oonowindoo

Maybe it is a regional thing.

Your car is worth over $20k easily in So Cal and it seems everyone knows that here.

SamDoe1

Yep. I think what I'll do is seal the tear on the inside and then seal it again with a support material on the inside. I'd like to leave the outside alone as much as possible and I'm hoping two layers of seal on the inside should do just fine.

oonowindoo

I wish i can just drive around some farms and find a mint s2000 owned by 70 years old grandma. She likes me so much and sold the car to me for $15k...

just like how they do it on TV.

But places like that don't exist in LA.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

If you love it enough, find your dream S2000...fly out, and drive it home. That's what Chip did!

Sam...the way I'm poorly describing it is not visible from the outside. First thing I did on my tear was to sew it...which is visible, but kept it from getting worse. But since I found this stuff...I only do it from the inside. I just put the patch in from inside...then use a pick or something tiny to apply a little bit around the edge from the outside, wiping up any excess...the press down to ensure it's watertight.

Words are hard

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

That's one awesome freaking deal, Sam! Congrats!

You should definitely keep it forever.

SamDoe1

There's a guy selling a 2005 Rio with ~45k on it for $18900. You could probably beat him down a little more than that. I spoke to him and was interested but this one came up locally. Current owner is some old guy who wants to downsize his garage. Looks like it's in amazing shape.

Here's a link:
2005 Honda S2000 , $19,400 - Cars.com

SamDoe1

I plan on keeping it forever and keeping it stock forever. I'm just happy to know I'll probably make a profit on it if I ever decide to let it go.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

I'm too dumb to have kept mine stock.

Again.

SamDoe1

Ugh, missed this post due to page change.

Yes that makes sense. I'll probably do just that.

Dayum...

Anyone want a great condition S2k with 40k miles on it? $22k.

oonowindoo

where is that car located? i checked the Ad but could not find any location information.

I probably can find something similar locally, for $18,000 + airfare/hotel+shipping charge back to CA.

oonowindoo

You really could ask for that and more if yours was GPW

But 20K is where yours is at in So cal.

SamDoe1

Michigan.

Buy it and drive it home. Would be an awesome road trip, especially if you find a cool way through the mountains.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

LOL...your car is worth whatever someone would pay for it!
Some care about low mileage...some care more about condition etc...
Properly maintained, and not messed with is what I'm generally after.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Yes and no.

I wouldn't keep it stock. haha

Just get some quality parts and do a good maintenance on it. These cars are tanks.

SamDoe1

jk man, I love the way you've done your car but I just can't bring myself to change the suspension on a car that's already driving perfection.

When I'm shopping for a car, I'm looking for a car the way I want it to be and not how it could be after I mod it. Just my style.

oonowindoo

Driving S2000 from Michigan to Los Angeles?

I think somewhere along the way, i will need to call an ambulance.

I love S2000.. but anything over 250 miles will kill me. I have done 3 or 4 times from LA to Vegas and it was a killer already.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

The stock feels perfect.

But with the right mods, it will be better than perfect. I would just keep it like that. :wink:

TacoBello

I whole heartedly agree. I've had a few cars where I never touched the brakes, suspension, exhaust, etc, because I figured Honda did it right in the first place. That's part of the reason why I'm an option-whore and stick to buying only the top available trim model for that particular year- I want everything available, even if I don't use it (like Navi).

Oddly enough, the last two cars I've bought have both been modified. I kind of regret buying the TL I have- it's a great car, but I would have likely been happier with an all stock 6MT. I say that because I feel the TL I have is a bit "molested" as opposed to an all clean girl.

The other is a purpose built track slut. Previous owner's 1000s of dollars lost is my gain- and with that one I have no regrets

TLDude876

iTrader: (7)

Stock s2k suspension is a little too rough for my taste so I got coilovers. Yep, i'm a grandpa

SamDoe1

Yes, 2000 miles in an S2000 would be a bit much. But hey, you save a ton of cash apparently. Or just ship it home.

Eh, to each their own. I just like keeping my stuff stock and always have. Modding has never been my thing regardless of car. Why buy something just to change it later on is my philosophy. But again, to each their own. A lot of people love modding and that's perfectly fine by me.

Props up the value of my stock S2k.

A track car is inherently modified lol, no real way around that. Agree with everything else you said though. Buy it the way you want it and the way the mfr spent millions of dollars making it that way.

oonowindoo

You can leave everything stock but you must change out the speakers/headunit.

S2000's stock stereo is probably the worst/useless in any cars that was build after year 2000. Not talking about sound quality, just to be able to hear anything on the FWY will require upgrades.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

It ALWAYS starts with one thing...
suspension, then wanting the right exhaust sound etc...then the looks...
GAH...I definitely did this one up on a budget though, I spent tons more on the silver one.



Thanks though, Sam.
I can tell you...if you have the money for it, and are considering it...the H&R coilover I bought 2nd hand rides more smoothly than stock, and obviously looks cool and lowered.

TacoBello

This. An unmodified car will eventually be worth more than a modified one. I was able to get top dollar for my 1999 Civic SiR (Si for you 'muricans) because it was completely stock and in great shape. All the other ones for sale were modified in one way or another, but people were looking for something unmolested. Same went for my '05 TSX.

It's hard to find that unmolested, exceptionally maintained, diamond of a car. Those are the ones I look for. Those are the ones that demand top dollar.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

I find that if I do windows up, I can hear the music...otherwise I just listen to the engine.

