My 2004 CG 6SPD TSX



Honda's 2002 Grey/Red 6Spd S2K




The swap in process.


After nearly two years of driving the TSX, it has had "major" problems every
4,500 miles [HVAC, Transmission, Synchros, Cables, Bearings]. Although I
know this car by heart (the drive and car in general), and love this car (I was
not only meticulous with the car, but created weekly logs which include
services, problems, fixes, gas usage, avergae, mileage charts, excel charts, etc.)
I have to let it go. If the swap between the dealer and I go smoothely, I'll be in
a different Honda with a different platform. I'm sure I'll miss the car and have
regrets, but I have no confidence in this car's reliability. Plus, I was planning to
squeeze out more than 150,000 miles on the TSX, which I believe won't be
possible. Lesson learned however, never purchase a first produced car from
any manufacturer.

Anyways, thoughts??? Opinions??? The swap won't cost me a dime btw.

 

Honda doesn't make a "Grey" S2000 and the picture you show isn't a US model.

 

BTW, if the dealer is doing an even swap rest assured you're still getting the short end of the stick. Also, I suggest you get a good set of snow tires for the S2000 before winter arrives.

 

2002 S2000 Manual Transmission
Price: $xxxxx
Mileage: 31,112
Transmission: Manual Transmission
Exterior Color: Sebring Silver Metallic
Interior Color: Red
VIN: xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Dealer Stock #: W000309
Dealer - Installed Accessories: No information available
Standard Features

 

The Sebring Silver Metallic isn't "grey"? (not an attack, just a question)

 

No, its silver. The 'Silverstone Metallic' S2k color is what I would call grey. If I'm not mistaken, they didn't sell Silverstone in '02.

 

there has to be a catch? has the s2000 been in an accident??

 

No accident, according to the Carfax. I'm going in for a test drive this Friday.

 

How many miles on your TSX?

 

27,xxx

 

Using Edmunds, your car is worth slightly less than $22K as a dealer trade-in and the S2000 is work over $24k -- or $26.5K if it's a certified used car. So your deal looks too good to be true. That's what makes me wonder if there is/was something bad wrong with the S2000. Comparing "dealer retail" values on both, the cars seem to be worth the same amount to the dealer so what's his incentive to do this trade? Hmmmm.....

BTW, I said the condition of both cars was "outstanding" and I assumed you don't have navi.

 

Perhaps it's the regional adjustment? My area code is 07650.

The number I got was the following..

TSX Trade-in: 21,534
S2K Certified: 23,086

But with some negotiation, everything equals out. Of course the only catch is how I have to refinance the vehicle, which totals to around $2,400 for 36 months.

 

Nope, I used that zipcode and essentially got the same number (only $20ish difference).

Oh I see...you are not selecting the condition of the car. Do that and you see what I am seeing -- two figures for dealer retial used (one certified and one not). It just doesn't add up that a dealer would trade even to get a car that is not worth any more than the one he's trading -- unless something's up with the S2k.

 

2400? or 24000? is your tsx paid off?

 

I'd have to finance 15k~16K (Since that's how much I owe) @4.49%APR. Which equals to around $777 a year.

 

The dealer and I spoke on the phone and agreed that I'd pay absolutely nothing, but he's making money in the back-end (finance).

I have to judge the condition based on the test drive and I'll make sure I thoroughly inspect the car to the best of my knowledge.

 

Do it!
The S2000 is a fantastic car. And the 2002 model not only has the glass rear window, it also took care of the TSB's from the 2000s and 2001s.
One thing to look for would be to see whether the engine received the 4-way oil banjo bolts for better lubrication. This was done midway through the 2002's, and was not covered by AHM (only in Europe). You can check s2ki.com for the engine serial number when this was done.

Other than that, the S2000 is quite livable as a daily driver. Make sure the tires have thread, or change to different tires for the rainy season. And take it easy if it is your first rear-wheel drive car.
(BTW I don't have a TSX)

 

Awesome

I was lurking around S2Ki already as well as TOV.

 

I wouldn't do it unless you desparately need 2seater and conv for some reason.

 

If I wanted an S2000. I would do it myself.

You just need to make sure that you don't mind having a 2 seat convertible. Not a good car to try to bring a lot of things/people around in. It's not very practicle if you don't have another car too.

Otherwise, it's a great car. One of my co-workers use to have a Comptech Supercharged S2000. He just sold it last month cuz he's trying to start a family now. He was sad to see it go.

 

Go for it. Just check all of the doors, the hood, and the trunk. The VIN tag should be listed on all panels, if it is not it has been replaced.

Also, I would have a compression test done at a local dealership to check for signs of damage from a previous owner. It is a high-strung engine that loves to rev, but all it takes is one stupid misshift and it equals $$$. The engine to replace will cost you any where from $6,000 to $10,000.


We have a 2003 s2000 (Suzuka) and a 04 TSX. Love them both.

 

Thanks for the heads up. I'll definitely run a compression test.

Also, I know how a 2-seater isn't as practical as our TSX, but I'm in my early 20s. Starting a "family" is not my concern.

 

It's my understanding that dealers don't just pay off your car for you. They tack on whatever amount you owe on the trade-in to the price of the new vehicle. Then they subtract the amount they say they're going to give you for your trade. Which is most likely less than what you owe. So in the end you have a loan for 2 cars and only one car to drive. It's just too hard to believe this deal is what you say it is. Too good to be true. Whenever financing is involved the dealer has the upper hand. Make sure you know the full amount you are financing.

 

Carbuyingtips.com is already embedded in my head. I'm aware of all scams..in summary, if I do indeed go with the trade, I'll lose $2500~3000 in the long run.

 

I don't think anyone would pay $26.5k for an '02 S2k. You can get a new one for $30k. Saving $3500 to get a car that's almost four years older seems like a bad idea.

I'm guessing that the '02 would actually sell for $21k or $22k. '03s and '04s can be found in the mid $20k range if you look around.