Original write-up by kidtwist
I’m 19 years old now, and got my S2000 just before my 18th birthday. Being a teenager and belonging to a much-maligned group, I wanted to share my experiences as to how I came of age with this car.
I always wanted to buy something quick. I rode along in my brother’s second generation Rx7 when I was a kid, and never forgot the feeling of how great speed felt. Besides, my best friend owned an Rx8 and hearing him go on and on with his tall stories of killing cars he probably never beat, just made me want to jump on the band wagon even more. I wanted to be fast and furious for lack of a better phrase.
I was looking at Supras, RX-7s, STIs, EVOs and every car that I saw in the movie, Fast and Furious, regardless of the fact that I’d never driven a manual transmission before. Mind you, I couldn’t spot a turbo in an engine bay if it was painted neon yellow. I could barely change my own oil, and I was stepping in territory I knew nothing about. All I knew is that I liked the feeling of spirited driving and the immense stress relief it provided.
So one day, my dad and I went shopping and see a 2004 Sebring S2000 with red interior for $15,000. My father insisted I get this car and was ready to make the down payment. He wanted me to get a manual transmission so I would not talk on the cell and drive at the same time. And with 2 seats, I would not have friends in the back seat distracting me since I have certain medical conditions as it is.
I was trying to keep away from Honda since I did not want to fit the stereotype of a Puerto Rican guy with a loud exhaust, driving a Honda in Florida . I watched some YouTube videos of the car and instantly fell in love with it. I knew nothing about the cars specs and capabilities but I couldn’t pass up on the deal. Two days later, I was a proud owner.
I ended up pushing the car soon as I bought it. In the first 15 minutes I learned how to drive stick and on the very first day raced an RX8, WRX and a Civic in the same day (felt like Paul Walker for 5 minutes). I felt invincible until the moment I disintegrated (not burnt!) the clutch. While the car was back in the shop, I took this time to educate myself by watching YouTube videos, DIYs and reading countless write ups on S2KI. On this forum I learned how to respect my car and see how lucky I was to own one.
I took advanced driving lessons as soon as I got the car back, and now drive it like its the most precious thing in my life. The first year I had it I almost got involved in two accidents and came out without a scratch on the car that I’m sure would have ended badly if I had an automatic or a car that wasn’t as responsive as my beloved S2000.
This car has not only made me a better driver, but a better person in general. I feel like I’m years ahead of my generation in terms of maturity and I want to thank everyone on S2KI for the awesome write ups and advice.
Its been fun driving stock for a little over an year. I now think I’m mentally and physically ready to take my car to the next level.
Thank you, S2KI for keeping the young and stupid safe on the road.
S2000 Forums-> Young S2000 Owner
NOTE: S2KI welcomes the opinions of its members on the S2000 and on all topics related to the S. Should you feel the creative urge to pen a few words then by all means do so and PM Energetic, Aashish2 or Onehots2k OR send us links to what you would like us to write about and we will feature you (or your community) on the S2KI Home Page.
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on Aug 24th, 2010 at 4:38 am
It’s not how you stand by your car….it’s how you race your car. You better learn that.
on Aug 24th, 2010 at 5:20 am
You look indian to me. Anyways you say you matured? You are illegally street racing which is not mature to be begin with. You almost got in two accidents probably because you were speeding or driving erratic. And this car is not fast by any means. I mean it moves along but quick or fast? Drive a Sti or EVO then tell me what you think of the S2k. I love my s2k but once you driven it for a while it’s not “quick”
on Aug 24th, 2010 at 6:01 am
I normally don’t post on these pages but I just want to contrast Rob’s post a little. Well written article and a nice story of maturing somewhat when it comes to the responsibility and priviledge of driving.
I would venture to say that all of us can be credited with irresponsible driving at some point in our licensed years, but they key is to mature and correct those flaws as quickly as possible, before harm comes to ourselves or other people on the road. Obviously the initial thrill and excitement of owning a sports car got the better of the author, but I’m glad he ultimately took his spirited driving to the track and received driving instruction.
I know several “experienced” drivers (35 years and older) who would do well to take a specific message away from the author’s growth into a responsible driver.
on Aug 24th, 2010 at 7:29 am
Yes a lot of people in the younger days have driven very iresponsible but I wouldn’t say all of us have. In my example, I never have street raced or condone it. Why? Because I’ve had someone close to me pass away because of it. Even when I first started driving I have never street raced. I will always nodd my head when someone pulls up to me wanting to race or even at a stop light. Yes, I may speed 5+ over while driving but I will not race on the street. I take it to the track or strip. This is when you become a “mature” driver. When you street race not only do you endanger yourself but the lives of others. You already know this speech so I will not lecture about it. And “Fast and Furiuos” being a role model is a horrible idea. That movie has brought the ricers in mainstream. It ruined the whole import scene and made boykits the norm for the import culture. Yes the ricer culture was around before “Fast and the Furiuos” But that movie amplified that whole scene. I’m 26 now and even when the first Fast and the Furiuos came out I thought it was horrible what it did to the import culture
on Aug 24th, 2010 at 7:44 am
Somehow I think we are missing the point that he admited to being immature and reckless when he first got the car and then wised up quickly about it. I’m going to give the author a benefit of the doubt and say that just because he nearly got into two accidents after he got a new clutch and proper track educational training, it doesn’t neccessarily mean he was street racing at the time nor anymore. Why would I think that? Two reasons…he stated that “he drives it like the most precious thing in his life” and second, it’s a year in, and he’s left the car stock.
Point being, I agree with MikeyCB, the author deserves some credit for taking accountability for admitting his flaws when he was younger, which some drivers much older still do not admit years and years later, and for taking the time to really learn and care for his car now.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience
on Aug 24th, 2010 at 8:00 am
Let the car teach you slowly. Dont teach the car. Take your time learning manual. Going fast doesn’t impress everyone. Welcome to the board and enjoy your stay =] Congrats
on Aug 24th, 2010 at 8:14 am
Someone once said: “Good Judgment comes from Experience. Unfortunately, Experience comes from Bad Judgment.” So many of us learn things the hard way. Here’s a young driver admitting his faults and willing to learn from them and also the experience of this community. Yes, let’s hope and pray he continues to listen to his mentors here and stops street racing before it becomes a “hard way” learning event, if he hasn’t done so already. But let’s give him credit for what he’s done thus far. Kudos to him for admitting his errors and his willingness to still learn to improve himself and his driving skills! When you stop seeking to gain wisdom in any area of life, you are no longer experiencing life.
on Aug 24th, 2010 at 9:56 am
Woah, never thought this would hit the front page ha! Thanks Energetic for taking the time to correct my grammar and post this up here.
I appreciate all the positive feedback, and just want to clear up that I after I took the lessons I never street raced again. The two close calls happened both on rainy days with crap tires and both were from people getting pissed off at each other in front of me and brake checking which caused me to swerve around them missing them by inches. I had just gone through some financial troubles and couldn’t pay for the tires for a week or so. I didn’t want to drive but I had to go to work eithier way and the S is my daily.
In no way am I saying ive grown completely in a couple years just from having the car. Im saying that I went from uninformed ricer to responsible driver.
on Aug 24th, 2010 at 10:27 am
i would like to point out that I got my car at 18 as well. almost 24 now. I know many who did too. However I never met some one who did all of things mentioned above. i didnt feel like a paul walker either. i feel like this article gives younger drivers a bad name.
on Aug 24th, 2010 at 10:31 am
I, too, got my S2000 at 19. But believe it or not, I never raced around like a pissed off teenager. I had an RX-8 before the S (compression was getting too low in the renesis so I traded before it got worse) and had attended over a year of autocrosses (once monthly) and PCA, and even though I was rather mature for my age (per 25-35 year of age men/women), I feel like I only became more mature as a driver being that this is a driver’s car, and not some car you can hop into and be fast with loads and power and electronic assists, aside abs.
on Aug 24th, 2010 at 11:28 am
i street race…get over it
on Aug 24th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
Wow, I’m wondering why this made front page.
Was this purposeful so users could flame this guy?
Anyway, congrats on the S2, it’s a true classic, and a lot of people dream of some day owning one, it’s a special car, and if you treat it right, it will deliver. Don’t be a statistic, maybe tuck the S2 into a garage and buy a cheap beater Honduh (civic, integra, etc) and put this Honda away for a bit.
My 2 cents.
on Aug 24th, 2010 at 5:57 pm
im in the same boat kinda i just turned 19 and i got 15.000 saved but im going for a little more so i dont have car payments but good job admitting your mistakes
on Aug 24th, 2010 at 10:57 pm
“It’s not how you stand by your car….it’s how you race your car. You better learn that.”
