By now, you’ve most likely heard all the pieces concerning the Honda S2000, the 9,000 rpm, shifter-from-god-having roadster that’s taken on near-mythological standing on this facet of the Atlantic. Nonetheless, such hype has rendered low-mileage examples out of attain for a lot of, so what’s dwelling with a high-mileage Honda S2000 like? Fortunately, Autopian member Scott McConnell emailed us saying that his 2001 Honda S2000 was about to crack 200,000 miles. Colour is intrigued.
A Honda S2000 isn’t a straightforward automobile to place 200,000 miles on. Scott’s had it for 45,000 miles, and he admits, “earplugs are vital above 60mph for any prolonged time period.” The S2000 simply isn’t a automobile that takes effectively to going gradual, however the Carolinian hills give Scott the possibility to train the two-liter four-cylinder engine’s lungs usually.
It’s the right playground for quick steering, 9,000 rpm upshifts, and top-down motoring. Judging by what Scott’s instructed us about his possession expertise, it appears like he’s bought lots out of it over the previous few years.
Whereas efficiency vehicles basically aren’t low-maintenance machines, it appears like this S2000 has been pretty dependable so far as early aughts sports activities vehicles go. As with something approaching 200,000 miles, some unscheduled upkeep has been required. In Scott’s phrases:
I simply had the clutch changed final April, and judging by the stack of Carfax I bought, I believe it’s the third clutch. The highest has additionally been changed twice, however the one I’ve now’s in good situation with no leaks. When the clutch was absolutely damaged in I truly thought there was one thing fallacious with the rev limiter. Usually the automobile would prime out at 84mph in third gear (superb), however now I used to be reaching nearer to 90mph. I believe my previous clutch was slipping at 84, giving the impression that was the top of the road.
The most important substitute I did was the radiator when the OEM plastic one began getting hairline cracks in it. A Koyo aluminum one mounted that up simply superb. The VTEC solenoid additionally had to get replaced as the inner seals had been leaking a bit each time it engaged. That additionally turned out to be a serious supply of my oil consumption. It nonetheless consumes some oil, however going from WOT to closed at 9k RPM is certain to have a wee little bit of blowback, eh?
The scariest/most severe problem I had was when a clip from a changed air boot bought dislodged and made its method into the consumption and jammed a valve open. That was 2 hours away from residence after driving 10 hours. It stalled out at a fuel station then wouldn’t keep on with out operating horribly then I attempted to rev it and it one way or the other dislodged and I used to be capable of make it residence safely (at 1am). I then had it towed to the store after I bought residence. They discovered the wrongdoer and requested who put in the air boot…after I knowledgeable them it was truly them, they changed the air boot, and did a full valve job and compression check. Nary a peep of bother since.
Talking of prime finish parts, Scott’s had the valvetrain of his S2000 aside, writing that “the consumption valve retainers had been discovered to be cracked, and had been changed with out problem up to now 10k miles too.” This can be a recognized problem on AP1 S2000s and if these vehicles are over-revved or see quite a lot of time at redline, a damaged valve retainer can crumble and have bits fall right into a cylinder with catastrophic outcomes. Since you possibly can by no means assure how a earlier proprietor handled their automobile, it’s not a nasty concept substitute the consumption valve retainers preventatively, must you fancy an AP1 S2000.
So, aside from a couple of unscheduled repairs, how does a Honda S2000 maintain up over 200,000 miles? Unsurprisingly, like many vehicles which have seen comparable use, there may be some emissions-related weirdness occurring, but it surely doesn’t appear to be too dangerous. Based on Scott:
The evap system is cranky and generally throws a CEL, however not constant. I’ve an aftermarket catalytic converter on it since I drove a bit too vigorously on a gravel highway and dislodged the honeycomb contained in the inventory one. The automobile is all inventory apart from a little bit override module to cease the secondary air compressor from turning on, as I couldn’t stand the sound of a leaf blower after I activate the automobile. Oh, and metal brake traces. That was a fairly nice improve.
As well as, you simply can’t anticipate a automobile to look excellent after practically 200,000 miles with out obsessive periodic beauty reconditioning. Scott’s S2000 is sporting its mileage with pleasure, and it has a couple of tales to inform together with an unlucky incident with a very malicious deer.
Shortly after shopping for the automobile in 2016, a deer hit me (not the opposite method round, I slowed down and the rattling buck *modified course* to have the ability to hit me). The 6 level stag bought scooped up onto the hood, then after I got here to a full cease he rolled off, onto the highway, shook it off then ran away. There was a slight dent to the entrance wheel fender, that I popped out, however that’s all. Once more, it’s not a looker. As soon as at a Vehicles and Espresso I discovered some stray pine needles within the gentle prime holder space and ‘embellished’ the automobile for the present. It was in the midst of the parking zone, and man did that confuse and upset some individuals!
Aside from the cracked paint on the entrance fender, a mark on the entrance bumper, a ding on the left quarter panel, and a barely dodgy fender badge, Scott’s S2000 appears fairly good.
The inside’s well-kept, and it wouldn’t be that costly to get its beauty situation to 90 %. In fact, that may require downtime, and if it’s one thing’s not going to trigger or exacerbate structural rust, why use it as an excuse to cease driving? Sports activities vehicles aren’t greatest when parked, and the 2 most essential beauty bits to maintain in fine condition — the seats and steering wheel, since you contact them continuously — look fairly rattling good right here.
The Honda S2000 isn’t a automobile for everybody, but when your priorities lie in ripping off bursts of nine-grand shifts as an arcade-like digital dashboard reveals you’ve hit the jackpot, the Honda S2000 is the sports activities automobile to have. If you’re actually demanding all from the F20C engine, it merely appears like one of many best engines ever put in in a manufacturing automobile.
Scott’s Honda S2000 looks as if an excellent instance of shopping for the upkeep data as a substitute of the quantity on the dashboard, after which protecting the oily bits good. Proof of money splashed by earlier house owners like a number of prime replacements and one seemingly clutch substitute signifies that Scott was capable of scoop up a poster automobile and certain have tons extra enjoyable than individuals with low-mileage examples sitting of their garages.
Oh, and when you have a high-mileage efficiency automobile, drop us an e mail. Whether or not you obtain a Porsche 928 model new and are nonetheless usually having fun with it, acquired a well-loved Vary Rover Supercharged you’re courageous sufficient to day by day drive, we’ve love to listen to from you.
(Picture credit: Scott McConnell)
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