Advice sought on this S2000 please
Discussion
Hi,
I am hoping to view this S2000 very shortly: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3294114.htm
Any thoughts on the car itself and the price? It is a present for the wife (don't tell her!) who likes yellow cars (and there don't seem to many around in that colour).
Thanks,
Jonathan
I am hoping to view this S2000 very shortly: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3294114.htm
Any thoughts on the car itself and the price? It is a present for the wife (don't tell her!) who likes yellow cars (and there don't seem to many around in that colour).
Thanks,
Jonathan
Well the number plate is not worth that much, I think they are about £250 with all the fees paid, so not expensive in any way. Most people prefer a S200 O** or S200 D** as it looks more like S2000, especially with the spacing adjusted!
Looks like a nice example, although the S2k never had heated wing mirrors so unless these have been upgraded that is wrong. Maybe he meant a heated glass rear screen?
Have a read of this:- http://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/301506-technical-f...
But the 3 things to go wrong on an S2k are:-
1) Geometry/suspension bolts - The bushes seize meaning you can't change the geometry, the S2k is VERY sensitive to its suspension setup and it can be the difference between a car which throws you off at every corner in the wet to a car which is sublime...which is how the S2k should be to drive! If the bolts have not been greased or the geometry adjusted at all in its lifetime, then replacing all the bushes and bolts to do this will cost £1000 at a garage. If the car drives OK then you might be alright, but it is something to bear in mind as it is an expensive fix! On cars which have been garaged and not used in winter then this problem is not so prevalent.
2) The hood:- The soft top is prone to tearing just behind the drivers/passengers shoulder where the bodywork ends and the hood begins, there is a seam there and it rips along there. Also, it will rip and wear just above the drivers shoulder on the top of the roof where the bar rubs. To fix, this will cost about £800 for an upgraded Mohair roof from Monsoon Automotive, or a replacement OEM for about £600. Most people go for hard wearing and smarter Mohair.
3) Oil:- Boy do these cars, especially the pre-04s love to drink oil. Check the oil level when you view the car and ask the owner what oil he uses. Any premium brand should be fine as long as he/she tops it up with. About 500ml every 1000miles is normal, but it fluctuates wildly depending on the oil. Mobil 1 is too thin and gets burnt off quick, Castrol Edge TD 5w40 seems to be the flavour of the month at the moment.
Oh and before you buy, get a insurance quote! They are group 20 and sometimes the price can be eye watering!
In general they are brilliant cars and VERY reliable if you look after it. Head on over to S2Ki UK section to get any further info you may need and some people on there may know the car as the cars are still pretty rare.
And then when you do get it, make sure you get yourself onto a meet and show off your pride and joy!
All the best,
Graham
Looks like a nice example, although the S2k never had heated wing mirrors so unless these have been upgraded that is wrong. Maybe he meant a heated glass rear screen?
Have a read of this:- http://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/301506-technical-f...
But the 3 things to go wrong on an S2k are:-
1) Geometry/suspension bolts - The bushes seize meaning you can't change the geometry, the S2k is VERY sensitive to its suspension setup and it can be the difference between a car which throws you off at every corner in the wet to a car which is sublime...which is how the S2k should be to drive! If the bolts have not been greased or the geometry adjusted at all in its lifetime, then replacing all the bushes and bolts to do this will cost £1000 at a garage. If the car drives OK then you might be alright, but it is something to bear in mind as it is an expensive fix! On cars which have been garaged and not used in winter then this problem is not so prevalent.
2) The hood:- The soft top is prone to tearing just behind the drivers/passengers shoulder where the bodywork ends and the hood begins, there is a seam there and it rips along there. Also, it will rip and wear just above the drivers shoulder on the top of the roof where the bar rubs. To fix, this will cost about £800 for an upgraded Mohair roof from Monsoon Automotive, or a replacement OEM for about £600. Most people go for hard wearing and smarter Mohair.
3) Oil:- Boy do these cars, especially the pre-04s love to drink oil. Check the oil level when you view the car and ask the owner what oil he uses. Any premium brand should be fine as long as he/she tops it up with. About 500ml every 1000miles is normal, but it fluctuates wildly depending on the oil. Mobil 1 is too thin and gets burnt off quick, Castrol Edge TD 5w40 seems to be the flavour of the month at the moment.
Oh and before you buy, get a insurance quote! They are group 20 and sometimes the price can be eye watering!
In general they are brilliant cars and VERY reliable if you look after it. Head on over to S2Ki UK section to get any further info you may need and some people on there may know the car as the cars are still pretty rare.
