So my 97 del sol VTEC #792 was stolen. Now i have no car and I really can't justify spending 6-9 for another 97 del sol. Here is a picture of the one that was stolen :
http://s150.photobucket.com/al...q.jpg
I have owned 8 del sol's and know every problem with them.
I want to move to an s2000, My claim check is on it's way and i'm trying to find out all the info that I can on the s2k. I already searched but I wanted to ask some questions:
What is the curb weight of the 00-03 models ?
I see that there were some changes made between the years, but is there something that should turn me away from buying a 2000 ?
What is the wheel pattern ? And do they have to be staggered, or they just look bad if you don't put a wider rim in the back ?
how expensive is maintenance on a s2k ? Or is it the same as any Honda ?
Why is the rear differential so bad ? is it driver error ? or just weak components ?
Do all s2000 came with the immobilizer ? or they made that standard in 02
do s2000's have any problems with leaks in the top ?

Wow that took long. Well any info would be very helpful. And if I left anything that is important let me know.

 

for the 2000 question, no it shouldn't. but just be sure that you inspect those TSB's out and whatnot, there is also honda's "goodwill" warranty work.

The wheel pattern is 5x114.3 and the advantage of having a wider rear is better handling.

The cost of maintenance is probably going to be based on what you can do alone, but it does run on a timing chain instead of a timing belt so it doesn't need to be changed as frequently.

The rear diff isn't bad, just wasn't designed for hard launches

I think all OBD2 honda vehicles have immobilizers (starting back in 97 i believe)

Leaks through solid woven fabric- no
leaks through tears - yes

 

I have a 2000 and I love it nothing like owning the original. Maintnance isn't that bad I do everything myself the only advice I can give u on maintnance is don't cheap out get the good stuff this car deserves it plus I figure u want it to last right.

 

-The curb weights of AP1s usually range from high 2700s to low 2800s.

-Since you're going from a 2 seater to another 2 seater, there really isn't much of a practicality issue...which is the ONLY issue with S2000s as far as I'm concerned. You will no longer have a massive cadillac style trunk, however. The 2000 has a plastic rear window, no rear windscreen and no clock. My only regret was not having a glass rear window. I did the conversion...but it was a BITCH to do. I refuse to do it again. Other people asked me if I would help them out. The answer is no. AP1s in general have a few issues that were adressed in the AP2...but over all a very solid car.

- The lug pattern is 5X114.3. You do not need wider rear wheels. If you don't get staggered wheels, just make sure that they're both wide enough. 9'' seems to be a very good size. That's the size I'm using. Offsets and wheel fitment are difficult on an S2000. But they really do make or break the car. Weak fitments suck. Fitments that are too agressive are for hard parkers that dont mind using -5deg of camber or never taking a turn at any speed over 20mph. or people with non-stock fenders. So get the fitment right. I use 17X7.5 +45 and 17X9 +45. They fit great, look great, and allow for very good performance. They're agressive and very useful. I track the car often. I kind of wish I would have gotten 17X9 +45s in the front also..and maybe some wider fenders to go along with it. Maybe later. The advantage of a non staggered setup is braking performance and a certain type of handling balance (geared towards oversteer).

- The S2000 has a regular Honda style maintainence schedule except for you now have a diff. The diff only takes 0.8qt and requires a fluid change in 15-30k miles...so no big deal. The oil filter is a little more expensive (like $5 more if you're comparing OEM filters). Besides that, it's a surprisingly regular *** car when it comes to maintenance.


- The rear diff is weak....but only under launching or big power, sticky tire situations or other abusive situations (clutch kicking, burn outs, etc). Dont drag race. If you want to drag race, buy another car. Seriously take my advice on that.

- Yes all S2000s come with an immobilizer.

- Just like most other convertibles, the top is going to drip on you every once in a while. There will be a little water that gets past the seals for the windows...it's inevitable. The parts have to come apart and go back together as the top folds or unfolds. So there will be gaps where water will go. It does a pretty good job of keeping the interior dry, but if it rains really heavy with high winds...you're gonna get a little wet. Buy a hard top to solve the issue.

You could probably have searched for all these answers. You're lucky I'm a nice (bored) guy.

 

wow everyone has been really helpful and nice... i was just going to tell him to use the [freak]in search button as usual... is everyone feeling ok? u sure this is honda-tech? damn...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by S2KILLA &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">wow everyone has been really helpful and nice... i was just going to tell him to use the [freak]in search button as usual... is everyone feeling ok? u sure this is honda-tech? damn...</TD></TR></TABLE> Looks like S2ki. We gotta keep the newbs under control

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HondaKyle &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Looks like S2ki. We gotta keep the newbs under control</TD></TR></TABLE>

for real... its kinda sad

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by S2KILLA &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

for real... its kinda sad</TD></TR></TABLE> I miss the good ol days when we could say what ever we wanted with out worrying about points or getting banned... how low can your % go down?

 

if u want to mod it, get an ap1..

if u just want to drive and enjoy it.. get an ap2..

 

so would auto X the s2k be really hard on the diff?? i wouldnt think so or will it be able to handle it? or basically just no hard launches or burnouts?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 92HB_HB &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">if u want to mod it, get an ap1..

if u just want to drive and enjoy it.. get an ap2..

