hey guys
Im looking to get my first s2000. I dont have alot of money to be spending so my budget is fairly low. I am mechanically inclined though so I can fix most problems with my current cars fairly well. I will be looking to get probably a 2000-2003 with higher km.
Anything major I should be aware of for higher km older s2000's?
Thanks in advance guys

 

Does it snow where you live? If so, I'd suggest a hard top or else some icicles might rip that top . Haha. Just kidding, but a hardtop is the way to go.

Long driving on the freeway can get noisy.

High KM, check for paper works if they replaced anything. Do a leak down test to see if it's running right.

And just check to see if it's salvaged and carfax it

 

If you don't have the money, don't buy one.

Have you even looked at insurance or repair costs/maintenance? The S2000 isn't exactly what I'd call a cheap car. Especially if you're buying a 10 year old one with high mileage.

Keep saving or buy a different car.

 

s2000 sychros in the tranny are known to go out, but s2000s got one of the best trannys in the automotive industry. just watch out for worn tranny sychros. make sure ALL 6+R goes in without grinding!!!!

 

Sadly, I have to agree. I just payed mine off day before yesterday after 5 years of tight times. I don't have any regrets but that is only because I am obsessive about the car and the joy of driving. Financially, it was a poor decision, and it has been flawless. If anything had gone wrong, mechanically, I would have been sunk. Even when running right, tires, proper parts, fluids, and intervals, insurance, and the realistic need for a second practical car (thank-god for a 92 accord that refuses to die) make it a tough car to barely afford. If you are willing to go broke (not that you will, but it is a possibility) for the joy of a proper drivers car, go for it. Anything less, and you may regret it.

That said,

http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=590849

Best of luck.

 

You make it seem like its an impossible challenge to find a higher km s2000 thats been well maintained. And to avoid them completely...
I really dont think its that bad an idea. Anyways, I checked with my insurance company and its going to stay the same as my CRV. I also worked as a tech at a Honda dealer and still have a hookup for parts etc...

 

Haha we get alot of snow, but im not planning on driving it through the winter. Hardtop would be nice but I dont do much highway driving and I like driving topless.

 

Insurance wise you are fine then currently.

I'm not saying it's impossible to find a high mileage one that's in good shape, but most than likely it's going to have been ratted on at 9K often, isn't in the greatest shape, etc. Your goals/wants are just going to leave you with a very small amount of available cars if there are any at all..

But if you say "I think I can afford it" you probably can't. You have to know you can. Just the same as with any car.

I hope you do find an S and join the community, I absolutely love mine. But they are $$ cars in terms of Honda.

 

Hah, I think you should be fine then. BTW just curious, how old are you and what are your insurance rates?

Like the other guy said. Insurance is a bundle if you're not a safe driver.

Yeah, giving advice in driving with the snow. S2k are meant to be topless haha.

Also have you checked s2ki.com?

They have much needed info also.

 

I've heard that ap1's can (read; can) have rear differential problems if its been driven consistantly hard. Although, im no mechanical guru and I'm not quite sure how (or if) theres anyway to check its current durability.

Edit:

If your budget it low; you should probably hold off for a bit and save more money. As stated above, parts for s2k's aren't cheap (in relativity to the cost range of the car itself).

 

^^^ just make sure u change the diff fluid and the other maintainces that are recommended.

i got a 2001 s2000 with 1xx,000 on the car. nothing wrong with the rear diff yet. just changed the fluid not to long ago either.

ALTHOUGH..... my cousin has a 2004 ap2 with 40ish k on the car. he was drifting with it and the rear diff locked up on him while driving and he totaled it. so i guess it depends on how u treat it.

 

I want a S2000, but after browsing around and researching the MPG on the AP2; getting 22 MPG isn't a huge upgrade for me. My 4Runner gets about 21 mpg and I drive it like a grandma. Maybe some of you S2000 guys on here have lead foots. I was seriously thinking about getting a Prius, but I'm somewhat turned off at the thought of changing batteries and dealer only maintenance. I want something fun with Honda reliability. I was considering the Fit, but I'm not too drawn to it in the looks department. That doesn't leave much else out there. The CR-Z is still about two years away and I'm looking to buy within the next two months.

 

I just picked up a ap2 on friday. I'm getting around 25-28 mpg, but I'm also driving it like a commuter car. When I open it up.... its a different story :p

 

get a prius - they're great*



*sarcasm

 

@holisticbeatz

I've got a ~80-90 mile commute (to + from) to work. In my 05' sentra 1.8 I was spending ~10-11$ on gas a day. I filled up after a day commute just to see the difference. it was ~14$. Considering 91 is about .20-.25 cents more a gallon than regular, it's not that big of a drop in gas mileage. Of course if I was going down I-5 on flat straight in cruise control, the mpg wouldnt be close (I'd get ~35mpg on my LA trips). But in day to day driving, It hasnt drastically changed.

 

How low is low.

 

9-12k canadian.

 

i bought a 2000 with 83k miles, and paid just over $10k american for it. ive had no problems affording insurance and the car payment, and i honestly dont make that much. i would say just stick it out for the right s2k, and when you find one in great shape that your happy with, jump on it. i dont see where people get all these high maintenance costs from, unless you cant do the basics yourself.

 

^^i completely agree. i'm only 19 and i got my my01 salvage for 7.5k. i know it's not the best s out there but i'm young and it's just a car to have fun with. and when it comes to maintenance, it's really not that bad and/or different from maintaining my civic as a dd. and insurance isn't bad if you list it as a second, pleasure only car. i'm in college and only make one grand a month and i can still afford it so i'm sure you can too :D

don't forget, it's a honda so you should basically look for the same things when buying any other honda, you should know, you worked for them :D

 

im 19 as well and pay 130 a month for insurance on my s2k and my wifes 06 civic (thanks to being in the military, gotta love USAA)

 

haha thanks for the tips fellas, youre making me feel old, and im only 23. I am awaiting the perfect s2000 but i just cant seem to find one at a good enough price. I guess it doesnt help that spring is around the corner now and everyone is starting to look for a summer car. If anyone knows of an S2000 in my budget and in my area, please let me know!

 

I'm picking up (im 90% sure) a '01 s2k with 33,000 miles for $11,800 US tomorrow. Gotta admit craigslist is pretty dry on s2ks. But about maintaining, i dont own one yet so i wont comment, but in my experience on other forums and with other cars ive owned, all cars can be a bear. I have a MazdaSpeed6 and the sheer number of moving parts makes me worried to even think about driving it hard. Same with my old WRX.

 

Haha well yeah were pretty dry of s2ks for sale at decent prices too. I think I might even consider importing one up from the states. I think I could save about 2-3 grand...

 

iam also thinking about getting one but am stuck on the decision whether to sell my K20 em1 for an S2k, i have no idea what the right decision is