Honda S2000 Forums

[boldy205 75]

Seriously looking at buying an S2000, any tips from people who have one, anyone want to sell one?! Also ive looked at a few forums for advice, www.s2000.com seems to be quite good, any other recommendations?

 

Thanks

Matt

[Juttie205 123 2 Cars]

I have heard that its best to check all the suspension bushes as can be costly to replace. Also I've heard they are a handfull in the wet.

[boldy205 75]

I'm expecting the suspension bushes to be a problem, however it will be mainly aimed at road use (unless I start loving it!) so will replace as necessary. Yes I agree ive heard the same about handling in the wet, but sorted with a geo adjustment to the newer models spec?

[Matt Holley 11]

I'm on this one http://www.s2ki.com/s2000/forum/25-uk-ireland-s2000-community/

 

What's your budget?

[boldy205 75]

Hi Matt, I presume you still have yours? I'm hoping to have around 7k, so should be looking at an AP2 hopefully?

[DBG 16]

Hey mate,

 

Owned one for a short while (6 months or so). I bought it after selling my first Elise, hoping it would be similar fun for half the coin (had to buy a house). Cool car - Awesome engine and gear change, unfortunately they just weren't for me so I ended up with another Pug GTI (and then another Elise).

 

I fitted Bilstein PSS9 coil overs. Completely transformed the ride and handling - more grip and much smoother ride. Definitely a worthwhile mod IMO.

 

I think the S2Ki forum was the best one back when I owned mine. I believe it's still active.

 

Best of luck with the search.

 

Ben

Edited August 1, 2016 by DBG

[boldy205 75]

To be fair it's going to be used for occasional track use but mainly as a run about/bit of fun on the weekends, I can't sell my pug,the 2000 is not a replacement! (Sad I know!!)

[allanallen 528 2 Cars]

Superb cars! as you've already read the bushes are a big job to replace, you will need burners and patience!

I think any rep for them handling badly is down to the setup, I don't think most were set up correctly from new.

We re bushed my friends car and fitted some kind of coilovers then had it corner weighted and geo'd at centregravity, unbelievable transformation.

[Paul_13 212 1 Cars]

 

Make sure you use the right tyres

[Matt Holley 11]

Hi Matt, I presume you still have yours? I'm hoping to have around 7k, so should be looking at an AP2 hopefully?

Yep I still have it, I was only going to keep it for a year but I've really grown to love it. Drove it through the winter and didn't die. £7k might be tight for a face lift as prices seem to be on the up but you never now.

 

Just so you don't get flamed on the forums the AP2 was only available in the US, the 2 is for the 2.2 engine they got. 04 on is just a facelift AP1.

[boldy205 75]

Ah that makes sense Matt, thanks for the information. To be fair I'm happy with the AP1 (Non face lift ). I remember talking to you about it when you picked up some calipers from me, you said it was good but not great, seems you have grown to love it!

[Gman 29]

Great car, very reliable and surprisingly practical.

 

I bought one about 4 years ago for 9k with only 22,000 on the clock. Sold it 18 months later for 9k, but would now be worth around 11-12k as they have all gone up in price.

 

As said, bushes can be a problem as the geo can't be adjusted. Mine was a 2005 plate and handled well, although if you're an idiot in the wet it will try and kill you.

 

Well built inside and make sure you fit a K&N intake - the sound is simply incredibly at full chat with the top down.

[Matt Holley 11]

Ah that makes sense Matt, thanks for the information. To be fair I'm happy with the AP1 (Non face lift ). I remember talking to you about it when you picked up some calipers from me, you said it was good but not great, seems you have grown to love it!

Yep this summer I've got to grips with the best way to drive it and just love the balance. It's not something you jump in from a hot hatch back ground and instantly get the best out of in my experience.

Edited August 1, 2016 by Matt Holley

[boldy205 75]

My first mod will definitely be some sort of induction mod. Massively missing my old carbs so need that roar in my life!

[Bogsye 22]

I had one for 4 years. Bought it as a 3 month old demo.

Brilliant little car and as noted above it was surprisingly practical. Servicing at the local dealer was pretty reasonable and nothing really ever went wrong, except the hood fabric.

