Considering buying an S2000

[poppe]

Hello everyone,

I'm considering buying a honda s2000, though I am having some doubts. I have red alot of reviews on it, but the they always seems to be ambiguous or written by a honda zealot.

My biggest concern is I have a Mustang v6 (so fricken slow and automatic) and it has a warranty. If I went up to a s2000 I'd have to take out a loan plus be with a car most likely with out insurance.

So my point: What is your personal experience with the reliability of the honda s2000.

Note: If I got one it'd probably be a 2000/2001/ and if lucky (but very doubtful) a 2002.

Also is there anyway to get the hardtop for a used price or cheaper than 3 grand? Man thats expensive....

[Java Junky]

Poppe, lots'a posts on just your questions. Check 'em out.
No reliability problems, get insurance n' if money's a problem why are you even considerin' a hardtop?
Be well.
Java

[poppe]

Oh hard top would be more of something far down the line. But even when I was just checking out the prices I was just shocked... I never would have thought 3 grand for a hard top...

[Java Junky]

That ain't the half'a it: it's aluminum. Any idea of what the odds are that a hunk'a 'luminum that big, that's godda be man-handled every time it's installed n' removed is gonna stay free of dents?
3 thou for a thin-skinned dent-magnet. 'Jus' don't see it.
Be well.
Java

[icmhonda]

hello, the s2000 over the mustang will be worth every effort. the handling differance alone will justify the purchase. the older s2ks will have shorter terms on the loan causing higher intrest rate and more payment.. but well worth it !
i myself would opt for the hard top as well. i love the way it looks plus i don't prefer converitbles. you can find the used for 2500 oem but now more and more aftermarket tops available for a range of prices. oh and get insurence.

[poppe]

Originally Posted by Java Junky

Poppe, lots'a posts on just your questions. Check 'em out.
No reliability problems, get insurance n' if money's a problem why are you even considerin' a hardtop?
Be well.
Java

Oh also the reason I posted this was because I wanted actual accounts of reliability. I am sure there are alot of people on here that are living by honda dying by honda and to ask a zealot anything really gets me know where on actual facts.

So I thought perhaps I'd get some replies on its reliability from some people who do not let there vision be altered by there love for honda.

Also to everyone:
I saw a fiber glass hard top the other day... Can that really be safe? It was 900.

[Swingle1]

A hardtop may be optional, but insurance shouldn't be!!!
As to the saftey of a fiberglass top, I doubt it would offer more protection than the vinyl top I sit under every day.
None of my business... but why the interest in a roadster (let alone a higher-end roadster) if you don't care for a convertable?

[poppe]

Oh I do care for a converable very very much. I just moved to california. And I've seen it under 45 twice now... I'm dying for a convertible but holy crap is the hard top sexy.... I've never been a convertible fan really. I want one now so I can stroll down sunset or hollywood and with the top down. I Already did this with my mustang and I could barely see anything since its a little tight in there with the roof on and everything.

Also: I'm sorry everyone when I said insurance in my original post I did not mean that. I meant to say warranty. If you look on the line above it I say warranty. That is what I meant.

I'd be nervous to have a car with out a warranty since I have had my mustang for 3 years now and it has had a warranty since I got it.

[eturner]

I purchased my S two months ago. It is the first S I have ever owned and haven't owned a Honda since 1987. I love the S for the experience, the handling, the high end thrust and the sleek look. I owned a vette before the S and they are not comparable other than both are fun!
The vette was more roomy and a one of a kind, but the S is as fun and a lot less expensive.
I haven't had a single issue with my S in the two months of ownership. It has operated flawlessly.

[Bubblerboy64]

No one has answered your question about the reliability of these cars directly. You have to consider that you are buying a used sports car. There is no used sports car known to man that can't have issues. These cars are not driven and owned by little ole ladies and as a function of that you better figure they have been run hard. Now that being said if I was to suggest a sports car which can take it I honestly would say from my personal experience that you can not beat a Mazda Miata. The difference is the Miata is not even in same neighborhood as the Honda S2000 with respect to handling and performance. I like to say the S2000 is a Miata on steroids. There are lots of Miata's owned by little ole lady types. The Honda S2000 gets "used" for what it is. Better check out clutches, transmissions and rear ends on the used Honda cars. Haven't heard much negative as to the engine but clutches are common. Neat car worth the difference but dollar for dollar Miata is the car. I had two of them. Never a problem. One I bought with over 100K on it. It had another 100 in it I think. Just a little too much "girlie man car" for me.

[Jetbert]

Have not owned the S2000 long enough to give first hand information on the reliability of the car. I did experience a problem with the CD player and the local Honda dealer replaced it under warranty even though the car was not purchased there and it was 4 months beyond the 3/36,000 warranty. The S2000 is a 2004, with 17,000 miles and 40 months. Here is a link to some reliability data.

2000-06 Honda S2000 Reliability

[Vezna31]

I have over 97k miles and a dozen track days and I'm still on the original clutch. No problems since I bought it at 16k miles back in June, '02

[spa02s2k]

check out this i think i have everything you need
http://s2000.com/forums/honda-s2000-...pa-yellow.html

[spa02s2k]

the o0/01 dosent have the glass soft top window and rear def. i drive mine a good bit and took it on a 9 hr trip there and back to get the top and no problems its a honda what more can i say..

[bobby2002s2k.]

Originally Posted by poppe

Oh also the reason I posted this was because I wanted actual accounts of reliability. I am sure there are alot of people on here that are living by honda dying by honda and to ask a zealot anything really gets me know where on actual facts.

So I thought perhaps I'd get some replies on its reliability from some people who do not let there vision be altered by there love for honda.

Also to everyone:
I saw a fiber glass hard top the other day... Can that really be safe? It was 900.

Well pappe, i have had my car about 2 yrs now and i have 70,000 miles. 35,000 when i bought it. Its a 02. Everyday i run my car to the fullest. 2 the 9k limit all the time, engine brake is everytime i'm slowing down near about. Ive replaced my brake master cyclinder, front brakes, and a set of rear tires. Need to get more rear tires and rear breakes but could go a month or 2 more.Other than that it drinks no oil and has never broke down, opps yes it has. Almost forgot my battery went bad. Lucky i was right across the street from a battery outlet when it went dead. And thats it. man. I have no doubt if someone bought this car and drove it like a sedan it wouldnt ever have a problem.

[controller]

Not to sound like a Honda zealot, but that's why I've been drawn to Hondas. When I went shopping for the last car (2002 Civic SI), I was comparing to all the other cars in the segment. For $2000 you get a Cavalier with 115k, or a Honda Civic with 225k, or a Corolla with 225k.

On s2kca, joe_s2k posted over two months ago (http://forums.s2kca.com/showthread.p...ght=140k+miles) being at 140k miles with only regular maintenance.

c

[Java Junky]

Not fer nothin' guys . . bu'cher answerin' questions whut were asked back in March, n' correct me if I'm wrong, poppe ain't been back since.
I, on the other hand, have never done that . . . .
Be well,
Java

[controller]

It's like digging in graves, it's been there a while, but you never know what you're going to find.

[Java Junky]

Ummm-m-m-m . . . con? You won't mind if I jus' take you a'cher word on that, will'ya?

[Scooter]

Maybe he raced a 350Z...