Certified or Used S2000

doranbrooks · 04-12-2009, 02:02 AM

Hi all,

I recently joined being in the market for an S2000. There is loads of great info on here and I have learned tons, Thanks a lot!

I wanted to ask if having a certified used S2000 is worth the extra money. I know these cars are really reliable and are fairly inexpensive to repair. Is it better to go for the deal and just pay out of pocket anything that might come up with the car, either way I'm going to get the car looked at by a mechanic and all that jazz.

Thanks all or the help.

Currently looking at AP2; Grand Prix White or Laguna Blue, Maybe Black.

Papa · 04-12-2009, 07:32 AM

I recently brought an '07 black S2K and did not have it certified, I was given the option for about $400 (I think that was the amount). The only thing it would give me was the extended insurance at a lessor amount.

I think it is better to have someone you know and trust to look at the car rather than the selling dealer. I would recomend getting the CarFax report it on onllly about $10.00

Dean From CC · 04-12-2009, 11:38 AM

Be careful and find out EVERYTHING that is covered and not covered. I know a few people who have purchased these (not a Honda) only to be told the problem is not covered.

Scooter · 04-13-2009, 01:21 AM

For used I always get Honda Certified, but then I have a really good Honda dealer and don't know any other good local mechanics here.

AP2FTW · 04-15-2009, 01:08 AM

after what happened to me, i want to beg you to get one that is certified. the problem is, if you get one with bad valves like i did, you're screwed regardless. i was told the only way to bend a valve was with an over rev, therefore warranty would not cover it. they dont care if i did it, which i didnt, or the original owner.

then i thought well if it was certified, they wouldnt have sold me a car with bad valves...thing is though, im fairly sure that they dont tear the head down on used cars to check the valves in order to get certified.

but i guess obviously if you can, get one thats certified.

tsturbo · 04-27-2009, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AP2FTW

after what happened to me, i want to beg you to get one that is certified. the problem is, if you get one with bad valves like i did, you're screwed regardless. i was told the only way to bend a valve was with an over rev, therefore warranty would not cover it. they dont care if i did it, which i didnt, or the original owner.

then i thought well if it was certified, they wouldnt have sold me a car with bad valves...thing is though, im fairly sure that they dont tear the head down on used cars to check the valves in order to get certified.

but i guess obviously if you can, get one thats certified.

What were the symptoms of a bent valve and when did you discover this?

99bb6 · 04-29-2009, 09:00 PM

certified is always a plus but not nescesary

AP2FTW · 04-29-2009, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsturbo

What were the symptoms of a bent valve and when did you discover this?

turns out it wasnt a valve...it was the exhaust valve guides...there were no symptoms the car ran fine...i got a cel for misfire and after they checked the plugs and coils, they supposedly found low compression in 1 and 4. the head was sent to a machine shop where the valves were found to be fine but the exhaust valve guides were bad somehow...its been over 600 mi since the repair and the cel has not returned thank god

ChrisS2k · 06-12-2009, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsturbo

What were the symptoms of a bent valve and when did you discover this?

Just reading through this thread -- My 2003 S2K is in the shop (dealership) as I write this -- I purchased it in 2006, certified pre-owned, it now has 94K miles -- I'm told they suspect it has a bad valve, and thats not covered by the warranty -- symptom: running rough (particularly when starting to move from a stop). Diagnostic shows a "misfire" on all cylinders. Initially, the tech thought it was "bad gas," but then determined it wasn't...

They are now going to pull the head off = 6 hours labor at cost of $665. I am told that to re-valve/re-surface, the total cost (out of pocket -- since they suspect it is the valve) will be $3,794. And to totally replace the head, they quoted $7,395 (ouch)!!!

Since I don't race with my car (I drive it well -- its my baby!!), I'm having a hard time believing I induced the damage... The service rep told me it is likely due to over-rev/mis-shift (neither of which I do)...

Is this really happening???

Swingle1 · 06-12-2009, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisS2k

Just reading through this thread -- My 2003 S2K is in the shop (dealership) as I write this -- I purchased it in 2006, certified pre-owned, it now has 94K miles -- I'm told they suspect it has a bad valve, and thats not covered by the warranty -- symptom: running rough (particularly when starting to move from a stop). Diagnostic shows a "misfire" on all cylinders. Initially, the tech thought it was "bad gas," but then determined it wasn't...

They are now going to pull the head off = 6 hours labor at cost of $665. I am told that to re-valve/re-surface, the total cost (out of pocket -- since they suspect it is the valve) will be $3,794. And to totally replace the head, they quoted $7,395 (ouch)!!!

Since I don't race with my car (I drive it well -- its my baby!!), I'm having a hard time believing I induced the damage... The service rep told me it is likely due to over-rev/mis-shift (neither of which I do)...

Is this really happening???

Yikes. Best of luck with it. Any thoughts about a second opinion?