And then when you do get it, make sure you get yourself onto a meet and show off your pride and joy!
All the best,
Graham
Oh and check the tyres! People fit these cars with mid brand tyres and they are just ditchfinders. Bridgestone RE50MZ is OEM equipment for the 17" rims, but any premium tyre should be ok, especially going into winter. But you may like to think about winter rubber as well as it makes a huge difference in this car.
The major problem with tyres is sidewall stiffness, if they are rubbish or soft walled tyres the car feels wallowy and rubbish, so if it feels like that, check the tyres!
The major problem with tyres is sidewall stiffness, if they are rubbish or soft walled tyres the car feels wallowy and rubbish, so if it feels like that, check the tyres!
For the price even if they have not been done and are seized then that is a great price. (assume not CAT c or D). If the rest of the S2000 is good then don't get too hooked up on the bolts.
Also, just asked. If they have been done the owner will say (good selling point), if not then he will not know they as you can’t really check.
Also, just asked. If they have been done the owner will say (good selling point), if not then he will not know they as you can’t really check.
Totally agree with Bracken, some of my bolts are seized on my car, but the car drives OK so I am not too worried about it. If it drives like a bag of s
t then you have to factor in the geometry. Just be aware of the problem and then take a measured view when you see it.
The car looks good.
Graham
t then you have to factor in the geometry. Just be aware of the problem and then take a measured view when you see it. The car looks good.
Graham
gbduo said:
Well the number plate is not worth that much, I think they are about £250 with all the fees paid, so not expensive in any way. Most people prefer a S200 O** or S200 D** as it looks more like S2000, especially with the spacing adjusted!
Looks like a nice example, although the S2k never had heated wing mirrors so unless these have been upgraded that is wrong. Maybe he meant a heated glass rear screen?
Have a read of this:- http://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/301506-technical-f...
But the 3 things to go wrong on an S2k are:-
1) Geometry/suspension bolts - The bushes seize meaning you can't change the geometry, the S2k is VERY sensitive to its suspension setup and it can be the difference between a car which throws you off at every corner in the wet to a car which is sublime...which is how the S2k should be to drive! If the bolts have not been greased or the geometry adjusted at all in its lifetime, then replacing all the bushes and bolts to do this will cost £1000 at a garage. If the car drives OK then you might be alright, but it is something to bear in mind as it is an expensive fix! On cars which have been garaged and not used in winter then this problem is not so prevalent.
2) The hood:- The soft top is prone to tearing just behind the drivers/passengers shoulder where the bodywork ends and the hood begins, there is a seam there and it rips along there. Also, it will rip and wear just above the drivers shoulder on the top of the roof where the bar rubs. To fix, this will cost about £800 for an upgraded Mohair roof from Monsoon Automotive, or a replacement OEM for about £600. Most people go for hard wearing and smarter Mohair.
3) Oil:- Boy do these cars, especially the pre-04s love to drink oil. Check the oil level when you view the car and ask the owner what oil he uses. Any premium brand should be fine as long as he/she tops it up with. About 500ml every 1000miles is normal, but it fluctuates wildly depending on the oil. Mobil 1 is too thin and gets burnt off quick, Castrol Edge TD 5w40 seems to be the flavour of the month at the moment.
Oh and before you buy, get a insurance quote! They are group 20 and sometimes the price can be eye watering!
In general they are brilliant cars and VERY reliable if you look after it. Head on over to S2Ki UK section to get any further info you may need and some people on there may know the car as the cars are still pretty rare.
And then when you do get it, make sure you get yourself onto a meet and show off your pride and joy!
All the best,
Graham
I have an 04 plate and heated wing mirrors are standard, not sure if its the same for earlier cars.Looks like a nice example, although the S2k never had heated wing mirrors so unless these have been upgraded that is wrong. Maybe he meant a heated glass rear screen?
Have a read of this:- http://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/301506-technical-f...
But the 3 things to go wrong on an S2k are:-
1) Geometry/suspension bolts - The bushes seize meaning you can't change the geometry, the S2k is VERY sensitive to its suspension setup and it can be the difference between a car which throws you off at every corner in the wet to a car which is sublime...which is how the S2k should be to drive! If the bolts have not been greased or the geometry adjusted at all in its lifetime, then replacing all the bushes and bolts to do this will cost £1000 at a garage. If the car drives OK then you might be alright, but it is something to bear in mind as it is an expensive fix! On cars which have been garaged and not used in winter then this problem is not so prevalent.
