I'm in the same boat as Souljah6476. I'm not on my way to college but I am trying to decide between the S2000 and the 330Ci coupe (not convertible).

My wife and I just test drove the MY2002 330Ci with automatic today; the dealer didn't have a manual for us to try. My wife also got to drive an S2000; I had already done so a few months ago.

It's hard to argue with either car; I love them both.

The 330Ci will cost a few thousand more, especially with some options. The list base price for the 330Ci is $34,990. I would add the sport ($600) and premium ($2,900) packages and metallic paint ($475). Don't forget the destination charge ($645). My subtotal comes to around $39,610. Assuming around 10% for tax, title and license, I'm looking at $43,571 out the door. It might pay to shop around but, in the Bay Area, I'm not sure there is much haggling room for a car that looks and feels this good.

My wife prefers the 330Ci but admits that the S2000 might be more fun to drive, almost like a toy. I love the S2000 but have to admit that driving the 330Ci was a very pleasant experience.

The rarity of the S2000 is a mixed bag for me. Sure it's nice to have something that not everyone else has. Bimmers are a dime a dozen around here; S2000s you don't hardly see. There's a down side, though; it's that blank stare on the mechanic's face when you need to bring one in for some work. For repairs and maintenance, it would be nice to have a car that anybody you take it to has seen many times before.

Don't know which way it will go (still hoping to get the S2000) but will certainly let everyone know when the time comes.

 

Basically, I guess it comes down to just carrying people around and being able to carry a lot of stuff in your car. Honestly, I don't like driving a lot of people in my car and once I got all my stuff up here, which definitely needed a second car, I was set. I've have 4 friends here with cars anyways, who came from my highschool, who could help me out.

I'm in my first year of college and it really wouldn't have mattered for me if I had an S2000. I'm at UCR, btw. The biggest POS school ever. The only thing I worry about here is the shitty roads, so if I HAD an S2000, I'd probably leave it at home for a weekend car in Irvine with nice roads, perfect weather, and beautiful girls But for you, that's not really an option since you're going far away to school, unless Davis is pretty close to you.

If I were you, I'd buy the S2000, unless you're more into luxury, even though the S2000 is still a comfortable car.


p.s. You'll feel more cool with the S2000 Also, the weather in SD is nicer than Davis. I'd go to SD

 

Depends on priorities.
If you're looking to impress people and such, then the bimmer wins (the average person, not the enthusiast, will always choose a BMW over a Honda).
If you're worried about reliability, go Japanese. I've had 3 German cars (BMW M3, MB 450SEL, Porsche 944) and maintenance has been killer.
If you're looking for sick fun, the S 2000 wins (on the road, I have more fun in my slower Miata than my M3).

Since you're going to college, you won't need to haul stuff around, you have friends for that. Go for the fun factor.
-t

 

Decision has been made Just got my Sebring Silver S2000 today. It had 8 miles on it when i took delivery Its a sweet car, you'll enjoy it

 

congratulation!!

 

Congrats on the S2000!

Getting back to some of the BMW discussion - I don't know why there was so much speculation about prices. It's pure simplicity to go to www.bmwusa.com and price it out yourself. Basically, a 330Ci Convertible with every option will run you $53,140. Most of those options, IMO, are useless, so with what I'd consider reasonable it'd be $44,220. Base is $42,400.

A 330Ci is $34,990.
A 330i is $33,990.
A 330xi (4wd version) is $35,740.

An S2000 is $32,400.

And just to throw my humble opinion in, after driving a friend's 325, it was nice, but not even remotely close to being as nice as the S2000. And I've been absolutely horrified by the mechanical and dealer attitude issues she's been having.

 

Come to our Bay Area board and join one of our group drives. Then you will know what you will miss out if you get a bimmer.

http://bayarea.s2ki.com

 

Congrats!!! Time to kill that 600 miles and join our next group drive!

 

Congrats! I bet you can't wait to vtec.

 

Looks like you've made your choice--and a good one at that--but I just had to get this in. Sounds like your Dad might have a bit of the "BMW complex!" You know, the whole image of BMW being BMW, so if you're going to spend a lot of money on a car, why not get the "best?"

Which is or isn't a bad thing, depending on how you look at it. Don't get me wrong, BMWs win all those car comparisons for a reason, but objectivity is good--and I'm glad you gave in to yours.