big_lads S2000 thread...
Discussion
Hey there folks...I've posted in another S2000 thread on here but thought I'd start my own as I'm after some specific info regarding buying/owning etc.
So, here goes!
I'm looking to buy in April of next year (this is when the essential funds become availiable) but if I see anything while I'm looking that I love, I will put a deposit on it until then. Now budget is £7000, £7500 MAX and I've done some digging that says I'll be able to get a 2000/2001 car, 2002 if I'm lucky. So, assuming I don't get mugged off and all cars are average for their age:
Will a car of this age likely be a good buy?
Reliability is key, will it be? Running costs will always be high, so a mechanic every few months won't be welcome!
Will it be FUN to drive while still being practical enough to swallow a couple of daysacks in case of weekend hoons?
Those are my immediate questions, luckily I cannot buy until April so I have the time to do my homework! Any answers are thanked for in advance and if I may, I'll update the thread as my incessant questions about what to look for, how not to get seen off etc multiply in an effort to bleed you all of information!
Cheers!
A
So, here goes!
I'm looking to buy in April of next year (this is when the essential funds become availiable) but if I see anything while I'm looking that I love, I will put a deposit on it until then. Now budget is £7000, £7500 MAX and I've done some digging that says I'll be able to get a 2000/2001 car, 2002 if I'm lucky. So, assuming I don't get mugged off and all cars are average for their age:
Will a car of this age likely be a good buy?
Reliability is key, will it be? Running costs will always be high, so a mechanic every few months won't be welcome!
Will it be FUN to drive while still being practical enough to swallow a couple of daysacks in case of weekend hoons?
Those are my immediate questions, luckily I cannot buy until April so I have the time to do my homework! Any answers are thanked for in advance and if I may, I'll update the thread as my incessant questions about what to look for, how not to get seen off etc multiply in an effort to bleed you all of information!
Cheers!
A
Big Lad, if not already a member of S2KI then I recommend you join. The UK owners club has a substantial FAQ thread on everything you'll need to know about the S. Plus they have a 'for Sale,' section which may assist in your search. Huge grin factor and first rate reliability also, good luck.
Hi Big Lad. The car should tick all your boxes.
I spent the summer driving around France and Spain in one. The boot is more than adequate. The fact that you have a spacesave in there is reassuring.
When I got mine serviced I couldn't believe that it cost less than getting my clio serviced.
And that included getting all the spark plugs replaced.
Just keep an eye on the oil level and temperature(as with all cars).
Happy hunting.
I spent the summer driving around France and Spain in one. The boot is more than adequate. The fact that you have a spacesave in there is reassuring.
When I got mine serviced I couldn't believe that it cost less than getting my clio serviced.
And that included getting all the spark plugs replaced.
Just keep an eye on the oil level and temperature(as with all cars).
Happy hunting.
big_lad said:
I looked at insurance and it's HIGH, as is tax and fuel consumption is LOW. But f
k it, I'll make sacrifices elsewhere; cut down on booze and buying crap, job done!
Big Lad, Im "young" well i was young once, im 27 now so im suppose I'm not that young any morek it, I'll make sacrifices elsewhere; cut down on booze and buying crap, job done!
Little NCB, loads of points, pretty high risk - When i was renewing in November, A Plan and Adrian Flux were coming in MUCH MUCH MUCH cheaper than all the rest.
TPB1 said:
Biglad.....hope you are not too big as I was looking at a s2k before I got my DC5 but had to bin the idea as it was just a bit too tight for me (6ft 3").
Good luck!
Nope, under 6' thankfully, just broad (thats broad, not fat knacker!). I fitted into an 08 MX-5 when testing one in summer; good comparison for cabin room?Good luck!
MrFlibbles said:
big_lad said:
I looked at insurance and it's HIGH, as is tax and fuel consumption is LOW. But fk it, I'll make sacrifices elsewhere; cut down on booze and buying crap, job done!
Big Lad, Im "young" well i was young once, im 27 now so im suppose I'm not that young any morek it, I'll make sacrifices elsewhere; cut down on booze and buying crap, job done!Little NCB, loads of points, pretty high risk - When i was renewing in November, A Plan and Adrian Flux were coming in MUCH MUCH MUCH cheaper than all the rest.
