All,


I have been doing some research on used S2000s. Other than the general advice on purchasing any used car are there other any weaknesses that I should be on the lookout for in the S2000?


Also, any reputable dealers that I should go to?

Has anyone purchased a vehicle from a place called: Reliable Whole Sale?

Thanks a bunch!

 

There is no such thing as a reputable used car dealer, and I would especially NOT buy a used S2000 from a dealer. The S2000 has "special" maintenance needs that the average owner will likely ignore. For example, the owner's manual specified rediculously long oil change intervals for the engine, tranny, and differential. All three of these items have shown to require close attention, care, and maintenance to stay healthy.

If I were buying a used S2000, I would buy only from an individual (someone who cares enough about the car to sell it himself), and would request an oil analysis on his differential oil. If the seller doesn't know what type and brand of oil is in his diff, then I wouldn't even bother.

The way I see it, if an owner maintains his (or her) car meticulously, then they will sell it themselves (not trade it). If they just trade it in on another vehicle, then they probably didn't maintain it well either. I think it would be a matter of pride.

 

I agree with what Gernby said and here are some things I'd watch out for. In no particular order...

-Complete service records -or- receipts.
-Tire depth, especially on the inside fronts and rears.
-Correct tire sizes 205/55/16 front and 225/50/16 rear Bridgestone S-02 WR rated. If they are not the WR rated tires (which are S2000 specific) then the rears should be 245/45/16.
-Ease of engaging gears.
-Condition of leather, it's not the best quality. Same for the carpet.
-Rear tail light fading.
-Clicking and popping from the rear of car when changing from forward to reverse. (Bad inner CV's, bearings, axles)
-Plastic window in good condition, no scratches.
-Check top for thin spots and wear holes that are common in the upper corners.
-Deformation of window seals (Water leaks, etc).
-Tranny grind from 1st to 2nd at high RPM.
-There was a safety recall on the seat belts. It's nice if that has been taken care of.
-There was also a recall on the spark plugs. Make sure this has been done.
-Compression test the motor. The 4th cylinder has been known to be a problem in a few of the earlier cars.
-Test the autodown feature on the drivers window.
-A recent alignment is also nice.

 

Just kinda quoting waht you said with questions if you dont mind...
-Complete service records -or- receipts. Mine didn't come with the owners manual can you tell me the maintenance schedule for this vehicle?
-Plastic window in good condition, no scratches. plastic seems faded, can it be cleaned, replaced, replaced with glass?
-Test the autodown feature on the drivers window. Mine isn't auto, are they all supposed to be auto? If so, warranty here i come.

 

The maintenance schedule in the manual is too conservative anyway. If you drive aggressively, the fluids should be changed much more often than Honda recommends. I change my engine oil at least every 4K miles, tranny oil about every 10K, and differential oil about ever 15K.

The valve clearance should also be adjusted more often than Honda recommends. If this car is new to you, go ahead and get them done. The manual recommends having them adjusted at 100K miles, but I've adjusted mine at least 4 times in 50K miles.

If your driver window doesn't go all the way down automatically when you put the top up or down, then it needs to be fixed.

The plastic rear window can't be replaced with glass without replacing the whole top.

 

I am looking to sell mine for $19,000, negotiable.

'01 Spa Yellow w/39,500 miles, second owner. I bought mine Honda Certified from David McDavid Honda in Irving.

-Drivetrain warranty to 100,000 miles.
-30k mile service done. Oil changes done w/Mobil 1
-New axle spindle nuts installed by Rusty Wallis under a TSB.
-New hardtop strikers installed by me.
-New Boston Acoustics speakers in doors.
-2 month old rear Yokohama's ESV 245's

mochoajr

 

ok, i misunderstood the window thing then. they go down when the top goes down. i thought it meant you can hit the button once and theyll go down b/c my camaro and audi both did that.

Can I use something to clear up the plastic, or can i replace it for a fairly cheap price.?

Luckily, I worked at Jiffy Lube several years so I can do the maintenance myself. What type of differtial fluid goes in there? And what about the tranny fluid?

 

Go to PepBoys and pick up some Meguiars plastic cleaner for the rear window. Then, run by a motorcycle shop and get a bottle of "Plexus". It's used to make helmet sheilds clear. Also, works wonders on the plastic window.

The diff needs Hypoid gear oil API Class GL5 or GL6, SAE #90. Most of us use Mobil 1 since Honda doesn't have this available. For the tranny just use the Honda MTF from the dealer.

Welcome to the group.

 

[QUOTE=Clovis,Jan 19 2005, 03:49 PM] The diff needs Hypoid gear oil API Class GL5 or GL6, SAE #90.

 

BTW, no S2000 is complete without the official Honda shop manual.