I am planning on getting an S2000.... only plan on maybe 10,000 miles a year MAX, want a LOW LOW LOW payment and only want it for 2-3 years....

why would I NOT want to lease it? The lease rates are REALLY good for the S. I went onto Honda's webpage and used the lease calculator. I do NOT plan to modify it.

I really like the idea of low payments and getting out of it in 2-3 years to get something new again. I am keeping my Jeep as a secondary vehicle for offroading and lugging around stuff, as well as for new england weather.

Thanks,
Kevin

 

you are, asking me, to convince you, to put an S2000 in your driveway, for a couple of years?

sure. do it. why not. have a ball. keep it stock. you HAVE to take it to the track every now and then. or we take it away from you.

 

I leased mine. I have mixed feelings about leasing. I would like to put in a CD changer but feel quite restricted from making any changes. I would consider a cold air intake, etc. but need to keep it stock. However, I am reluctant to make major changes to a new car anyway until it gets a few years old.
On the other hand, I currently have the 1st to 2nd gear grind problem. If Honda never does get it fixed to perfection, I have the option of letting them have it back at the end of the lease. Besides if I get the hots to own a Z06, or an M3, or whatever next time, I am free to easily do so.

 

Mine is a lease too, but i have replaced the the stock stereo and speakers, installed 2 amps, a cd changer and a sub. I'll take all this out and put back stock parts at lease end. You can easity install a CD changer with no cutting/drilling, etc. If I wanted to install a CAI, I would do that too.

What makes this car good for leasing is that it comes very well equiped from the factory and resale value is quite high. I'm just glad I leased - after the accident, it's lost a lot of value that I don't have to worry about, GAP insurance will take care of it. :-)

Search thru previous messages, there was a thread not so long ago that has a lot of valuable info on leasing vs buying.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by coffee42
[B]

I leased mine. I have mixed feelings about leasing. I would like to put in a CD changer but feel quite restricted from making any changes. I would consider a cold air intake, etc. but need to keep it stock. However, I am reluctant to make major changes to a new car anyway until it gets a few years old.
On the other hand, I currently have the 1st to 2nd gear grind problem. If Honda never does get it fixed to perfection, I have the option of letting them have it back at the end of the lease. Besides if I get the hots to own

 

Based on your premise, i can't think of any reason not to lease. I assume you have compared your total lease payments and the residual value, versus the monthly payments and resale value if you bought it at the end of 3 years. I assume you like the way leasing compares. Go for the lease.

 

Kevin-
I traded my 2001 red S2000 which I originally purchased, for a new black S 2002 lease. There were a few reasons for my decision. Why tie up $$ in a car if you KNOW you will only keep it for around three years, or as long as the warranty will take you? When I "owned" my red S, I was such a fanatic about not allowing one speck of dust on it, that I became obsessed. Then: "Oh my god, where am I going to park, oh no, the only space left is next to that big buick with the door dings"... It never ended. With 9k miles, my rear tires on my 2001 were starting to look like banana peels. I cashed out of my 2001, and got a super low payment on a lease of the 2002. I'm now not so endeared to the car--I drive it AND HAVE FUN! I have no regrets-it's the best decision I could have made. An additional bonus-NO MORE PLASTIC WINDOW ON THE 2001!

LEASE IT!
Take care,
Mike

 

Thanks guys,

I went and test drove one on friday and got some qoutes. They offered me 250 a month for 36 months, 12k a year. With a total of 6,120 down. (including everything) That was using a selling price of 30,500. This was just a first offer, but it sounded pretty good to me.

I am 100% sold on the car. I totally loved it. It actually felt like it had alot more power at all rpm ranges then I was expecting. (from reading this forum) Even crusing on the rt.9 at 60 mph in 5th gear, It had enough power without downshifting to accelerate nicely. Above 6k the car is really great. (yup, the salemsman TOLD me to drive it hard and I needed to experience the 6-9k rpm range) Once I was cruising in 4th gear around 35mph, and he told me to put it in 2nd or even 1st gear and mash the gas.... I put it in second, and just loved the "vtech" Oh yea, it was on friday night, so we even had the roof off during the test drive!!!


So, I'm gonna wait a few months, maybe even half a year or more, until my financial situation is all set. I have a bunch of big things coming up (buying condo, trip to Florida, Moms 60th party) So it's probably not a good idea to drop 6k on a downpayment

Thanks everyone!!!!

KEV

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Bang2nd
[B]Kevin-
I traded my 2001 red S2000 which I originally purchased, for a new black S 2002 lease.

 

Did you investigate the cost without any down payment?

What year is the one you negotiated on? That may be a factor as well. Is it a 2002 they want to get rid off prior to winter (when prices on the S (or any convertible) is probably at its lowest) or a new 2003? What's your buyout if you decide to keep it.

The same offer may not be on the table when you go back in a few months. I leased mine during the summer. MSRP for price, 36 month / 12K, Left the dealer with fees and first payment. 475 / month. 21K buyout.

One other thing... You'll love driving it so much, the 12K will go by REAL FAST. I just past 5 months now, and have over 9K on it already (and its not a daily driver either). Luckily it will get a few months rest with minimal use.

For me, and I plan on buying it, the cost of payments with a 5 year loan and the 3 year lease + buyout with cash were very equal. I'm still paying off my other car, so to have two BUY payments wasn't good. The lease let me lessen the initial costs (while paying off the other car). And if resale values stay high, then I can buy the S and resell it for a profit if I become deranged and stop loving it.

Enjoy it!


[QUOTE]Originally posted by crazik
[B]Thanks guys,

I went and test drove one on friday and got some qoutes. They offered me 250 a month for 36 months, 12k a year. With a total of 6,120 down. (including everything) That was using a selling price of 30,500. This was just a first offer, but it sounded pretty good to me.

 

hey i am an RSX owner and i just called Natick Honda (Bernardi) and they have a lease for 320 with 2000 down


what do you think?..