Just got my first car
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Joined: Jun 2009
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Just got my first car
I have been lurking these forums for quite some time now and didn't even register until a couple months after I started lurking. But after much research and debate, I am finally a proud owner of my very own s2000. Before this car I was looking at RX-8's but their lack of reliability, and their not so friendly forum community towards teens made me look into another car. However, I have no regrets in not getting an RX-8 and could not possibly be any happier with my purchase.
I originally wanted to purchase from a private seller, but almost every single private seller I had contacted that was selling their car at a reasonable price had some kind of accident and were all salvage titles. So I decided to try my luck with a used car dealership. The very first dealership I went to (Canadian Fine Motors) for an MY 01 told me over the phone that their car was in perfect condition with no rust and was just recently detailed to perfection. Their asking price was $13,888 (cdn) so I figured I'd go in and offer $14000 out the door and hopefully they would accept. However I was completely wrong. After having seen the car it had MANY scratches and chips in the paint. The passenger side was scratched to hell, and the front bumper was even worse. To add to all this, there was a huge rust spot (about the size of 2 credit cards) that was down to the bare metal already on the rear quarter panel just before the wheels. So we went in and I still had a bit of hope for this car. The sales person immediately began by telling me the final price would be $17100 with taxes because of safety and admin fees. Me thinking this was ridiculous I tried to counter offer with my original thought of $14000. The sales person rejected and said he wouldn't make a profit and I basically got up and left.
This now leads to my encounter with the Honda dealership. Having had a horrid experience with the sales person from the previous dealership, I went in thinking this may turn out equally bad. Much to my delight when I went in I was greeted by the sales manager and he was VERY friendly and treated me with respect and brought me to the car at the front of the dealership. He tossed me the keys and told me to check it out and he would be back shortly. I walked around the car and noticed a tiny rust spot forming, no bigger than a penny and a few minor imperfections to be expected of a 9-10 year old car. He asked if I noticed anything bad and I pointed out the rust and the missing antenna. To my surprise he said he would get all of that fixed with the cost of $15000 (taxes included) that we agreed to over the phone as well as fluid changes. We then went inside to discuss the conditions of the sale (what had to be fixed before we bought it). After listing off everything I noticed, he agreed to fix EVERYTHING that I had an issue with. I then asked to take it out for a drive to finalize my decision. Having finished the test drive it rode smoothly and the LSD seemed perfectly fine. I went back in and signed the papers for the sale and paid an additional $2000 for a 3 year warranty.
Now finally a bit about myself... I am 17 years old and I am currently in my senior year in high school. I would say I am VERY lucky to own my dream car at such a young age, and even luckier that another s2000 owner (my buddy) goes to the same school I do. I originally despised convertibles due to their lack of practicality and their inability to drive in the winter months (though proven wrong through the many winter drivers on this forum). However, when my friend who has a '97 Eclipse Spyder GS gave me a ride in his car that changed a little but I was still not set on buying a convertible... Then my buddy gave me a ride in his s2000 and at that point I knew I had ABSOLUTELY no doubts in getting a convertible. Lastly I fully understand what the car is capable of and am even more aware of the car's limits and have no intention of pushing it even remotely close to it. I am also very glad that this forum is very accepting to younger drivers and do not stereotype as many others tend to do.
I think that just about summarizes all I wanted to say. I look forward to the many years of joy my new car will bring me and the many new people I will meet because of it
I also have a few pictures that aren't terribly great that I took before I left the dealership... *edited for pictures!*
I originally wanted to purchase from a private seller, but almost every single private seller I had contacted that was selling their car at a reasonable price had some kind of accident and were all salvage titles. So I decided to try my luck with a used car dealership. The very first dealership I went to (Canadian Fine Motors) for an MY 01 told me over the phone that their car was in perfect condition with no rust and was just recently detailed to perfection. Their asking price was $13,888 (cdn) so I figured I'd go in and offer $14000 out the door and hopefully they would accept. However I was completely wrong. After having seen the car it had MANY scratches and chips in the paint. The passenger side was scratched to hell, and the front bumper was even worse. To add to all this, there was a huge rust spot (about the size of 2 credit cards) that was down to the bare metal already on the rear quarter panel just before the wheels. So we went in and I still had a bit of hope for this car. The sales person immediately began by telling me the final price would be $17100 with taxes because of safety and admin fees. Me thinking this was ridiculous I tried to counter offer with my original thought of $14000. The sales person rejected and said he wouldn't make a profit and I basically got up and left.
This now leads to my encounter with the Honda dealership. Having had a horrid experience with the sales person from the previous dealership, I went in thinking this may turn out equally bad. Much to my delight when I went in I was greeted by the sales manager and he was VERY friendly and treated me with respect and brought me to the car at the front of the dealership. He tossed me the keys and told me to check it out and he would be back shortly. I walked around the car and noticed a tiny rust spot forming, no bigger than a penny and a few minor imperfections to be expected of a 9-10 year old car. He asked if I noticed anything bad and I pointed out the rust and the missing antenna. To my surprise he said he would get all of that fixed with the cost of $15000 (taxes included) that we agreed to over the phone as well as fluid changes. We then went inside to discuss the conditions of the sale (what had to be fixed before we bought it). After listing off everything I noticed, he agreed to fix EVERYTHING that I had an issue with. I then asked to take it out for a drive to finalize my decision. Having finished the test drive it rode smoothly and the LSD seemed perfectly fine. I went back in and signed the papers for the sale and paid an additional $2000 for a 3 year warranty.
Now finally a bit about myself... I am 17 years old and I am currently in my senior year in high school. I would say I am VERY lucky to own my dream car at such a young age, and even luckier that another s2000 owner (my buddy) goes to the same school I do. I originally despised convertibles due to their lack of practicality and their inability to drive in the winter months (though proven wrong through the many winter drivers on this forum). However, when my friend who has a '97 Eclipse Spyder GS gave me a ride in his car that changed a little but I was still not set on buying a convertible... Then my buddy gave me a ride in his s2000 and at that point I knew I had ABSOLUTELY no doubts in getting a convertible. Lastly I fully understand what the car is capable of and am even more aware of the car's limits and have no intention of pushing it even remotely close to it. I am also very glad that this forum is very accepting to younger drivers and do not stereotype as many others tend to do.
I think that just about summarizes all I wanted to say. I look forward to the many years of joy my new car will bring me and the many new people I will meet because of it
I also have a few pictures that aren't terribly great that I took before I left the dealership... *edited for pictures!*
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Joined: Jul 2009
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congratz man!!! what year and colour did you end up getting and how many km's on it... when it comes to s2000's you get what you pay for. I just bought mine never winter drivren my2001 not even a spec of rust on this car... put it up on a hoist and made sure that it was never winter driven. bought it with 65 000km for 16,000 black on red interior. What part of canada you from? post up in the regional forums
and welcome......
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