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- Thread starter Nittany Ned2
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Agree. But cars usually bottom out at 15 years old and start to appreciate at 25. But only classics really make any money
Honda produced about 66,000 of these vehicles for the American market during it's run. The American public had a brief love affair with the car, but that quickly dissipated. 2008 was the low point of their sales run. Considering they stopped production nearly 10 years ago, make sure you can get parts for the car - not so much engine and tranny, but the roof mechanisms, and other items exclusively for the convertible car - since Honda did not make many of these, and no other convertible (that I can think of), you want to make sure you have the parts you need if you need them.
I would not look at this car as some sort of investment, although if you keep it for a very long period of time, and pass it down to your kids and their kids - it may have value then, simply because it survived so long. Don't expect to recoup your money in your lifetime.
I would look at the car as a summer weekend joy ride vehicle.
I would not look at this car as some sort of investment, although if you keep it for a very long period of time, and pass it down to your kids and their kids - it may have value then, simply because it survived so long. Don't expect to recoup your money in your lifetime.
I would look at the car as a summer weekend joy ride vehicle.
I just looked at pictures of the S2000 on Google. Did grandma do this to the back of the car?
If you like the car and want to own it to drive it, then buy it. But don’t expect to make money as an investment. Rather, get the car you really want.
I could see the value of an S2000 doubling in ten years, but that is only going to be an increase of $15 grand to $30k. And you have to subtract the cost of maintaining, insurance, etc. So if you are having fun with it, just drive the thing.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2003-honda-s2000-20/
So, how does one know that they have the parts they will need, if they need them? That sounds a little tricky.
Call up your local Honda service center.
Say- "Hey I am thinking of buying a 2008 S2009-it's a car that did not sell well and has been out if production for 10 years. How hard is it to get parts if I need them?"
Enclosed car carrier if you are flexible on dates could probably get it down into the $1500 range. If you don't live far from the Manheim Auto Auction, pick it up there and maybe save a few more bucks.
In my opinion, the S2000 isn't going to be a great collectors car. The cars that actually appreciate in value are the ones that teens and young adults lusted over in their younger years but were never able to afford: stuff like notable sports cars and exotics mostly. It's the cars that were "cool," and part of pop-culture or driven by celebrities. The cars that made it onto bedroom posters. Once those young people grow up and get some disposable income they start making nostalgia purchases.
For the current generation that primarily is going to be JDM sports cars that were featured in the fast and furious movies or gran turismo video games. There's been a huge boom in used Nissan Skyline prices in Japan recently as more of those cars have become eligible for import into the US. Similarly, the Honda/Acura NSX has been seeing a surge in prices.
The S2000 though never really had more than a niche following. It being sold in the US was mostly just Honda responding to Mazda selling a ton of Miatas here. There weren't a lot of young people in the 90's that really wanted an S2000. and the fact that Mazda sold a TON of Miatas means that there will always be a glut of similar cars out there suppressing values.
but let's say I'm wrong and the S2000 doubles in price over the next ten years. that's probably the best case scenario. congrats, that's a 7% rate of return before ownership costs. that doesn't strike me as a great investment. you're way better off just selling the car today and putting that money into an index fund.
BUT
if you're not looking to make money on the transaction and are simply looking for a convertible to take out on weekend cruises and have some fun with, the S2000 makes a lot of sense. You can always enjoy it for a summer or two and then sell it.
For the current generation that primarily is going to be JDM sports cars that were featured in the fast and furious movies or gran turismo video games. There's been a huge boom in used Nissan Skyline prices in Japan recently as more of those cars have become eligible for import into the US. Similarly, the Honda/Acura NSX has been seeing a surge in prices.
The S2000 though never really had more than a niche following. It being sold in the US was mostly just Honda responding to Mazda selling a ton of Miatas here. There weren't a lot of young people in the 90's that really wanted an S2000. and the fact that Mazda sold a TON of Miatas means that there will always be a glut of similar cars out there suppressing values.
but let's say I'm wrong and the S2000 doubles in price over the next ten years. that's probably the best case scenario. congrats, that's a 7% rate of return before ownership costs. that doesn't strike me as a great investment. you're way better off just selling the car today and putting that money into an index fund.
BUT
if you're not looking to make money on the transaction and are simply looking for a convertible to take out on weekend cruises and have some fun with, the S2000 makes a lot of sense. You can always enjoy it for a summer or two and then sell it.
So, again, how do you determine which parts will fail (the ones that you need) in advance?