2) The hood:- The soft top is prone to tearing just behind the drivers/passengers shoulder where the bodywork ends and the hood begins, there is a seam there and it rips along there. Also, it will rip and wear just above the drivers shoulder on the top of the roof where the bar rubs. To fix, this will cost about £800 for an upgraded Mohair roof from Monsoon Automotive, or a replacement OEM for about £600. Most people go for hard wearing and smarter Mohair.
3) Oil:- Boy do these cars, especially the pre-04s love to drink oil. Check the oil level when you view the car and ask the owner what oil he uses. Any premium brand should be fine as long as he/she tops it up with. About 500ml every 1000miles is normal, but it fluctuates wildly depending on the oil. Mobil 1 is too thin and gets burnt off quick, Castrol Edge TD 5w40 seems to be the flavour of the month at the moment.
Oh and before you buy, get a insurance quote! They are group 20 and sometimes the price can be eye watering!
In general they are brilliant cars and VERY reliable if you look after it. Head on over to S2Ki UK section to get any further info you may need and some people on there may know the car as the cars are still pretty rare.
And then when you do get it, make sure you get yourself onto a meet and show off your pride and joy!
All the best,
Graham
Oil - mine hardly uses any. I think it depends on how the car was run in, and again this could differ to earlier models.
Geo - as said above, if the car drives well, it's not a major, major issue. There is a Honda specialist I know that will do it for a good rate.
TaylotS2K said:
gbduo said:
Well the number plate is not worth that much, I think they are about £250 with all the fees paid, so not expensive in any way. Most people prefer a S200 O** or S200 D** as it looks more like S2000, especially with the spacing adjusted!
Looks like a nice example, although the S2k never had heated wing mirrors so unless these have been upgraded that is wrong. Maybe he meant a heated glass rear screen?
Have a read of this:- http://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/301506-technical-f...
But the 3 things to go wrong on an S2k are:-
1) Geometry/suspension bolts - The bushes seize meaning you can't change the geometry, the S2k is VERY sensitive to its suspension setup and it can be the difference between a car which throws you off at every corner in the wet to a car which is sublime...which is how the S2k should be to drive! If the bolts have not been greased or the geometry adjusted at all in its lifetime, then replacing all the bushes and bolts to do this will cost £1000 at a garage. If the car drives OK then you might be alright, but it is something to bear in mind as it is an expensive fix! On cars which have been garaged and not used in winter then this problem is not so prevalent.
2) The hood:- The soft top is prone to tearing just behind the drivers/passengers shoulder where the bodywork ends and the hood begins, there is a seam there and it rips along there. Also, it will rip and wear just above the drivers shoulder on the top of the roof where the bar rubs. To fix, this will cost about £800 for an upgraded Mohair roof from Monsoon Automotive, or a replacement OEM for about £600. Most people go for hard wearing and smarter Mohair.
3) Oil:- Boy do these cars, especially the pre-04s love to drink oil. Check the oil level when you view the car and ask the owner what oil he uses. Any premium brand should be fine as long as he/she tops it up with. About 500ml every 1000miles is normal, but it fluctuates wildly depending on the oil. Mobil 1 is too thin and gets burnt off quick, Castrol Edge TD 5w40 seems to be the flavour of the month at the moment.
Oh and before you buy, get a insurance quote! They are group 20 and sometimes the price can be eye watering!
In general they are brilliant cars and VERY reliable if you look after it. Head on over to S2Ki UK section to get any further info you may need and some people on there may know the car as the cars are still pretty rare.
And then when you do get it, make sure you get yourself onto a meet and show off your pride and joy!
All the best,
Graham
I have an 04 plate and heated wing mirrors are standard, not sure if its the same for earlier cars.Looks like a nice example, although the S2k never had heated wing mirrors so unless these have been upgraded that is wrong. Maybe he meant a heated glass rear screen?
Have a read of this:- http://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/301506-technical-f...
But the 3 things to go wrong on an S2k are:-
1) Geometry/suspension bolts - The bushes seize meaning you can't change the geometry, the S2k is VERY sensitive to its suspension setup and it can be the difference between a car which throws you off at every corner in the wet to a car which is sublime...which is how the S2k should be to drive! If the bolts have not been greased or the geometry adjusted at all in its lifetime, then replacing all the bushes and bolts to do this will cost £1000 at a garage. If the car drives OK then you might be alright, but it is something to bear in mind as it is an expensive fix! On cars which have been garaged and not used in winter then this problem is not so prevalent.
2) The hood:- The soft top is prone to tearing just behind the drivers/passengers shoulder where the bodywork ends and the hood begins, there is a seam there and it rips along there. Also, it will rip and wear just above the drivers shoulder on the top of the roof where the bar rubs. To fix, this will cost about £800 for an upgraded Mohair roof from Monsoon Automotive, or a replacement OEM for about £600. Most people go for hard wearing and smarter Mohair.
