What to Look For When Buying a Used S2000 (Photos)
A Honda S2000 is a fantastic roadster for performance enthusiasts. However, it's not without its kinks. If you're in the market to buy a used S2000, there are some quirks you should check before making your purchase final.
1. Research and compare prices
As with any used car purchase, a good buyer is an educated buyer. Auto prices on the used market vary greatly depending on model year, mileage, wear and a list of other things. Before you single out a buyer you may be interested in purchasing from, look online in your area and abroad for other used S2000s for sale. The more examples you find, the better idea you'll have what a "fair" price is for the age and condition of the S2000 you have your eye on. If you see the S2000 with your dreams with a price too low to be believed, it's likely there's something wrong under the hood that limits its sale value.
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2. Check for stolen seats
There's a joke among S2000 owners regarding how often the roadster's seats are stolen. The seats rake in a higher value than other cars on the market, and Honda's design made them notoriously easy to steal. If you're buying an S2000 used, you should keep this trend in mind. Take a close look at the seats. Is there any inconsistency between the two? Do they look a different age from the rest of the car? Even if the seats have been replaced, it doesn't mean there's been any foul play. Nonetheless, it's your right as a buyer to know about anything that may be less-than-noble in the S2000's history.
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3. Look over the chassis for signs of damage or past repair
A chassis will often show hints of its past collisions unless it's been fully restored. Chassis damage and even evidence of subsequent repairs may be a hint that something inside the car may have been damaged as well. The car's accident history is always worthy to bring up with the seller.
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4. The wheel bearings can go bad
The wheel bearings on the Honda S2000 have a curious tendency to go bad at a faster-than-normal rate. You can sometimes tell if this is the case by odd, abrasive sounds coming from the tires while the vehicle is being driven. If this is the case, you should ask the seller, or get the issue verified by a professional mechanic.
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5. Inspect the soft top
Generally speaking, an S2000 soft top goes for roughly $1000. Although it's not the end of the world if the soft top is torn, you should deduct the appropriate amount from what you're willing to pay if it means you're going to have to purchase a replacement top. Make sure it can be installed on and removed without any trouble. Softtops are notorious for rips and tears. Take a special look at the seams to inspect for wear.
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6. Test for clutch buzz
The problem of clutch buzz is notorious for 2000-2001 editions of the S2000. A buzzing clutch is a sign that all is not well with the transmission system; the clutch disc may need replacing. You can identify this by the rattling sound while driving.
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7. The S2000 is known for shifting issues
The S2000 has a tendency to attract wonky transmission issues. A worn transmission will pop out of gear erratically, hurting the performance of your prospective roadster. Verifying a properly working transmission is one of the most important things you should focus on when you give the car a test drive.
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8. Verify the oil intake is sound
A problematic S2000 may have an issue of oil consumption. This is hard to verify on your own on the spot, but it doesn't hurt to ask about it. Checking the oil levels with a dipstick and inspecting the oil pan are good steps with any used vehicle, and they shouldn't be skipped with an S2000.
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9. Check the "secret compartment"
S2000 fans talk a lot about a fabled "secret compartment", also known as the upper glovebox. Some S2000 owners are unaware of the compartment for months or years before they finally find it. Because of that, you should make a point of finding the compartment and seeing if anything's still inside before buying it. Some owners have made surprising discoveries quite some time after making their purchase, and not all of the surprises were good.
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