You're not going to like the WRX after driving the S2000. If you want sporty, everything else is going to seem lame in your price range. Snow tires are an option and probably your least expensive scenario. Just be careful driving, and you'll make winter no problem.

I drive my car with S03's through most of the winter, but I don't drive that often, and there are days which it is impossible to drive. I'd rather keep the car going than go through the process of storing it. I'll just do about 10 miles a week in the winter.

Do not let your car go one day without insurance.

How about a new Honda Civic SI? You could be in a new car for the numbers you are talking, or leasing a car could be a good option too. Figure out how much a month is comfortable for you to spend, and then we could suggest some cars in that range. Selling both cars and getting a new S2000 with traction control could be an option too.

BMW usually has some subsidized leases on Z4 and there's the Audi A3 too.

 

My first suggestion would be a WRX, but you already said you don't like them.

Honestly, I think you'd be very disappointed with a Mazda 6. I was able to drive a couple at one of Mazda's Zoom Zoom Live events and ended up hating the car. The Miata is a different story, though.....

Japanese, eh? Honda...Civic (FWD), Element (FWD or 4WD), CRV (FWD or 4WD). Acura...RSX (FWD). Toyota...Corolla (FWD), Celica (FWD), Camry (FWD), Matrix (FWD).

Mind letting us know what you don't like about the WRX?

 

keep the S2000 and buy a beater....but the camry is such a great beater to have so...

If you try to sell, unless you take way under fair value, I assume you won't be able to sell the car easy in the winter. So you might end up having to hold on to the S for a while anyways.

Most car insurance companies give discounts on multi-car policies. I have a 1997 Honda Accord SE with my S 2000 and it dropped my insurance 300 bucks every 6 months b/c I stated I drive the Accord more than 51%. So I basically pay half insurance rate for S, half for Accord. Thats the way I look at it.

 

I already have a beater, the Camry, which I am close to selling.
Problem is that I can't afford insuring both cars, and I don't think it's worth my money.
I don't like the cheap interior and the ugly styling of Subarus. Hood scoop is too big and ugly.
I'm deciding between the TSX and Mazda6 now. I took the 31st off from work, and I'm going to head to dealerships to see who can offer me the best deal. I prefer the TSX because I prefer 6-speed MT and Xenon lights, and it's a much more luxurious car and much quieter than the Mazda6. I looked on Edmunds, and they say that insurance is more on the TSX, but it gets better gas and doesn't depreciate as much as the Mazda6. I much prefer Hondas than Mazdas, but Mazda is offering $3k cash back on the rest of the 05s.

 

I've got Metlife, and basically I would be paying full $$ on both cars. I just don't think it's worth paying insurance on a car that's sitting in the garage.

 

That Mass for you. To the posters from other areas of the US, Mass has a unique insurance structure and several companies won't even do business in Mass.

Sell both cars and snag a deal off of www.leasetrader.com

A friend of mine was able to "assume" someone's lease and he's driving an a 2002 Mercedes CL600 for $550.00 a month for a year- not a bad deal...

 

I called the credit union, and I've got about 2-3 weeks before I get charged for CPI and Admin fee for not having insurance on the S2000.

 

As tough as it is, it sounds like the responsible decision is to sell the S. Its tough; I had to do the same thing a while back after swearing that I'd keep it for years. In the end, you'll be happier knowing that you're not so stretched financially. There's always later.

 

IMO, the Subaru interior is not 'cheap'........you could always get rid of the scoop by upgrading the turbo, switching to a FMIC, and getting an RS hood!

Or, how about the '06 Impreza RS? ~180hp, AWD, very nice interior, no hood scoop, around $18k...plus Subarus are very reliable and very safe (5-star crash test ratings).

Do me a favor and just go test drive one for the hell of it...

But then again, I'm a bit biased

P.S. I thought you were looking in the $20k range. I have yet to see a new TSX under $27k.

 

I'm willing to stretch a little on the TSX, as that's what I ultimately want. 6-speed manual with Xenons.