I think a well modified car can actually appreciate in value. Shoot...Chip paid me X number of dollars more for having the car be a good starting point for what he wanted to do. I keep my spreadsheet on money spent etc...I also don't neglect the maintenance (take the billman gen x tct I did on both cars almost immediately)...
anyway...if selling to someone that likes stock...no doubt, drops price or deal breaker...but for someone that likes what you've done with a car...

Honestly, I never truly regret spending the time/money I have on any of the cars. As my Mother in law says...at least it's not girls or crack Plus, if you parked mine next to a stock TL or S2000...I don't think you'd pick the stock one unless you were trying to prove a point about not liking modified cars. And I'm not saying that in a tooting horn kinda way either...

oonowindoo

you can only listen to music with windows up in local.

On the FWY, all you could hear is wind coming in from every direction and the constant 4.5k RPM noise.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

I like it.

SamDoe1

Headunit is already different, speakers will happen soon.

You are correct though that this mod is a must have. The stereo in the S2k is abysmal and should have been done different from the factory. Guess they never tried to drive this car with the stereo on, top down, windows down, during testing.

I guess I should say that I'll do mods if they are a must have. Like changing out the elastic straps for the modifry ones or the aforementioned stereo.

That said, any advice on components for the doors? I'm not going to put in an amp and I don't want to modify the door itself.

lol, true that. On our drive on saturday the wife said "huh, it's louder with the top up."

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

I get by with windows up on the highway...not LOUD, but discernible without distorting.


Dude, I spend like $200 with Bob from Modifry each time...that guy has some seriously great things for the car. Sidemarker modules are a must...looks so good when they're on with the parking lights...straps...I did the bike chainguard lizard skins on the soft top frame to keep from wearing. So many things to do, Sam...SO MANY!

I will tell you this...you must be willing to sacrifice the speaker basket or lose it entirely for a speaker to fit. Even my old tiny magnet infinity speakers were too bulky to fit in the stock opening. I have a feeling a decent pioneer coax would do the trick, the stock tweeter isn't too bright or overpowering. I also had good luck with a tiny motorcycle amp and a small spare tire subwoofer in my last one...to add some depth.

oonowindoo

I did not have any amp or components in my s2000. Just a simple headunit plus tweeters/stock sized speakers. Since you are not using Amp, just make sure the headunit has enough power to push those speakers.

You will not get great sound no matter what you do, so loudness is what i was going for.

my current GF went through 2 S2000 with me when it was my only car, that is how i know she is a keeper.
The shits she had to go through because my only car was the s2000

TacoBello

Looks wise, your cars win hands down. The only reason I would choose the stock versions over your cars is due to reliability and functionality, both of which get compromised when modifying.

oonowindoo

You have a TL as DD... so the occasional "misery" in the s2000 is acceptable.
The tolerance level will decrease if your only car was the s2000 for 6 years, then you will start appreciate the small things like, be able to hear the music without popping your tweeters 2 months after you got the car

SamDoe1

I plan on DD'ing my s2k as much as possible during the summer. My alternative is something I can likely park the S2k inside of. It's comical parking the tiny roadster next to the school bus sized yukon.

I'll probably cut the baskets out, you can add them back in later if needed. I'm sure my head unit pushes out whatever the standard 50W max per channel that most do so I'll size accordingly.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Having a high quality set of coilovers and wider wheels+stickier tires do not compromise the reliability and functionality.

But really, I respect you and Sam for keeping them as stock as possible. Nothing wrong with it at all.

SamDoe1

No new tires until Wednesday or Thursday.

Ken1997TL

Just changing the headunit is a tremendous improvement. I put a decent $200 Kenwood that was like night vs. day. I can hear music at highway speeds and if the top is up, it sounds somewhat decent on the highway. Around town, it even sounds good

As for mods..

FIPK from K&N is what I did. Oh and the Hondata ECU upgrade.

Ken1997TL

I'm getting some Michelin Pilot Super Sports before Memorial Day

Rockstar21

iTrader: (1)

all of my mods are reversible. since I don't heavily modify my cars... its usually as simple as putting the stock wheels, suspension and exhaust back on. And as mentioned, doesn't affect the car's reliability at all. (somebody with a cruddy clutch foot could do more damage)

I get the best of both worlds. enjoy the car how I want to. and sell it as stock later on.

Although with the S, im not sure I will ever do that.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Adam, aside from having to buy tires more frequently (every 1.5 to 2 years) there is no extra maintenance. Alignments are a must regardless and I haven't done any modifications that lessen reliability...main reason I only do basic bolt ons is I want the car to turn on and run perfectly every time I drive.

I will say, headunit DID make a huge difference...pioneer with the stock speakers sounded awesome. Pay attention to the RMS...most are 22 x 4 RMS...the cheap headunits can be less. I tested the infinity speaker to the stock and the stock one is actually much better sounding...more mid range etc...it's not even a paper cone...it's poly...much wider range...I ended up installing another set in the plastics behind the seats for some added surround...that, plus the small pioneer spare tire sub was perfect.

Ken...tell me that wasn't the most complicated damn intake install...
Also...wish my car was drive by wire...

Rockstar21

iTrader: (1)

I haven't done the FIPK.. but it looks like it just drops in!

good to know its a pain if I ever decide to do it lol

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Yours might be a lot simpler...as the years went on there was stuff added, like this one vacuum line and another sensor that Ken has that I don't. It's not SOOOO bad...but not what you'd expect as far as being easy. You have to reroute coolant lines and such too...it actually cleans up the look quite a bit though.