I Bought A Honda S2000 For £2000!

[@jdmfreak22]

This car deserves nothing less than what Phil got.

[@TJagla1989]

Except the bonnet scoops

[@jdmfreak22]

@@TJagla1989 yeah lol. I meant from a time/money/love invested perspective

[@butterthetoast8139]

Absolutely couldn't agree more. Deserves a full rebuild. Maybe even stripping down, acid dipping the body and completely rebuilding it.

[@sesamstraathooligan9587]

What, a Ford V6? ;p

[@TJagla1989]

@@sesamstraathooligan9587 it's about passion. Any other engine would break the balance of this car. The engine itself just cannot be replaced. It's a perfect match. One made for each other.

[@jonathansmith4737]

PLEASE do a full rebuild series on this S2000 🙏🏻 Tailor I’m sure can lend a hand…

[@connormatthews522]

+1 to this, would love to see it get the full project treatment

[@TJagla1989]

Just something like with a Mazda RX-8. "Living with a S2K". That series would break the bank!

[@xynostasos9022]

I don't think this engine needs a rebuild. Just a timing chain job and it's good to go. Unless it has lost compression or it drinks oil.

[@AristotelisMitsiou]

...and a laugh knowing Taylor

[@IanRossDavies]

Absolutely this. The car deserves it, 10000%.

[@rockervdrive]

9:19 as a former S2000 owner, I knew EXACTLY what that sound was. My timing chain tensioner started making that noise around 80k miles. At the time, there were a few nice upgraded tensioners available. Easy fix. I miss that car so much.

[@SamJ1000]

I was going to say exactly the same as this! I had the exact same noise when warm. Changed mine twice when I owned it

[@mibars]

@@SamJ1000 That spiral part of tentioner needs a little bit of sandblasting and I went from really bad to never ever hearing that noise again

[@gamaltk]

What happened to it?

[@eurosonly]

Sounds like a very common issue with these cars. It's all I found when searching it up.

[@phillpana]

Yep i read this and thought the exact same thing. Easy fix that is. I've regretted every minute since i sold my s2000 pre covid. Now they are triple the price and its just not a good life decision to buy another right now. 😅

[@MUVMNT]

Have owned my '00 S2000 for over 14 years, 417,000km on the clock and still going strong. Yes, it took a lot of looking after and regular oil changes, but it is such a beautiful car to drive. Wish you the best of luck restoring this one. All very manageable. Its actually not too bad. I've been through it all!

[@jamieeedden777]

That's good going for a sporty car like that must have looked after it better than average tho

[@Pianou]

Glad to see you have finally bought one of these and put your views aside. I have one myself and have just spent a fair bit on rust repairs as well. Based off what mine looked like underneath, definitely looks like you need new sills and arches, and also probably a new rear subframe. I had mine steam cleaned and that revealed it to be much worse than it initially looked. That noise from the engine is almost definitely the chain tensioner gone (a common issue with them), don't get a new OEM one as they suck. Get an aftermarket one like a ballade sport or similar which last much longer (please do your own research though). good luck!!

[@rolandotillit2867]

There's nothing wrong with the OEM tensioners, they do not wear, the chain and guides wear, but that's only because of the high calcium in the motor oils during the car's existence. New oils have additives specifically for the chain and guides. The upgraded tensioners only move the piston closer to the guide to reduce the slack. They rattle when the oil is hot and the reduced viscosity doesn't build enough pressure on the piston. Combined with some chain stretch and guide wear, and you get the classic bike in spokes sound. Toda or Billman's TCT are the only one's worth considering. If you want to make your own, I'll show you how through PM.

[@TonysTechAndCars]

@@rolandotillit2867 Wrong. There most certanly IS problems with the OEM tensioners. Go look on S2Ki. This is the most common fault not the guides or the chain. Thats the first thing to check and replace. I had this done on mine with an improved one. And no it doesn't just "push the piston closer to the guides". The pistons are made with better flow for the oil. Generally the stock tensioners are ok but are not compatiable with many oils and this causes the issues with pitting forming on the unner piston. Don't listen to this guy and look at the wealth of information on the S2Ki forums.

