S2000 values?

Considering buying a car from dad. He has a 2000 or 2001 S2000 that he hasn’t been driving much the last year or so- he broke both his legs last summer and I suspect is having issues folding himself into it and/or working the clutch like he used to, even though he’s “fully healed.” (Note, GRMers – don’t fall off the porch in your mid-60s…) He’s made some noises about whether I was interested in it and/or whether it should come south to live with me for a while- which means… …who knows. Dad’s kind of cryptic and non-committal about stuff sometimes.

I think it’s got just under 100k miles, has a new glass-window top as of a year or two ago (I think he replaced it right when he broke his legs), and is currently sitting under the deck at the farm, possibly with a chicken sitting on top of it now and then. If it did come to me, it’d be a completely extra vehicle – meaning I’d have to justify its existence to my wife at least somewhat, and also that it’d live the life of Riley in my little garage probably at least 5 days out of 7. And also that it’d get a detail.

Edmunds puts private party value right at $6k for “clean” condition, which seems amazingly, ridiculously low, based on what folks appear to be asking on eBay, etc. I know people ask whatever they want and think the market will do, but I guess what I’m asking is whether the market for early S2000s is really there? Tough to find references of actual sales, obviously the enthusiast boards are going to have cars priced at a premium and/or whatever that particular market will bear, etc.

I just looked this up on kbb.com and it sounds more like $11k or more. If they were $6k I'd be smart to trade in my Mustang on one, but they're not, so I can't. And now I'm sad. Thanks.

I shopped S2000s for a couple of years; sometimes more seriously than others. Not sure where you are located but in Ohio an 01 with under in 100K in good shape would be about $10k; more in very good condition.

Prices were/are rising so I finally gave up and bought a Miata.

The KBB price sounds more realistic. I assume you are looking for a "fair" price for your situation. I would think $8-9K would be a good "private party" price for your situation.

At $6K the car will be sold within 2 hours.

Convertibles are best bought in the Fall/Winter. Prices are lowest compared to Spring/Summer.

Wow. Edmunds is smoking crack. Actually I think it might NOT sell at 6k because people would be suspicious of a car offered at 3-4k below its realistic value. If he will sell it to you for that price, pounce on it.

Here's a 2002 for $7k OBO.

http://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/3730904689.html

In reply to Sine_Qua_Non:

250xxx miles... almost seems high, with a number of dents noted in the advert. Seems like a prime candidate for restoration with that kind of mileage.

Sad thing is that's probably a smoking deal. Call and see if it's been sold yet, I bet it has!

I'll hand carry a $6000 stack of hundreds on the next plane I can catch to wherever your dad lives if he'll let it go for that.

I got mine for 7.5 a year and a half ago. It's an 02 with 105k miles and it needed a top and a few minor repairs. I've seen one as low as 6 but it was ROUGH.

In reply to Spoolpigeon:

How much did the top cost you?

480 for a canvas one with glass back window. Put the top on myself with the help of a friend one weekend. Not a hard job, just time consuming.

See that's sort of what I thought. I kind of doubt $6k will get it done- even for me. I never even considered checking KBB since they have historically been the ones to be the crackhead price.

Thanks for setting me straight. If he goes to sell it and won't give the family hookup (I wouldn't expect THAT big a deal- I'm not looking to hose dad...), I'll point you guys on to a well-kept one.

Sorry for causing the sadness.

Update: confirmed with dad today, it's coming to my house for a while where there are no chickens to mess with it. We haven't worked out the sale price issue yet- I think he still likes the idea of owning it as much as anything, but it's going to live in my garage while we work that out. For my part, I'm going to drive it to work once a week, keep the battery and fluids fresh, try not to get speeding tickets, and otherwise just generally take care of it for him so it's shiny and ready to romp on if he wants when he comes to visit his grandkids- and eventually (long term) probably write him a check.

This is the coolest thing that's happened to me in a long time, maybe ever. My wife said "wait, your dad is doing WHAT?"

Congrats on babysitting the car for a while, you'll love it.

Awesome!

I'd be tempted to break my dads legs myself if I thought he would let me babysit his s2000.