Page 158 - Wayne Carini's Guide to Affordable Classics

Honda tinkered with the stiffness of the suspension and the rpm, losing some of the thrill from the AP1 variants. The final
quickness of the steering several times during production, and the later cars are less twitchy. Major changes in 2004 stiffened the front suspension and added a cross brace, while the rear suspension was softened and the propensity towards oversteer diminished considerably.
When the engine capacity was increased to 2.2 liters, low-speed torque improved, although the rev-limiter was cut back to 8,000
S2000 Club Racer is probably the model to find as the company doubled down on the crazy factor. Most desirable are the delete models. They might lack most of the creature comforts, but enhanced the fun in the process.
The Knowledge
dLike the traditional roadsters from the 1950s and 1960s that the S2000 emulates, rust is a surprising problem
that can afflict certain examples that were driven in colder climates. Inspect the wheel wells, front subframe, frame rails and the outer panels for corrosion, while
also checking for prior accident damage in the form of resprayed paint, overspray or inferior welds. Missing stickers that have been painted over likely indicate previous repairs and paintwork.
dMisalignment of the four-wheel independent suspension is another sign that a crash might have occurred, since bent control arms or knuckles will prevent proper adjustment of the camber, toe or caster.
dThe combination of limited low-end torque and an elevated redline means you will be thrashing the engine to extract the most performance from the car – and the clutch will NOT be happy when attempting burnouts. At the edge of your comfort zone in triple digits, you will also find things happen very quickly indeed and several early cars were crashed by experienced auto journalists – on race tracks.
ABOVE: All S2000 models are equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. Fifth and sixth gear were revised in 2004 to deliver a little more acceleration.
RIGHT: The S2000 Club Racer edition deleted the convertible top, but replaced it with an aluminum hardtop that was homologated for SCCA amateur sports car racing.
dExamples from 2004 onwards have the larger 2.2-liter engine with a longer stroke for improved torque, but the redline fell to 8,000 rpm, which reduces the impression
of driving a Formula One racer on the road. These are more civilized representatives of the breed, featuring more forgiving suspensions and even door pockets, but don’t expect a glove compartment.
dAlmost all of the exterior panels are expensive to replace, particularly the steel front fenders and the aluminum hood. Even more expensive are the fabric convertible top and aluminum hardtop. Expect to spend several thousand dollars to replace either one, although aftermarket substitutes are available at varying levels of price and quality.
dThe S2000 is very sensitive to tire pressures, so if it feels twitchy in the twisties, check them to ensure that they are inflated to the proper levels.
dThere were some gearbox issues: all models are hard
to shift until they warm up. Some owners reported cars popping out of gear, but dealers rebuilt most of the offending transmissions under warranty. Timing chain tensioners can rattle, but can be replaced. Torque axle nuts properly and that should eliminate clicking at low speed.
dAs with most performance cars from Japan, modifications were plentiful and popular, making unmolested examples expensive given their rarity. While some upgrades are easily reversed or impossible to discern from a distance, understand that original and unaltered S2000s have the best long-term investment potential.
156Wayne CariniAffordable Classics