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yep. If you want your AP1 to handle and drive like a bus, mod it to be like the AP2. If you enjoy being a bus driver, just drive and enjoy your AP2. Totally in agreement

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DeDonDeRosa &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so would auto X the s2k be really hard on the diff?? i wouldnt think so or will it be able to handle it? or basically just no hard launches or burnouts?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Just dont launch the hell out of it. I just autox'd my S2000. Be sensible on the launch. 1 second is probably not worth a $1k diff.

 

Thanks a lot for taking the time to actually type all that info. I search found some of the things that I wanted to know but I wanted more. I want to find a neutral ground and decide if I want to take the risk of having another del sol stolen. I love del sol's and would love to just go out and find another 97 VTEC. However I'm not finding drag racing as fun as I used to. I'm not competitive in the street because in my area most of the people on the street are thieves and have built stolen cars. With my last del sol I found that taking turns very fast gave me a better gratification than drag racing. I always wanted to take some classes to learn to drive, I want to do a couple days at gingerman.

That brings me to an s2k. they are becoming more affordable and the isn't much theft associated with them. I see that the seats are a hot item and will most than likely something that I will have to be careful about. I plan on having a gps and alarm installed to further protect the car. Also I seen that they make some tamper proof bolts for the seats so those are a must.

So which year would everyone recommend getting ? I want to stay in the ap1 because of the 9k redline. But I also want to avoid doing what the mods that are a must to a lot of people that have a 2000 like the windscreen, glass top and I even seen that some use the ap2 taillights. I want a clean car that I can keep stock for at least one year. The car will be daily driven until winter comes and then It will get some mods.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eg2solsi500 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks a lot for taking the time to actually type all that info. I search found some of the things that I wanted to know but I wanted more. I want to find a neutral ground and decide if I want to take the risk of having another del sol stolen. I love del sol's and would love to just go out and find another 97 VTEC. However I'm not finding drag racing as fun as I used to. I'm not competitive in the street because in my area most of the people on the street are thieves and have built stolen cars. With my last del sol I found that taking turns very fast gave me a better gratification than drag racing. I always wanted to take some classes to learn to drive, I want to do a couple days at gingerman.

That brings me to an s2k. they are becoming more affordable and the isn't much theft associated with them. I see that the seats are a hot item and will most than likely something that I will have to be careful about. I plan on having a gps and alarm installed to further protect the car. Also I seen that they make some tamper proof bolts for the seats so those are a must.

So which year would everyone recommend getting ? I want to stay in the ap1 because of the 9k redline. But I also want to avoid doing what the mods that are a must to a lot of people that have a 2000 like the windscreen, glass top and I even seen that some use the ap2 taillights. I want a clean car that I can keep stock for at least one year. The car will be daily driven until winter comes and then It will get some mods.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Go drive an S2000. If you're not using it as just an image car, you will be satisfied with it un modded.

Stock, it's MUCH faster than your Del sol. It handles worlds better than your Del sol, It's a higher end car thatn your Del sol, and it looks better than a Del sol.

Modding the car isn't bad....just dont go over board and mod with quality parts. Remember it's not a civic. So say no to fake parts (Rotas, SPOON replica parts, etc). Shitty suspensions that would be fine with the Civic community probably wont do so great on an S2000.

I dont hate civics, btw. I have an EM1 for my daily and I love it. I'm just saying that the S2000 is on a different playing field.

Gingerman is an AWESOME track. I'm going there for a 2 day stint in July for WMHM8. I would definitely recommend doing it if you have a car to go with. A stock S2000 is a pretty impressive car. Around a track like Gingerman, if you knew what you were doing and the car was in sound shape, you could easily dispose of EVOs, STis, M3s, etc. Check out http://www.wmhm.org

Drag racing is boring.

I like the AP1 because it's more hard edged. After driving a few AP2s, I can say I would be pretty un satisfied trading in my AP1 for an AP2. Since an upgrade is inevitable at some point, the only AP2 I think I'd be happy having would be the CR. It has a few key AP1 parts and characteristics.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B serious &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Go drive an S2000. If you're not using it as just an image car, you will be satisfied with it un modded.

Stock, it's MUCH faster than your Del sol. It handles worlds better than your Del sol, It's a higher end car thatn your Del sol, and it looks better than a Del sol.

Modding the car isn't bad....just dont go over board and mod with quality parts. Remember it's not a civic. So say no to fake parts (Rotas, SPOON replica parts, etc). Shitty suspensions that would be fine with the Civic community probably wont do so great on an S2000.

I dont hate civics, btw. I have an EM1 for my daily and I love it. I'm just saying that the S2000 is on a different playing field.

Gingerman is an AWESOME track. I'm going there for a 2 day stint in July for WMHM8. I would definitely recommend doing it if you have a car to go with. A stock S2000 is a pretty impressive car. Around a track like Gingerman, if you knew what you were doing and the car was in sound shape, you could easily dispose of EVOs, STis, M3s, etc. Check out http://www.wmhm.org

Drag racing is boring.

I like the AP1 because it's more hard edged. After driving a few AP2s, I can say I would be pretty un satisfied trading in my AP1 for an AP2. Since an upgrade is inevitable at some point, the only AP2 I think I'd be happy having would be the CR. It has a few key AP1 parts and characteristics.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

This is one of the best posts ever in the S2000 Forum, hands down.

Don't even bother asking any more questions until you have test driven an S2000...you would be wasting your time.

 

b

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Techno Tonis &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

This is one of the best posts ever in the S2000 Forum, hands down.

Don't even bother asking any more questions until you have test driven an S2000...you would be wasting your time.</TD></TR></TABLE>

lol way to stroke my allready bloated ego, dude.