Go for it!
We recently bought a S2000 GT and can definately vouch for how much fun it is!
Very reliable (so far), cheap to run and service (so far), not too bad on petrol and handles like a bloody great go-cart!
The only downside is the fact that is insurance group 20
(Presumably this is because it is relatively cheap to buy, and so lots of people have bought them, underestimated their ability and handling then crashed them???)
Having said that my last few cars have also been group 20, so it was not too bad, but I can imagine insurance could be pricey for someone younger or without any NCB.
Scottman.
We recently bought a S2000 GT and can definately vouch for how much fun it is!
Very reliable (so far), cheap to run and service (so far), not too bad on petrol and handles like a bloody great go-cart!
The only downside is the fact that is insurance group 20
(Presumably this is because it is relatively cheap to buy, and so lots of people have bought them, underestimated their ability and handling then crashed them???)
Having said that my last few cars have also been group 20, so it was not too bad, but I can imagine insurance could be pricey for someone younger or without any NCB.
Scottman.
Welcome guys
They are addictive!
Best take a look at the FAQ here
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=301...
They are addictive!
Best take a look at the FAQ here
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=301...
mikey k said:
Welcome guys
They are addictive!
Best take a look at the FAQ here
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=301...
Cheers Mikey, I've downloaded the PDF version...handy as, nice one!They are addictive!
Best take a look at the FAQ here
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=301...
Older cars WILL need work doing to them. But a lot of stuff is sensible prices, at least compared to some of the big-name sports cars.
Big bills are:-
- clutch;
- suspension bushes, unless you go for poly-bush alternatives. Reason is Honda will only sell you a whole wishbone, not just the bushes.
It's a timing chain, not a belt, so there's one risk gone. And it uses Iridium plugs (NGK for safety...Denso are apparently a bit better performance-wise but numerous reports of them cracking up!) which only need changing every 50k or so.
Buying advice?
- See how the clutch feels
- Ask when the alignment/geometry was last done, and by who - a tyre fitters will just do the toe, which doesn't really cut it with this car. Plus not being done could indicate suspension bolt problems (COULD...not will).
- Suss the owner out in general - these cars may be Hondas but they like to drink oil so benefit from an enthusiast owner (the engine's will take ragging when warm all day long).
Big bills are:-
- clutch;
- suspension bushes, unless you go for poly-bush alternatives. Reason is Honda will only sell you a whole wishbone, not just the bushes.
It's a timing chain, not a belt, so there's one risk gone. And it uses Iridium plugs (NGK for safety...Denso are apparently a bit better performance-wise but numerous reports of them cracking up!) which only need changing every 50k or so.
Buying advice?
- See how the clutch feels
- Ask when the alignment/geometry was last done, and by who - a tyre fitters will just do the toe, which doesn't really cut it with this car. Plus not being done could indicate suspension bolt problems (COULD...not will).
- Suss the owner out in general - these cars may be Hondas but they like to drink oil so benefit from an enthusiast owner (the engine's will take ragging when warm all day long).
havoc said:
Older cars WILL need work doing to them. But a lot of stuff is sensible prices, at least compared to some of the big-name sports cars.
Big bills are:-
- clutch;
- suspension bushes, unless you go for poly-bush alternatives. Reason is Honda will only sell you a whole wishbone, not just the bushes.
It's a timing chain, not a belt, so there's one risk gone. And it uses Iridium plugs (NGK for safety...Denso are apparently a bit better performance-wise but numerous reports of them cracking up!) which only need changing every 50k or so.
Buying advice?
- See how the clutch feels
- Ask when the alignment/geometry was last done, and by who - a tyre fitters will just do the toe, which doesn't really cut it with this car. Plus not being done could indicate suspension bolt problems (COULD...not will).
- Suss the owner out in general - these cars may be Hondas but they like to drink oil so benefit from an enthusiast owner (the engine's will take ragging when warm all day long).