[@rolandotillit2867]

@@TonysTechAndCars I've been working on s2000's for 10 years. But whatever I'm sure you know best because you regurgitate incorrectly what you heard on the internet.

[@rolandotillit2867]

@@TonysTechAndCars Drilling out the oil feed does nothing when you don't change the tension on the oil relief valve of the tensioner. Toda, Ballade, and Billman all extend the piston. No pitting happens to the tensioner internals unless you used some aftermarket junk.

[@rolandotillit2867]

@@TonysTechAndCars so when you replaced your TCT did you take it apart and see pitting?

[@FanatikBuilds]

I’d say you’ve done very well! Here in Ontario 🇨🇦 most S2000s are going for $20k-$50k depending on condition. Hope to see this one cleaned up properly ✌️

[@howzertech2222]

These cars are extremely expensive in Canada. There's currently a salvage title, high mileage, AP1 for sale near me for $25,000.

[@nobbyvandeport9234]

Same here in NL. About 20k-45k

[@Exemplifiera]

You are forgetting about RHD and LHD prices are wildly different things..

[@fexdammit]

40-150k here in new zealand...

[@derekga6973]

7k yo 12 in the uk because every single one will need welding and a full paint job unless it’s a total garage queen

[@VirtualGuth]

Here in the States it would be impossible to find a running S2000 for anywhere near that price. Apparently your market for these cars is lagging far behind ours. This has worked out to your advantage despite all of the work that lies ahead of you. The mileage wouldn't concern me though the rust would (I'll be interested to see how this plays out). Issues with the OEM timing chain tensioner are not at all surprising. Congratulations and good luck!

[@NewtonInDaHouseYo]

7:28 ... looks more like a Helmholtz resonator to me to eliminate some resonance in the exhaust system.

[@paulworthington4661]

Can't wait to watch the restoration on this 👍🏻

[@si_h44]

alex, i love a honda, i had a fn2 type r, those vtec engines are outstanding engines, i would love to see how this vehicle comes along with you and the gang fixing it up, will deffo be looking forward to more vids on this!

[@alexjfinch]

I'm SO glad you've had your head turned - I've owned a S2k for a couple of years and its a treat to drive in the summer when I get it out. I was gutted a few years ago when you decided you didn't like them and they were over hyped. Timing chain is super easy on Honda engines in general, the front is easy to strip down and I believe there are marks on the sprockets to line up with the chain to do the timing (K20 there are colour links and coloured links, but these are slightly different) - so no funky timing tools! I'd recommend getting on the forums and getting hold of a Billman TCT - they're reworked Honda TCTs but with added features to extend their lives. Original Honda ones do sometimes fail unexpectedly. Also whilst you're at it, do the "AP2" retainer work - its undocumented here in the UK whether our engines suffer from retainer cracks like the US AP1 models (AP2 never came to the UK, we all have AP1s), but if you're stripping everything down and doing clearances, you might as well go for the full hog and swap them out. LHT Performance in the US are good to follow and I think Tegiwa stock the retainers. Enjoy your new toy!

[@AdamH6590]

Happy to see you changed your mind on the s2000. I’ve owned one for 2 years now and it’s one of my favourite cars that I’ve owned/driven. I always wondered if you drove a lemon all those years ago 😂. You could sell the oem cat for 700 quid easy and you’ve got a £1300 s2000 right there 😮.

[@nathanielbarbeau4821]

I have one laying around in my garage, but I’m in America. 700 quid is insane. They go for about 200 quid in America.

[@AdamH6590]

@@nathanielbarbeau4821 old style cats with the precious metals etc are fetching really good money in the uk at the moment. Theft is high too which is actually why I sold mine as I thought why run the risk of it getting stolen plus I can make some money back too. I managed to get £740 for my one last year and bought a decat (test) pipe for £80, win win!

