REDLINE ALLEYHonda S2000 buying guide
1999 to 2009. An S2000 suits a driver who wants a high revving, precise roadster and will check the oil every week.
Big jobs
- Oil consumption. Specialists say they all burn a lot of oil, roughly a litre every 800 to 1,000 miles, and Honda advises weekly checks that owners often skip. Knocks point to worn bearing shells.
Workshop jobs
- Soft top leaks. The soft top often leaks near the screen pillars.
- Front lower arms and bushes. The front lower arm is often the first suspension part to wear, and bushes clonk from about 80,000 miles.
- Seized bolts and bushes. Some cars left the factory without greased bolts and bushes, and specialists often drill out seized parts.
- Light underseal and rust. Underseal is light, so the underside can rust.
Small jobs
- VTEC tick and valve clearances. A light tick from the top end may be a sticking hydraulic pin, often cured by an oil change; valve clearances are checked at the major service.
Questions for the seller
- How much oil does it use, and how often do you check it?
- Is it an AP1 or AP2, and is it a Japanese import?
- When were the valve clearances last checked?
- Has the soft top been replaced, and does it leak?
Sources
Researched 2026-11-01. General guidance from owner and specialist sources. Check the specific car with an independent inspection.