Whats up?

My name is Mark, I have been in the Honda forum circuit for years. I run my own, and moderate many others.
However it has come time to actually start shopping for an S2000. I have been mulling about this car from the first day it shipped. I am a purest, I don't give a turd about looks, or really anything besides handling, and overall track performance.


Unfortunately I went into debt for my previous Honda so I learned a major lesson, don't go in debt hooking up a car.
Here is some pics of the old beater which will turn into my winter car.



So I have spent much of my time paying off all my bills.

Now that the end is here, it is time to start the debt all over again. I am going to be buying in the next month, I am shopping now for used ones with under 15k miles, private seller, in Red or Silverstone Met/Red.

I would prefer a 2002 if the price is right for the glass rear window. I would also like a front lip and rear spoiler.

So instead of making it just a hello post, I'll toss some questions in.


1.)Car covers who uses them, and what would be a good one?
2.)Who stores their car in the winter and where?
3.)Any advice and things you would do over again if you were to re-buy?

Thanks!

 

Welcome and good luck.

Step one: Check out the sticky post at the top regarding dealership ratings. Even buying used it will be good to have an idea about some of the common issues we run into with the dealerships. (Even if you do your work yourself.)

As for a car cover, I use the factory fitted Honda one. It is basically just a dust cover, but my car is in my garage. I only use the cover in the winter,

If I were looking used I would definatly go for a 2002 or 2003. There is more than just the rear window that is different. I could go into more details, but your best bet is to search the S2000 Talk forum or Under the Hood forum for more details if you want them.

I might have shopped around a little more before buying. ight have gotten a better price if I had. I also might have ended up with either of the color choices you listed as they were my first choices. I ended up getting the Silverstone and Black and changing out the leather for the red. I am MUCH happier than I would have been with the all-red interior so it worked out.

Other than that I would not have changed a thing. I am sure if I had gotten red it would have gotten me into more trouble. I am convinced that the silver alone has saved my a$$ more than once.

Avoid the side strakes. They drill a hole into the side of the car to mount them, and they still fall off.

Also, if you drive in the cold or rain the stock tires are not very good. Also, no matter how long the previous owner had the car, check the springs for "spring spacers." There is a sticky thread about this on the S2000 Talk Forum. They increase ride height for shipping purposes, but have been left in on numerous cars. One of the local guys had them for over a year!

 

The only differences between the '01 and next two, '02 and '03 years, was some suspension fine tuning (spring rates increased, anti-roll bar stiffness reduced, and shocks recalibrated). The other changes would be considered very minor by most... stereo improved and minor interior and exterior upgrades. The best change, as already mentioned, was the glass rear window but even that's not a big deal for most who drive top down as much as possible. At mid-model year the banjo bolts in the engine lubrication system were upgraded from two-holes to four-holes each. Bottom line, all the first generation car's through '03 are essentially the same, with the '00s having the most new car fixes as it rolled out. Good luck on the search.

 

Thanks I will look at the dealership sticky.

I want a 2002, there is no mechanical difference with the 00-01 from the 02?

I read about the spacers I will check for that.

As for tires I would be replacing the S02s with S03s anyway, and they are a much better tire all around.

Your factory dust cover repels water? I was thinking of getting an all season cover since I don't have a garage. But the car will be stored in the winter.

Thanks

 

Dlq,

Don't forget that the '02s and later also have remapped a/f curves.

 

?? a/f stands for ?

 

Did they offer a reflash for the 00/01 to correct A/F mappings (air fuel) ?

These banjo bolts go on what part of the lubrication system?

I assume you can swap the 8 hole in?

 

They are referred to Oil Jet Bolts and the info can be found searching for that phrase. Basically they are jets inside the cylinder mounted underneath the pistons that shoot oil up at the bottom of the piston. You can find replacements and do them yourself. It involves removing the oil pan. After that, it's not complicated.

The '02+ cars came with a different ECU (computer.) You cannot reflash the prom, but you can replace the computer. It takes some legwork because you have to get your immobalizer chip (anti-theft) remapped to work with your keys and the dealerships may be reluctant to do this for you.

I believe there were some changes to the transmission to help with a widly reported grind from 1-2 gear shifts. This would be an '02+ thing as well.

Some people feel the '00-'01 cars are setup more for track use from a suspension standpoint. It seems that there were may tweaks and corrections though that make the '02-'03 cars more reliable and faster in the stock form. While the suspension may not be as extreme in the track category as the '00-'01, it is still very aggressive.

 

What kind of revalving are we talking about along with spring rates. Do you guys know what the spring rates are for the car, if they are static or progressive?

I test drove an 03 and a 01 and honestly suspension wise I could not tell a difference in their standard ride. However that may be different when you get out autoxing.

Suspension would be the least of my concerns anyway thats so easy to change.

But this whole ECU change and trans change makes me think it would be better to find an 02.

Any one have any bogging issues with the 00-01 here or any 2nd gear grinds?

Since we all live in the same climate.

 

Hey,

Welcome, good luck on your hunt.

* Pete I was waiting for the "Oh, and dont listen to Shift," comment.

The glass window is a huge plus. If your not a stereo guy you wont be able to tell the difference at all, other then the tweeters on the door. I dont know if this is correct but weren't the 02+ putting down more HP?? Oh and the 02+ have much darker wheels then the previous.