S2000 or BMW Z4 3.0 ?.
29 March 2009, 07:25 PM
#31
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go for the honda excellent buy get one ithin budget ood looks great performance drop head for summer,decent interior jap built so reliable, bmws arent the way forward i had a 3series 02plate convertable with 30k on the clock and it was thirsty heavy poor handling and the garage had it more than me and no one ever let me out from a side road lol
29 March 2009, 09:03 PM
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30 March 2009, 04:26 PM
#33
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Thanks for all the advice - very helpfull, and nice to see you liked the S2000 Grant, considering where you have come from.
My plans have unfortunately been shelved for the minute as the buyer on my car pulled out on me despite putting down a reasonable deposit which he has now lost. But if my car had gone at the weekend, I had concluded a S2000 was the choice for me.
The Elise would have been too hardcore for me, and the Z4 3.0 too soft. So in the word's of goldylox and the 3 bears the S2000 would be just right
I can't help but keep looking at S2000' and Z4 on the road, and the S2000 looks great from every angle, and the Vtec kick would give a smile the Z4 wouldn't. Its a toy for me so creature comforts, and build can be sacraficed a little so the S2000 wins for me.
I just need to sell my E36 M3 convertible now
or PX it at a garage for a S2000 in hope for a half decent PX value. But a dealer will probably go by parkers and tell me my car is worth 50p.
My plans have unfortunately been shelved for the minute as the buyer on my car pulled out on me despite putting down a reasonable deposit which he has now lost. But if my car had gone at the weekend, I had concluded a S2000 was the choice for me.
The Elise would have been too hardcore for me, and the Z4 3.0 too soft. So in the word's of goldylox and the 3 bears the S2000 would be just right
I can't help but keep looking at S2000' and Z4 on the road, and the S2000 looks great from every angle, and the Vtec kick would give a smile the Z4 wouldn't. Its a toy for me so creature comforts, and build can be sacraficed a little so the S2000 wins for me.
I just need to sell my E36 M3 convertible now
or PX it at a garage for a S2000 in hope for a half decent PX value. But a dealer will probably go by parkers and tell me my car is worth 50p.
30 March 2009, 05:43 PM
#34
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I'm thinking of getting a Boxster 3.2S. However, one thing that’s worrying me is the amount of reported IMS(intermediate shaft) problems. Seems like a bearing is breaking down and/or the IMS shaft bearing journal is snapping causing catastrophic engine failure. It would seem that tiptronics are least affected, and 3.2S with low miles most affected. Either way it looks like an IMS failure results in a new engine costing about £7K.
Despite all this, I'm still considering getting one.
Despite all this, I'm still considering getting one.
01 April 2009, 01:29 PM
#35
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Anyway…
I own an S2000 and have done for the last few years. It’s my daily driver and yes unlike some people here – I can categorically say it’s likely to be the best 2 seater RWD you’ll get for the money – period. You can buy a brand new S2000 - with delivery miles - for 20k now and you can get a mint low miler for 7k.
The upsides are.... soft top for the summer (slightly poncy, but it’s great really). They’re rare which is nice, and the engine, and subsequent driving style needed to get the best out of them is highly addictive. They’re extremely reliable, not horrifically expensive to run if you drive it sensibly, and it has arguably one of the best gearboxes of any car. Even..... Boxters.
The downsides are..... soft top in the winter (old S2000’s leak in the rain - always). It’s also a pretty raw car, so if you’re over 70, suffering a large portion of haemorrhoids, have sensitive hearing, or need any form of comfort food driving, then the Boxter or the BM are the ones for you.
It’s a very basic car and yes it has electric windows and air con, but….. that’s about it. If you need gizmos, gadgets and storage - then go German.
Saying all that – the best advice I could give to anyone thinking of getting one is to not underestimate the fact that the S2000 is a pretty fatiguing car to drive and may be more suitable as a Sunday only car for some. If you thinking of getting one, try taking one for a test drive for the weekend and not just 5 mins before you buy it to make sure you really like it. It’s a Marmite car – definitely.
