like any information or guesswork that I can get so I can go in informed. After having no problems with an F4i, 900RR, 2 600RRs or my 1000RR, I am pretty upset about my 35000$ car being ****ed up.

Thanks in advance

 

sounds like you got a lemon buddy.
but really, the transmission IS lunky. at least for both of the s2000's i've owned.

 

I don't know what to tell you about the tranny, I know those old tacoma trucks have a soft mush feeling trans. The s2000 transmission is very mechanical feeling, almost like you can feel every shift fork. This feeling is desirable in a sports car. Go drive another s2000, if the shifting is the same then maybe you just don't like how the s2000 trans feels. If that is in fact the case then maybe you should have done your homework before making such a big purchase. The s2ks tranny is the best transmission I have felt in any car, and a lot of people would agree with me.

 

Just out of curiosity... did you do anything to the car that could've caused these issues? For example, have you ever mis-shifted? Have you tried shifting without a clutch? Do you drag race the car?

Regarding the smoke from the engine, were you driving in a straight line at the time? Have you ever shifted from 3rd to 2nd (when you intended to shift into 4th), thereby over-revving the engine?

I just want to rule out the possibility that any of this could've been caused by user error before anyone spends too much time trying to come up with an explanation.

If you didn't cause any of the damage, then you should definitely take it into the dealer to have it checked under warranty. I haven't heard of these types of issues on new S2000s, though (although I think there were some issues w/ popping out of gear on older ones).

 

Man i'm confused. You are talking about the transmission, then you get an oil change, then the transmission is worse, then your engine acts up?

 

 

drive another s2000 and compare.

sounds like this was a test-drive model that possibly was over-revved...

or you over-revved...or something.

good thing it is under warranty.

drive another s2000 and you will know whats up.

 

I have never mis shifted it, and only done 2 roll-on 30 mph to 100ish races. At no point have I hit the rev limiter.

I meant that the car was OK before the oil change, and went to s**t after. Based on what people say, it sounds like it is supposed to be notchy and mechanical feeling and I just didn't know. Like I said, I'll take my 1000RR over any car, any day.

My bike has over 9k miles, can stay at 8-11k all day on the track or back roads, runs and looks like new after almost 2 years of riding. I only use the car to commute when its raining or take my girl out, and its screwy after 7 mos.

 

that really sounds odd. whoite smoke is a blown head gasket but if it all was ok after you pulled over thats really weird. did you throw a code?



and yah the transmission feels like you can feeel every synchro. its almost as if you might as well not have a shift lever and jsut move the gears by reaching into the trans. might feel smoother

it must still be under warranty right?

 

When you got on VTEC was the engine up to temperature or was it cold?
Did you check your oil level after they changed it?