Discussion
Hi all, am going to see two S2k tomorrow. Both 2008 cars with very low miles. One is a later revision so has the 5 spoke alloys, revised suspension and vsa. That car is about 750 quid more. Obviously i will drive them both and see which car feels nicer and is in better condition. Do you have any thoughts? Is VSA a big benefit? do the suspension revisions just make the newer model stiffer or is that final model the car the S2000 alway should of been? Obviously im leaning to the cheaper car all things being equal, help!
I had the 04 model for a few years and that didn't have VSA. S2000s went for years without it.
It's going to be SAFER with it than without. that being said as long as you learn to respect the conditions in which it could be twitchy then you'll be fine.
Go with whichever looks the best maintained you'll love it
It's going to be SAFER with it than without. that being said as long as you learn to respect the conditions in which it could be twitchy then you'll be fine.
Go with whichever looks the best maintained you'll love it
Are you aware of the engine issues that have affected a good number of late model S2000's ?
Personally, I wouldn't touch one with a very large pole.
Long running thread on S2KUK concerning the issues and it makes for very depressing reading
Honda have not divulged the cause if the engine failures and the issues have gone on for a very long time. Engines started to fail over 2 years ago. Read into that what you will.
In answer to your qustion the cars with the 5 spoke alloys are a little bit stiffer, thicker ARB's, seats are a little bit taller although the leather quality is Primark.
I stand to be corrected but I think VSA was standard from 07 onwards.
My advice; find a mint, cherished, low mileage earlier car.
Personally, I wouldn't touch one with a very large pole.
Long running thread on S2KUK concerning the issues and it makes for very depressing reading
Honda have not divulged the cause if the engine failures and the issues have gone on for a very long time. Engines started to fail over 2 years ago. Read into that what you will.
In answer to your qustion the cars with the 5 spoke alloys are a little bit stiffer, thicker ARB's, seats are a little bit taller although the leather quality is Primark.
I stand to be corrected but I think VSA was standard from 07 onwards.
My advice; find a mint, cherished, low mileage earlier car.
Red 4 said:
Are you aware of the engine issues that have affected a good number of late model S2000's ?
..
I stand to be corrected but I think VSA was standard from 07 onwards.
My advice; find a mint, cherished, low mileage earlier car.
As above, best to check (forum mentioned is v.good source - helpful bunch) I think the engine issues were with the 09 engines only? ..
I stand to be corrected but I think VSA was standard from 07 onwards.
My advice; find a mint, cherished, low mileage earlier car.
I think 2006 VSA was an optional extra but standard from 07 so u may find an earlier example if u wanted a facelift+VSA
StormLoaded said:
As above, best to check (forum mentioned is v.good source - helpful bunch) I think the engine issues were with the 09 engines only?
Hi stormloaded. Most of the affected cars are 09 registered but there are a couple of 08's which have suffered engine failure or have the dreaded engine rattle.
Honda reliability eh ?
MY 04 has been bulletproof. In all honesty I wouldn't get too hung up over getting an 08 or 09 car. (As you've heard - engine problems and quality of leather on the 09). IMO - look at cars from 2004 onwards where cosmetic and a few suspension tweaks were done as well as 17" wheels to make it look fresher. There are plenty about, so get a cherished one, is the main thing.
Red 4 said:
08/09 S2000 = Russian Roulette in my opinion
I had one and it had an engine rattle at 4k miles.
ah blimey, thats not good, didnt realise it was 08 as well. wonder if they were using cheaper parts somewhere (seems strange they've not been able to pinpoint it) as the cars were pretty well discounted at the end - the GT version's were being knocked out silly cheap if i recall correctly? I had one and it had an engine rattle at 4k miles.
StormLoaded said:
ah blimey, thats not good, didnt realise it was 08 as well. wonder if they were using cheaper parts somewhere (seems strange they've not been able to pinpoint it) as the cars were pretty well discounted at the end - the GT version's were being knocked out silly cheap if i recall correctly?
The GT100 's attracted a premium over the other cars. White paint, anthracite alloys and a number embossed in the kick plate trim. Just not worth the money dealers were asking IMO.I bought an 09 brand new for under £19k. Probably one of the cheapest in the country at the time. UK car from a franchised dealer.
