Hi Everyone

This is my first post so I’m hoping it’ll be a good one

I'm interested in swapping my 2005 Seat Leon Cupra R for something a little more "fun" and as a result I'm off to view a 2007 S2000 GT (local Honda dealership) on Saturday.

Before I make an offer (providing I fall in love with it after the test drive) I wanted to ask a few questions

1) Is there anything major which I need to ask/look for when buying (apart from the usual)?

2) I've noticed a few threads regarding roof wear. Is this a common issue affecting all S2000s? If so what’s the life expectancy of a roof before tears normally develop?

3) Do all S2000s need to be run on super unleaded (if so this isn’t a problem as I always run my LCR on super)?

I had my first drive of a Honda S2000 tonight. It was only a very short drive (4 miles max on a dual carriageway) and the car in question was slightly older than I'd be looking to buy (2002 with 80k on the clock). First impressions were good even though the car was quite tatty. It was obviously a very different drive to my LCR but I’m pleased to say massively enjoyable. The engine sounded quite rough (I'm not sure if this is normal) and there were lots of rattles from the cabin (I presume this is due to the harsh ride???). As the LCR develops peak power at such low revs (2200rpm) I initially found it quite difficult to adjust my gear changes but I'm sure this will change in time. On the plus side it certainly felt very go kart like which is exactly what I'm after .

I presume there are lots of guys/girls on here that have owned turbo charge cars in the past. Not that the S2000 lacks power but I'm certainly interested to know whether the lack of a turbo charger or supercharger (low down grunt) becomes slightly tiresome after a while???

Thanks
Alex

 

Point 1) Geometry bolts being greased and are not seized. probably one of the biggest common issues that will leave your wallet significantly lighter if it needs doing.

Roof wear should not be much of an issue as long as it has been looked after or preventive measures have been taken to stop certain bits of the mechanism wearing out the material. There are lots of threads on the forums about these hot spots and their various fixes.

3) Do they NEED to be? No. Should you? IMO Yes. Some people have bespoke 95 maps, the car should run on a stock ECU fine with 95 but it makes baby jesus cry

As for the power delivery being tiresome, never ever ever. I love driving, I love being involved and having to use the gearbox and the engine properly is a joy. As I am sure you might of noticed the gear change in the S is sublime and accredited with being one of the best manual gear change actions you will ever hope to find.

Very often compared against the bolt action of a rifle, and rightly so.

I personally in a a year or two will be looking at the FI route but I am yet undecided.

 

I came from an 02 Leon Cupra, and I've never looked back. As you've already found out, it's a different drive, you can't be 'lazy' and leave it one gear, you have to work at it a bit. Much more involving and fun IMO! Oh, and I don't miss having a close relationship with the Leon specialist, possibly the least reliable car I've ever owned

My car's an 02 and it's on it's original roof. It recently developed a small tear just behind the drivers door (a common place for a split) so will be getting a nice shiny new one in the summer. It gets fed on SUL (Shell VPower to be exact) and love it. IMO, you wouldn't splash on the great smell of Brut if wearing an Armani suit, so why quibble about 10p per litre?

Buy it, learn to drive it propperly, and then try to remove the smile from your face. I'm 18 months in now and have permanent cheek ache from the smile

 

I agree with all of the above. I came from a Civic Type-R to the S2000 and the change was brilliant. My only advice though is to learn to drive it properly (on a track day maybe) before you start going crazy. I came unstuck after only a few months of ownership because of the RWD. My only other piece of advice is to check the tyres (especially the rears) when you go and view the S you're after - if they look particularly worn, see if you can get them to change them for you as part of the deal.

 

I would have thought the 02 would be a completely different drive than an 07 Please correct me if I am wrong

 

The model year you intend buying will be more *sorted* than the one you took for a test drive.

If you're spending that sort of money traction control should be factored in to the list of desirables. Personally, I'd be looking for one with TC but I'm not sure whether they came as standard for that model year.

I had a turbo car before the S and intially missed the low down torque and the rush you get upto 100mph. Now I'm used to it so it's not an issue.

Good luck

 

Hi Alex,
And welcome.

Roof wear IS a PITA and quite common.
Apart from siezed suspension adjusters (geo bolts as they get called here) the roof is the biggest unplanned expense.
Later 04+ roofs have glass windows that dont crack or disclour, but the roofs are still all PVC and all can split.
Theres a rough bit of metal on the frame behind the drivers shoulder that seems to chaff with the roof folded - that often starts it off.

With all roadsters, it wont make sense until the summer comes.
Thrashing a vtec off the limiter with the morning sun on your bonce does have a certain appeal. Especially in France, very addictive

I also run a little juiced up reno turbo car too that is far easier to drive quickly.
But its no where near as much fun, and maybe 'too' easy.

I would add that I'm selling my 2006 car with 33k miles and hardtop if its of interest to you.
With KWv3, spare wheels and beefed up ARB its all you need for spirited driving, and a good platform for a turbo / SC car later.

Which ever way you go, you'll have LOT of fun. This is a great forum.

Have a look here, performance surprised me too.
You need a LOT of wheel time in this car to make it sing, so be patient:

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=765036

 

You are correct...to an extent. The suspension settings are different, spring rates, ARBs...even some of the wishbones have differences.

Gaspode hated his previous S' handling in comparison to the GT100, which went back to the '02 settings

However, it's still an S though

If I had the choice again, I'd get an 02-03...I think it offers the best compromise of handling and comfort...along with price of course

 

Thanks for all the positive responses, its much appreciated!

I'm really looking forward to my test drive tomorrow and I'm sure I'll love the car

Out of interest how will I know if the geo bolts have seized? I presume they get greased as part of the annual service? How much is the repair job if they're knackered?

Thanks again!
Alex

 

a.) You won't...you need to try and remove them to find that out.

b.) No, not unless you take it to a specialist and ask for it to be carried out.

c.) It will vary on how many are seized, and how long it takes to get them removed and new bushes/wishbones to be installed.

I'd search for 'seized bushes' IIWU...loads of info out there, which has been discussed at great length.

There's also a thread by ste nova on the main forum page which has some of the above points highlighted.

HTH