[@aye3678]

Nice purchase, mate. I hope you take us along with you on your Honda S2000 re-build. This is going to be a good one!

[@loicmartel656]

Thank god you made your own channel Alex. So happy for you. - From a long term fan...

[@coolhand1983]

Nice purchase! Love an S2000, timeless car.

[@16valveBravoSpoonz]

finally! somebody has said you only need to polish up those headlights and not have to replace them with brand new genuine ones. he seemed quite honest and didn't come across like you have to replace this and that because it looks "OLD".

[@fullyrc8555]

I loved mine! I’ve had 2, I actually managed to blow my first one up and I mean blow it up, blew a hole in the block both sides, could literally look through the engine, it took out the starter motor and engine mount too! I later found out that the early ones (ap1) models had weak valve retainers, and they can crack and break up after lots of miles and high reving, resulting in dropping a valve at high rpm. I think that’s what happened to my first one as I was racing at the time, so I replaced them on my second s2k. Not a bad job to do just a little scetchy as the valve and drop into the cylinder while replacing them lol! Done lots to my second one, all the bushes etc etc, she was a track weapon! Excited to see what you do with this on!

[@GentilsGarage]

What a find for that price. Years ago I bought a BMW 320i for £320 but it’s nowhere near as special as the iconic S2000. Looking forward to more on this one

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

Try buy one of those BMWs nowadays for 320 quid !

[@GentilsGarage]

@@malcolmhardwick4258 I wish… this was in 2007!

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

@@GentilsGarage I had one in around 2000 cost me 800 quid but I sold it two years later for 1000 ! Was a beautiful car !

[@stevenhamilton3549]

A great buy Alex. Looking forward to seeing the progress.

[@ajdexter4195]

Alex if you see this please know your videos are really taking my mind off of a really though time right now :) bloody LOVE cars

[@Gspook19]

listening to an engine, a lost art sadly :S MAKE A SERIES! love the S2000 :D

[@rolandotillit2867]

The pipe sticking out of the exhaust after the catalytic converter is a quarter wave tube that is actually there to remove drone.

[@nickcook7408]

It weighs more than earplugs, you’ll go faster without it.

[@rolandotillit2867]

@@nickcook7408 wrong.

[@paultaylor9652]

I'd like to see the work done on this done responsible Alex, no dic**ng about on this one, it's a car worth saving.

[@EvoBeard]

I know it's not very cost effective but I'd love to see the underside of this S2K dry ice cleaned. I love a bit of Honda goodness. Miss mine (Got a BL MPS now but damn I miss my Civic lol).

[@thejamiestarbuck]

Full Rebuild. Nothing less. We will consume your media! Haha. Great video and definitely would watch a full series on making this a minter.

[@gavinrewell9703]

Looking forward to seeing you bring this S2000 back to the fun machine it should be. Also just amazed by the little Honda Civic hatch in the background. Have not seen one of them in a very long time.

[@kerrthomson4857]

Alex get yourself booked in with Raymond Pugh in Swansea, he redid my S2000 roof in February for £350 and it is impeccable. Glad you've finally understood how good these cars are.

[@mr.hernandezdrives]

🎉🎉yesss, now i have a new channel to watch, congrats on the bargain.. i did not know that regarding the exhaust lol and yes sounds like the tensioner is worn.. cheer from america welcome to the s2000 owners club Alex, great episode, looking forward to the next one

[@MrZimmaframe]

Man I really enjoy these Thursday video releases, I just wish they were a bit longer lol 😄

[@neelzhome8431]

Noice!!! Thanks Alex! Awesome vlog, Awesome little car. Hope she gets fixed up nicely.

[@Wiggs1979]

I've owned my 2002 Honda S2000 for 17 years now, also on around 150k miles and it's currently in a bodyshop having the common rusty rear arches sorted out properly (done once before relatively cheaply, it didn't last). Looking forward to seeing what you do with yours. As others have said, that engine noise is very likely the timing chain tensioner, I've got through about 3 in 100,000+ miles I've put on the car!