3) Oil:- Boy do these cars, especially the pre-04s love to drink oil. Check the oil level when you view the car and ask the owner what oil he uses. Any premium brand should be fine as long as he/she tops it up with. About 500ml every 1000miles is normal, but it fluctuates wildly depending on the oil. Mobil 1 is too thin and gets burnt off quick, Castrol Edge TD 5w40 seems to be the flavour of the month at the moment.
Oh and before you buy, get a insurance quote! They are group 20 and sometimes the price can be eye watering!
In general they are brilliant cars and VERY reliable if you look after it. Head on over to S2Ki UK section to get any further info you may need and some people on there may know the car as the cars are still pretty rare.
And then when you do get it, make sure you get yourself onto a meet and show off your pride and joy!
All the best,
Graham
Oil - mine hardly uses any. I think it depends on how the car was run in, and again this could differ to earlier models.
Geo - as said above, if the car drives well, it's not a major, major issue. There is a Honda specialist I know that will do it for a good rate.
Oil, they dont all drink it, I've done 4k miles in mine ( couple months of hard driving) and used about 500ml, which is fine for a car which screams to 9k rpm.
Indeed, mine is a '00 model and doesn't seem to use much oil at all. Even after a holiday in the Alps and a trackday it's still on the correct level!
I was lucky my tracking bolts were still fine after 11 years, but my suspension looks like it has never seen winter use. The tracking was pretty bad when I just got it though. I didn't really notice on the testdrive. But when exploring the limits of the car when I bought it, it tried to kill me several times
Now the tracking is sorted it is very impressive around corners!
I was lucky my tracking bolts were still fine after 11 years, but my suspension looks like it has never seen winter use. The tracking was pretty bad when I just got it though. I didn't really notice on the testdrive. But when exploring the limits of the car when I bought it, it tried to kill me several times
Now the tracking is sorted it is very impressive around corners!Blimey, its amazing how different these cars are on drinking oil! Mine is using about 500ml every 1500miles, but then I drive it quite hard too, being young with a lead foot, haha!
Even so though, the owner of the car should know what kind of oil to put in, what I'm trying to say is that you don't get the car serviced annually and expect to put nothing in, especially on the older cars, pre 04.
Even so though, the owner of the car should know what kind of oil to put in, what I'm trying to say is that you don't get the car serviced annually and expect to put nothing in, especially on the older cars, pre 04.
The seized bolts IS an issue IF it's the caster(compliance bush) bolt as this can fail an MOT (I know!). It is probably also the most awkward cut out.
A pair of compliance bushes (from, say Mugen) costs about £100/£120 or so. Plut £40/£50 for the bolts & sleeve. You will probably need to remove the other bolts to remove the wishbone so if any of those are siezed, more time and cost (to replace bolt and bush if need be).
That's the small cost, the major cost is the labour. This will cost a lot (depending on labour rates). Then there's also the minor cost of pressing the new bushes in. Throw in the cost of a geo once all done.
It's gonna be a good few hundred quid to do at least, cheaper if you can DIY (need a angle grinder or special cutting tool) but still a pig of a job.
Honda do not sell the bushes, only the wishbones (£350+ EACH).
Problem is, it's not easy to check whether a potential car will need the work, other than getting the car up on a ramp and attempt to adjust each of the bolts (many sellers would not be happy with a stranger fiddling around with their suspension either!).
So, check docs to see if done (and done properly in that the bolts all got greased) or budget for it to be done (it's a one off though really to spread over time you will own the car).
A pair of compliance bushes (from, say Mugen) costs about £100/£120 or so. Plut £40/£50 for the bolts & sleeve. You will probably need to remove the other bolts to remove the wishbone so if any of those are siezed, more time and cost (to replace bolt and bush if need be).
That's the small cost, the major cost is the labour. This will cost a lot (depending on labour rates). Then there's also the minor cost of pressing the new bushes in. Throw in the cost of a geo once all done.
It's gonna be a good few hundred quid to do at least, cheaper if you can DIY (need a angle grinder or special cutting tool) but still a pig of a job.
Honda do not sell the bushes, only the wishbones (£350+ EACH).
Problem is, it's not easy to check whether a potential car will need the work, other than getting the car up on a ramp and attempt to adjust each of the bolts (many sellers would not be happy with a stranger fiddling around with their suspension either!).
So, check docs to see if done (and done properly in that the bolts all got greased) or budget for it to be done (it's a one off though really to spread over time you will own the car).
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