Alright well first off. If any of you guys read my last thread I was debating between the RX-8 and the S2K. My life has gotten more complicated since then, effectively possibly losing my daily driver. But the feeling I have when driving the S2K is so much better than the RX-8. Don't get me wrong I loved the amenities of the RX-8, heated seats, etc etc. It just felt like a bigger car with slightly more delayed reactions, not quite as tight and predictable. (and I didn't even have the top down with the S2K when driving ). The S2K is a quite tight fit for my 6'6" body, but I hope that I can survive with it for long periods of time. Driven maybe a total of 20 miles in it, no real problems with it getting in my way so far.

Anyways to my question. Is it worth it to buy a new one? Hands down the new color I would buy is the LBP. That's tied with my other preferred color of the yellow. But basically if I were to get used I'd be looking at 24k and down for a perfect body/paint S2K, either ap1 or ap2, yellow or blue, and under 50k miles, but definitely a MY02 or newer. It's looking like the range I'm limited to with all that is an 02-04 MY.

My question is, is it worth it to buy used? At that point, newer tires wouldn't be definite, might need new ones, brakes would probably be needing to be changed soon, plus whatever other odds and ends. Effectively getting the car as things will start to need to get maintained/replaced on a more consistent basis.

It looks like I can get a new 06 one (I think) for 32-33k plus all the other crap.

Should I suck it up and buy new? Worth it? Or is the 10k I'd save be worth it for the 30k odd miles on it, and the replacing of whatever parts.

Like I said I'm torn between yellow and the LBP so it's not as easy as saying I love the LBP hands down.

Thanks for any input guys, just would like some outside thoughts

 

Also to add, realistically the car would end up costing me probably 25k for used, maybe less after traveling costs and whatnot. But I correspond the traveling costs to whatever BS fees the dealer charges me.

 

Look on the FS forums here. I think if you go used you can do better then 25K after taxes. In fact I'm almost positive you can shave a few g's off that. S2K's almost never go for bluebook value used in my experience.

 

... they actually seem to at least be asking for more than blue book...it's been a pain in the ass to find one that's asking blue book. and keep in mind I said 25k after taxes and traveling costs. Most of the for sale ones are a good few hundred miles or thousand miles away from me. Regardless of whether I ship or drive, that's going to be a good 500+ dollars and whatnot.

 

Freakazoid... There are lots of reasons for buying new rather than used. It all depends on you. If a new car warrantee makes you feel comfortable, go with that. In the case of the S2000, I (personally) don't feel that's all that important -- however, replacements on the car are expensive and warrantee work (if you're satisified with it) is very helpful in justifying the new cost. You could always buy an extended warrantee if you buy a used one (I think)...

If you really love the new blue, you have no choice but to buy an 06. Or, I suppose you could do a full repaint of an older car and possibly pay less overall.

Color is an important factor, I think. You have to live with it, and if you feel you're compromising, you might be less satisfied with the car.

Are you inclined to want to mod your car? If so, you'd do well to find a good used car and then spend the $$ on the mods.

 

Hey thanks for the input again chazmo, much appreciated

And what type of replacements are noticeably expensive compared to a 'regular' car? I know the tires are an arm and a leg. How about the brakes? The clutch? (providing it's a solid clutch I don't see myself going through that for a while, I'm able to drive a stick and the S2K I had ZERO problems with, other new cars I have problems adjusting to the play of the pedal). Suspension parts? All that stuff is making me wonder if I'd just rather buy new and suck up the couple k upcharge I'd be getting for the peace of mind.

The warranty, eh... it's a honda, and there aren't any major problems with the car. I'd probably end up buying an extended one anyways one way or another. I'm debating throwing that in there to the dealership as part of the negotiating (does Honda have an extended warranty through them?).

The way I'll probably do modding is as the parts go/wear. When I start getting highway rock dings on the hood, I'll probably go carbon fiber. I'd probably be doing mostly boltons and the such, keeping it N/A. I wouldn't do anything major to it until I got the 'feel' of the car, and then probably pretty simple stuff, CAI, exhaust work, etc. I'd like to have this thing keep some resale and even if I don't sell it for a while, I don't want to cause myself headache later on down the road

 

Oh and I don't think I'd be settling for any particular color. The yellow has that 'bold' sense to it, which would be nice for a car like this. however the blue is a very sexy color on the car. Torn right down the middle.

I've realized if i'm searching used though, I gotta be able to have a little leeway with the color, so i'm accepting red and white in the process, just a little more hesitantly

 

Well, if you're not hot to mod, then the extra bucks for a new car might be a good choice for you. Especially, if you think you'll keep the car a while.

Good luck with your choices!