Let me start by saying hi to everyone, I am in the process of deciding to buy an s2000 or something else.
I am coming from driving an eclipse gst with a lot of power! My question regarding the s2000 is about changing the rear gear. I don't really know much about rwd as my eclipse was fwd. I am deciding right now between a 2003 silver s2000 with 30k miles for $16,000 from a honda dealership certified preowned, and a 2004 mustang gt convertible in black with 33k miles on it for $16,200 also from a dealership. Yeah I know the mustang is a big heavy kinda boring looking in comparison car. But having those extra seats could come in handy sometimes. Anyone here drive one of those before? If so how did it feel? I have driven the s2000 and was definitely a nice drive and fun, but did miss a little bit of the high torque my turbo gave out.

Based on those prices for the cars how do the deals sound? Both cars I am told are in excellent condition. The s2000 will still have warranty for over 2 years, the mustang only 90 days.

My question if I do go with the s2000 what is the deal with changing out the rear gear or whatever it is called in order to get a little more low end? What are the risks? How is the reliability? How is highway cruising? Would it void warranty? What sort of gains are there to be gotten? Would I need to change anything else for it to work as if it came stock with it?

Thanks everyone and hopefully if all checks out I will be on here a lot more once I pick my s2k up.
Ps. sorry for the long post.
---Ryan.

 

I dont know much about changing the rear diff, but I can say dont buy the S if you only want to go fast in a straight line. The mustang is obviously a better choice for that as far as modding goes. Also shorter gearing the revs would be quite high at freeway speeds I'd imagine since it's already geared pretty well IMO. I wouldnt want to be cruising at 70 in vtec in 6th gear.

 

Yeah I am well aware of not getting it only for straight line. Even though it would be my daily driver and that would be mostly how I would be driving it unfortunately.
How much stuff can you fit in the trunk? I do sometimes have stuff work related that need to be brought along with me. Nothing huge but different bags or such.
Also how does the price of $16,000 sound for an 03 silver s2000 with 30k miles on it from a dealership and certified in excellent condition?
I checked the blue book and it said retail for it is around $23,000. and private party was around $21,000 $20,000 in good condition.
Is this s2000 as reliable really as most Honda's are known to be? I am trying to get a nice reliable daily driver that is also really nice looking and a blast to drive.
My eclipse gst is extremely fast, but really loud, lots of creaking and exhaust rattles, smells of fuel always, no traction in 1st or 2nd gear etc, so looking for something a little bit more modern to drive and still feel great in.

 

If you're interested in gears, here is a good thread that has some basic info that I got from a quick search, according to xviper you can expect an 8% increase in RPM for any given speed versus stock with a 4.44 gearing. So don't worry about vtec'ing in 6th at 70mph.

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showt...0&#entry1622278

search bar is your friend

im sure there is many more threads on this topic

 

Is the s2000 a clear title car? $16K sounds too good to be true, especially coming from a stealership. Have the car fully check out if you are going to buy it. As far as the gear is concern, the gear will improve the low end.

S2000 is a very reliable car if you take care of it.

 

I have 4.57 gears and really like them. I hit 6k RPM in 6th gear a little over 100mph. Gas mileage went down a little bit and things got a bit louder with the higher RPM's, but the acceleration is great. I'm glad I did the gears.

I'm also a DSMer so welcome to the club. I'm on my 5th one right now that I use as my winter-beater.

 

The s2000 is certified and from speaking with them and reading about certified honda's the car has to have a clear title. Have had no body panels replaced and still original paint as well as no mechanical problems and no rust etc.
From speaking with them also the reason they told me the price has gone down is cause they are moving locations and wont be having preowned cars or something along those lines. The original listed price was $19,000
It just dropped down to 16,995 but when I called them they said they would work out a better price with me.
I am going there tomorrow to check it out so if all works out I will probably get it soon.

Does that price really seem too good to be true? It will come with a warranty till 2010 sometimes or 100k miles. Plus a 1 year warranty on all non engine or tranny related parts.
What could a dealership not disclose that wouldn't be shown or found out?

 

Oh and also I think I got a pretty good idea of the different gearsets. Might wait a little while on that one.

S2kracka you on dsmtuners by chance?

 

Ok well just got back from the dealership. Not a good experience.

Tell me what you guys think.

Went there and the car has some minor body defects. The front bumper is chipped in a bunch of places so would need new paint.
The exhaust tips are all messed up(easy) Some light scratches here and there otherwise pretty nice.

Took it for a drive and the alignment is off. No big deal. Then when getting to about 60 miles per hour and stepping on the gas, the rear starts shaking pretty bad. As soon as I let off the gas it stops so don;t think it would be from the alignment. Does that sound like the rear diff maybe? NOt familiar with rwd cars especially.
The car is certified, but the salesman said that after I purchased it and financed it and all that they would put it through a 150 point inspection and fix anything mechanically wrong guaranteed. He would not do it before being purchased. What do you guys think?
The salesman also had me put down a 700 buck deposit. He told me it would be refundable although after reading the back said it wouldn't be. Luckily I did not sign the form stating the price and what I was putting down and everything and I also do have a receipt for the $700 deposit.

What do you guys think about the whole deal? The price right now is 16,995 for an 03 silver s2000 with 30,315 miles. Also when de revving the engine seemed to drop a little low and then back up to idle and shake the steering wheel a tincy bit.


Should I stay away? It is certified and would be warrantied till July of 2007 according the Honda certified car warranty.

 

To add to this I started feeling really bugged out about the whole thing once the salesman started getting extremely pushy. Not really sure if that was just how he tries to make a sale or if they are hiding something. But before he got all crazy I didn't think it was that weird that they would fix the things after I signed for it. Unless I am mistaken there. I called and spoke with the manager there and they told me that the reason he car had to be bought and then go through the certification process is because they are shipping it out and not fixing anything if it is not sold due to winter coming around. So once they have a buyer and have it signed for they would bring it into the shop and check and fix anything that could be messed up. Am I being naive or should I get it out quick?

The part that makes me think it is not so bad is because it is a certified car from Honda which would still have 3 years powertrain warranty.