I was thinking how funny it was, the other day when my one friend showed up in a 2006 Civic Si, and my other friend showed up in a 2003 s2k. Both bought their cars a few days ago, it was like CRAZY-honda. My friend with the Si got a navigation system and 18" wheels from honda, and he paid like 24k with taxes, which was apparently a deal to him. The other guy with the s2k paid 20k out the door for a 2003 with only 11,200 miles on it. Now i have nothing against the Si, but i was just thinking about all the cars you could get that don't have as much power, don't handle as well and definitely don't look as good as the s2k.

Besides the Si, since i actually do like that car, i was thinking the BMW 330ci. Now they finally have that twin-turbo I-6 which I think they're calling the 335i, but the 2005 330ci was well over 40k with a few options on it, and for WHAT.

 

i paid 16000 for my S.
there is nothing around that range I could see as a better all around car.

 

New vs. Used.

 

I looked at a bunch of cars before buying the S2k, it packs a lot of performance into the 32Kish price range. But as you know the direct competition is:
Mazda RX-8
Nissian 3?0Z
Audi TT

For a few dollars more:
Lotus Elise (Just out of my price range) would make one hell of a weekend car.
BMW Roadster
Merc 350SLK
Porche Boxter

With less performance:
Mazda Miata (MX-5?)
Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky

Ofcourse for the same price as the S you could also get a Pontiac GTO. One fast car, but even less pratical than the S.

Also from Pontiac, the Gran Prix GT or GTP would be a great choice.

I looked at all the above, and went with the S...

 

i bought the S new so here were my choices.

New Lexus IS (just a little bit more pricey)
Merc C230
TL
Used E46 M3 (i'm starting to really want this car now)

BTW, your buddy did really get a good price for his SI, i saw one at metro honda a couple of months ago for 27K!

 

I actually considered the EVO and the STI in the new car range but didn't want a sedan and every F&F kid around here has one. Definitely want an M3 but just can't help thinking a used one would be beat to death. The IS is a beautiful design but drives like a family car. TL and TSX is in the same boat with FF.

I also looked at the Elise and the Ariel Atom but both were ridiculously overpriced with the whole wow factor.

350z feels like a boat and the interior is puke. No way am I driving a Saturn even if it was made of gold. Boxter is for people that can't afford 911's and you can't tell which side is forward. RX8 has issues (the whole leaked video thing and engine recall) and sounds like a blender. The Audi is just plain ugly.

The most serious consideration was the GTO. It is the last year they will make them (will be back later) and a 6.0 V8 that drifts better than the S14 sounded great for $28k. It is 3800lbs though

There is really nothing close to the S overall.

 

the s2000 is even a pretty good used buy

my brother bought an 00 for $15k, and I didn't realize how good a deal it was until I saw these listings:

2002 Acura RSX-S $14k
2001 Audi TT coupe $15k
2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder $14k
2001 Mustang Cobra conv. $14k

the s2k is like all the best parts of those cars in one neat little package

 

Damn, 24k for an Si seems like rape to me. I would have went with an RSX type-S if I was in that boat.

 

2006 S2000 == $33,000

2002 Z06 == $30,000

It works the other way too.

 

good call only looking at them in the "new car" range. i finally am selling my STi to a dealership, and that thing was beaten up so bad when i bought it. i had to replace so much stuff...NOT worth it.

to be honest, i seriously considered a used Boxster or 350Z...but I can't really afford the 350Z roadster, and it really didn't drive or handle like the S, so the entire time i'd be thinking "I really wish I got a convertible." and judging from 3 people i know that have had Boxsters, i hear they're lemons. it was funny today when the dealership looked at my STi, my other friend had his GTO (aka not a very good car in the rain at all) and next to him was a 2003 mustang cobra, and he told me that the 350Z behind us was worse in the rain than ALL of those cars. correct me if i'm wrong but isn't the 350Z supposed to be one of the best rwd cars in rain, snow, etc?