Hello everyone ! I am from the buckeye state and have been in love with the s2000 for awhile now. I think it all started when I was a service advisor at a Honda Dealership and seeing them all over wyotech(Blairsville campus) while I attended there. Every car I have owned has been a honda, since turning 16 and interested in purchasing an older s2k ap1 with higher milage here soon, but not sure that will be a real smart choice with our Ohio winters and will be attending Ohio State this coming fall and might be short on money....but hey, thats what loans are for. If you guys have any advice on purchasing a higher milage s2k and what to look out for is appreciated. Thanks !

 

Just remember that while a higher milage s2k may have a cheaper entry price, the maintenance/repair costs are still that of a $35k high performance sports car.

The car goes through tires rapidly. And unless you compromise with really crappy tires that may put your life in danger with the s2k, you'll be shelling out quite a bit of money for tires. Also, good tires for summer on this car are not good in freezing weather. So that means 2 sets of tires. And the car is challenging in rain...I've heard snow can be scary. You might post in one of the Ohio region s2ki forums for advice about winter driving.

Oil changes are more frequent than other cars and the early AP1s use oil to help cool the cyl walls at 9k rpm...so you can expect higher oil consumption.

My advice...don't blow all your money on a car when going to college. There is so much fun to have in your college years...you don't want to be car rich and not able to afford to go have fun too. Plus, there are unknowns with any high milage car...if you blow all your money on the car and can't afford to fix the unexpected issues, then your car will sit...what fun is that?

 

Thanks for the input. I am looking to borrow atleast 4 grand from the bank or if my parents would float me some and pay them back, because I have 6k to put down on a vehicle from selling my 99 civic si last summer. Most s2ks have seem to be price from the 10k to 12k range, but lately I have been finding them in my area closer to the 10k, but I', not sure if that is a good thing or not. lol

I am going to wait and see what is going on with college for this fall, but I have had that itch to have a car for awhile now and from my hometown to columbus is about a 50minute freeway drive and figure they get *decent* mpg on the freeway. I can do most of the easy maintenance, but I don't have all the tools to change a clutch so thats where I would be screwed because I don't have all the tools.

I just want something that is clean and semi stock that is pretty good looking.
Pic of my 99 civic si that had minor bolt ons.

Fwd is boring !

 

[QUOTE=negcamber,Jul 1 2008, 10:53 AM]Just remember that while a higher milage s2k may have a cheaper entry price, the maintenance/repair costs are still that of a $35k high performance sports car.

The car goes through tires rapidly.

 

Good luck with finding an S. Remember to put school first. If you aren't able to get one while in school, you can always get one when you graduate. I'm in Ohio to, but haven't had mine long enough to give you any advice about winter driving other than you will need snow tires.