So, I am looking at S2000's very hard right now. I already know that I want one. So this isn't a debate between different cars.


I have the chance to get an 04 GPW w/ 48k miles for 22,300 OTD.

Or I can keep searching for a cheaper AP1, where my payments would be about $50-75 less per month.


I'm currently a student. I have one year of undergrad left. I plan on going to law school after that. Already took the LSAT and everything. My tuition is paid for in full(scholarship). My parents give me $500/mo to cover my rent and utilities. And working part time I make between $500-700 after taxes a month depending on how much I work.

So what should I do, go for the cheaper AP1? Or spend the extra money and get the AP2?


I have no plans to do any modifications really. Maybe some lowering springs and an exhaust. That would be about it. I could not afford to do more, nor would I want to for the time being.


Any help would be appreciated.

 

I dont want to sound like a jerk but based on your $$ position you cant afford a $20k car that gets pretty bad gas mileage and has somewhat higher insurance averages.

Don't get me wrong choosing to want an S2k is a great idea, but maybe later on?

-I financed about 13k on my S and payments @ 5% are $310 for 48 months.

-I have all the discounts possible on very quailty "full coverage" insurance and it works out to about $75/month

-I drive about 10k miles per year and at that rate pay about $120 in gas per month (not even getting on it much)

Thats about $500 per month there and thats taking into account:

1. You PROBABLY will not find a used car rate lower then mine (5%) and you will be financing more (higher payment)

2. You PROBABLY will not be able to get good insurance for less then me

3. You may spend less on gas depeiding on how much you drive and cost per gallon for premium were you live.


Conclusion: It will cost at minimum $500 per month to have an s and it sounds like thats what you make at your part timer.

(not trying to sound like a jerk here, just trying to give you an idea of costs!!!)

 

oh, no, i don't think you're being a jerk at all


My parents actually still pay for my insurance while I'm still in school, since I'm under their name(they get to claim me as a dependent on taxes).

As for gas, during school I drive 50 miles a week, maybe. My school has the second largest bus system in the state of IL, so I can take the bus from literally right in front of my apartment to any building on campus. So I'd only drive to and from work, or to run errands. Over the past 3 years I've been driving a Tiburon which gets about 19mpg to the gallon city and I fill up about 1 to 2 times a month.


Also, since I have the Tiburon, they offered me $8500 trade in, and I have another $2000 cash saved up that I could put down if need be

 

Agreed. That was my thought as well. On $500-700 a month, I wouldn't buy any car that would cause me to have a car payment. I would save more if I were you.

Once you have the car, you will driving a lot more often. You start to look for reasons to go for a drive. Heck, you go for a drive just to go for a drive.

 

Should we clue him in on the cost of replacing a pair of SO2's every 12k miles, or let him find out the hard way?

 

 

I got the hookup for tires at cost through a friend, plus, i've been averaging about 10k miles a year with my car now over the last 3 years, and that includes a round trip from chicago to charleston, sc, and richmond va . . . and i normally replace tires once a year anyways, just to be on the safe side . . . haha, sorry guys, I'm playin devil's advocate for myself cause I want this damn car! thanks for the input though, it's good to get different perspectives

 

The deal breaker for me has aways been insurance. Get some qoutes. Also don't forget taxes. The S will eat up the majority of your extra money if you finance the entire amount.

 

If I was you, I'd find a cheaper ap1 and save some dough. You're in college, why stretch yourself? You've got about 10k to put down, find a car for 16-17 and make it easy.

You know you're going to make bank after you're all done with school, buy something that's fun for now but doesn't make you stress and get something sweet when you're out of school.

The practical advice is that you don't need it, so don't bother, but i'm going somewhere in the middle.

 

shoot i make around 65k a year and im bitchin about gas here in los angeles

anyways just get it....... drive safely though......

you said you drive 50miles a week shoot wait till you get this car...........

thats how i felt.......... i have an 04 and its 60k now....... good luck