Looking at buying S2000 ....any comments ?

[mrgadway]

I am looking at a 2001 with 64K miles which appears to be in very good shape only mod is CAI. I am looking to make this my Solo2 car and am switching from srt4 to this car. Any comments on any problems areas etc to be aware of would be welcome. I drove it briefly and had the salesman scared just driving easily around an open parking lot. Man , that redline is crazy. I really liked the car but was limited on how hard to push it. Everything seemed tight and drove great but I did notice that 3rd was a little hard to find. Also does any one know if a 17 x 8 wheel with 45mm offset on a 5 x 100mm pattern would fit ? If so would V710 245's fit?

Thanks for any ideas on this car and what I would like to use it for.

[gomarlins3]

Correct wheel fitmet guide for AP1's:
For reference, the OEM MY00-03 (AP1) wheel sizes and offsets are as follows:
Thanks to spa-zz
Front:
16" x 6.5", +55 offset, 205 tire
Rear:
16" x 7.5", +65 offset, 225 tire

Based on successes and failures from many S2000 owners, we can use an offset calculator to figure out what other offsets and tires will work. These are minimum recommended offsets. You can use a higher offset if you want, and you will get additional fender clearance.

For the front:
6.5” to 7.5” wide wheel: 205 tires: +43 offset minimum
7.0” to 8.0” wide wheel: 215 tires: +48 offset minimum
7.0” to 8.0” wide wheel: 225 tires: +53 offset minimum
7.5” to 8.5” wide wheel: 235 tires: +58 offset minimum
7.5” to 8.5” wide wheel: 245 tires: +63 offset minimum

For the rear:
7.5” to 8.5” wide wheel: 235 tires: +40 offset minimum
7.5” to 9.0” wide wheel: 245 tires: +45 offset minimum
8.0” to 9.5” wide wheel: 255 tires: +50 offset minimum
8.5” to 9.5” wide wheel: 265 tires: +55 offset minimum
9.0” to 10.0” wide wheel: 275 tires: +60 offset minimum
9.0” to 10.0” wide wheel: 285 tires: +65 offset minimum

[mrgadway]

Great info, Thanks. How about other maintenace issues. How often do timing belts need to be replaced? I could not find any info on whether this car has had it changed.
This car seems fantastic right out of the box. I haven't driven anything but an early Miata but wasn't very impressed with it. How would a 99 or later Miata compare in solo2 ?

[gomarlins3]

We have a timing chain, not belt.

[mrgadway]

How about transmisson longivity/reliability? I'm sure the engine must be pretty built proof since its a Honda. (OOOps about the timing belt question).

[gomarlins3]

There hasn't been any major problems that I know of. '00- mid year '02 has a 2nd gear grind that can be reduced (but not totally eliminated) by fluid changes.

[eastcoastautokrew]

well i have a 2002 s2000 with 32k miles, runs fine it grinds everynow and then, overall car can handle crazy , needs more low end torque, good overall car, people say car is maxxed out, but there is some stuff that can be done, my friend has 275hp with just boltons, so car is modable but parts are expensive