My S2000 was made in 2003 and checking the maintenance records at the dealership showed there has never been any maintenance done on this car.  It still has all the original fluids and this is not good.  So this weekend I finally had the time to get the whole thing done.

So I got started gathering all the pieces parts.  First was a visit to the local Honda dealership where I purchased an OEM oil filter.  After reading numerous threads on the various S2000 forums, the consensus is to run the Honda sourced oil filter.  The filter is of good quality and reasonably priced.  While I was there, I picked up a collection of crush washers which must be replaced on all drain bolts.

I’ve never owned a Honda before so there are a few things to learn!  I was told by a good friend (who has owned Hondas) that it is crucial to replace these crush washers used on all bolts.  There is one in the motor oil drain bolt, two in the differential bolts and two in the transmission bolts.  Two on each of the last because one is for the drain and one is for the fill bolt.

While at the Honda dealership, I picked up a couple of quarts of manual transmission fluid.  The consensus at the forums is to use the original Honda brand stuff – so there again I followed suit.  For the engine oil, I used Mobil1 5w-30 and likewise Mobil1 75-90 synthetic differential gear oil.

Next was lifting the car up and putting jack stands under it – no problem there.  There is a special pad on the front where one can use a jack to lift the car and on the rear you pick it up by placing the jack under the differential.  With four jack stands underneath it, it is easy to find the drain bolts.

Changing all fluids is not rocket science however I did find something interesting about the crush washers.  They are made of soft aluminium and tend to take shape when one tightens its matching bolt to the correct torque.  This is all to ensure a tight seal and prevent any leaks.  It was interesting though, when one first starts to take the bolt out one has to apply a bit of force to “break” it.  It follows with a loud “pop” and then comes out very easily.  Now I see why re-using the crush washers is not such a good idea.

There are two other things still left to do:  I need to drain and replace the engine coolant and also need to replace the brake fluid.  Didn’t get that far this weekend, but hopefully that will all be replaced shortly.

Little by little, I’ve been getting the hang of this awesome machine – the S2K.  In order to really get this thing to work, one needs to keep the revs up.  It is a little disconcerting because I’m used to the best from Detroit.

Honda’s F20C engine is quite amazing.  This thing is designed to be revved and by that I mean having 9,000 RPM’s as the limit. This messes with your head a little bit.  So in the area where the vast majority of engines run out of breath, the F20C is just getting started.  What makes this sooo cool is that once you hit 6,000 revs, then VTEC kicks in.  The engine takes a whole different tone and you feel a kick in the butt.  This is when things start to happen really quick and you better be ready to drop the clutch at 9,000 revs.  The way this machine is set up enables the next shift to happen still in VTEC territory and what a fun thing that is.  I caught this close to “just right” for the first time on an “on-ramp” having VTEC engage as I approached the overpass.  The sound was awesome!

I ordered an all titanium shift knob from Honda last week.  It arrived last Friday and that is what is shown in the photo above.  It has a tad more weight than the original knob and just has a better “feel” than the original knob.  The shifter on 6-speed gearbox is extremely short coupled and quite honestly, you can shift this thing with a flick of the wrist.  Very nice.

Yesterday I topped the tank off.  I was able to get 25mpg by driving back and forth to work and such.  I guess this could be improved a little but so far it looks like 24-25mpg around town with 29-30mpg on the open road with cruise control.

Didn’t have a chance this weekend but I am planning to replace all fluids soon.  I’ll have a writeup on that soon…

Since I didn’t feel comfortable driving the S2K with only a title and a bill of sale, I didn’t get to drive it this past week.  It was a busy week at work but finally I got a chance to leave early this past Friday and do the tedious task of obtaining a license plate.

As required by the South Carolina DMV, I had to pay property taxes at the county Tax Assessor’s office before I could request a tag.  I show up at the county tax office and a very, very nice lady waited on me after only waiting about 5 minutes.  She goes through all the paperwork and verifies all is correct.  “What kind of car did you get?”, she asks.  I reply “a Honda”.  As we exchange information she finally finds the assessment information and says…  “A roadster!  I’ve never heard of a Honda roadster!”.  She then looks at the title and realizes the car is listed as having 4,736 miles.

At this point she has a puzzled look on her face, looks at me and asks “Is this correct?  Does this car only have four thousand seven hundred and thirty six miles on it and it is a 2003?”.  I give her an affirmative nod and she shakes her head and adds, “This car has been barely driven.  You got yourself a new car!”.  I politely smile and reply with “Yes ma’am, I did”.  She hands me the tax bill and I was very pleased with the total.  A brand new, hardly broken-in almost ten year old car with an extremely affordable tax amount to boot.  Half the battle done.

Next is a visit to the dreaded South Carolina DMV.  After patiently waiting in line for almost 45 minutes I finally get to speak with a very rude clerk.  In a matter of seconds without thoroughly reading the documents I gave her, she tells me they “are all wrong”.  Turns out she claims the bill of sale and title are not properly signed.  “It has to go back and you need more signatures – they are all wrong”, she barks.  Since this car was purchased from an out-of-state estate, I guess this individual decided to make her own version of the “rules” and impose her will.  I gathered my papers, turned around and walked out.  What struck me as odd was that the very nice lady at the tax office said nothing about requiring more signatures.

With the help of my trusted iPhone I look up the next closest DMV office and promptly head out in that direction.  I decided to play the odds and see if a second clerk would be a little easier to deal with and agree with the lady at the tax office.  Sure enough, it took a 35 minute drive and a second 50 minute wait but this time the individual on the other side of the counter had common sense and patience to thoroughly read all the documents in front of her.  She gives me the total for the sales tax and registration fees and I promptly write a check.  A few minutes later after she adds yet more data to the paper trail and hands me a shiny new tag with matching registration documents.  She asks if I want to spend the extra $20 for a title printed on-the-spot or if I rather wait for the title to be mailed to me.  I had already spent enough money so the title will be arriving via snail mail in the next few days.

My S2K is now ready for the road.  I had a chance to drive a little this weekend and took some photos.  It will take some getting used to because of the high redline.  This car must be revved in order to enjoy it.  Shifting is very precise and it handles great.  I don’t want to push it too hard because it is still running on the original Bridgestones from 2003.  They look as new, but they feel “hard”.  They are way past their life expectancy.  So, a new set will be purchased soon…

Here is a small photo gallery with some pics I took today of the S2K.  Love the car, it handles great and the 9K redline is awesome.  The interior is the optional “all red” version.  The dash is red, the seats and carpet are red, even the radio cover is red.  At first I thought it might have been a bit over the top, but once you see it in person it grows on you plus it is leather and it still smells “new”.  What can I say?  I am very pleased with my purchase!  🙂