Should I be concerned about a low mileage S2000?
Discussion
Appreciate your advice on this. I'm thinking about purchasing an older S2000. Yesterday, I viewed a 1999 (V reg) one that had around 25k miles on it. It looked immaculate inside and out, and drove well. It had one lady owner until last year, when the current owner picked it up. He had a genuine reason for sale. The car had been garaged over winters etc and had obviously been looked after.
The one thing that is concerning me is the service history. It all been stamped up til 2006 (18k miles). After that, nothing. So, obviously, if I bought it it'll need a full service straightaway. But, could there be other problems (currently unforeseen) that result from buying a car that has little attention over the last five years.
One thing I noticed was a very stiff clutch. I don't think that's normal but I've read on the S2k website about possible causes for this (and some quite cheap fixes, etc). I can't believe it would need replacing given the mileage, unless it had just failed through lack of use?
Anyway, I was thinking that I'd get a Honda dealer to inspect it prior to purchase? What do you you think?
The one thing that is concerning me is the service history. It all been stamped up til 2006 (18k miles). After that, nothing. So, obviously, if I bought it it'll need a full service straightaway. But, could there be other problems (currently unforeseen) that result from buying a car that has little attention over the last five years.
One thing I noticed was a very stiff clutch. I don't think that's normal but I've read on the S2k website about possible causes for this (and some quite cheap fixes, etc). I can't believe it would need replacing given the mileage, unless it had just failed through lack of use?
Anyway, I was thinking that I'd get a Honda dealer to inspect it prior to purchase? What do you you think?
Personally I would leave a car with no service history for 5 years. I’m unable to comment on the stuff clutch but my S2000 has a light easy clutch… (maybe mine has the fault!) By way of comparison, my car is an 04 plate with 50K on the clock and has just had its 9th service. Yes, the wheels need a refeb and there are some stone chips around the front but it will only get worse.
What is the price of the car? Based on the mileage and condition could you not find a face lifted version (53 plate and newer)?
What is the price of the car? Based on the mileage and condition could you not find a face lifted version (53 plate and newer)?
1) Ask current owner why they didn't service it, or to provide receipt if they did?
2) Assuming the previous owner had it serviced at one garage only, ring them up and ask them if they've done any work post-2006.
3) Check the address of the previous owner on the V5, then ring the 2-3 closest Honda dealers to that address, ask the same question.
4) Find contact details of previous owner and maybe ring them, politely ask about the car and about the lack of stamps since 2006.
Key points:-
- Is the idle rock-solid, or does it 'burble' ever-so-slightly?
- How rattly/tappety is the engine?
- What condition do things like the brakes look in?
- Does it drive straight, and does it respond to mid-corner throttle by "very clearly loading the outside rear" - if set-up properly the car will take a very clear attitude (not oversteering, but very clearly rwd) under "enthusiastic" mid-corner throttle (i.e. squeeze it on liberally, rather than "booting it").
- What colour/condition is the oil? Is it utterly filthy or reasonable? Does it 'feel' like thin fully-synth or does it seem more like a heavier-weight?
A 5 year gap on a performance Honda WOULD concern me a little, mileage notwithstanding - the oil in that engine could be 5y.o. and that won't be good for that sort of engine.
But this could just be missing stamps, not missing services...most people can change oil themselves, after all...
2) Assuming the previous owner had it serviced at one garage only, ring them up and ask them if they've done any work post-2006.
3) Check the address of the previous owner on the V5, then ring the 2-3 closest Honda dealers to that address, ask the same question.
4) Find contact details of previous owner and maybe ring them, politely ask about the car and about the lack of stamps since 2006.
Key points:-
- Is the idle rock-solid, or does it 'burble' ever-so-slightly?
- How rattly/tappety is the engine?
- What condition do things like the brakes look in?
- Does it drive straight, and does it respond to mid-corner throttle by "very clearly loading the outside rear" - if set-up properly the car will take a very clear attitude (not oversteering, but very clearly rwd) under "enthusiastic" mid-corner throttle (i.e. squeeze it on liberally, rather than "booting it").
- What colour/condition is the oil? Is it utterly filthy or reasonable? Does it 'feel' like thin fully-synth or does it seem more like a heavier-weight?
A 5 year gap on a performance Honda WOULD concern me a little, mileage notwithstanding - the oil in that engine could be 5y.o. and that won't be good for that sort of engine.
