Buying a used S2000, which ones should I avoid....

[ralexander9646]

Hello everyone,
I am new to the forum and would appreciate any help with the purchase of a used S2000. I have searched the forum for information on the S2000's but haven't really found as much information as I had hoped to find. I am wanting to spend around $20,000. Which model years should I avoid? I have read on this forum that the 2000 and 2001 models should be skipped, is this true? Does the 2002 have improvements that make it a better choice? Is the 2003 an even better choice? What signs of wear and tear should I look for when purchasing a used S2000?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Roger

[Java Junky]

The earlier version has a deserved rep as a bit twitchier n' higher revvin' (roughly 9 grand) with 16 inch wheels, rubber less forgiving in the wet n' plastic rear windows. The later version is a wee bit more forgivin' in the dry n' in the wet, has a 200cc boost, revs to roughly 8 grand has 17's n' a glass rear window.
Both early and later versions both have their differences, n' quite an avid followin' too. What that says to me is that chosin' one over the other is more a matter of pickin' the one with the attributes that you prefer.
Frankly speakin' (n' as much as this particular Ford man is loathe to admit) it's a Honda, n' as such, unmolested, it's pretty much bullet-proof.
Reliability-wize, I'd suspect that a car that's spent it's life in stock form would be damned-near as reliable as a new one.
It's the cars that have been altered unwisely, or worse, unsafely that can taint the reputation of a solidly reliable, good handlin' car.
So, more than anything else, I'd say alarm signs to watch for are shiny, freshly wrenched areas where someone may have quickly tried to return it to stock for resale. Signs that it may have just been driven hard are not necessarily unusual, but they should make you pay more attention to other things that might've been damaged by the hard drivin'.
As you're goin' used, I'd put more emphasis on knowledge that the car wasn't altered unwisely in it's lifetime than I would in what color it is.
As the buyer, you're in the catbird seat. You've got the money. The sellers want that money and for whatever reason want to be rid of the Stewie that they're sellin'.
Find out, and, if possible, verify, as much of the history of the car you're lookin' to buy. Like anything else, once you put your money down, it's problems are your problems.
Good luck, keep us posted n' be well.

[jason]

my 00 was 23,000 with taxes was 25+... hard to find one for 20 or under kido =..( wait a year or two..

[Halo]

He's talking about real dollars (USD). I've seen 00s for 16K on autotrader.

[jason]

well my friend wants a yellow one for 20,000 too, but (CAD)

[jason]

does anyone know why some s2000 on ebay is only 5000?? i saw 2 for 5000.00 USD

[Halo]

Salvage title?

[Java Junky]

A 5 thou Stewie's godda be a basket-case, r' maybe it might get you the blotter used to extract one from an up-close-n'- personal with some landscape. (Yeah. Salvage title)

[S2KsRGR8]

I just picked up my '01 for $18000 USD. It's nearly mint with 54k mi. Sebring Silver w/ black int. I too wanted to find a "cheap" one, but what I ran into was salvage titles and cars that were formerly modified. Just be patient and don't jump at the 1st one you find that's cheap, you may regret it.
Regards

[Java Junky]

Amen to S2K's post. 'Solid advice.
Be well.

[blks2k02]

hello Everyone!

I have a 2002 Black S2000 with Red Interior. Its got 40k miles. and I'm interested in selling my S2000. everything is stock and no mods were done to it. anyone interested, please feel free to leave a message!

I'm in VA/DC/MD area.

looking around $20,000.00

thanks!

Happy S2kin'~!!

[luxuryautofinder]

2002 S2000 YELLOW BLACK POWER TOP WITH GLASS REAR WINDOW, AS CLOSE TO NEW AS A CAN IMAGINE. STORED IN HEATED GARAGE COVERED. IT WAS ONLY USED ON PERFECT DAYS AS A (3RD) FUN CAR. ANYONE INTERESTED? PICS ON REQUEST.....

[Kimi01]

Hey there. I just bought a 2001 S2k for $20,998 two months ago. Got it shipped from another Carmax location to the one nearest me. It had only 24,750 miles on it, Silverstone Metallic, red leather, immaculate!!!!

My budget was right there at about $20k also and after having had a great Accord for 8 years now i was interested in a Honda but a new Accord coupe is still kinda pricey w/leather plus it really feels too big to me. So it occured to me a used S2000 would be awesome. Actually cheaper to insure than my 1996 Accord 4-cyl b/c of new safety features.

When I checked Carmax for S2ks around $20k they only had a handful, and they were located all over the US so if you're willing to pay the fee for transferring one that you really want I would say it's worth it. Is was for me! = )