£5k s2000. Thoughts please.

[theheff]

Guys,

 

I'm thinking about selling the zed and getting an s2000 for around £5k. I haven't driven one but will be today, I might hate it but will find out soon.

 

My reasoning behind this is I'd like to free up some money from the car to pay off some debt and hopefully get a deposit together over the next couple of years to buy a house

 

I know I should be looking at selling up and getting a sensible car, if I need one at all,but cars are my only real hobby and I know I'd miss having something nice sat there to the point where I'd go a buy something again. Hence thinking about a cheaper s2000.

 

Now the ones I'm looking at are high mileage, older cars 2000-2003. Am I likely to be opening a can of worms with one. I don't need to sell my car. I love it and it's been absolutely faultless in the 2 years I've had it but the extra money I'd raise would be handy and would pay off a bit of debt.

 

Am I being a prat for even thinking like this or is it a viable thing for me.

 

From the s2000 I'm looking for reliability, slightly lower running costs (although I'm realistic about this not being the case) and a bit of fun. Sounds like online dating.

Also, my car has been well looked after, it's got mpss all round etc. the 1 s2000 I've looked at so far had 4 different budget tires on it, is this the sort of thing I'll be looking at with a cheaper car as if it is I'm not going to waste my time looking as I can't be dealing with cars that haven't even had decent tires on them, shows a lack of caring from previous owners as far as I'm concerned.

Edited September 27, 2013 by theheff

[Suits]

Probably the two biggest money eaters on old S2000's are the roof and the geo bushes.

 

The roof is expensive to replace/fix, so always check for wear marks on the side where the roof mechanics hinge, this is the common area for wear and holes to develop.

 

The bushes are famous for seizing. Which can result in very expensive labour bills to repair. Once these seize any sort of geometry work is impossible, so ask questions about when it was last checked and greased. It's not age related either. You could have a '99 car and the bushes will move or a '07 car and all eight are solid.

 

If you do take a punt on a older cheaper car that has no history of the bushes being looked at get it booked in with someone that know what they are doing, preferably a Honda specialist as they will be well prepared for what may be likely. Once checked, get some new bushes in there (OEM are fine) and plenty of grease and you will be a happy chappy.

[Ekona]

Rich will be able to give you more on this one, but when I looked into getting one I was disturbed to see that the running costs between Stook and Zed were identical.

 

You can get a decent S2K for £5K, however you'll have to be a bit lucky as some will have been owned by cretins (but then, some Zeds have too now they're cheap). If cost-saving is your reason to change then I wouldn't bother, but if you just fancy something different then go for it

[Ricey]

Unless you want to experience an S2000 I don't really see the point. Running costs a grim just like the zed. Parts will be mid price like the Zed.

 

Running an S2000 on ditch finders when its a less forgiving car than the zed would be foolish so you'll end up spending a truckload on decent rubber.

 

If your not freeing up decent amounts of cash and don't specifically want to try one then I wouldn't bother.

[Suits]

Running an S2000 on ditch finders when its a less forgiving car than the zed would be foolish so you'll end up spending a truckload on decent rubber.

 

I was getting a pair of rear Falken 452's on the rear for under £140 and this was on the OEM 17's (much better wheel than the OEM 16's) so I don't consider that expensive at all. The fronts will last two sets, even more, of rears.

 

Due to the significant lack of torque compared to the Nissan, the tyres will last you longer and cost you less - generally.

[Ekona]

Were the 17" wheels lighter then?

[Suits]

Were the 17" wheels lighter then?

 

Not sure.

 

They were wider and gave better feedback on the car though.

 

Honda made a number of revisions on the '02 cars, one being swapping out the OEM 16's for a new OEM 17' wheel, which reportedly gave a better, more stable feel to the ride of the car on road and circuit.

 

I certainly noticed the difference, it tends to be a common upgrade on the older S2000's.

 

In japan you could get a set of OEM BBS 16' alloys that were wider again and offered a lower unsprung weight, rare as too and fetch a hefty price when they become available.

[Ricey]

Running an S2000 on ditch finders when its a less forgiving car than the zed would be foolish so you'll end up spending a truckload on decent rubber.

 

I was getting a pair of rear Falken 452's on the rear for under £140 and this was on the OEM 17's (much better wheel than the OEM 16's) so I don't consider that expensive at all. The fronts will last two sets, even more, of rears.

 

Due to the significant lack of torque compared to the Nissan, the tyres will last you longer and cost you less - generally.

 

Fairpoint - I was forgetting they're smaller.

 

Even so it still means slatting money at the car when the purpose is to free money up.

[Suits]

Fairpoint - I was forgetting they're smaller.

 

Couple that with the fact that even 'normal' cars now run large OEM alloys, this has pushed tyre company's to produce tyres to suit, thus giving more choice and driving down prices.

 

I was running 245/40/17's on the rear's which were great, I did look at Eagle F1's as a performace tyre but for the price I was getting 452's for I was happy and they performed well on road and track.

[Mack]

I considered getting an S2000 until I found out the insurance cost twice as much as the Zed. Lack of traction control on the early models appears to be the reason.

[jjt]

I considered getting an S2000 until I found out the insurance cost twice as much as the Zed...

+1 the reason I have never looked at them seriously is because the insurance cost was ridiculous. The only other car that is on that sort of scale for me to insure is an Evo.

