2008 S2000 CR, approx 8900 miles on the odometer (no, that doesn't appear to be a typo) with no maintenance history whatsoever, and the "service soon, oil lifetime 5%" message showing up.
Retry/Ignore/Cancel?
According to the schedule published in various places on the Interwebz, it should have had two services within that time.
Is it priced accordingly?
Yes, a few hundred over KBB 
It's 9k miles on a 2.5 year old car. Unless most of those miles were done on track I wouldn't worry about lack of records, just change all the fluids and go. That in mind run a carfax then google the names against track day organization registrations.
I wouldnt worry. It would be hard to do much damage that quickly unless it was a demo.
One thing that bugged me about the CR for the weekend I had it was the lack of a softtop. I know the idea behind it but its a pain in the but when your taking a nice drive and are worried about rain or having to drive back in 40 degree weather with the top down since you were out longer than expected.
Greg Voth wrote: I wouldnt worry. It would be hard to do much damage that quickly unless it was a demo.
It wasn't, the car fox shows it's a one-owner car and has been a personal car since it was 14 miles old.
Greg Voth wrote: One thing that bugged me about the CR for the weekend I had it was the lack of a softtop. I know the idea behind it but its a pain in the but when your taking a nice drive and are worried about rain or having to drive back in 40 degree weather with the top down since you were out longer than expected.
I think I read that - tbh the hardtop is unlikely to come off until we have proper summer (so that's June to October or so) and then it tends to be warm enough around here to not have to put up the top, plus rain is something that other people seem to get around that time of year.
S2000s are supposed to be pretty tough cars from what I've read, so if everything looks and functions correctly I wouldn't worry about it. The price not being what you want to pay or want of a soft top would be bigger issues in my mind.
pigeon wrote: It's 9k miles on a 2.5 year old car. Unless most of those miles were done on track I wouldn't worry about lack of records, just change all the fluids and go. That in mind run a carfax then google the names against track day organization registrations.
No names on the dealer provide carfax, unfortunately.
I'll have a good look at the tires when I go see the car, I know what track-type tire wear looks like but I am basically concerned that it's been used on the track (why would you buy one otherwise?). But I assume that would've also got the oil reminder up a bit earlier, wouldn't it.
MG_Bryan wrote: S2000s are supposed to be pretty tough cars from what I've read, so if everything looks and functions correctly I wouldn't worry about it. The price not being what you want to pay or want of a soft top would be bigger issues in my mind.
Price is close enough for a dealer, plus there might be some haggling room.
Thing is that I'd probably want/need a hardtop anyway so I'm thinking that maybe getting one that's got one would work well.
Datsun1500 wrote: Honda Dealers will not usually do a service until the message says the oil is at 10% or less. I see nothing wrong with no services done in 8900 miles.
15% but what's 5%. I change mine when it says 50% lol. I would worry too much. Change the oil when you get it, check the trans fluid and rear diff fluid. Even then, those aren't recommended until 30K (trans) and ~40k for the diff (might be higher).
BoxheadTim wrote:MG_Bryan wrote: S2000s are supposed to be pretty tough cars from what I've read, so if everything looks and functions correctly I wouldn't worry about it. The price not being what you want to pay or want of a soft top would be bigger issues in my mind.Price is close enough for a dealer, plus there might be some haggling room. Thing is that I'd probably want/need a hardtop anyway so I'm thinking that maybe getting one that's got one would work well.
I generally not an optimist, but for the sake of discussion. Lack of records stating the oil has been changed doesn't mean it hasn't been changed, right? I change my own oil in the discomfort of my own garage. I would hazard a guess that a lot of people who would buy a car with the intention of using it as a track toy would do the same so that they have control over exactly what oil goes in the car. Just a thought though. Can't know anything without looking at it.
... which is why I'm planning to look at it, obviously. And you've got a point.
I would surprised that someone would buy a $38k car and not maintain it, but stranger things have happened.
BoxheadTim wrote: ... which is why I'm planning to look at it, obviously. And you've got a point. I would surprised that someone would buy a $38k car and not maintain it, but stranger things have happened.
I hope I didn't seem to be suggesting that you weren't already planning on looking at. Anything is possible, it just seemed like everyone was assuming the oil hadn't been changed in 9000 miles just because it wasn't serviced at a dealer.
If you do buy a CR, I was actually hoping you start a thread in which I could pester you with a bunch of questions about it. 
This thread confuses me.....you are worried about 8900 miles on a Honda, but were contemplating buying an RX-8? I'm no Honda fan, but I wouldn't worry about the oil too much on the s2000 with those miles. Buy it, change the oil, and go have fun.
Go, buy now.
Or let me go buy now.
At 8900 miles it's hardly due for an oil change.
Cotton wrote: This thread confuses me.....you are worried about 8900 miles on a Honda, but were contemplating buying an RX-8?
Well, I never said I was quite right in the head, didn't I? 
carguy123 wrote: Or let me go buy now. At 8900 miles it's hardly due for an oil change.
If memory serves, 7500 or 3750 miles if used aggressively are the interval per Honda. So if you were to be religious with the maintenance, it's due for an oil change. If I'd spent the money to buy it new, I'd change the oil at least every 7500 miles even if oil analysis showed it could go longer.
So, it sounds as if this thing is sitting at a dealer, hence no access to previous owner? Check the glovebox for clues: receipts, previous owner name, etc.
Yes, it's sitting at a dealer - speaking to the salesperson it sounds like it's a trade-in.
BoxheadTim wrote: I am basically concerned that it's been used on the track (why would you buy one otherwise?).
Because stuffing your $35K car into a tire wall would SUCK. Also, tripling the cost of your track day with insurance would suck as well.
Go buy now. Enjoy the no-soft top. It means it won't rip and you wont be out $1200 to replace it 
ProDarwin wrote:BoxheadTim wrote: I am basically concerned that it's been used on the track (why would you buy one otherwise?).Because stuffing your $35K car into a tire wall would SUCK. Also, tripling the cost of your track day with insurance would suck as well. Go buy now. Enjoy the no-soft top. It means it won't rip and you wont be out $1200 to replace it
That and it will be harder for someone to steal the seats, they WILL go after the wheels trust me on a CR.
I had a 00' and somewhere dead in the back of my head Honda changed the oil in mine at 10K as it had some funky additive that they like to let run around the motor for a while.
i'm a honda tech, and most s2000 don't get driven very much. most people that buy them are either.... cheap or old , or both .
most honda services are 3 years or 36k , then every 30k . most s2000 are regularly mantained , and the ones that aren't will show severely more than a regular car more often than not.
overall it's still a honda, the oil change is the only thing i'd see it due for untill it hits the 3 year old mark . check the cabin filter though, it's in the cowl on the battery side, pull gently on the plastic cover and you'll see a small white oval , only the inside part is disposable, the frame you re-use.
ProDarwin wrote: Enjoy the no-soft top. It means it won't rip and you wont be out $1200 to replace it
Ouch! That explains the one a few office buildings away from me here with duct tape covering the front half of the top... 
Robbins top, $705; http://www.kwiktops.com/index.php?app=ecom&ns=prodshow&ref=2540honda
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