Remember that the gauge on the dash is water temp, not oil temp (Brian pointed that out and I've never forgotten it every time I check my three bars!).

 

Is it now?

I always assumed it was oil temp.

So is the oil likely to be up to working temp at this point as well?

 

I owned a del sol for 6 years and I can honestly say that it's the most reliable car i've ever owned. Other than routine maintenance it never skipped a beat. Whilst i've only had a S for 3 months, I chose the car based on performance / reliability / low servicing and although i've had a few teething problems these are being sorted under warranty (kangarooing and hole due to buckled hood frame). The smile this car puts on my face every time I get behind the wheel more than compensates for these niggles and I expect the majority will agree that reliability for a car in this class is second to none. It's the best car i've ever owned and as long as you're aware of certain issues (ie seized bolts - doesn't this happen on every marque?) then this just becomes a factor of the price of ongoing ownership, which for me is more than worth it.

 

As has been sais before, you get niggly things that go wrong that some people tolerate and others don't. Part of the reason why so much work gets done on these, is Hondas warranty is surprisingly quiblle free most of the time

Mechanically I totally trust the car. We take between 6-10 cars up to the Highlands of Scotland for 4 days (miles from the nearest garage, and difficult roads for the AA to get to)

In 3 years I don't recall a single mechanical failure for any of the cars

 

Indeed, as a Honda VTEC owner since 1994 (CRX VTEC, CTR and now S2000) I've not had a single mechanical failure and all three cars have been revved to the red line, a lot.

I believe that if you service the car properly and DON'T MOD IT*, you're more than likely not to have any problems whatsoever.

*I reckon that there is probably a correlation between mods (even air box and exhausts) and mechanical problems. I'm willing to stand corrected on this though.

 

CB - im still shocked you thought it was oil!

Oil takes a lot longer than the watert o get to operating. Sometime 2 or 3 times more.

Lovegroova, I would strongly disagree on mods. There are 2 main ways you can really damage the engine. One is by over or underfuelling, the second is taking the engine over its design power limit.

Given most NA mods dont give more than a few bhp, you are not stressing the car. The engine can take wel over 300 bhp, reliably.

Also, given most mods dont interfere with any fuelling, out of the scope which the ECU can correct, I dont think you will have a problem there either.

Mod the thing to death, and sensibly Just dont bolt crap products on. Or paint it funny colours.

There's a huge amount of modded cars on here, including people running 350 bhp on superchargers with space rocket miles on their cars.

MB

 

My S has never missed a beat in just over 4 years. Loads of commuting in traffic, trips across to Wales and down to London.. cheaper to service than our vectra tdi, same price on tyres.. it's a cracker. Honda built these things to last and they do. You might see the odd lemon but not as many as with other makes.

 

Hmmm my first one was rubbish - Then I went out and replaced it with another one...!!

Seriously no major problems touch wood!

Reliable and AFFORDABLE sports car IMO.

 

x4

 

Had mine for nearly 4 years now, 48k miles, I