Cheers for the advice mate, I was thinking of getting the allignment done as a matter of course as it'll be my first RWD car so I want to stack the odds on my side in the car v. hedge competition..was looking at Wheels in Motion http://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk/ it's quite far away but a long drive in a cool car is always worth it! Would certainly look at the poly-bush option instead of going for the full wishbone transplant! Is that the best alternative to keep the suspension in check..?Big bills are:-
- clutch;
- suspension bushes, unless you go for poly-bush alternatives. Reason is Honda will only sell you a whole wishbone, not just the bushes.
It's a timing chain, not a belt, so there's one risk gone. And it uses Iridium plugs (NGK for safety...Denso are apparently a bit better performance-wise but numerous reports of them cracking up!) which only need changing every 50k or so.
Buying advice?
- See how the clutch feels
- Ask when the alignment/geometry was last done, and by who - a tyre fitters will just do the toe, which doesn't really cut it with this car. Plus not being done could indicate suspension bolt problems (COULD...not will).
- Suss the owner out in general - these cars may be Hondas but they like to drink oil so benefit from an enthusiast owner (the engine's will take ragging when warm all day long).
Clutch sounds painful and expensive, when are they most likely to go and how should it feel? I take it being Honda is a wearing out issue more than a reliability one? (Reliability is part of the reason I'm going Honda) What kind of cost would I be looking at for the clutch job?
Edited by big_lad on Thursday 1st January 07:27
Depending on where you are, CentreGravity in/near Tamworth are worth a look...not cheap, but Chris has first-rate motorsport-spec kit and is a good chap with it. Alignment meets are usually with him, and drop the price a bit.
Poly bushes? Not needed to use them, and wouldn't be my first choice - Honda use differential-hardness on different bushes to 'tune' the suspension behaviour, whereas the poly-bushes won't be. But vs a 4-figure bill it'd probably be the sensible option, and I doubt it'd make a huge difference.
And yes, it's wear not reliability...AIUI the weakest point on most Hondas is the synchro, which is usually still good for c.100k if not abused. Feel? Not sure how it should feel - I keep wondering about mine as the biting point is really high, but it's been like it for well over a year now and it's not gone wrong, so maybe it's nothing to do with height on them, or maybe it's on it's last legs!?! My old 'tegs clutch went (warped plate) half-way around Donington and suddenly felt REALLY difficult to get into gear - like it wasn't disengaging at all.
Poly bushes? Not needed to use them, and wouldn't be my first choice - Honda use differential-hardness on different bushes to 'tune' the suspension behaviour, whereas the poly-bushes won't be. But vs a 4-figure bill it'd probably be the sensible option, and I doubt it'd make a huge difference.
big_lad said:
Clutch sounds painful and expensive, when are they most likely to go and how should it feel? I take it being Honda is a wearing out issue more than a reliability one? (Reliability is part of the reason I'm going Honda) What kind of cost would I be looking at for the clutch job?
Cost at a main dealer will be £800-900, IIRC. Probably less at a good indy or if you have a friendly dealer willing to give you a discount.And yes, it's wear not reliability...AIUI the weakest point on most Hondas is the synchro, which is usually still good for c.100k if not abused. Feel? Not sure how it should feel - I keep wondering about mine as the biting point is really high, but it's been like it for well over a year now and it's not gone wrong, so maybe it's nothing to do with height on them, or maybe it's on it's last legs!?! My old 'tegs clutch went (warped plate) half-way around Donington and suddenly felt REALLY difficult to get into gear - like it wasn't disengaging at all.
Not much to add but I sold my 55k mile 2001 MY S2000 in November 07. Great car but if I had kept it much longer it would have definately needed some £'s spending over the following year.
The suspension bushes were seized. Discovered this when trying to get the geometry checked after a minor altercation with a kerb. The hood was also showing signs of wear at the stress point on the sides (where the mechanism is) plus the plastic rear window was in poor condition. Ideally a new hood was required. Mechanically though (apart from the bushes) it was spot on and relatively cheap to service.
The suspension bushes were seized. Discovered this when trying to get the geometry checked after a minor altercation with a kerb. The hood was also showing signs of wear at the stress point on the sides (where the mechanism is) plus the plastic rear window was in poor condition. Ideally a new hood was required. Mechanically though (apart from the bushes) it was spot on and relatively cheap to service.
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