[@sbarneaionut]

Honda check, full restore potential check if you want to do it. I am glued to the updates mate😁 Been a Honda fan for a while now. Even my driving instructor car is a Honda hehe😁

[@redhotcupra]

Be good to see this finished, great find Alex

[@robtt997]

I would love that Mk1 Civic in the background !

[@soclose3kgt]

Timing chain tensioner, common issue. Not saying it’s not possible, but don’t really see chain stretching. Google billman, the entire US s2000 community swears by him and his upgraded timing chain tensioners(myself included). Check you valve retainers for any cracks or dropping and adjust the valves, I bet that motor quiets down and runs tight for many many more miles. Looking forward to the series, I knew you were an s2000 hater a few years ago, so this will be fun watching you come around during this process. Good luck!

[@Carlos_Teixeira_Drums]

So excited for this series man! Will love to see it how it turns up and please put the full cost of parts and labour attached to it 😊

[@A88A88]

From a VW man please do a full rebuild of this car it deserves it. Please make it fast as well. Keep up the great work Alex. All the best

[@Jahmed5635]

How you always find these fucking gems and I don’t really pisses me off 😂😂😂 I want this car god dam

[@edsilvester]

Im so glad you’ve seen the light! Welcome to the world of S2k!

[@DonForceFeedback]

Currently working on my S2000. After the TCT is replaced, always check the oil (5W-30) as the Vtec system can use it up. If the suspension is good, then new performance tyres with strong side walls suit the car's handling.

[@ME10920]

Thought there was someone sitting up high with their legs dangling down at the Honda guys garage 😛

[@Mountain-Man-3000]

That appendage on the exhaust is called a Helmholtz resonator. It eliminates droning from the exhaust.

[@Ps1ClassicGameplay]

Seeing a rebuild for s2000 would be something interesting to watch. Not sure i have seen them that much on youtube even if they are so beloved in the honda jdm space.

[@adolynch]

i just read the title and i can already see Alex doing his happy dance!! please make a whole series with this car Alex it'll be watched!

[@alexcampbell5162]

The rattle is the timing chain tensioner. This can be fixed for free by taking it apart and sandblasting the small worm drive screw inside. I’ve done this multiple times on my s2000 owned for 11years. Also your suspension alignment bolts are likely to be seized. This is a job I started and am still yet to finish Also a nice little free mod to unleash the Vtec sound. Take off the airbox lid and there is a k and n style cone filter in there. Sounds so much louder with the lid off. I now run a blox filter and velocity stack from the states and it’s really loud

[@ethangraham1392]

Please do a full series for this car, it deserves it

[@AronBuilds]

7 grand? I wish! They're not anywhere near that price in the states! Good on ya! If they were that affordable here, I'd have 4! Haha! Thanks Alex! Been loving your personal content!

[@ktmdukenz]

Ohhhh this is going to be a good restoration. Cannot wait. Cracker of a buy there Alex.

[@triggamusician]

Alex, here's some advice. You found an absolute gem! Give it a full rundown, give the paint just some love and polish, bring it to the Nürburgring and sell it! Lowest price in Germany at the moment is €20,000 going up to about €35,000. Think about it. You could buy 2 more for the profit you'll make!

[@LoftyVisions]

Love the red Civic S Mk2 at the back there. Had an 83 model in the same colour. Memories! 🥰

[@unknownman8179]

0:55 "42 and a half" .... Honestly thought you were going to say pounds! 😂 😂

[@betr8er896]

Love it, happy for you mate!

