Thinking about buying an S2000 - Help

[Travis Mcgee]

Hey.
I am thinking about migrating from an M3 to something different. Z3 is too small, but quite like the look of the S2000. I know next to nothing about these cars, other than they look good. I had a Lexus IS 200 a few years ago, so I know about VVT and Jap build quality etc. Budget is about 8K. What are the do's and donts?
All advice greatfully received.
Cheers

[S2K]

Pop over to s2ki, you'll find everything you need to know on there. I ran one for 5 years and loved it.

[mikey k]

I'm on my fourth but they are smaller than a Z3

[swannynhb]

buy one, put the hood down, go sideways while banging on the limiter.......happy days

[GingerWizard]

swannynhb said:

buy one, put the hood down, go sideways while banging on the limiter.......happy days

love this^^

[havoc]

It's notably slower (and even peakier) but definitely lighter/more agile than the E46 M3...which I'd imagine isn't that much quicker than an E36. Not as easily 'driftable' either (certainly not as standard), but it's got a very good diff and it feels very tail-biased under load...a little unusual but very effective...doesn't feel like it wants to understeer.

One comment - it's very sensitive to geometry, so don't discount a car because it drives 'flat' vs another (£100-200 would sort it out massively)...but DO check the suspension adjustment bolts - they've been known to seize (dissimilar metals with insufficient galvanising! ).

[mikey k]

swannynhb said:

buy one, put the hood down, go sideways while banging on the limiter.......happy days

Yeah right!

[johnS2000]

mikey k said:

swannynhb said:

buy one, put the hood down, go sideways while banging on the limiter.......happy days

Yeah right!

( take the airbox lid off first)

[James_N]

johnS2000 said:

( take the airbox lid off first)

This + a Spoon N1 exhaust system

I agree though, hop over to s2ki. great bunch on there, and £8k is well into 02 / 03 money.

deffo get an 02 reg onwards for the glass rear screen, and suspension improvements over the early "skittish" examples. but again, S2ki will reveal all the info you need

I love mine! Needs the geo doing though!

Edited by James_N on Thursday 22 April 06:15

[swannynhb]

johnS2000 said:

mikey k said:

swannynhb said:

buy one, put the hood down, go sideways while banging on the limiter.......happy days

Yeah right!

( take the airbox lid off first)

the boxster is sold and ive just picked up my 4th s2000, don't worry john the airbox lid has already been thrown in the bin!