Please help assess my S2000 purchase..

[Simmoyo]

Hey guys, I'm new to this forum and even newer to my S2000


I bought my chariot 2 weeks ago for a pretty good price - $22,400.

its a 2000 model but had only done 99,000kms.


http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/9662/98098607.th.jpg (http://img23.imageshack.us/i/98098607.jpg/)
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http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/359/31908637.th.jpg (http://img69.imageshack.us/i/31908637.jpg/)
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/5679/22800036.th.jpg (http://img43.imageshack.us/i/22800036.jpg/)
http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/5199/57238637.th.jpg (http://img843.imageshack.us/i/57238637.jpg/)
http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/2690/84022005.th.jpg (http://img845.imageshack.us/i/84022005.jpg/)
http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/3553/15143830.th.jpg (http://img717.imageshack.us/i/15143830.jpg/)
http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/5107/58982647.th.jpg (http://img827.imageshack.us/i/58982647.jpg/)
http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/3455/56880559.th.jpg (http://img651.imageshack.us/i/56880559.jpg/)
http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/6196/79850949.th.jpg (http://img851.imageshack.us/i/79850949.jpg/)
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/3379/74931942.th.jpg (http://img171.imageshack.us/i/74931942.jpg/)
http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/7925/84156709.th.jpg (http://img137.imageshack.us/i/84156709.jpg/)
http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/3806/84311031.th.jpg (http://img94.imageshack.us/i/84311031.jpg/)



The car is in amazing condition and apparently used to have a 3M sticker on the bonnet and boot.

The car was originally from NSW, owned by a mature doctor. At the start of 2011, the car was at 96,000kms, when a very rich Chinese man from Melbourne purchased the car from the doctor and drove it to Melbourne - so 1,000kms. He then added a few modifications to the car and only used it for another 2,000kms (he also has an evo9, VW passat, and another car). He is leaving the country at the end of the year and is selling all of his cars before he goes (I confirmed he was actually selling and already sold his other cars).

Modifications he added:

BRAND NEW EXEDY CLUTCH, OEM FLYWHEEL (so still has clutch buzz)
BRAND NEW SOFT TOP WITH REAR GLASS WINDOW
BRAND NEW BREAK PADS

port matched intake manifold
oversized power throttle body
intake manifold thermal gasket
cusco oil catch can
n power grounding kit
Pivot raizin voltage stabilizer
3 layer Aluminium radiator
lowered on Tein S- Tech spring, returned to stock suspension 1 month before sale
Cusco engine damper + Heat shield
Hardrace drive shaft spacer
brembo rotor slotted and drilled
Goodridge brake line (very nice!)
Oem Trunk spoiler
pioneer 8850 head unit
6" pioneer split system speaker
pioneer 4ch power
Kicker 12" subwoofer and amp under passenger seat
customized rear tray for 12"
customized center console with suede


I then purchased the car from him at around 99,300kms.

Now, after all the excitement has died down, I looked at the service history properly and I'm a little worried. According to Honda it had its 90,000km service in 2006!!

The engine light recently came on but the error code was 6 long beeps, the useless airpump. voltage too high error and voltage too low error

I just did a 100,000km service with Honda and it came back with no faults. They confirmed the engine codes and just reset my ECU. The engine light is back on but I'm more than happy with my car.

Please tell me what you guys think. Its a lot of cash for me so I'm trying to justify my purchase ;)

[Ferrari]

If it had 90000kms in 06 I'd be extremely doubtful it's done only 9000 since.

Mine had 25000 in 06 and now had 106000 kms for example.

[Simmoyo]

There is still a small chance I hope. I checked around the dashboard for signs of a replacement but I couldn't see anything. There is no real way of knowing until something breaks I guess.

On the plus side I'm thinking of getting this alarm: http://www.commandoalarms.com/itm30031.htm
and these parking sensors: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/170519152403?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_6250wt_905

anyone tried them?

[ludecrs]

My car only ticked over 131K yesterday and its a 2000 model.
I put about 15K on it in the first 5 months of ownership, so its entirely possible.

But we're sceptics, so we doubt it.

[ludecrs]

Front bumper has had a re-spray. No biggie probably just too many rock chips.
And I'm pretty certain those door cards weren't available on 99-01 models in those colours, but I could be wrong there.

