Honda S2000

Rilot

Rilot

Rilot

Don
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
23,620
Location
Wargrave, UK
Due to an impending mid-life crisis, I'm thinking of getting one as a 2nd car.
I've always fancied one after first test driving one back in 2002.

So, is it worth dropping the extra wedge on a rev4 or rev5, or should I just track down a sorted one no matter what the age?
I've looked at the differences between revisions but there doesn't seem to be anything that shouts out at me as being a must-have.
 
So, what you are saying, is that the ones without VSA are fundamentally dangerous cars that are undrivable?
 
Brilliant cars and verging on comically cheap now for what you get. I imagine thats been forced upon the market due to some of the horrific insurance quotes people get on them.
 
Jonnycoupe said:
Brilliant cars and verging on comically cheap now for what you get. I imagine thats been forced upon the market due to some of the horrific insurance quotes people get on them.
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Not too bad for me to be honest. I would need to transfer my NCB from the 750i on to it or I could forget it. Oddly though the 750i insurance changes very little if I ditch the NCB on it and put it on a multicar system.
 
Just as I move away from the idea of wanting to change my car, a thread like this has me looking at S2000's on PH.

I personally would want an earlier model without the dumbing down, and spend the extra cash saved on a decent audio system with iPhone connectivity and look at some of the mods that I really like that others have done

From what I have read I would also stay away from S2000 4 You or what ever that garage is.
 
hurfdurf said:
I personally would want an earlier model without the dumbing down, and spend the extra cash saved on a decent audio system with iPhone connectivity and look at some of the mods that I really like that others have done

From what I have read I would also stay away from S2000 4 You or what ever that garage is.
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That's what I was thinking too. An early one for say £6k ish would leave me some money for a CAI, decent hifi, suspension refresh etc.
And yeah, I will certainly stay well clear of that dealer. I'm not part of the S2k scene yet and even I know the horror stories about them.
 
VSA is a waste of time, don't bother looking for it. If the one you want has it, bonus, if it does not then no worries.

If getting an earlier model then a new hood with a rear glass screen is desirable. The plastic ones suck imo - really detracts from the look, especially when the plastic is on it's way out.

As always, seized adjustment bolts/relevant suspension components will throw big bills if you need them all sorted. If the alignment is out then you want to get it fixed, if you are lucky enough to not need and alignment you might be ok. A good geo is pretty much a must have in my opinion.

Ideally you want 2004 onwards with 17"s, glass rear screen. Yes the earlier models are seen by most as edgier/sharper but you can do the same on a newer model if you want - not that big of a deal if you are messing with suspension refreshes anyway.

The general rule of thumb is buy on condition, not age as an S2000 is an S2000. For me, personally, I MUCH prefer the facelifted look. I was happy to spend more for it, you may not.

Look out for roof wear, especially above drivers shoulder.
 
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Sin_Chase said:
VSA is a waste of time, don't bother looking for it. If the one you want has it, bonus, if it does not then no worries.

If getting an earlier model then a new hood with a rear glass screen is desirable. The plastic ones suck imo - really detracts from the look, especially when the plastic is on it's way out.

As always, seized adjustment bolts/relevant suspension components will throw big bills if you need them all sorted. If the alignment is out then you want to get it fixed, if you are lucky enough to not need and alignment you might be ok. A good geo is pretty much a must have in my opinion.

Ideally you want 2004 onwards with 17"s, glass rear screen. Yes the earlier models are seen by most as edgier/sharper but you can do the same on a newer model if you want - not that big of a deal if you are messing with suspension refreshes anyway.

The general rule of thumb is buy on condition, not age as an S2000 is an S2000. For me, personally, I MUCH prefer the facelifted look. I was happy to spend more for it, you may not.

Look out for roof wear, especially above drivers shoulder.
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Good info, thanks.
Replacement hoods don't seem that expensive to be honest and neither does a full suspension fix if the adjusters are seized. Of course, it would be best to find one that's good in the first place but I'm just saying that the costs involved don't look to be too cringe inducing (I'm used to big BMW repair bills remember).
 
Bushes are sometimes problematic also. Honda won't sell you wishbone bushes seperately so if they are shot it's polybushing (what most do) or a whole new wishbone.

I did full polybushing and fully greased the adjustment bolts at the same time. Getting it all done if seized is a 4 figure bill unless you are doing it yourself.

300-400 for the polybushes
Labour for fitting (Budget for a day at someone like WIM/Centre mavity without issues)
Additional labour for seizure removal if needed (Open ended...depends how bad it is)
100 or so for new adjustment bolts from Honda if cut out/replacements needed

Mohair hoods all in for about 600-700 if I remember correctly. Will need to add switchgear for heated elements if you want them on a model that never had them to start with.
 
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Sin_Chase said:
Mohair hoods all in for about 600-700 if I remember correctly. Will need to add switchgear for heated elements if you want them on a model that never had them to start with.
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Hoods from £600? They're starting to come down in price a bit, used to be more like £800.

Every part of me is beginning to think like the S2000 is the best way forward after the MX5. If only I can continue living with a 2 seater /ponders.
 
Crizzy said:
Hoods from £600? They're starting to come down in price a bit, used to be more like £800.

Every part of me is beginning to think like the S2000 is the best way forward after the MX5. If only I can continue living with a 2 seater /ponders.
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This is my dilemma and has been for well over a year now.

Rilot if this is going to be a second car only, is it not worth contemplating something a bit more focused, or would you still need some form of practicality?
 
hurfdurf said:
Rilot if this is going to be a second car only, is it not worth contemplating something a bit more focused, or would you still need some form of practicality?
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Yeah the S2000 is a great car but if it was going to be a weekend only or 2nd car then something like an Elise/vx220 might be a better shout?
 
The www.s2ki.com FAQ is a great source of info.

Look for one thats had adjusters unseized/ greased ideally. If they need doing it can cost £1k.

2004s are the ones to go for, although not at twitchy as earlier ones. Later ones had the understeer dialled out. Early ones ate still fine though, just rust can be a problem (although a lot are garaged). Plastic windows have much better visability.

Honda > Lotus and VX220 in terms of reliability. It sounds like you got on with the car from a previous drive and high revs is fine for you so that's no problem.

There are some right bargains around at the moment.
 
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