Hello,

So I have been searching for an S for a little while, and I came across one in a suburb of Tampa. I am in AZ, so I would fly there and drive it 2000 miles back if I decide to purchase it.

One of my main concerns is that being a Florida car it may have some undercarriage oxidation of bolts and other unfinished metal components. I am looking for as close to showroom condition, so it's fairly large gamble to fly out and possibly be disappointed. I will not deal with rust in the least; I am originally from Minnesota and I have seen first-hand what rust does to cars and how impossible it is to get rid of.

The S is an 07 with under 30k miles. The original owner bought it when it had 1700 miles, and she is an older woman who said she barely drove it, drove it very lightly, and did not take it on the freeway very often. Always garaged in her 3rd stall. No accidents or anything.

I spoke to another member here and he said that since it was driven so lightly and since the owner may have had a short commute, that the car might have developed some piston slap. Any thoughts on this?

Finally, is anyone in the Tampa area (northern suburbs) willing to either meet up with me if/when I fly out, or check out the car beforehand for me? I would take it to the Honda dealer there if/when I fly out for an inspection, but it would be nice if a current owner would be able to take a look at it with or without me.

The only problem I foresee is that the owner is very busy and she is very protective of her cars, so I'd probably have to try my best to convince her to let someone else inspect it without me there.

Let me know your thoughts and stuff.

Thanks everyone!

 

I would take it to John at LHT rather than a Honda dealer. The dealer will just pull it into the bay, make sure it has 4 wheels/tires and an engine and tell you it is good to go. John would be able to do a thorough inspection of the car, as well as maintenance before the drive home.

I have never heard of a piston slap issue with these cars, so thats not something that would have ever entered my mind. The way I see it, its basically a brand new car with only 37K on it. These cars are very very reliable.

I'm in Orlando, but I'm sure there would be Tampa members that would be willing to help you out.

 

Thanks Viper. LHT is on the southwest side of Tampa whereas the car is about 30 minutes north, so I'll have to see if I can manage that.

As I mentioned, my major concern is rust/oxidation of any kind. If this car was an Arizona car, there would be no question that I would buy it, but I have read mixed stories on Florida cars. This topic is really making me lean towards skipping the car, but I couldn't ask for a better seller, and from the pictures all I can tell is that the tops of the struts in the engine bay have started to oxidize; everything else on the car looks flawless.

 

I wouldn't be concerned with a Florida car. Unless she actually lives on the water, the likelihood of the car having any rust, other than normal aging, is very slim. Even for cars that live on the beaches here, they don't get torn up like northern cars do.

The car sounds like a good clean find.

 

I don't think I've ever seen an s2000 without rust on those strut top areas. Like vertigyn said, I wouldn't be concerned about rust on a Florida car unless it was left outside on the beach or had some form of salt water damage. Unfinished surfaces are going to oxidize, regardless of their geographic location.

I'd be more concerned about the condition of that brake fluid than the strut tops.

 

LHT is actually over in pinellas park, FL.....which is accross the "pond" from Tampa.

If this car is in the Wesley Chapel, New Tampa, Lutz, Land O Lakes area, it will be putting about 80 miles round trip on the car. As far as LHT goes,.....any car even as much as "touched" by John is better than any "certified-used" from a local Honda car dealer. If you are as anal as your posts seem to demonstrate, then without shame or timidity, insist to the current owner that you are going to drive this car over to John Wilson over at LHT for a thorough inspection, from top to bottom. It doesn't matter what he charges you for the inspection, just pay it. If the current owner has an issue with this, then walk.

Or, on the other hand, tell us when you are coming and we may be able to meet you and we'll do a "group drive over to her house" and put the subtle pressure of a Serious Minded Car Forum Mojo on here if she possesses a "klunker" that she is trying to pawn off on you. Can you imagine her contenance when 5-10 S2K's drive into her neighborhood just to see what she is selling? Anyhoot, we'll all gawk all over the car giving her the appearance that you are well connected and then we'll go and enjoy a dinner together.

 

Good points on LHT. I would definitely feel more comfortable with his inspection over Honda's. If I come, it would be on Sunday evening or Monday morning. I think driving over with a posse of S2000 owners might be intimidating and authoritative to her, but I would love to have someone come with me.

zacksdad, I see you are a fan of Bozzio; either that you you have an incredibly similar drum setup. (Fellow drummer. )

 

As two have already said... Unless the owner lived ON the beach with the car parked outside within splashing distance of the water or regularly drove through flood waters or something, oxidation/rust is not an issue in Florida.

AND, as others have also said, getting a qualified honest opinion is going to be hit or miss if you take it to a dealer.

 

I live right on the water and car is parked under a carport 150 feet from the water. Zero rust, ANYWHERE!!!!! I have had the car 8 years so I don't think this is an issue.

 

Thank you everyone!

Today I am going to call John at LHT and then call the seller and see how she feels about the 90 mile round trip.