It ate a couple of hoods due to the frame chaffing on the inside - easy to spot from inside when the hoods up as its not a lined affair.

Suspension bushes are the Main issue as mentioned. I was nearing the point of stripping it to rebush. As a diy job plus professional geo after it didn't look too horrific.

 

The cheapest mod to make it sound better is to take off the air box lid. It'll roar like you'd not believe.

 

I did a performance driving day at Elvington which was excellent. In the dry it's great and with anticipation no problem.

 

I came unstuck due to ice and complacency. I bent it big time, which I was lucky to walk away from. However, I miss the engine. As my R32 needed the next gear, the S2000 was just wakening up.

 

The S2ki UK forum was really good at the time 06-10. Went on a few weekends and met some really nice people.

 

It struck me that the next move would be an Elise, but that didn't fit well with street parking at that time.

 

Mine was a facelift 06 car in moon rock with a black interior. Nice ones seem to have held well.

 

Good luck!!

Edited August 2, 2016 by Bogsye

[boldy205 75]

It's all looking good so far, I've taken one for a test drive and seriously liked it. There seemed to be a slight ticking noise from the top/front of the engine, and was slightly over priced for the miles.....will keep looking!

[Ams 23 1 Cars]

I drove a mates AP1 for while a few years ago when he was on a lengthy holiday. The owner eventually fitted a 4.57 FD, this made a massive positive difference for the money. My favourite characteristic of the car was its aggressive engine braking at high rpms, very rewarding if you have quick and accurate heel and toe technique. Also it makes you feel "cool" driving it I liked it but felt it was a little too thirsty relative to its performance though.

[gmyorks 2 1 Cars]

ive got one, black, had its 3 yrs, 100% reliable, only use it over the summer, then its put in the garage i remove the battery, then put it back on around march/april time and its starts first go..its a HONDA..lol ive had the steering wheel recoverd as they go shiny and the gaiter and arm rest been recoverd. Ive had a pure radio fitted and new speakers and a sub-woofer fit behind the passenger seat, the original set up is crap.

The engine is spot on and revs forever... always great fun to drive.

Its been into the Honda dealer 2x for a service and there are never any issues.

The soft top hoods are poor quality and mine will need a replacement soon, £495 monsoon type, plus fitting.

 

Since owning the car and bought from a dealer its lost no money, as becoming collectable now.

[boldy205 75]

That's one thing that appeals to me, the fact prices are on the rise, so hopefully won't loose money on it. Have you any pics of the sub? Very interested in that!

[gmyorks 2 1 Cars]

when i get my broken mobile back and can take a few photos off ill add them on here.

[boldy205 75]

Much apreciated, ive heard the standard sterio is a bit pants, and while i dnt want to fit two 15" subs i the boot, i do like to have a half decent bt of music!!

[Bogsye 22]

Yep, the standard stereo wasn't great - I still have mine in the attic, along with the half tonneau cover that no body ever fits.

 

I fitted an Alpine headunit and their interface for the dashboard controls. 9 times out of ten the dashboard controls worked, but on occaision they were tempremental.

One of the great things about the S' was that with your hands on the wheel you could operate just about everything as the controls were around the instrument binacle.

 

However, the location of the stereo means it's a bit akward to operate, so, to me the re-use of the dashboard controls for it were quite important, particularly if you get a stereo that has more buttons than a giants cardigan.

 

Brian

[Rippthrough 98]

It's all looking good so far, I've taken one for a test drive and seriously liked it. There seemed to be a slight ticking noise from the top/front of the engine, and was slightly over priced for the miles.....will keep looking!

TCT wear, easy fix.

[Matt Holley 11]

I run a Pioneer head unit with autoleads loom and dash control interface, PC99-X61 honda and PC99-SON is what you need for Sony and Pioneer.

The controls work slightly different to the standard stereo but I'm used to it now.

 

It's a bit tight behind there so I got one without cd drive and ran a cable to plug an ipod into. All hidden away to keep the OE look.

[boldy205 75]

Thanks for the advice, I've gone and bought one now! Pre face lift, silver total standard, will pop a pic up when I collect!