Oh, and it can be a little lairy in the wrong hands too – although I think the horror stories of bad handling, locusts and death and destruction are mostly told by bad drivers. I know this from a few embarrassing moments suddenly facing the wrong way on roundabouts. It wasn’t the car’s fault - I’m a bad driver.
For 10k Rob, you’re not going to get better – if this is the type of car you’re after.
Last edited by hoppingdeth; 01 April 2009 at 03:32 PM.
01 April 2009, 03:20 PM
#36
Anyone looking to buy that this one listed on ebay is a CAT C.
2004 HONDA S2000 GREY on eBay, also, Honda, Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 04-Apr-09 18:01:32 BST)
Just done a HPi check on it and informed seller :Insurance Write-off This registration was recorded as a Category C write-off on 28 Nov 2005.
ALWAYS HPi - it only costs £3.95. S2000s have a disproportional amount of accidents and offs. If you don't know what you are looking for with accident damage, get an expert to take a look. It's not always recorded on HPi.
2004 HONDA S2000 GREY on eBay, also, Honda, Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 04-Apr-09 18:01:32 BST)
Just done a HPi check on it and informed seller :Insurance Write-off This registration was recorded as a Category C write-off on 28 Nov 2005.
ALWAYS HPi - it only costs £3.95. S2000s have a disproportional amount of accidents and offs. If you don't know what you are looking for with accident damage, get an expert to take a look. It's not always recorded on HPi.
01 April 2009, 03:40 PM
#37
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Fortunately not, but could have been so thanks fo highlighting it. But that said I would always HPI over 5K in value, and have a fairly key eye for anything a bit suspect. I'm also a firm believer of you get what you pay for, and at 8.5K on for a 2004 is way under priced and have no doubt at all the seller knew the the car was on the register, and very naughty if he/she did.
S2000's start at 5.5K for a not so good 1999 to about 10-11K for a 2002/2003.
There is always scope for a bit of haggling in the current market but 8.5K on an 04 with low miles should start ringing alarm bells which quite rightly did in your case.!
S2000's start at 5.5K for a not so good 1999 to about 10-11K for a 2002/2003.
There is always scope for a bit of haggling in the current market but 8.5K on an 04 with low miles should start ringing alarm bells which quite rightly did in your case.!
01 April 2009, 04:02 PM
#38
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Just had a look and blimey your right.! 20K gets you a brand new one.... Which is putting a slightly different perspective to my outlook on one.
For 10K you get a 2002/2003 model with about 50K miles, stone chips, odd mark, and mechanical at that point in its life that it will inevitably needs some cash being spent on maintanance over and above normal servicing.
I can go to Honda haggle, get a new one for 20K or possibly just under, have 3 years manufacturers warranty and piece of mind. On that basis these cars have a good re-sale which equates to circa 3.5k a year in depreciation. Thinking along those lines in the past I've easily spent more than 4K a year ponsing about changing cars.
If honda do some decent finance, or interest free, or a deal for cash up front then I will have to give a brand new one some serious consideration.
01 April 2009, 07:25 PM
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Just had a look and blimey your right.! 20K gets you a brand new one.... Which is putting a slightly different perspective to my outlook on one.
For 10K you get a 2002/2003 model with about 50K miles, stone chips, odd mark, and mechanical at that point in its life that it will inevitably needs some cash being spent on maintanance over and above normal servicing.
I can go to Honda haggle, get a new one for 20K or possibly just under, have 3 years manufacturers warranty and piece of mind. On that basis these cars have a good re-sale which equates to circa 3.5k a year in depreciation. Thinking along those lines in the past I've easily spent more than 4K a year ponsing about changing cars.
If honda do some decent finance, or interest free, or a deal for cash up front then I will have to give a brand new one some serious consideration.
For 10K you get a 2002/2003 model with about 50K miles, stone chips, odd mark, and mechanical at that point in its life that it will inevitably needs some cash being spent on maintanance over and above normal servicing.
I can go to Honda haggle, get a new one for 20K or possibly just under, have 3 years manufacturers warranty and piece of mind. On that basis these cars have a good re-sale which equates to circa 3.5k a year in depreciation. Thinking along those lines in the past I've easily spent more than 4K a year ponsing about changing cars.
