Hi I’ve just joined today but have been a stealth user for a while, I’m now taking the plunge of buying my first S2000 after many many years of desiring one, I’m not afraid of getting the hands dirty or putting the hours in to get my purchase back to as original condition as possible over a period of time, I’m no expert in cars or body work but have a general idea of what I’m at plus there’s always YouTube so I’m buying one that needs attention not rough by any means but just unloved by a non enthusiast, it’s really buying tips I’m after and some opinions on the photos I’ve posted regarding the rust in the photos, I’m in Ireland and travelling to the uk to purchase the car so I’ve only these photos to go on as to the extent of the rust, I’ve bought hundreds of cars over the years but my education on these is limited, also are these like the older integras and civic 1.8 1.6 dohc vtec with the issue of burning the oil is it to be expected and does it get drastic, I’ve read of issues with the TCT, is there a way of known by sight if this has been upgraded, my information is limited from the seller other than the service history as he is a trader not an enthusiast who bought the car for the hardtop and better alloys that we’re on it to swap onto his wife’s car and is now moving it on at a what I consider a good price for an unloved car, thanks if you’ve read all that and got this far, your opinion will be valued and appreciated

 

Extremely difficult to tell from those photos but the rust looks ‘normal’ for a pre facelift car. The extent of it won’t be known until it’s properly inspected although most areas can be tidied up.. at an expense..

TCT is quite easy to find - google it - for a replacement, Ballade sports or refurbishing the OEM one are two common options. The engine will sound like a well used diesel if it’s a bad TCT.

As with any car, some history of basic fluid changes is always good. The S2000 is well known for having seized geometry/alignment bolts.. replacements and having these front and rear upper and lower arms and bushes replaced can get expensive - even if you do it yourself it’s a time consuming task and will easily set you back at least £500 imo.

They are great cars, and if you can source one that’s mechanically sound and you’re willing to tidy up the bodywork then you’ll have years of fun with it. I’ve had mine for over 5 years - longest I’ve ever kept a car!

 

Thanks for the reply, what’s the signs of the alignment issue on a quick inspection or drive, is it a case of the car tracking badly or vague handling, it honestly wouldn’t stop me buying the car but knowledge is power when it comes to negotiating, I’ll have no access to a ramp when inspecting it and I’ve no previous driving experience of an S2000 to compare the feel

 

classic s2000 rust from blocked drains. likely to be a bitch to fix properly.

TCTs and bits like that are a tiny issue,.cheap fix.. rust is usually not. the soft top drains block and overflow pouring water onto the arch area and the sill. it would need new tin welding in i imagine.

 

Thanks for that, this car passed an MOT six weeks ago, failed first time in on some corroded brake lines and a front suspension arm retested nine days later and all good, how much comfort should I take from the mot test been new, I’m in Ireland so have no idea of mot standards

 

Arches wouldnt be a fail but maybe the sill is better than it looks as that would if weak

check this thread

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/uk-irela...autos-1180304/

 

That’s the usual horrible rust, from behind the double skinned arch and the sill. Personally I wouldn’t touch it. You’ll be into cutting out metal and welding in new. It doesn’t sound like that’s DIYable for you and would be four figures to get done and painted properly professionally. It’ll also be a lot worse than it looks.

All IMHO of course...

 

Sadly, its pretty much the only thing that is not a DIY job and is expensive to put right properly.

I would just enjoy the car as it is, repairing it now or in a few years is probably the same amount of work.

 

Just to give you an idea of the rust repair costs - TGM (a well respected Honda specialist) have repaired plenty of S2000s with rust. One was in there for both rear arches needing both the inner and outer arches being replaced due to rust (those pictures won't show how bad the inner arch is) but the cost was £5000+ from what I was told.

I too would assume the alignment bolts haven't been done either.

 

I bought the car and the arches are just surface rust all good behind the liners not visible anywhere not exposed to the elements but the surface rust on any genereral areas underneath the car is visible for a sixteen year old car, lots of elbow grease needed and a good coat of a sealer after, thanks for your help