Honda S2000 Buyers Guide and More

Everything you ever wanted to know about shopping for an S2000. (Well most of it) This is the video consolidating years of information. Consider this a companion to the review we did on the vehicle listed below. No click bait, gimmicks or yelling included here. If you are interested in buying an S2000 or just like watching content about it this video is for you.

S2000 Review:

For all the forum Links Head to:

Index:
00:00 - 00:30 Intro
00:30 - 1:10 Everything you need to know
1:15 -5:08 Understanding Accidents and Body Work
5:08 - 8:59 UV Issues, Headlamps, Fenders and Rubbing wheels
8:59 - 10:45 Glass and Gaskets and Body
10:45 - 13:25 Checking the Top
13:25 - 17:35 Interior
17:35 - 21:48 Engine Maintenance, Problems and Mod Checks
21:48 - 26:15 Under Body, Rust, oil, and Suspension
26:15 - 26:50 Mid Section and Coatings
26:50 - 28:17 Rear Suspension and More Checks
28:17 - 29:53 Leaks, Oil Filter, Bushings
29:53 - 30:40 Wheel bearings and Axle Nut
31:04 -32:25 Fluids, trans and Diff
32:25 - 35:45 Testing Transmission and Steering, Test Drives
35:45 Final Checks and Test Drive, and Noises

[sins]

honda manual transmissions should be changed with honda mtf only every 30k miles under normal driving conditions. in a pinch you can use engine oil but that should be changed immediately, this is stated in the owners manual.


 as far as valve adjustments go about 100k for normal driving and yes there is an art to adjusting them but they are far easier to adjust than shim and bucket valves, if you are unsure loose is better than tight.



honda uses ngk spark plugs in every vehicle they make, you don't need to go to the dealer just make sure you get the right part number. these should be changed every 100k under normal conditions.



wheel bearings are very torque sensitive and i would not over torque them, most common failure with bearings is galling which will cause noise but they will not be loose, bring a stethoscope or a piece of hose under the car and let the wheels spin in the air and listen to the bearings. if you hear a humming or whining noise that bearing is bad.


a lot of honda engines like the s2k or the b18c engines have high compression and are fuel sensitive, make sure you put high quality premium(91 or higher for the US) in the tank. low quality fuels may cause knock and reduce engine power and efficiency.


I did not see very many mechanical issues with the s2k and most came in for basic maintenance.



sincerely

a former honda technician

[hogan_vb]

I love s2000’s so much. I dream of owning one some day. I do automotive interior restoration for a living. Today actually, I worked on an S2000. We had to get the drivers seat reupholstered because of vinyl tearing on the bolster. Looks phenomenal now. I spent about an hour and a half fixing everyone possibly could to make the best possible car for the next person who owns it. Such a pleasure to work on.

[MeynMotorGroup]

"Mostly for education and not entertainment" I'm not even in the market and I watched the whole vid great info tho and very cool car

[FlyinGato]

I'm a simple man. I see a SavageGeese video, I click on it. ESPECIALLY if it's S2000 content. Fun Fact - FRS vs S2000 videos is what got me into this channel - 5 years ago!

[Technoplasm]

I dont even want an s2000 but im gonna watch this anyway

[tonypark]

Watched this video 5 times before I got my stock AP2 a month ago (12500km 06), now I am watching this video whenever I have time. Thanks you so much "Savagegeese".

[BarnStangz]

This is easily THE BEST S2000 "what to look for" video I've ever seen. I wish I would have had some of these tips when I bought my AP2 (2004) in 2006. The other thing that I want to mention that I don't think mark said was to look at the front end to see if anything was added or changed. I didn't look that good until later on and noticed that there was this goofy looking mesh in the front grill. Upon further investigation it looked like my car smacked something in the front and they added this goofy looking screen / mesh junk to cover shit up... Car was also resprayed on the front bumper too. Otherwise my car was pretty mint, but that was a long time ago. I have a feeling that it's going to be hard to find a minty fresh non-riced out one, but I'm sure that they are out there. Great drivers car, I miss it, but had fun with it for many years before I cut it loose. Mark, I'll look around, I might have some OEM pads and a filter or two if you want them. Thanks for the detailed video, brought back some memories.

