Hey Honda-Tech, I'm looking for a S2000 and found one on craigslist. I was just wondering what should I look for when I go to check it out? Any common problems with S2000 cars? Anything S2000 sellers try to hide from buyers? Any tips/advice would be appreciated. It's my first time looking at S2000s so I want to make sure that I cover every ground.

Here is are the specs:

2000 Honda S2000
Pink slip in hand
Smog ready
6 speed
112000 miles
Strong engine and transmission
Drives smooth and fast(feels like driving a go-kart)
Shifts smooth(the best gear box)
Reliable(its a Honda!)
no engine mod everything original
Ap2 soft top with glass rear(wear and tear but no issue driving in a rain)
Lowered with Tein springs(very smooth ride)
Carbon fiber front lip
Clean interior with no rip
Soft top with glass rear: has a normal wear and tear but I have no problem driving in a rain, water doesnt leak in. You can get the soft top for $300.
OZ Racing Superleggera Gunmetal Staggered 5x114 with fresh tires(70%)
18x8 +45 225/40/18 BF Goodrich KDW2 (6/32nds)
18x9 +45 255/35/18 Pirelli PZero (0-1/32nds)
F1spec ARC style shift ****
Pioneer CD player
Carbon fiber front lip
Side diffuser
rear diffuser
Greddy exhaust
Salvage title due to rear end no frame damage
I bought it as salvage
$9500 with OZ wheels and tires
$8000 with AP1 stock wheels and tires

http://s1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff509/piandrewbae/


Any advice and tips would be great! Thanks!

 

engine cold start characteristics; CELs
transmission cold characteristics
compression/leakdown check
oil burning rate?
clutch condition, half shafts condition (if lowered or was lowered)
obviously any fluid leaks, seals, check for oil or corrosion in the coolant, or coolant in the oil cap
Timing chain tensioner
differential/rear end condition?
recalls/updates/TSBs - oil jets, retainer cracking
anything that indicates overrev or other abuse (launching), overheating
engine tranny serial numbers match up

 

First off, take it for a test drive. See if you like it. Then if the seller agrees, you pay to have the car looked at buy a reliable repair shop, 50 to a 100 now could save you thousands down the road.

On your test drive when you come to a stop let the clutch slow you down and see if it chatters, most of the early ones do if it hasn't been replaced. Clutch jobs on those are not the most fun.

Also take low speed turns and see if the rear wheel bearings r nosiey, most early models are. and have to be replaced.

One other thing, and it might just be me but how come all the pics are from the passenger side?

Hope i could be of some help.
Good Luck

 

Thanks guys. Tremendous help! I will definitely make a check list to look for those problems. Does any of the information that he provided seem sketchy?

 

That's a good point, a bit sketchy IMO. It's common for some of the early AP1s' tail lights to fade (the red part), so maybe that's what the seller is trying to hide, but then again, if it had rear end damage significant enough to deem it a salvage title, you'd think the tail lights were replaced. Also, it kinda looks to me like the side emblem is a little... off.

 

Make sure that you thoroughly inspect the condition of the top as well on account that the S2k's top seems to wear quite quickly. Scrutinize the area displayed in this pic as I've seen a lot of S2000s with wear in this part of the top:


A few of my buddy's have temporarily rectified this issue by inserting a piece of cloth, foam or any other soft material in between the top frame/hinges and the vinyl itself. A cheap and short-sided fix, but hey- you can't complain about the price

 

Way too much money in my opinion for a salvaged title S. I know people say it depends on where you live but out here in FLA you shouldn't expect more than 5-6k for a salvaged S. I see clean title AP1's go for 7500-9k.

Check the tensioner. Pull the throttle wire gently and give the valves a listen.

 

make sure its not automatic

 

HAHA^

 

If it's been missed above definitely take a listen for any differential whine. When I was deciding between the AP1 and AP2 I found more early models with whiny diffs at low speeds. No big because the gears come out quickly for an upgrade though!!

 

Check to see if the rear main seal is leaking or has been serviced in the passed. Common AP1 Problem and can cost up to 1k to fix