I've been looking for another S since I sold mine in 2007, and since I'm graduating in May I'm going to try to finally buy another. I have a 2004 Civic for a DD, and I'm 25 with a clean record so I think my insurance would actually be pretty decent. Anyway, I'm highly considering going to law school next Fall (2013) and if I go, I'm going far away from home. I live in NJ and I've already had an S as my DD which I will never do again (snow, bumps/potholes, etc.) but from what I hear it's very manageable to drive it every day in areas in the South where it's warmer. I'd most likely be going to school in NC/SC, FL, TX, CA, etc.

I'm just wondering (to all of you students out there) how the car is working out for you, living away. I'm not really addressing this to someone who lives at school but lives 20 minutes away from home. More toward someone in my position that would be a state or two away. I know gas is decent on the S, and insurance/payment is a different issue. But is it a pain cause it's so small? Do you find yourself in positions where you wish you had a normal car that was bigger and could hold more? Obviously I wouldn't expect to move everything I own across the country in an S, that isn't the issue. It's more of quality of life for 2-3 years.

I think the car would be fun as hell living away at school, especially in a warmer climate, but I think we are all guilty of getting carried away at times. My logic is that I'd be miserable in law school for three years, so if I could financially pull it off I feel like it would be a breath of fresh air. I'd be looking for an S with about 75,000 miles. My car had about 65,000 when I sold it and I had zero problems. I'm decently handy and I haven't heard of too many serious problems with this car as it racks up mileage. I've certainly seen ones for sale that have almost 200,000 miles and over.

But anyway, late for class. Any advice would be very much appreciated.

 

I'm pretty much in the same position as you except I don't live a couple states away from home. I live several hours from home so I can't just decide to stop by for dinner or anything.

As far as practicality I only have noticed one problem with the S. I can't travel back home with my dog unless I'm driving by myself. Usually I will carpool when I go visit home so I have to have someone with a sedan drop off my dog or whatever. Other than that I haven't faced any issues. It is a blast to drive to school everyday, and it takes the mind off stressful school stuff which is a plus.

Insurance isn't too bad and I get 25mpg combined with highway, spirited, city, and autocrosses factored in so I wouldn't be worried about that.

I say, go for it!

 

Thanks for the info! My dog lives here in NJ and I wouldn't dream of taking him to a crappy apartment wherever I go...I also wouldn't drive across the country with him haha. Sounds like it's working out for you. Definitely nice to hear some positive feedback.

 

I had mine at school for a month before I graduated. I didn't get to drive it much, but I'd go sit in it when I needed to get motivated.

If you can afford it and it makes you happy, go for it.

 

I live at school, it's my freshman year currently. I got MY02 last Jan and have loved it. Such a neck breaker and there are less than 3 in my town, the other two spotted in the last 2 months after a 3+ year dry spell of not a single s2k.


Back to your question though, I've yet to wish I still had my 02 Celica in terms of DD ability. The trunk is plenty spacious for me and I'm in band and keep my trombone in my car 24/7 (trombone is the really big long one). Between the trunk and passenger seat, I'm sure youll be hard pressed to need more space. Drop the top if it comes to it and the sky is the limit.


Gas is fine for puttering to class back and forth, it's awesome to get on the gas after a long day of class or even drop the top on the nicer days. I recommend it up and down, if you loved having your previous S half as much I do now you should get one for DD while at school

 

I daily my s2000 as a student. Its about 20-30 minute drive to school and back.

Pros,
Great way to start your morning,
Great way to end your day
pretty easy to park a small car like an s2000

Cons,
Not fuel efficient
lack of space
Door Ding
thieves

 

^^^^Forgot the door dings.

I park as far away as humanly possible and still somehow manage to find a new blemish on the car somewhere.. Idk if I just can't keep count of existing ones or what. Luckily (if you can call it that) ALL of my dents are only on the doors, if the time came I could just get new doors or reskin or whatever.


Don't let that stop you, it's a car and depending on your year can be 10+ years old (like mine). Enjoy the little things

 

Thanks for the responses everyone! Yeah, I'm pretty much exactly where I was before I posted the thread which is that I want another, and if I can afford it I'm buying one. I've heard people say it's no fuel efficient, and I understand why you'd say that. You want to rev this car up and have fun, which burns more fuel. But it's better than most of the other 6-8 cyl. cars I could buy to have some fun with.

Again I really appreciate the advice.

 

Currently in law school at the University of Arizona with the s2000. No problems here, and autocrossing is about my only real break from the books.

Strongly research if law school is a good choice for you right now. Legal job market is significantly weaker than it used to be.

 

Subjective matter. See every prior DD thread.