[-Wreckanize-]

Thank you for making video's like these. Been watching your videos since the start. 
You are literally the only car reviewer that:

1. Knows how to drive at the limit
2. Appreciate any car and not being caught up in hype for views
3. Knows driving, chassis, and handling mechanics.
4. Adds subtle humor to their videos while remaining educational.

I remembered when I first subbed, I saw your down heel rev match on the e92. After that I knew you were the real deal.

[ScooterBlia]

I absolutely appreciate you mentioning what you did @ 36:40. I had an AP2 back in 07-10 and during that time, was one of the fastest cars I ever driven. Forward 10+ years and I've had several turbo cars and v8's. I decided to pickup an s2000 before the huge price hike and thought to myself, this car is really really slow! I cant remember it feeling this slow. None the less, I am glad to have another s2000 sitting in the garage, such a joy to drive.

[rzezniqq]

The most comprehensive buyers guide I have ever seen. Well done Mr Goose.

[davidzhao]

I don't usually watch videos over 10 mins long, but for these S2000 videos, I can watch all day long

[csobec]

As an S2K owner, this has got to be one of the best videos I've seen on "what to look for" when buying an S2K. Great work man!

[fatboy]

If you ever wondered what it would be like to drive an sports car with a motorcycle engine in is your car. The AP1 S2k make the FRS look like an torque monster. At about 6500 rpm the engine makes this transition to a mechanical wonder. If you love cars it is something you must experience. If you love on.

[willhaltiwanger]

A thorough discussion. As the owner of an AP1 since September 1999 who is tall and has size 14 feet I think the comments on driver size are a bit off. I was close to 6'4 when I purchased my car. I removed the driver's seat and took off the cover, hammered out the metal bucket a bit on each side and removed some padding on each side of my hips. When I put it back in I inserted a large nut under the front of the rails to increase seat tilt. On longer drives I put a folded towel under my legs for more thigh support. Have driven the car comfortably for many miles. I totally agree that this is a car for someone who wants to put the top down and play. I have had no mechanical problems beyond leaking clutch cylinders after 18 years. I live in the south and garage the car. Have changed the transmission and differential fluid once with Amsoil. After watching this I would probably buy an AP2 if I were in the market. While I have gotten a bit sideways it has always been controllable except for one second gear corner at a wet track day. Switched to Bridgestone RE11s and love them. On early cars run 245/40 on the back, not 225. Original rear tires were wider than labeled.

[cirasarc]

I bought a 06 earlier this year and I still watched every second of this video and I learned a tons about my car. Wish I have seen this when I was shopping for one. Thanks.

[racerx]

Nice work. You’ve taken the majority of the good posts from s2ki and put them all together in a well thought out video. No fluff and no bs.

[tareqjawdat]

I'd owned over 8 S2K's, all the highlighted points are lovely except for the fact that the cost would massively differ!! Like you'd stated in the vid that this car is actually made for fun so its either the original owner or the new buyer will purchase it for that purpose only! having some aftermarket parts isn't bad, it actually is good in some way! Some surface rust on some metal is fine! ( not rust tho) as its just some oxidization won't affect the rigidity or performance by any means, just cosmetic underneath. if someone followed this video by the word then i assure you that 99.9% of the buyers won't buy!! its over 10yrs car and the things you highlighted are all serviceable and are not a reason to let go of a good S2k because the owner replaced a control arm or didn't service few things properly! 3-4 of the S2K's I bought were with 160-200K miles which means they should be totally consumed and the engine life is over however they ran solid with no issues and I drive spiritually I don't go easy on my cars at all. usefull info to learn on weakpoints of a S2K but not valid at all to determine a car purchase unless the car is bought by a person who wants a crisp mint condition! then that individual can follow and do all these checks! Thanks! TJ usefull video!

[scottredsk]

As an owner of a MY2000 from mile 3, loved the video. I've got 125K trouble free miles in the last 18 years. I'm not even in the market to buy or sell, but I still learned a few things. Yes, the wheel bearings are a PITA to replace. Great guide.

[zacharyparis]

you are giving away all my secrets, bruh. was about to get big cash for my "pristine" S2000.

[cooperbrown]

I'm about to buy my first S2000 and this video was extremely helpful. When I go back for my second look at it, I now feel more confident in what to look, feel and ask before I buy it. Thank you!!