[@eze8970]

Looking forward to the updates on this! Thanks Alex! 🙏

[@lewisstorey528]

I went to my school prom in a silver S2000 last year, Ive dreamt of owning one since I was about 10. Can’t wait to see what you do with this one

[@craigbomer8962]

In my area of the USA (NW Ohio), rust gets to a lot of vehicles. It's very true what the technician said about it looking worse than it actually is. There are plenty of cars that are perfectly safe and drivable around here that would be pulled off the road in the drier states because they don't see it very often and panic when a car gets a little scaly. I worked as a technician for a chain of used car lots that has locations all over the eastern US. We sold an older pickup truck to a nice man who had a problem with it down in Georgia somewhere and took it to our closest lot to him to get it fixed. The technician down there flipped out over some frame scale and surface rust on the driveshaft and tried to tell the owner the truck "was unsafe". The owner was from our area and knew better. He brought us a video the technician took of the underside of the vehicle and all the "serious concerns" he had. We all had a good laugh about it.

[@jonathanellison9193]

I purchased the cheapest US s2k with around 200k on it in 2019. And i absolutely love it. I have a long list of of bits that you should check or change. For instance if your suspension bushings in the rear are truly gone you can snap the ends off the axles even under stock power due to suspension misalignment.

[@T.S.T2014]

I’m liking the new channel Alex and please to a proper re build on this S2000.

[@paulb4uk]

Damn good buy alex, these fetch good money as you have stated, and there going up in value fast this will be a great project .

[@dozer877]

This was my dream car until I fell in love with bikes, please do a Refurb series on this ❤

[@RSADYNAMICS]

Amazing deal congratulations on the car one of my favourite cars

[@owainjohns2815]

Alex, videos about buying cars now, for cheap, for a future retirement plan ? how to store and maintain, rent costs etc Future classics for under $XXX

[@streetdogbmx7231]

I owned a ap1 s2000 same as yours for about 3 years as my daily everyday car. It sucked as a daily but I drove that car far, through the worst roads and once through a flood. I loved driving it and I didn't care that I couldn't put anything in it or take more than one person in it. The car ended up in gran caneria and I miss it everyday. I have a civic ek now and it gives me nothing but memories of the fury that little f20c had. Not the fastest cars in the world but drive it on the edge for 5 minutes on the right road and let it show you what it's about.

[@ashleyclark3917]

What a fun project , why being at Honda hq I was lovely stopping the Hondas from the E to the mark 1 and mark 3 civics , great to see them

[@midnightdriven]

Welcome to the ownership my s2000 had some rust issues too! its for grater good !

[@SlovenianE91]

Restauration/rebuild series on s2000, PLEASE 🙏🙏🙏 This thing deserves to be like new again 😇

[@StephenGibson]

Full proper rebuild please. Be perfect next to your 944. Get the Fiat Coupe the same way & that is a very nice trio that will keep you happy for years.

[@pranavdubey3333]

honeslty I think you stole a beautiful example for the price

[@vicgill1505]

Have a look at castv(car audio & security), you may find cars or products you may be fond of. Taylor might like their 325i e30 for sale. Us viewers may be lucky enough for a joint video.

[@arronjones6985]

Wow. Was expecting way worse. Well done Alex. Looks like you my have bagged a bargain there. I will wait till the final verdict tho as any thing could happen yet.

[@JackyGoodrum]

I can’t believe you were legit right near my office! So gutted I didn’t know!!

[@SimonPhillipsPhoto]

Such a nice project car with not a ton of work needed, this will be a fun one to follow.

[@mibars]

Ł2000! You got a steal! And I thought I bought my rough one cheap, but that's next level. It also says something about market in LHD part of Europe where a nice RHD S2000 can cost half of a bottom of the market LHD S2000

[@al1356]

Love these, went to buy one about 15 years ago only to find I was too big! I just didn’t have the leg room and couldn’t get my legs under the steering wheel 🤣🤣. Great car all the same, looking forward to seeing what you do with it Alex.

[@PressurenFlames]

Looking forward to see more episodes on that engineering masterpiece! When I was at Porsche Weissach as a student I've discovered some teardown documentation PDFs on their network drive incl. "engineering rating scores" + comparison to Boxter's solutions. All in all it got a pretty decent rating by the Porsche engineering team. Was interesting to read it. In Germany the currently cheapest one is at 16.500€ aaaaand it's a right hand drive from UK with 115kmiles :))

[@ROCKFORDFOSGATE84]

Awsome buy!! Congrats!! Now it’s time to dig in!!