If honda do some decent finance, or interest free, or a deal for cash up front then I will have to give a brand new one some serious consideration.
Come join us at the UK S2000 forum (S2000 Forums -> UK S2000 Owners) and check out the buyers guide for things to look out for. We’re a harmless bunch, and we’ll see you in the right direction.
01 April 2009, 09:53 PM
#43
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Bob Gerrard used to deal in imports through somewhere like Cyprus I think... Not sure now.
I sold my good condition low miler, 02 for 12.5k just over a year ago and I think I got a good price to be honest. I think you'll find good ones for 10k now. Would suggest 02 or newer due to rumored suspension changes and glass rear screen.
Check for roof wear around the windows where it folds, they all seem to go there.
I sold my good condition low miler, 02 for 12.5k just over a year ago and I think I got a good price to be honest. I think you'll find good ones for 10k now. Would suggest 02 or newer due to rumored suspension changes and glass rear screen.
Check for roof wear around the windows where it folds, they all seem to go there.
Last edited by RichB; 01 April 2009 at 09:54 PM.
01 April 2009, 11:19 PM
#44
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Hi,
I own a 2005 S2000 and have had it almost a year now, I use it as a daily driver and have to say it is the best car I've owned so far, I can't see me changing it for another car in the next couple of years and even if I was thinking of buying something else I really don't know what I would choose, I would probably be looking at something equally exciting to drive and the only thing I can really think of is perhaps an Supercharged Exige or a 911 GT3!
I disagree that the car is gutless below 6000rpm, there is plenty of power to make good progress, for overtaking or making very swift progress simply drop it a couple of gears. I personally think this is an incredibly rewarding car to drive especially with the top down on a summers evening, however, it do find it encourages you to drive it quite hard most of the time!
If you are looking for more noise, as inevitably you probably will be at some point, I have a K&N induction kit and Mugen Manifold & Exhaust with Berk decat, and the sound I can only describe as awesome. It's not too loud but has a great racey tone.
My car has pretty much run faultless since day of collection, I did have to take it into Honda at one point as I was having a hesitation and poor fuel economy, Honda found nothing wrong, a bit of research pointed to the Lambda O2 sensor, changed this with a £12 one from eBay and the hesitation has gone and my fuel economy seems to have improved. Beware this car does tend to suffer from heat soak also especially on warm/hot days when stuck in traffic but a blip of the throttle normally sorts the problem out, its a feature of the car apparently!
As always, check the S2K forums as linked to on here, great resource, tons of information. The 'For Sale' section always has some great cars for sale from members.
James
I own a 2005 S2000 and have had it almost a year now, I use it as a daily driver and have to say it is the best car I've owned so far, I can't see me changing it for another car in the next couple of years and even if I was thinking of buying something else I really don't know what I would choose, I would probably be looking at something equally exciting to drive and the only thing I can really think of is perhaps an Supercharged Exige or a 911 GT3!
I disagree that the car is gutless below 6000rpm, there is plenty of power to make good progress, for overtaking or making very swift progress simply drop it a couple of gears. I personally think this is an incredibly rewarding car to drive especially with the top down on a summers evening, however, it do find it encourages you to drive it quite hard most of the time!
If you are looking for more noise, as inevitably you probably will be at some point, I have a K&N induction kit and Mugen Manifold & Exhaust with Berk decat, and the sound I can only describe as awesome. It's not too loud but has a great racey tone.
My car has pretty much run faultless since day of collection, I did have to take it into Honda at one point as I was having a hesitation and poor fuel economy, Honda found nothing wrong, a bit of research pointed to the Lambda O2 sensor, changed this with a £12 one from eBay and the hesitation has gone and my fuel economy seems to have improved. Beware this car does tend to suffer from heat soak also especially on warm/hot days when stuck in traffic but a blip of the throttle normally sorts the problem out, its a feature of the car apparently!
As always, check the S2K forums as linked to on here, great resource, tons of information. The 'For Sale' section always has some great cars for sale from members.
James
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