Shame really as I intended keeping it. Not all of the last cars are affected but the number of failures compared to the number of cars registered in 09 mean that I will not be returning to S2000 ownership. Honda, it seems, have really ballsed up. Top marks to them though for keeping a lid on the potential PR disaster to date.
StormLoaded said:
the GT version's were being knocked out silly cheap if i recall correctly?
you do remember correctly , we were offered a new unregistered car from a main dealer for 18500 !I paid £24.500 for my wifes GT back in Dec 2003, against a screen prioce of 27800 , still got it as it has only done 42k miles.
SteveS Cup said:
I'm now seriously looking in to S2000's so this info is gold dust.. Thanks! What I will say is... Every car I've researched so far has a lot of forum inspired common issues IMO!
I think I'll be looking at 05/55 plates.
04/05 was a good year for the S2000 ! The early facelift cars also had diamond cut face alloys; chrome lip around the rim of the wheel and chrome inserts on the spokes. Best wheel ever fitted to the car but expensive if they need a refurb. 06 onwards just got painted alloys.I think I'll be looking at 05/55 plates.
The engines issues affecting the last cars are very real. There is more than one owner out there driving round in an 09 car on its 3rd engine !!!
There are quite a few more who have the dreaded engine "death rattle" and no fix from Honda apart from a relacement engine from Honda which may have the same issues !!!
I sold these cars when new and now obviously used, the problem with the s2000 was it was a £13-14K engine in a £25-29K car, they were always a bit too expensive when new, I know you have to pay for quality and reliability but if they were between £3-4K cheaper when new (OTR price) we would have sold loads more, just my 10p worth.
by the way great cars absolutley love them
Cheers.....Tony..
by the way great cars absolutley love them
Cheers.....Tony..
SteveS Cup said:
I'm now seriously looking in to S2000's so this info is gold dust.. Thanks! What I will say is... Every car I've researched so far has a lot of forum inspired common issues IMO!
I think this is a very good point, in general S2000s are much more reliable than most other sport cars (or even other cars in general) and, for the performance on hand, it really doesn't cost much to maintain, which is why ultimately I can never find a suitable replacement! On the other hand, that engine lacks any significant torque and it does need good skills (or bravery) to drive fast.All the S2000 versions are good in their own way. I like the fact that they are all identically specced (apart from colour and hardtop option) so you can concentrate on condition rather than spec when evaluating two similar vintage cars.
If you really want one, then go and drive one. They are great cars and I've been lucky enough to sell them for 3 years between (07-10) and never had a customer with 'engine' problems as suggested. You would normally encounter problems if the oil wasn't constantly checked, and again serviced properly.
05/55 - 07/07 would be my personal choice, due to new colours and mid-facelift, but VSA is a must (you can always turn it off).
Moonrock was always a great colour, as was Berlina.
You'll get problems with any car on the market, so I would go and have a look and experience the drive and car first hand.
Make sure it has been serviced properly as they were on 9,000 / 12 months intervals as I recall.
Good luck in your search.
05/55 - 07/07 would be my personal choice, due to new colours and mid-facelift, but VSA is a must (you can always turn it off).
Moonrock was always a great colour, as was Berlina.
You'll get problems with any car on the market, so I would go and have a look and experience the drive and car first hand.
Make sure it has been serviced properly as they were on 9,000 / 12 months intervals as I recall.
Good luck in your search.
Red 4 said:
TaylotS2K said:
MY 04 has been bulletproof. In all honesty I wouldn't get too hung up over getting an 08 or 09 car. (As you've heard - engine problems and quality of leather on the 09). g.
08/09 S2000 = Russian Roulette in my opinionI had one and it had an engine rattle at 4k miles.
FWIW, my 03 was bulletproof for 2 years and 50k miles. (non facelift but glass rear screen). Never had a thing wrong with it.
With regard to VSA, a bunch of us went on a eurohoon with them, and the guy who had VSA only saw the light flicker on, briefly, once. And we weren't exactly hanging about around the gorge roads (well within speedlimits, but they were tight bends). He also had a supercharger fitted by then, iirc.
mikeykOh, and as mine was 03, there was no VSA. I never encountered that mysterious S2000-specific diesel that a few people bleat on about. Yet I had enormous fun (legally, officer).
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