[curtis265]

do the pedals seem worn a bit too much for 99000k's?

[h3nno]

Front bumper has had a re-spray. No biggie probably just too many rock chips.
And I'm pretty certain those door cards weren't available on 99-01 models in those colours, but I could be wrong there.

I didn't think the tweeter came in the door until 04+.

[h3nno]

For what is listed and if the car is as described that's a pretty good price, really can't complain. I hope your luck is better than ALPS... lol

[AusS2000]

My car had 75km on it when I got it in March 2000. It now has 75,000Km.

[AusS2000]

Your car has been owned by a ricer. The intake snorkel, catch can, master cylinder sock, red silicon radiator hose, HKS sticker and earthing kit are deadset giveaways,

[EKVTIR-T]

You had to ponder that for 2mins..

[Simmoyo]

very true Aus, do you think the car should be fine if:

- it was never taken to the track (the owner only used his evo9 on the track)
- the mods were only installed 4,000kms ago
- the ricer had a lot of dough and a lot of cars

[AusS2000]

BTW, those colour (two tone red/black) door cards were available on 99-01 models. But not with tweeters.

[AusS2000]

Can't rightly say, although I'd 86 the raffia work dangly on the rear view mirror pronto.

[Simmoyo]

So do you think it was a good deal if the kms are correct; only problem is the air pump voltage too high/low; new clutch and soft top; and all the extras?

*by the way, the rear view window is actually glass, the photos were off carsales (obviously) but for some reason they were plastic

.. and I wouldn't allow that dangly thing in my car ;)

[AusS2000]

Money can't buy taste... or sense. In fact poverty is incentive to be sensible.

[AusS2000]

Noting I say will affect the quality of your car.

[Simmoyo]

Then I've got a kick ass car and I'm happy!

So it has a little bit of rice in it... then again most good meals do :D

[AusS2000]

:cool: :thumbup:

[vtec23Q]

I bought my 00 s2k with 80 000 Kms on it in the starting of this year and I checked the log books to see the dates of services and matched them with the Kms so I think there's no doubt about your car having 99 000. Congrats on the purchase and welcome to the club :-)

[Simmoyo]

Thanks for the great support guys...

Kurtis makes a good point, the pedals don't look that bad actually

[9large]

I didn't think the tweeter came in the door until 04+.

Tweeters were stock from 2002, as was the rear glass window. It wasn't an AP2 thing.

[ludecrs]

I didn't think the tweeter came in the door until 04+.

I omitted that purely because you can see / read it had an aftermarket stereo put in it. =)

[curtis265]

That's awesome news!

i remember seeing it on carsales too. If only i lived in the east.

Thoroughly looking for my own s2k now :D

[JN7]

I know this car.. It's been tracked.

[JN7]

And the dudes indo not chinese

[curtis265]

how do u tell if a car's been tracked? Is there a s2k buying advice thread somewhere?

[6thgear]

enjoy ur car dude! you've done the service with honda, just take good care of it and stop worrying!

[Simmoyo]

Yeah you're right.... its made to race anyway ;). I'm really happy with it and at least I know a little more about its history now. Thanks guys!

[garett]

i wouldnt worry too much, mods etc dont make any difference. it is a way of saying the previous owner was an enthusiast in a way.

as long as it was looked after, serviced properly etc it will be a good car.

[JN7]

you've got nothign to worry about mate, the guy was a good guy and looked after it. (no he is not my mate)

[Simmoyo]

I appreciate it a lot guys thanks. I'm getting details from the previous garage and first owner regarding the odometer just so I make sure I service it correctly according to the kms its done. I'll keep you guys posted but thanks again for all the help. I got what I was looking for :)

[9large]

If the car was well maintained and looked after by the previous owners who were reasonable drivers, then I wouldn't worry so much about it being tracked or not. 99% of owners don't regularly track their S2000s. I would be more worried about seeing a car that was poorly maintained, mods well outside spec for the sake of "looks" (i.e. big heavy 19" wheels), and an owner who doesn't appear to know or care much about Honda or the S2000 (i.e. they treat it like, 'it's just a Honda'). Just be mindful that most S2000s are now about 10 years old, and in recent years they have been driven by inexperienced P platers.

