Earn a virtual beer, advice needed for potential S2000 owner
Discussion
Hi there chaps,
I'm considering swapping my S1 Elise for a slightly older S2000 (probably around 2000-2001 going by prices). I absolutely love the Elise but am beginning to crave a few of life’s little luxuries such as a non-leaky roof, padded seats and air conditioning. The way I see it the S2000 still offers fast, top down motoring with a bit more convenience.
I was basically wondering if anyone could let me know what general running costs are likely to be i.e. servicing and repairs for any common problems. I tend to only do about 6000 miles a year and would probably save the V-TEC fun for when I was on a hoon.
I really don't know much about these cars but I like the idea of a V-TEC engine and Honda reliability. Also I think they look ace and would rank them above the other options I have considered (Boxster and MX-5).
So what do you think it would be like as an Elise replacement and are the options that I am seeing for around the £6000-£7000 likely to cause me much grief?
Any help or comments will be greatly recieved and reimbursed with a virtual beer
I'm considering swapping my S1 Elise for a slightly older S2000 (probably around 2000-2001 going by prices). I absolutely love the Elise but am beginning to crave a few of life’s little luxuries such as a non-leaky roof, padded seats and air conditioning. The way I see it the S2000 still offers fast, top down motoring with a bit more convenience.
I was basically wondering if anyone could let me know what general running costs are likely to be i.e. servicing and repairs for any common problems. I tend to only do about 6000 miles a year and would probably save the V-TEC fun for when I was on a hoon.
I really don't know much about these cars but I like the idea of a V-TEC engine and Honda reliability. Also I think they look ace and would rank them above the other options I have considered (Boxster and MX-5).
So what do you think it would be like as an Elise replacement and are the options that I am seeing for around the £6000-£7000 likely to cause me much grief?
Any help or comments will be greatly recieved and reimbursed with a virtual beer
lee111s said:
Not quite the advice I was looking for but something I will have to consider. I don't think any car will ever have quite so much soul 
Hello,
That'll cost 1 service a year (The services are 9000miles or 1 year, whatever comes first)
You'll get about 25mpg so that'll cost about £1100 in fuel (98 ron required)
At only 6000 miles, the tyres and brakes will last you a good few years.
Insurance can be expensive - I'm 28 with full no claims but the car is only on allocated parking so it costs £700 fully comp.
Tax was £200 for the year - may go up soon though for the 2001 models.
On a whole, for a sports car, it is very very cheap to run. It'll start everytime and shouldn't cost anything between services.
Good luck,
Andy.
Naughty bit - I'm selling mine if you want to buy it!!
That'll cost 1 service a year (The services are 9000miles or 1 year, whatever comes first)
You'll get about 25mpg so that'll cost about £1100 in fuel (98 ron required)
At only 6000 miles, the tyres and brakes will last you a good few years.
Insurance can be expensive - I'm 28 with full no claims but the car is only on allocated parking so it costs £700 fully comp.
Tax was £200 for the year - may go up soon though for the 2001 models.
On a whole, for a sports car, it is very very cheap to run. It'll start everytime and shouldn't cost anything between services.
Good luck,
Andy.
Naughty bit - I'm selling mine if you want to buy it!!
My last two services were £214 and £186 at a main stealer, over 11k miles I averaged 28.6mpg with spirited A road driving.
Get one that has had the callipers replaced (potential weak point onthe S2k) and you'll have one less cost.
Another plug; Mine only because I'm cycling to work now, it was bought as a keeper
Around your price range you really want to be ensuring a comprehensive service and maintenance history, evidence that it has had money spent on it when it needed it and that it hasn't been used as someone's track sl*g. I spent 4+ months looking for mine and looked at ~18-20 vehicles, a lot of them real dogs. Also beware of cat C & D write off's, as a lot of over zealous drivers stack them and not all sellers / traders are honest about the history.
Get one that has had the callipers replaced (potential weak point onthe S2k) and you'll have one less cost.
Another plug; Mine only because I'm cycling to work now, it was bought as a keeper
Around your price range you really want to be ensuring a comprehensive service and maintenance history, evidence that it has had money spent on it when it needed it and that it hasn't been used as someone's track sl*g. I spent 4+ months looking for mine and looked at ~18-20 vehicles, a lot of them real dogs. Also beware of cat C & D write off's, as a lot of over zealous drivers stack them and not all sellers / traders are honest about the history.
Edited by M005 on Friday 11th September 09:37
Thanks for the responses guys. I'm beginning think that overall this could be the right move to make, please to hear that it seems I can get a decent car with my budget if I look around enough.
