astage

With my mileage likely to increase by up to 20-thousand in the next 12-months, I'm faced with the thought of replacing my s2000, now at nearly 11-years old and 70K-miles. Ideally, a second mileage gobbler with the 's' kept for fun would be the choice, but that's not possible, so I'm faced with buying a newer 's' — since there's little else that I like or (more correctly) can afford.
So the decision is either a 2008/9, or a rare, low-mileage 2005/6. The former has the spectre of "death rattle engines", and the latter of having been "ragged to death" by x-previous owners. I've owned my 2002 since new, so know every foible.

Is the date known from which the 2008 models suffer the death rattle - or is it just the 2009?.

Ignoring the money problem, given the choice of a 2005 model with say 35K on the clock, or a 2008 with say 20K, which would other's choose?

mdb_75

I'd stick with the one you've already got. Why change it?

S2K-Phil

I have been thinking along similar lines recently, but have decided, at least fro the present, to stick with what I have got. Mine is an 05 with almost 70k on it.

I think my choice would be to stick with what you've got. 70k isn't massive, in fact I reckon it's in its prime and, as you say, you know its complete history.

Fatbloke

If you do change, I'd suggest the 05/06 suspension might not be to your taste, if you like what you have at the moment. The 08 car will be much more like what you're familiar with.

My first test drive of an S was an MY08 and I spent a fair bit of time and money making my MY05 drive like one.......

tom_nieto

This. Why would you change a really good S2000 for one that you don't know and might cost you more in the long run? I might understand if you didn't fancy a long commute in the S but that's not the issue here.

Stick with yours or change car completely (or buy a beater for the motorway).

RattyS2k

If you can afford the 4k to get from an 02 to an 08 you can afford a car to put that 20k miles on unless it's other issues preventing it. I would keep the 02 and replace it in a couple of years.

lifecrisis

My opinion for what it's worth.....
I've recently traded my '52 reg MCB with a local Honda dealer for a NF Red '57 reg with less than half the mileage. (Both are GT's)

I'd replaced all geo bushes on the other one but it needed about another grand spending on it to keep it right.

Whilst I love the 'new' one, I still debate with myself whether or not I've done the 'right thing' in trading up.

Think long and hard and make sure that the new one doesn't have ANY hidden defects (seized bushes, hood wear, or any unusual engine rattles etc..)

Whatever the choice, enjoy the car because there's very little else out there to tempt me away from the 'S'

NineBolts

Probably the latter, my guess is that the death rattle issues have been sorted by now or otherwise brushed under the carpet, it's a small percentage and unless you get a very low miles car anything should of cropped up by now. It's also meant to be slightly more like the earlier cars in terms of it suspension setup. Verify that it's a UK car just incase you need to have anything done requiring a "good will" effort from Honda UK. I'd also look at an extended warranty, I still have that on my MY07.

You also ask about 05/06 cars, be aware those are different beasts. The MY04/05 cars are the initial facelift and the MY06/07 are the generation that went to drive by wire throttle, optional VSA and many other trim and minor detail changes.

jsh

How much will an '08' cost factoring in trade in of your old one ? as opposed to buying a used oil burner and keeping your present S as a weekend car ?

It's what I would do rather than change to a newer one that is an unknown quantity .

One thing not mentioned yet is £460 road tax on an 08 car !!!

Racer27

As above I would keep what you have and buy a cheap run about, Smart car or small deisel. The money saved on fuel doing 20k a year would outway the extra cost of running 2 cars. Then you can Mod your S and enjoy