Here's the deal. I going to buy a car this summer and I have my heart set on an S2000. I'm 20 years old and this will be my first car. Since I'm in college and can't go out during the week, I will be using it mostly on the weekends. The problem is, I really can't afford it without some help from the parents or grandparents. Should I go ahead and probably get in over my head with an S2000 (please help me justify getting one) or start out with a Miata or something? Thanks!

 

Go for it. Even if you didn't spend it on the car, you'd spend it somewhere else... alcohol.

 

At 20, I would not want to get into a financial burden while in school. I would start with something more affordable for you like a Miata or MR2. It's more justified to spend those $$$ on school (tuition, books, ect...). Just my 2 cents...

 

i'd suggest looking for a good deal on a used Miata. not only will this allow you to avoid the financial pain of getting an S2K at the current time, it will allow you to get skilled at driving a roadster of this sort without having the stress of the cost of the car hanging over you (should you push a bit too far). finally, this will give you an excellent foundation for appreciating the S2K to the fullest.

just my $0.02 worth.

 

Being 20 myself (and I don't have any kind of roadster, just love S2000s) I would too look at a used Miata. I have driven them quite a bit, and love them probably as much as the S2000. Not as hardcore, but LOADS of fun.

You can find a really good 96 or 97 for around 10,000-12,000. They're extremely reliable, and don't require expensive maintainence (such as special made tires ) You can probably even snag a second generation for about 15,000 in some places.

I am looking for a Miata right now, just waiting for the perfect deal.

Don't spend your money on a S2000 right now. I feel bad buying a pair of jeans since my parents are already helping me out a lot with school Couldn't imagine asking for a 30,000 roadster.

Drive the Miata, and you'll fall in love instantly. Go that route!!

 

gotta agree with nvmys2k...

I sold my 99 Vette to get rid of the financial burden of a more expensive car while going back to finish college... Plus, I really wanted a convertible, so this worked out good on 2 fronts.

School can be stressful enough, so for me it just seemed wise to get out of the Vette (I do miss it) and its expensive at the pump nature (city driving and 30+ bucks per fill up).

I wanted a convertible to enjoy while going back to school, so this was a smart way to go... I also got a killer deal on a trade in (my S2000 is used).

If I were you, I'd get something I could readily afford that is still fun (I know it sounds like it isnt possible, but it is).

Then, when school is done, you could always have the daily driver as well as an S2000... multi-car discount.

Also, if you are going to school and only using the S2000 on weekends, are you going to be leaving the car at your parents place? I wouldnt recommend leaving the S2000 at your college parking lot for days on end...

I worry about mine being left at the park and ride, but its a small town setting outside of Portland.

When I do drive my S2000 to school, its parked right in the thick of campus (good or bad?). Lots of people walk by it, so its not likely to get broken into per se... I suppose someone with big HUEVOS might actually try and get in the car with people walking by...

Either way, good luck!

 

I wouldn't get a Stook for a first car. Everyone bangs around in their first car. Drive a used Miata for a few years to learn the ropes (and save the money) and then when you are out of school go for the Stook or whatever badass roadster is around then. I of course would have loved a Stook when I was 20, but I would have really hated it when it got dinged, bashed, dumped and otherwise beat around. With the benefit of hindsight, I am glad I had a '79 Datsun 210 and an '80 Prelude when I was in College.

The old saying is true, Good things come to those who wait.

 

Go for the Miata. As a college professor,I have counselled a lot of students that are trying to balance school work with economics and fun. Some have to hold down full-time jobs in addition to taking a full load of courses in order to meet car payments and wind up dropping classes, taking longer to finish or even quitting the program. This is not to say that you can't have some fun in college - you should - but focus on the academics without the distraction of a $35k new car sitting next to the dormitory. Besides, you can have a lot of fun with aftermarket improvements on Miatas. Properly set up, they can give more exotic machinery a real run for the money.

 

I'm with CoralDoc completely on this one. You just don't want this financial burden at this time of your life. Wait until you finish college, have a job, and some real financial stability.

 

I'd definately recommend the used Miata - just like everyone else. I had a Mustang LX 5.0 while I was in college - and just scrounging up for gas money got to be a pain in the butt. It was like...food or...gas money? Do this... Go to college, and when you are there, think how much the car payments would be in a month and when you are a bit hungry or wanna go out and party - think of how much that adds up to. I didn't have a car payment for that Mustang - but the gas in itself - with 3.73 gears in the rear and all the mods except for the long block itself - it sucked gas - 8-12miles a gallon. Ouch.

I did have a roomie in college - while in the dorm, he had two cars, and while rooming with him in an apartment, he had three cars - all new, mostly green, and four wheel drive. Most people would go see a movie on a bored weekend - he'd go buy a car - with cash. Last I saw him, he still had the Typhoon, the Jeep (all customed out), the Yukon and just purchased a Del Sol for his gf - this was back in 95. I even remember one weekend, when the Hummer was just released to civilians to drive - we rented one for ten days at about 150 a day.

The thing is, he had money to blow. Most people I know, don't keep an extra $35K in the checking account to buy a car on the weekend. And if you plan on keeping the S in college - its going to be difficult to maintain - its not to say that there are certain maintenance needs for the S, but its just to say that you should spend time with it - and I dont believe you'd have the time in college to do that. You might be spending your time looking for the perfect parking place - which is *always* a scary thing to do. And once you find that perfect spot, then well...you aren't going to want to move it from that spot.

Anyways... dont let this be a deterrant for you at all. You'll be out of college shortly and the S will (most likely) still be there. And never know, a type V, blue with a glass window... we'd all be jealous of that if it comes to the states.

/my two cents