"but this is not one of our favorites."
The S2000 would likely be a reliable 2-seater. But a "toy" car is all about enjoying the car. Put it on Craig's List, and then buy something that is one of your favorites!! Transporting a modestly priced car across the USA seems like a waste of time and effort to me, unless that particular car has sentimental value or is that car of your dreams. Which you have stated that it is not....
??? The car only has so many parts that can fail. Which of those parts is still being made? Which is not? a dealer can answer this question for you.
Thanks. I got a concussion from banging my head against my computer trying to explain simple concepts.
Hope you are still enjoying Ontario.
very low mileage have seen significant appreciation, a run of the mill car with over 50,000 miles won’t (Honda made way too many, around 60,000) although there’s been a slight uptick in values. On the bright side they aren’t really depreciating either from what I’ve seen.
Appreciation for modern cars is all about limited production, not that it’s a guarantee. It’s why ford GTs and Porsche GT2s are worth well over msrp on the secondary market and run of the mill Mclarens that cost the same new can lose 6 figures in value overnight. A cheaper recent example is the bmw m1 where only around 500 cars were sold. Get on the waitlist for a Porsche GT car or maybe the new spyder if appreciation is your goal.
If your scroll down on this link you’ll see the results of 145 s2000 auctions over time w their results. https://bringatrailer.com/honda/s2000/
Some notable ones.
91 mile car
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2009-honda-s2000-4/
1000 mile car
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2000-honda-s2000-27/
8400 miles
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2008-honda-s2000-6/
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That's great. Just a couple of thoughts from the peanut gallery where I sit.
1. Change the fluids. Considering it has not been running, the fluids may be getting wonky.
2. Check all the belts and tires including the spare- same reason as #1.
3. Drive the thing. It's a car, not a museum piece. If you calculate 3,000 miles a year, the car should have 30-33,000 miles on it, and you are at 7100. So you can drive it without worrying about the miles.
4. Make sure there are no mice or rat nests inside.
Agree...around here, the magic number is 25 years old. At that time, you get the classic auto plates and the car appreciates in value. A great time to buy a car is at 22 years old.
Parts are always available, some just require more effort to locate than others. I make this observation from the experience of helping a friend restore what was then a 40 (now 50+) year old E-type some years back. In cases where once can't find a product off the shelf, it can be removed from the vehicle and sent to a reman service.
I was going to post similar thoughts. And bringatrailer is a tremendous site for collectible cars and auctions. The knowledge from the comments is second to none. Very respectful and great info.
Do not underestimate the value in the low, low mileage for a car that old. The 8,400 mile S2000 sold for $32K. Nobody was buying these at the time for future collectibility so a low-mileage example is pretty rare.
Don't disagree - but the E type was probably more popular than the S2000. I am sure that Honda uses many interchangeable parts on their cars. But, certain model specific items, such as related to the convertible top, may not be as easily found. Never hurts to do a little foreward thinking.
Agree, but for that you'll have to go to a limited number of dealer parts departments (the guys around here wouldn't know what an S2000 is) which can easily be found by rummaging around on-line forums.
All this talk about cars, plus seeing the 2020 Corvette reveal and my weekly visit to the local Saturday morning car club....has me thinking about spending money on a car I don't need and won't drive very much.
First. World. Problem.
First. World. Problem.
Sell it and use the money for a down payment on a John Cooper Mini.
What makes it a john cooper mini? Does it crash and burn in michigan? Does it cheat on emissions tests?
Changing shift knobs on those cars is as easy as changing a cabinet pull. I had an s2000 knob on my rsx in college. If it’s got yellow font it’s a cr knob, if it’s red it’s a type-r knob which could be from a bunch of different models. Those suckers get hot in the summer, id rather have the stock knob, at least it has some leather. Takes sixty seconds with a wrench. You should be able to see the nut under the knob, all it takes is about a quarter turn then the knob is loose and you just twist it off. All Honda/Acura knobs use the same thread so for the most part they’re all interchangeable over the last 3 decades (I’m sure there are exceptions.).
outside of the cr (which was way more than just a knob) there weren’t really s2000 trims. There was a mid cycle refresh between the ap1 and ap2 cars but that’s it. Some colors are worth more than other. I think white w tan interior may be the rarest combo but I’ve been out of the Honda game for awhile.
(And 911s should only be sold as hardtops
)Also saw you're going to have it detailed. For the love of god don't have the dealer do it.
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