BTW, where in Plano are you?

flyingarmadillo · 06-12-2009, 09:36 AM

Even better question than "were in Plano" is "which dealership?" If it's one of the David McRipp-offs I'd definitely look for a second opinion (I've had really bad experiences with those stealerships)

ChrisS2k · 06-17-2009, 09:57 AM

I'm about a mile from McDavid (live near Parkwood and Legacy) -- so I took it to McDavid... Its still there (supposed to be done today)...

Problem with a second opinion is, they said they had to open it up to diagnose it, so they were going to charge me the $600+ regardless (for the 6 hours labor to do the diagnosis)...

NOW I'm concerned that, since I am certain I did not "over-rev" or "mis-shift" (to begin with), what happens if this happens again?? I went with the S2000 because I *had* had a high opinion of Honda (had driven a Civic for years prior to my S2K)... Are they REALLY RIPPING ME OFF???

Does anyone have a reco for a non-Honda shop in the Plano area that they trust/that knows the inner workings of the S2K? PLEASE ADVISE!!!

Thanks!

Swingle1 · 06-17-2009, 10:14 AM

I'm at Legacy and Lebanon... and have taken my car to D McD for all my maintenance (which thankfully, has all been routine).

It sounds like they're tearing it down now... so it's a matter of wait-and-see. Good Luck.

I'm sure someone will chime in with a good area mechanic.

04-12-2009, 02:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
doranbrooks Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 5	Certified or Used S2000 Hi all, I recently joined being in the market for an S2000. There is loads of great info on here and I have learned tons, Thanks a lot! I wanted to ask if having a certified used S2000 is worth the extra money. I know these cars are really reliable and are fairly inexpensive to repair. Is it better to go for the deal and just pay out of pocket anything that might come up with the car, either way I'm going to get the car looked at by a mechanic and all that jazz. Thanks all or the help. Currently looking at AP2; Grand Prix White or Laguna Blue, Maybe Black.

04-15-2009, 01:08 AM	#5 (permalink)
AP2FTW Sponsor Deez Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Miami Posts: 112	after what happened to me, i want to beg you to get one that is certified. the problem is, if you get one with bad valves like i did, you're screwed regardless. i was told the only way to bend a valve was with an over rev, therefore warranty would not cover it. they dont care if i did it, which i didnt, or the original owner. then i thought well if it was certified, they wouldnt have sold me a car with bad valves...thing is though, im fairly sure that they dont tear the head down on used cars to check the valves in order to get certified. but i guess obviously if you can, get one thats certified. __________________ flickr

06-17-2009, 09:57 AM	#12 (permalink)
ChrisS2k Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Plano (Dallas), Texas Posts: 2	Valve Trouble -- Big Trouble! I'm about a mile from McDavid (live near Parkwood and Legacy) -- so I took it to McDavid... Its still there (supposed to be done today)... Problem with a second opinion is, they said they had to open it up to diagnose it, so they were going to charge me the $600+ regardless (for the 6 hours labor to do the diagnosis)... NOW I'm concerned that, since I am certain I did not "over-rev" or "mis-shift" (to begin with), what happens if this happens again?? I went with the S2000 because I had had a high opinion of Honda (had driven a Civic for years prior to my S2K)... Are they REALLY RIPPING ME OFF??? Does anyone have a reco for a non-Honda shop in the Plano area that they trust/that knows the inner workings of the S2K? PLEASE ADVISE!!! Thanks!

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04-12-2009, 07:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
Papa Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 14	I recently brought an '07 black S2K and did not have it certified, I was given the option for about $400 (I think that was the amount). The only thing it would give me was the extended insurance at a lessor amount. I think it is better to have someone you know and trust to look at the car rather than the selling dealer. I would recomend getting the CarFax report it on onllly about $10.00

04-12-2009, 11:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
Dean From CC Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Culver City Posts: 82	Be careful and find out EVERYTHING that is covered and not covered. I know a few people who have purchased these (not a Honda) only to be told the problem is not covered.

04-13-2009, 01:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
Scooter Senior Newbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 1,587	For used I always get Honda Certified, but then I have a really good Honda dealer and don't know any other good local mechanics here.

04-29-2009, 09:00 PM	#7 (permalink)
99bb6 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 6	certified is always a plus but not nescesary

06-12-2009, 09:36 AM	#11 (permalink)
flyingarmadillo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Texas (DFW) Posts: 247	Even better question than "were in Plano" is "which dealership?" If it's one of the David McRipp-offs I'd definitely look for a second opinion (I've had really bad experiences with those stealerships)

06-17-2009, 10:14 AM	#13 (permalink)
Swingle1 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 762	I'm at Legacy and Lebanon... and have taken my car to D McD for all my maintenance (which thankfully, has all been routine). It sounds like they're tearing it down now... so it's a matter of wait-and-see. Good Luck. I'm sure someone will chime in with a good area mechanic.