Andy DRZ - thanks for the list of likely costs it is very usefull. Do you have any info on your car or an ad up anywhere?
M005 - How much would I be looking at roughly to replace the callipers? Is there a normal time this needs doing (such as at X miles)? YOur car looks great. If I you haven't sold it by the time I have sorted myself out with regards to selling the Elise you may well be getting a call from me.
Andy DRZ - thanks for the list of likely costs it is very usefull. Do you have any info on your car or an ad up anywhere?
M005 - How much would I be looking at roughly to replace the callipers? Is there a normal time this needs doing (such as at X miles)? YOur car looks great. If I you haven't sold it by the time I have sorted myself out with regards to selling the Elise you may well be getting a call from me.
Davey111
The rears were both replaced on mine in 2007 at ~ 50k miles and I did both fronts at ~ 64k miles. Not sure if there is a definitive mileage, but it is very common that they seize. Both front callipers, discs and pads cost me £350 plus fitting.
Let me know if you're interested or want more info.
The rears were both replaced on mine in 2007 at ~ 50k miles and I did both fronts at ~ 64k miles. Not sure if there is a definitive mileage, but it is very common that they seize. Both front callipers, discs and pads cost me £350 plus fitting.
Let me know if you're interested or want more info.
Edited by M005 on Friday 11th September 13:26
Dave,
My 2p - fit some cross-braces and get the geometry set-up to your taste.
The car handles VERY differently depending on geometry (so don't be put off by one which feels quite 'leaden' - if it's mechanically and cosmetically sound, get it and spend £300-400 on some braces and a geo check), and front upper-and-lower cross-braces make the car feel more 'planted' and predictable.
As for buying / costs advice? Very few common problems, but the engines ARE highly strung and benefit from TLC and not being run short of oil. Day-to-day servicing is sensible and most consumables are probably similar prices to the Lotus. But some parts are £30k roadster steep, even if it's a £7k car! Clutch, fitted, will be £800-900 at a main dealer, for example.
s2ki is definitely your friend for buying advice.
My 2p - fit some cross-braces and get the geometry set-up to your taste.
The car handles VERY differently depending on geometry (so don't be put off by one which feels quite 'leaden' - if it's mechanically and cosmetically sound, get it and spend £300-400 on some braces and a geo check), and front upper-and-lower cross-braces make the car feel more 'planted' and predictable.
As for buying / costs advice? Very few common problems, but the engines ARE highly strung and benefit from TLC and not being run short of oil. Day-to-day servicing is sensible and most consumables are probably similar prices to the Lotus. But some parts are £30k roadster steep, even if it's a £7k car! Clutch, fitted, will be £800-900 at a main dealer, for example.
s2ki is definitely your friend for buying advice.
Thanks to everyone who has replied. I've been over to S2KI as well and have recieved a lot of info from there. I think that this is definately going to happen. I took one for a test drive at the weekend and really enjoyed it. Just need to sort out the finances now and selling the Elise. Thanks to those who have sent me their car details. I will probably be in touch at some point this week once I have the money sorted. I will be sure to get some pictures up with my new toy once it is all sorted
Davey - if you decide you do want some cross-braces once you've bought a car, I've got a front-upper and a front-lower which are now surplus to requirements and I keep meaning to advertise. Upper is immaculate, lower has a slight ding to one of the 'socket-towers' which protect the bolt-holes.
havoc said:
Davey - if you decide you do want some cross-braces once you've bought a car, I've got a front-upper and a front-lower which are now surplus to requirements and I keep meaning to advertise. Upper is immaculate, lower has a slight ding to one of the 'socket-towers' which protect the bolt-holes.
Would definately be a consideration as i have seen this mentioned at S2Ki as well. Would probably keep it as it was for a month or two though. I would want to get to know it first to know what changes I wanted.i've had mine for just over three months now (although it's done 5k in that time), had a mk1 mr2 supercharger before the S.
I don't feel any need for additional braces tbh, and even with my heavy foot I can get reasonable mpg (23 hooning, 30 long motorway stuff).
I think it's a fantastic all rounder - I love having the luxuries my old mr2 was lacking, with reliabilty, handling and power thrown in!
I don't feel any need for additional braces tbh, and even with my heavy foot I can get reasonable mpg (23 hooning, 30 long motorway stuff).
I think it's a fantastic all rounder - I love having the luxuries my old mr2 was lacking, with reliabilty, handling and power thrown in!
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