[@mibars]

3:09 Speaking of BMW and rust on S2000: E39 is your source of wheel arch repair panel.

[@EJayNine]

about time you got a fucking Honda

[@butterthetoast8139]

Paid £13,000 for my 45k 2003 Honda S2000. Absolutely love the car. Alex somehow has luck maxed out on life.

[@michaelcianci7944]

7:27 that's a Helmholtz resonator and it for removing drone at a specific RPM. evening out the length of 2 pipes before they've been split from the one... makes no sense.

[@celticecho]

I’ve wanted an S2000 since they came out!! I love this car so, so much and its the 2 seater sports car I’d buy. If you want to give this one away Alex, remember how much I love you!!!!

[@astrobinge]

Wow, great find! Here in Canada, you're probably looking at a minimum of $30k for one!

[@MrMkindy]

The opening panel above the engine is called a bonnet in this country, a hood is a head covering on a back of a coat.

[@jimlee4961]

I absolutely love mine, such a great car, I regretted selling the first one I bought so much I had to buy another. They are generally really easy to work on as well, so long as things come apart as they are meant to haha!

[@cargen12]

INSANE deal for 2000. Here in the US, just the engine+transmission is worth more than that.. Any s2k that's driveable(even salvage title cars) are selling for at least 10k here. You guys are lucky in the uk that the prices are still quite reasonable

[@sdlausen1]

That noise is just the timing chain tensioner. It's a 15-30 minute replacement. You don't need to change the timing chain!

[@DelSolTypeR1987]

How i would love to see a J's racing spec S2000 when Alex is done with it. Thatd be awesome! Great find for 2000£, over here (Belgium), youd probably end up with a rusted out shell and destroyed engine for that price.

[@samdub]

Amazing! Looking forward to this!

[@thijskennis8757]

Man I am so excited to see this project come together

[@ashleyleonard1479]

I get the feeling I’m gonna like this build, saying that I like all your videos so I’ll look forward to it anyway 👌

[@marciosilva89]

Just subscribed, hoping you are going to give this car the overhaul treatment it deserves.

[@weecharles_]

i have been commenting for years on your videos about how wrong you are about the s2k ! mine has a lightened flywheel, competition clutch, k&n intake and js exhaust. few other bits and bobs but that transforms it into a totally different car. so glad you got one ! :D also that ticking is the timing chain tensioner, extremely common to go wrong on them

[@domsworld1895]

7:28 didn't know that, because i'm pretty sure thats a helmholtz resonator and has nothing to do with the length of the following pipes xD

[@THEPAULFOOT]

I Bought a s2000 in 2020 (f20c) and it's a brilliant car from the great driving experience also the engine note is amazing mine is completely stock at the moment and I'm just getting started on general maintenance before making any upgrades I do also think it's car of its time people hype the life out of them that's why when some people drive the car it sometimes comes across very underwhelming when they come from a more modern car. In my own strange way I find the car to be like a 2 Stoke motorcycle engine were your having to keep the car high up in the rev range to get the power out of it and that is were the car is at its best but down low the car really has nothing but as I said brilliant car and can't wait to see what you have in store for it 😁 (did fall out with you a bit years ago when you give it a bit of abuse 😂😂)

[@timnb0340]

very exited if this becomes a new serie!

[@benscrumhalf]

Can you do some videos on detailing your cars Alex? maybe react to one of AMMO NYC's videos and try and copy the techniques on your Honda? keen to know if you've picked up any tricks yourself. Thanks!

[@merroika1050]

This thing needs a name, keep the tradition alive, Alex!

[@deanandrejevic1946]

This is bizarre, I service and maintain the lifts at Honda UK! John is a proper lovely bloke

[@davidgrove9795]

Can’t wait to see the progress, love these cars!

[@jsyjay]

Miss mine, wish I hadn't sold it for £4k 7 years ago!

[@Dr.Destroyer]

You cheeky bastard :D love it ❤️