Hey folks, you might remember me from this older thread: https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/107...#entry23054569

Thank you all for your feedback and interesting comments. Yesterday, some @sshole rear ended my car and hugely dented my rear bumper and destroyed the taillight of my 2002 Sentra SE-R Spec V =(. I found it in the parking garage this way after leaving work, no note left or anything. My insurance will not cover the damage because my dad said we didn't have comprehensive coverage for this car, it has been my old daily driver for many years now. Not to mention that major paint wear is going on throughout the top and hood of that car and it is really ruining the overall look of the car. Fixing this all up is not motivating to me whatsoever. Anyways, that's just a gist of my current situation(please no comments about this story lol).

So I have now decided to save up now for the down payment for an AP1(Yes, Ap1 it is.) It is mainly due to the fact that I am only looking to spend $10-13k, I am working a lot and am still in college. I will replace the taillight of the Sentra and possibly sell the car as-is.

What I want to ask for those of you who have chosen the AP1, am I making a great choice?

And I know ahead of time, I will be looking into the stickied thread about what to look for when shopping for a used S2000. I will ask questions here as they come along.


Overall, I am excited to have this goal in mind and actively working towards getting my lifelong dream of getting an S2000!

 

There is nothing wrong with owning an Ap1. The only way you can make the wrong choice is to buy an ap1 with a lot of problems. Especially because you are still in college, money doesn't always come easy. Make sure everything is near perfect when you are shopping for the Ap1. There are big item tickets that can turn your dream into a nightmare. Replacing a worn soft top can cost you up to 800$, replacing the engine, trans, diff= $$$$. When you purchase your s2000, don't make an impulse by and make sure that you do a compression test, check the Clutch master cylinder to see if its leaking, check the rear axle nuts to see if they have been replaced, look under the car for fluid leaks, inspect the spark plugs when you do the compression test, check the oil level and color, and make sure the engine is clean! Clean engines means that the owner actually looks under the hood. And most importantly check for all VIN tags and talk to the owner! Ask tons of questions and look possible lies and holes in his/her story. Not all owners are truthful and you do not want to get screwed!

 

Welcome.

When you get one check out the link in my signature.

 

Just make sure to watch the oil level
and like Gotpepsi said, don't buy one with a lot of problems.

Just be patient in your search.

 

What he said, be patient. I looked for an AP2 for years (I'm an old dude) then stumbled upon a great opportunity on an AP1, I can't tell you how much I love driving this car, its a car you have to drive, not just hang on. You'll learn what it's all about to drive a car, in an AP1.

 

This ^^^

you have great advice in this thread. Be patient and make sure EVERYTHING works properly before you buy. Once you have your S just make sure you take care of her. If you take care of her she'll take care of you.

 

Thank you all for your feedback!

However, I got a huge update............something that may disappoint many of you....

In addition to the AP1, I am also now strongly considering the 2006-up Civic Si.
The main reasons for me is that it is much easier to find, and it is more practical. I like in Maryland so we get our fair share of snow, so I would need to to have my car to be able to get me home safely when the roads get slushy. I don't feel like dealing with the hassle of buying and switching to snow tires each season. Another reason is that I could use the backseat. I am usually a driver whenever I go out with friends, some of whom don't drive yet. On top of everything, I am still in college, so I can't have a lot of money flying in with my current part time job, I imagine maintenance of an older AP1 can be more costly.

Bottom line, I could always get a newer S2k with a much larger budget later on when I graduate college and get the career job I am aiming for. The 10-13k budget right now is kinda limiting.

 

what maintenance?? youve already made up your mind. go buy your civic. only reason id buy the civic would be for the 4 door option because i owned a bunch of crap back in college. now im so glad i moved on to a better car.

and buy a second set of wheels and put on snow tires, not hard. ap1 wheels are EVERYWHERE. and when you go out, take your friends cars.

 

I mentioned in my post I do not want to hassle with buying new wheels and new tires, I do not have that extra kind of money to deal with that. By maintenance I meant parts, as by S2000 parts are going to $$$ on me more compared to the Civic

 

There's nothing wrong with the civic SI. My brother has one and its a great car. Nice, comfortable, quiet, and more user friendly. Of course its no s2000! Even though my AP1 is my daily, I sometimes find excuses to burrow the Honda Accord; its just an easier ride. But once I have to drive the s2000 again, I appreciate how tight and sporty it is. Im working on getting a daily driver, preferability the Lexus is250 w/ manual trans