But this could just be missing stamps, not missing services...most people can change oil themselves, after all...
havoc said:
1) Ask current owner why they didn't service it, or to provide receipt if they did?
2) Assuming the previous owner had it serviced at one garage only, ring them up and ask them if they've done any work post-2006.
3) Check the address of the previous owner on the V5, then ring the 2-3 closest Honda dealers to that address, ask the same question.
4) Find contact details of previous owner and maybe ring them, politely ask about the car and about the lack of stamps since 2006.
Key points:-
- Is the idle rock-solid, or does it 'burble' ever-so-slightly?
- How rattly/tappety is the engine?
- What condition do things like the brakes look in?
- Does it drive straight, and does it respond to mid-corner throttle by "very clearly loading the outside rear" - if set-up properly the car will take a very clear attitude (not oversteering, but very clearly rwd) under "enthusiastic" mid-corner throttle (i.e. squeeze it on liberally, rather than "booting it").
- What colour/condition is the oil? Is it utterly filthy or reasonable? Does it 'feel' like thin fully-synth or does it seem more like a heavier-weight?
A 5 year gap on a performance Honda WOULD concern me a little, mileage notwithstanding - the oil in that engine could be 5y.o. and that won't be good for that sort of engine.
But this could just be missing stamps, not missing services...most people can change oil themselves, after all...
Is the "burble" an issue?2) Assuming the previous owner had it serviced at one garage only, ring them up and ask them if they've done any work post-2006.
3) Check the address of the previous owner on the V5, then ring the 2-3 closest Honda dealers to that address, ask the same question.
4) Find contact details of previous owner and maybe ring them, politely ask about the car and about the lack of stamps since 2006.
Key points:-
- Is the idle rock-solid, or does it 'burble' ever-so-slightly?
- How rattly/tappety is the engine?
- What condition do things like the brakes look in?
- Does it drive straight, and does it respond to mid-corner throttle by "very clearly loading the outside rear" - if set-up properly the car will take a very clear attitude (not oversteering, but very clearly rwd) under "enthusiastic" mid-corner throttle (i.e. squeeze it on liberally, rather than "booting it").
- What colour/condition is the oil? Is it utterly filthy or reasonable? Does it 'feel' like thin fully-synth or does it seem more like a heavier-weight?
A 5 year gap on a performance Honda WOULD concern me a little, mileage notwithstanding - the oil in that engine could be 5y.o. and that won't be good for that sort of engine.
But this could just be missing stamps, not missing services...most people can change oil themselves, after all...
When I first bought mine it had been sat for nearly a year doing not much and the clutch was quite stiff.. that cleared itself with a bit of usage though.. My idle would fluctuate a little but not 'burble'..
As long as its not been run low on oil or bumped the limiter too many times (apparently cracks valve retainers) engines are solid really..
As long as its not been run low on oil or bumped the limiter too many times (apparently cracks valve retainers) engines are solid really..
Thanks for all the advice. Much appreciated.
I am hoping to agree a price with the seller tonight/early tomorrow.
If that falls through, I've found a couple of others that I'm interested in.
James Agger has a red one (2000, W, with about 68k on it). Like that.
Also, what do you make of this:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3070538.htm
This has a new engine in it, put in by a main Honda dealer in Feb this year. So, still under warranty. Only covered 1200 miles since. Would this bother you or is it a selling point?
I am hoping to agree a price with the seller tonight/early tomorrow.
If that falls through, I've found a couple of others that I'm interested in.
James Agger has a red one (2000, W, with about 68k on it). Like that.
Also, what do you make of this:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3070538.htm
This has a new engine in it, put in by a main Honda dealer in Feb this year. So, still under warranty. Only covered 1200 miles since. Would this bother you or is it a selling point?
couple of suggestions: do an HPi on it-it will flag up any possible clocking. and get the V5C number and you can check all mileages and reports from MOTs in the past. If they all look good then go for it. loads of guy SORN their S2000s over winter-there's an ongoing thread on the UK S2Ki forum now about it, so some might have very low mileage.
jsl20 said:
couple of suggestions: do an HPi on it-it will flag up any possible clocking. and get the V5C number and you can check all mileages and reports from MOTs in the past. If they all look good then go for it. loads of guy SORN their S2000s over winter-there's an ongoing thread on the UK S2Ki forum now about it, so some might have very low mileage.
Ditto check the MOT's he may have been taking a few 000's of each year, so in reality it could have done 20-50k in those last 5 years.Gassing Station | Honda | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff