Upgrading from the S?
Originally Posted by Disgustipated' timestamp='1307523598' post='20660563
My question for Car Talk is simple: is there really a decent alternative that fits my criteria? Here's what I'd optimally like in another car: reliable, affordable powerful, practical, acceptable gas mileage, fun handling/driving finesse. From my own research, a car meeting all of these criteria is hard to find. I'd like to spend no more than $15-20k, and I can make payments. Enterprise offered to buy my S2000 for $14.5k (bought it last year for $13.8k), so that's a good amount of cash to play with. If I sell all of my S2000 mods at reasonable prices, I'd make about $8.5k.
Anyways, I decided to sell my car private party, asking $14k. If I get at least $13k for it I'll be happy.
Imo there are only two paths to take to "upgrade" from an S2000.Absolute Power - aka a C6S2000 Plus - aka a Porsche Boxster SThere's also the lateral upgrade, "I need an S2000 sedan" - RX-8, but thats also the "I need worse mpg" change.Everything else isn't an upgrade, its a change.
One other tantalizing option that has me coming full circle is that a friend of mine is willing to sell me an 06 Laguna Blue AP2 with 60k~ miles for $15k. This is an amazing deal, and I'd be perfectly happy selling all of my mods except for my rims, KW V3's, exhaust and high flow cat. I'd just transplant those onto the AP2.
Also seeing some guy selling a mint '04 TL 6 speed in Burbank for $14.5k, I could probably talk him down to $13k. But then I'd have to sell all of my S2000 mods. I would come out ahead about $8-9k when all was said and done.
Decisions, decisions... Thanks to everyone who has commented on this thread, you've given me so many new thoughts and possibilities. That's why I love this site, there's true enthusiasts and knowledge on here.
Some of the choices on here are definitely an upgrade. As you mentioned college have you considered what you can get for the money you will get for selling your S. Most practical options are either boxy wagons or front wheel drive Civic's. As those dont seem to appeal to you, you may be better of just keeping the S.
If I were in your shoes (I could not afford a car in college) I'd buy an Si or a Mazda 3 from the proceeds of the S2000 and I'd invest the money earned from selling mods into stocks or mutual funds. That way in 3-4 years once you have completed your education, hopefully your money too will have grown to a point where you can buy another S2000 or something better.
Good luck with whatever you choose though. Whatever you decide I'm sure will be the right thing for you
If I were in your shoes (I could not afford a car in college) I'd buy an Si or a Mazda 3 from the proceeds of the S2000 and I'd invest the money earned from selling mods into stocks or mutual funds. That way in 3-4 years once you have completed your education, hopefully your money too will have grown to a point where you can buy another S2000 or something better.
Good luck with whatever you choose though. Whatever you decide I'm sure will be the right thing for you
Some of the choices on here are definitely an upgrade. As you mentioned college have you considered what you can get for the money you will get for selling your S. Most practical options are either boxy wagons or front wheel drive Civic's. As those dont seem to appeal to you, you may be better of just keeping the S.
If I were in your shoes (I could not afford a car in college) I'd buy an Si or a Mazda 3 from the proceeds of the S2000 and I'd invest the money earned from selling mods into stocks or mutual funds. That way in 3-4 years once you have completed your education, hopefully your money too will have grown to a point where you can buy another S2000 or something better.
Good luck with whatever you choose though. Whatever you decide I'm sure will be the right thing for you
If I were in your shoes (I could not afford a car in college) I'd buy an Si or a Mazda 3 from the proceeds of the S2000 and I'd invest the money earned from selling mods into stocks or mutual funds. That way in 3-4 years once you have completed your education, hopefully your money too will have grown to a point where you can buy another S2000 or something better.
Good luck with whatever you choose though. Whatever you decide I'm sure will be the right thing for you

Right now it's between an '04 Acura TL 6-speed and an '06 Laguna Blue AP2.
I'll let you all know what I pick up in a week or two. A guy came to look at my AP1 today and he wants to buy it with the hardtop, so hopefully he picks it up this weekend. I'm in the process of selling all the mods except for a couple I might keep, so we'll see what happens!
Well I found an '04 Acura TL 6 speed I'm going to look at, hopefully today. Can't find an '06 Laguna Blue so I'll just buy one in 6~ months or so. :\
Parted out my car, only things left are coilovers, wheels, exhaust, etc. If I pick up that Acura TL 6 speed, I'll update this thread and maybe start a new one if anyone is interested in how it 'compares'.
Parted out my car, only things left are coilovers, wheels, exhaust, etc. If I pick up that Acura TL 6 speed, I'll update this thread and maybe start a new one if anyone is interested in how it 'compares'.