Hahahahahahaha
on Aug 25th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
I got my S at age 18. I did spirited driving more than anything. To date I’ve only raced 2-4 times and it was stupid. I’m 21 now and finally got over the fact of street racing. I think that shit is ricer and stupid! I’m not gonna bash on the homie and be a hypocrite acting like I’ve never street raced. But it’s cool to see the S maturing along with it’s driver. Great write up homie, and keep her away from the rain on any kind of tires.
on Aug 25th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
You’re gonna f’ up your hood sitting on it like that…..
on Aug 26th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
You learn after a while that sometimes its just as fun to drive a fast car slow as it is to drive it fast. Alot of people love to stop and stare but don’t get too if your always on go mode. also remember its the person that makes the car not the other way around.
on Aug 26th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
i just wanna say
i DD my 06 berlina blk S2K and rape it every single day ..
the S2000 is a fast car in the straights and corner
All i have is greddy Evo 2 exhaust nd ive raced M3e46 335i’s G37s mustang GTs
Evo STi and i always give them a good run and they have a WTF look on their faces
because i was right next to them or was right on their ass it all depends on the driver because when i started keeping up with these cars i was like whoever said S2k wasnt fast didnt know how to bring the full potential of the mighty F22( given these cars are lightly modded) OH and i bought 06 S2 just so that i could slap on the Toda Race Header and get the Hondata reflash too get 20HP to the Wheels ..plus skunk 2 stage 2 cams (12 more HP)( keep in mind a great tune is need) f@%k yes!!
on Aug 27th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
mod the shit out of it and race everybody, if there isnt another $10k put in it then you have no testicles, that is all.
Also, your parents handed you that car, it has no meaning to you, make that kinda money yourself and buy it with your own cash then you will know exactly what it means to own your own car.
on Aug 27th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
I keep reading some replies that are not so positive, and I wonder if you guys and gals have read his entire write-up. We have been there, done that and got the T-shirt. We were all young at some point, but eventually we grew up and so he did judging from his words and experiences.
on Sep 3rd, 2010 at 11:01 am
I also being a 19 year old s2000 owner know what is being said in this article. Although my first car was a 1995 honda civic 5spd I paid for while working my way through my first couple years of high school I then decided it wasn’t enough. I then (thinking I would never be able to afford an s2000) bought my first rear wheel drive car. It was a 1991 sr20det 240sx. I got it the beginning of my junior year of h.s. This car was amazing I fell in love with rear wheel drive and as the days went by things started to break and I realized I needed something more reliable. I graduated high school and got a better job. While in college I started looking for something new. By the end of first semester I found a 2000 ap1 s2000 with 48000 about 100 miles from where I love. I went down to look at it with my dad and ever since test driving that s2000 (which I now own) I never want to get rid of mine. I love the high reving go cart feel to the car. It is the best investment I have made to this day. I haven’t owned my s a full year yet but I do love the way I feel when I drive it.
on Sep 9th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
hello, i go by the name of tito. This piece caught my eye, due to the fact that he was a young age s2000 driver. I driven down the same road, like this young purto rican guy, but im actually 17 as of a couple of months ago. I actually bought my s2000 at the age of 16, (Berlina black 2002). I was one of the lucky ones, being mexicans really does give me a bad rep, because most mexicans run down a bad category with their beaner kits and rattle can exhaust. But i’ve always loved imported cars and the JDM life. After awhile i’ve learned to enjoy quality instead of cheap fast life. Back to the subject, i love my s2000, took precautions when i first got it and made it into a garage queen to study and learn everything about it. Becoming a s2ki member helped me alot and was probably the smartest idea i’ve done ever since i got the car. Therefore i’m obligated to give thanks to all the s2ki members for the tips and ideas that ya’ll have to offer.
on Mar 15th, 2011 at 4:59 pm
Great stuff guys, “My two cents” I agree we all have done our fair share of stupid stuff, spirited driving and so on, But I have to say and Im sure I’m not the first or the last to say this, The Honda S 200 is a fun a** car to drive, I drive 21 one mile two work and 21 back home and I love love it everyday, Specially in the summer with the top down. I actually look foward to going to work and I sure as He** love leaving, So To all those who just get the urge to be silly out there Just remember one thing the Honda S2k is a fun car looks good but boy she has a temper if you dont treat her with respect kinda of like my wife, which to say the least I ve often had to spend some nights in the s2k. Just kidding, To all the s2k owner drive long and prosper.