Good luck; I'd also recommend a thorough inspection via a reputable mechanic.

[9large]

No offense to P platers btw, but it's just the reality.

[LLS]

Wow. This is honestly a good buy. The owner of the car before you took care of it really well. I was actually gonna purchase this car but you beat me to it and for the price you bought it, good on you. Truth be told there, there's nothing more you can do to this car. It's near perfect.

[LLS]

So do you think it was a good deal if the kms are correct; only problem is the air pump voltage too high/low; new clutch and soft top; and all the extras?

*by the way, the rear view window is actually glass, the photos were off carsales (obviously) but for some reason they were plastic

.. and I wouldn't allow that dangly thing in my car ;)

In the photo of the "supposedly" glass rear window, that is actually a glass window.
Plastic rear windows go down the whole way where as glass goes only halfway.
It's properties are actually glass but the feel of the material feels like plastic - only much harder.

Once again, good buy. I remember the price being higher, so I guess he really neeeded the dough.

[Simmoyo]

Haha thanks 9large and LLS, all my worries have been taken care of. Yeah the car was advertised for 24k, because he was moving back to Indonesia he was selling all of his cars and property (he had a lot of cars and property) so he wanted a quick deal.

All I'm going to do is get the black line that goes across the top of the front lights that make it look mean (no idea what they are called or where to get them)
- cruise control,
- a kick ass alarm system,
- parking sensors,
- OEM front lip
- ap2 centre console
- and maybe ap2 tail lights

if any of you clued up pro's know the best place to get them I'd appreciate that as well ;)


EDIT: like the red lines on this cars front lights but in black or silver

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Honda_S2000_(Front_Right).jpg

[curtis265]

u mean eyelids?

[Simmoyo]

this place is awesome... there is some for 55 bucks on ebay. you're the man Curtis. Goodluck with your purchase!!

...wow its very ricey actually

[LLS]

They're called eyelids. Pretty cheap. It's actually just a sticker across the headlights. I'm a big fan of eyelids, not many people are brave enough to do it. Post up a pic of it in the near future!

[LLS]

Don't get cruise control dude! LOL. This is a sports car, learn to FEEL it. You don't really just wanna be "CRUISING" in it, but it's up to you. If you're always on highways then that's a different story..

And also, you won't need parking sensors. Ohmygosh, I've never had such ease to park in any other car besides the 2000. Maybe because it's small and THE FACT THAT IT'S A CONVERTIBLE! Take the top off, easy to park and the blindspot check.. LOL.. amazing. Anyways, let us all know how it goes.

[AusS2000]

not many people are brave enough to do it.

Yeah, that's the reason I didn't do it. Not because they are tacky and ricer but because I'm a coward. :rolleyes:

[Ferrari]

lol at Aus, I had them on for two days im ashamed to say...what was I thinking.

[Simmoyo]

I was close to abandoning the eyelids but after paying $55 (way too much) on ebay i'm doing it! Although I think I might make them thinner and less obvious. I will post pics of my non-cowardly adventures ;).

with cruise control LLS, its more a fact that I know im going to get a speeding fine at this rate, so I may as well spend that money on cruise control. ill be cruising at 60km's an hour in 5th gear, and next thing i look down and im at 68! is that even the best gear for that speed on a flat road? I'm trying to get better mileage as I only get 270kms with each tank! BP 98 by the way. Clearly I have a lot of fun

Taking that into consideration, I am bailing on cruise control and I am going to get a projected speedometer reading on the bottom right of my windscreen! now that's cool.

I also purchased blue parking led's.. sure they may be lame but I think they will suite the very modern look of the car, it will definitely fool a lot of people into thinking its standard

[AusS2000]

That's the reason I got cruise control. I was heading to Indy in 2001 and knew I'd drift over 110 on the freeway and get done for something dumb like that. Since then I hardly ever use it.

[AusS2000]

The blue parking LEDs will go well with the eyelids. :rolleyes:

[Simmoyo]

How much did cruise control end up costing if you don't mind?

[AusS2000]

Back in 2001 for a Rostra system with wireless remote (read: steering wheel control) it was $750 fitted.