ok so, sadly, the s2k is in bad shape. its been through hell and back and the cost to fix it to where i would like it to be is just way too much for me right now. and even then, im still stuck with a car that is impractical to drive every day.

There is this FJ bruiser for sale brand new here in memphis. It is left over from 08 and the dealership simply can not sell it. They have already marked it down $10,000 from the retail price. I think it looks sick and would also give me the ability to tow some of the toys we have, which i can not really do right now.

Here are the pics.

What happened to the S2000? I must know in order to make a decision.

well, it used to be supercharged... when i took that off is when it seemed like all the problems began to surface.
as soon at i took it off, i had to replace the timing chain tensioner (which was a 15 minute job but still....)
i just had my rear end replaced this week to try and get rid of some of the whine, but its still there.
i think the tranny and diff mounts are bad.
it seems like every day, i discover a new hole in the soft top.
my clutch isnt disengeging instantly when i shift at red line.... it sticks to the flywheel.
the flywheel has always made a noise (fidanza) but i think it is loose or something because the grinding noise is even worse and i really just dont want to mess with it
there is a hobble coming from the rear end when i drive it daily that comes and goes (normal driving) I thought the new rear end would fix it but it didnt. I think maybe an axle is warped?

It just sucks and maintenance would just be very expensive to get everything i think is wrong fixed and i still dont know if that would fix all of it....

Thats just a few of the problems

I am telling you, I really think your noise issues are related to the clutch/flywheel. Make Honda honor their work and fix things. They installed the clutch, they need to fix it, simple as that. And I would be a little pissed off that they replaced the diff and I'm assuming drove the car, and handed you the keys back like everything was ok. If you want, we can pull the transmission and do it right once I get settled into the new house. And every bolt on the clutch and flywheel should get locktite. Otherwise, flywheels like to back off of the crank.

As for the FJ, awesome ride but there is not a "snowballs chance in hell" I would get rid of a s2000 for a FJ. Just my 2 cents but you already knew that. Now if you put a huge Driftopia decal across the white FJ, I may have to change my vote to yes.

We can fix the s2000. It is just a simple process of elimination. In 3 weeks we can jump on it and it won't cost a lot to fix. Worst case in my opinion if you will need a new clutch.

I think you really just need to decide if you want a larger utility vehicle over the s2k. And with some of the outdoor hobbies, that may very well be the way to go.

i say get the FJ. it seems more practical, crazy, i know lol. but like you said, you can use it to tow toys and what-not. and if it's a great deal then i really say go for it. sounds like the S2K is just bothering you lol.
oh! and totally do what Chris said. HUGE Driftopia decal across the windshield!

i say keep the S2K. you should consider replacing the soft top with a hard top. in the March issue of Modified on page 26 there is a S2K with a hard top and it looks damn good. as for the dealer people, i bet they knew there was a problem, and they just wanted you to come back for more money. another vehicle just means more money wasted on insurance.

hmmm geno, your response is oddly the same one chris gave me today at lunch... i smell a conspiracy!

the dealership did not know of any problems. I am actually very happy with the dealership because they have hooked me up with countless free services AND, when my transmission went out, i had the fidanza flywheel and ACT clutch installed. My was already OUT of warranty, so i thought i would have to pay to get a new trans. The dealership did not pull the typical "you have aftermarket parts that caused the malfunction." Instead, they did some research and found a little recall on my specific model and replaced everything for free! (Remember, i had no warranty). They could have easily disregarded the warranty work and i would have never known and would have paid $6,000. They even extended the warranty on the new transmission 10,000 more miles.

When i have been to honda, i have never NOT known the problem with the car. I have always told them what needs to be replaced. So honda did not "diagnose" a problem, i simply told them to replace the rear end with the one i supplied. Therefore, they are not at fault.

Im not saying that i made a mistake by replacing the rear end because the rear end was bad AMONG other things. Now i have the other problems to deal with.

I really think the flywheel is what is messing up everything.

I see, well, you still need to get the problem fixed before selling. Otherwise, you won't get enough to justify a trade. Fix the flywheel and you may start to love the car all over again. And if not, get the FJ and don't look back.

And as far as a conspiracy, nah! We just hate to see you step away from the s2k.

haha, a conspiracy????? great minds think alike i guess...anyway, chris is right. i don't wanna see you get rid of the S2K either, after all the hard work you've done to it. not to mention all the how to's here on the website. honestly, i went throught all of this a few months ago. whenever my flex plate broke, i was gonna sell the SL. wanna know what i did? i took a step back, looked at the car, and thought 'this is my first car. why do i wanna get rid of this...?'. then i took a deep breath and saved the money to fix it. now look at it. i'm getting ready to do autocross in about 3 weeks.

I have never heard of these problems with a S2000. I would sugest going to http://www.s2ki.com and ask around on there, if you havent already. Only problem with a hard top is that they are expensive, and riding top down is so much fun. If you went with the FJ you could have a serious case of buyer's remorse. I would go with the FJ as a last resort.

+1 Don't do it RioS2K

looks like the majority rules in favor of keeping the S2K.

*sigh* i love the FJ...oh well! S2K always wins! lol
keep it Rio-S2k!!

the way i see it rio. when something brakes, only means it's ample timing to fix and upgrade!

damn straight. that's the way of the tuner.