I drove a s2000 last fall. I have driven racing cars for years in formula ford, T1 and T2, and I have to say that the s2000 is one of the best road cars for the street, and for the price it is by far the best.

So here is what I want to know, last fall I could have gotten a 2004 with 30k for 13,500. It had red int, so I passed. now its spring and I am seeing cars with 110000 for around the same price.

Is fall the best time to buy these cars?

Also, should I be afraid of one with so many miles? I assume the usual things like front suspension rubber will be bad, brake lines, clutch, ball joints, tie rod ends will all need to be replaced. Anything else? what about the rear cv boots? or joints?

Do these cars have the honda timing belts that need to be changed at 90k?

I want to buy a stock one because I see so many that have been carelessly modified like people putting way to big of tires on and lowing them so the tires rub on the fenders. Also, I assume I want a 2004 or 2005 so I don't get drive by wire and vts. I don't understand vts, I get how it works, but for me, I like to load different corners of the car and the vts wont let that happen. Also, it true that the drive by wire is slower at rev matching?

Please give me your thoughts. or advice on buying. Thank you very much!

 

S2000's have a timing chain so no worries. I am on stock clutch stock suspension besides shocks and springs being changed out. I have 140k miles on the car and I have been supercharged for 15k miles or so now.
These cars don't need all that stuff replaced unless they go bad which can be a looong time.
Just check everything out and do the fluids/plugs and a valve adjustment and should be good to go.

 

You should not have passed on that.

 

Oh, dude...AP2 w/30k miles, $13.5k? Even if it had animal print interior and a bedazzled shift knob, it'd still be a steal!

 

http://www.autotraderclassics.com/classic-...sationId=354239

 

the DBW isnt that bad. you can tell theres a disconnect though.

I drive an 04 and was looking into an 06 and passed because of the feel of hte car. its supposed to make it easier to drive but i didnt like it. just a personal preference.

note: if i had to do it again, id buy an 05. just cause its a bit newer. i bought an 04 cause it would be slightly easier on insurance than an 05 and i bought the car when i was 22 and needed all the help i could get.

i didnt see where you are from, but if you live in a dry arid climate the bushing issue might be more prominent. im in the pacNW and it yields less of those types of problems.

like someone said, timing chain so dont worry.

just try and not buy from a kid. also that 04 sounded like it might have been a dirty title for that price.

good luck.

 

Advice #1- Make sure you test drive an AP1 (2.0 I4 with 9,000 red) and an (AP2 2.2 I4 8,000 red) before you make a decision on what S2000 you want. To be fair to yourself and the car you need to experience both powerplants.

Advice #2- Do not consider 2000-2001, the 2002 is just so much better especially the glass rear window

 

The DBW does not have a delay when you get on the gas. When you get off the gas, there is a minimal rev-hang (tenths of a second here). I only noticed the rev-hang after getting a lightweight flywheel.

 

You should expand your search area!

Not sure where you live but it is NOT spring in 80% of the USA...I'm in Virginia and there was an ice storm last night!

The greater Washington DC area has a TON of S2000's for sale all the time, so many people up here love Hondas so lots to choose from. Also, easy to find an AP2 with ~50K miles here for $13,000.

 

Everything works out for the best
If he passed on that, it was one he was not supposed to have

Maybe he is an AP1 fan, he just does not know it yet