[Suits]

RE:Insurance - Agreed.

 

Top whack, group 20.

 

My S2000, with all the mods like for like, 28 years old, 10 years driving, no points, no claims, I was paying £709.

 

370Z - £399

 

[Tarmac@TarmacSportz]

I say buy one !! Then you can come over and see me on the S2KI forum

[brillomaster]

how much would you be selling the zed for? seems a lot of hassle to free up potentially maybe £2k... i think the s2000 would be more to insure and likely to return no better mpg if driven in a way to make comparable power to a zed.

 

Also, better the devil you know - seems foolish to chop a proven reliable car for an unknown when saving money is the intention.

[Mack]

how much would you be selling the zed for? seems a lot of hassle to free up potentially maybe £2k... i think the s2000 would be more to insure and likely to return no better mpg if driven in a way to make comparable power to a zed.

 

Also, better the devil you know - seems foolish to chop a proven reliable car for an unknown when saving money is the intention.

 

+1

 

Assuming no unexpected costs on the S2000 the difference will be gone on insurance in a few years anyway.

[theheff]

Went and test drove one earlier. Was an 07 car so newer but from what I read I'd get the rough idea.

 

Was a nice car, feels nicer to be in than the zed, better quality and I liked that fact that everything was on top of me. Sounded ok but not sure I liked the revvy noise. Certainly nowhere near the Zeds v6.

 

The drive was really nice, very flat around corners and felt quite planted going at speed but it massively misses the torque that the zed has.

 

So....

 

Think I'm going to keep the zed for now, especially with the comments about insurance, I didn't even think about that.

 

Maybe a little revamp of the zed. Carbon side steps, carbon rear spats and a carbon spoiler to go with the front lip. Not exactly how to save money but will give the zed a little something else.

Plus I don't need to worry about new tires etc.

 

Unless someone comes on here wanting to p/x a s2000 for a zed money my way with decent matching tires and equivilant mods to my zed. Then I may revisit the idea.

Edited September 27, 2013 by theheff

[rtbiscuit]

The difference in torque just requires learning to drive another way. Once you learn the Honda method its a rewarding car. If I still had mine, I'd take you out and show what its like when driven properly. I kept fuel records and the s2k was more economical, got the comparisons and I can put them up later if you really want. Tyres were cheaper, I could but 2 Tyres for the Honda for the same price of one for the zed. And for me insurance was about the same, intact I think the stook was slightly cheaper and mine had no TCS. Choose it if you want a change. Both are good cars. You can't really go wrong, just be aware they use oil, and check it once a month and your fine.

[theheff]

If one comes up with my requirements the it is definately a consideration. I've always loved the look of them and as said. The cockpit is a nicer place to be. Had an rx8 before so the oil issue isn't an issue.

 

If your bored later the comparisons would be good to see please rich.

[theheff]

My insurance has just come back as £420 for the year so that is no longer an issue.

 

Hmmmmm. Decisions.

[Tomhappyapril]

Ive been saving up for a new car for the past year and my big two is 350z or DC5 (considered s2000 similar running costs to a teg)

but the hondas are twice if not more on insurance than a Z

Ive been sad enough to do the math and if your runing 10K or less a year the 350z will be cheaper or if not the same

(but then again this is on my insurance prices not yours)

i think you should have the car you love the most as it will hurt the lest to spend the money on. You wont save alot going to honda unless you do lots of miles i guess.

[theheff]

It's more trying to free up some of the capital in the car itself rather than running costs

[Suits]

The difference in torque just requires learning to drive another way.

 

you should have seen me when I got my 370Z, is was so confused, torque EVERYWHERE, I didn't know what to do with it all !

 

Having been driving Honda motors for the last 7 years it was very strange not having to redline it all the time to make progress.

 

A sorted Honda on a track is fantastic and the best place for it in my opinion.

 

...the hondas are twice if not more on insurance than a Z

 

Yeah, that will be a problem as all DC5's are imports, so straight away that insurance group 20.

 

S2000's are 20 anyway.

[rtbiscuit]

It's more trying to free up some of the capital in the car itself rather than running costs

Its what I did, sold the zed for £12.5k and bought the s2k for £8k. The most my Honda needed was a new battery for the key fob, did t miss a heart beat. My zed on the other hand had lots of minor niggles. Nothing to stop you driving it, but enough to pi$$ you off.

[rtbiscuit]

The difference in torque just requires learning to drive another way.

 

you should have seen me when I got my 370Z, is was so confused, torque EVERYWHERE, I didn't know what to do with it all !

 

Having been driving Honda motors for the last 7 years it was very strange not having to redline it all the time to make progress.

 

A sorted Honda on a track is fantastic and the best place for it in my opinion.

 

you should try my xkr it idles at under 500rpm and very rarely see's 2000 rpm, even when cruising its like its not even trying. Not dissimilar to the zed.

[theheff]

Problem I have at the moment is needing a car so being without one is not ideal. Especially if I need to wait some time for the right one to come along. I've got loads of time off in October so may wat until then.

 

If anyone hears of any s2000s coming up and someone wanting to swap p/x for a 350z drop me a pm. Will Be the most convenient way for me to do it.

I'll have a think over the next couple of weeks about what I want to do. Think I may end up putting it back to standard best I can if I do sell it. Unless someone wanted the car as is.