Haha well this is my first post so I just want to say hi to everyone, and I was wondering if I could get a little advice...I understand that the opinions will probably be a little biased because of where I'm posting this question, but any input would be appreciated...

Here's some background info. I'm 22 years old and I'm a bay area native in Northern California. I work fulltime and live at home. If I play my cards right I should be able to live here rent free for at least a few more years. Currently I have $30,000 saved up. I sold my 1990 mustang about a year ago and I have been driving my mom's CRV ever since. She Is now giving me 2 weeks to buy a car. I have read previous posts about knowing whether or not a car is the right one for you. For the most part, I would agree with that statement...the problem in this case is I feel like the vehicles I'm looking at are on opposite ends of the spectrum other than the fact they're both Hondas.

The vehicles I'm looking at are a 2005 Honda S2000 and an Acura TSX (MT/No Nav).

Here are the pros and cons as I see them.

S2000
As lame as this sounds, I felt (for lack of a better word) COOL when driving my Mustang. I'm quite regularly depressed; I don't have many friends and I never get out cept to go to work. Anything that can add a little extra joy to my life is highly welcomed. When I pulled into a parking lot in the mustang it made me smile knowing people were noticing me. I live in a town where people are very well off, so I feel like I'm forced to try to keep up with the Jones'. I like the styling, performance, and positive attention I would get with the S2000. The honda dealership is only 2miles from my house so It wouldn't be difficult to get it serviced when needed. At this point I also feel that I got the S2000 I wouldn't have such a desire to get a streetbike as well. So I suppose this would save me money in the longrun and I'd be less likely to end up dead.

Obviously, the S2000 doesn't get the best gas mileage and with a smaller tank fillups would be more frequent but thats hardly a deciding factor. I'm 6'2" so the cabin is somewhat tight, but again that is something I can live with. I don't like the fact that my insurance agency quoted me $1022 for 6months with $1000 deductibles because my mom is too legit to say I'm only the secondary driver. I also have that concern that because I am 22 Honda will use that as a reason to refuse to honor a warranty on the grounds that I must be abusing the car. I would also have to borrow about 6grand to account for hardtop,frontlip,tax,title, and license which wouldn't allow me to start saving for a house as soon.

TSX
I do see this as the more logical choice. I like the long list of standard features, the longer warranty, longterm practicality, cheaper insurance (806 for 6months), better gas mileage, and decent cargo space.

I have no real beef with this car; it would clearly be a solid choice. I just question if I'll get the same enjoyment out of it It's performance and handling for what it is are up to par, but it is not an S2000. The TSX is definitely getting more popular in this area everyday. The closest Acura dealership is 10miles away which could hinder scheduling service appointments.

On paper the TSX seems like a better match. My arguments towards it are more significant and less shallow than the ones towards the S2000. Even tho I'm growing older and my tastes are maturing, I have to remember I am still young.

Sorry for the wordy post...TIA for any advice ---Jeff

 

Your Acura dealer is only 10 miles away! Thats damn good. Mine would be either 160 miles to the south or in another state ( I'm in NY and closest dealer is in Vt.)

 

Life is too short to be unhappy. Get what makes you happy. IMO

 

My input:

You're getting a little old to be living at home (I'm 20, starting to feel that it's time to save and get a place... but you know how much that costs in SoCal). $30k is a good start toward a down payment on a house. You could easily get a cheaper car that will last just as long for $15k, still saving half the money to get a place of your own.

However, if you're really going to spend all of your savings (and go into debt) for a car... I say get the S2000. When you're young and single, this is the time to get something you'll enjoy. You probably won't be having kids (I assume) in the next few years, so shortcomings with space will be more of an inconvenience than a real problem.

A great example is my last car. I bought a new 03 Celica GT-S (auto), because I drive 15,000+ miles a year (with Cali traffic) and wanted to be comfortable. Within a year, I was looking at sports cars again. The Celica is more sporty than a TSX, yet I still had issues with it being too vanilla. If you want a sports car, you're always going to want a sports car. It's just that simple.

 

The advice you need won't come from this forum.

 

The TSX and the S2000 were the two cars I was deciding between recently but our situations could hardly be more different (I'm 17 years older than you, have my own place, I have kids and live in the mid-west).

Good taste in cars transcends age and personal circumstances.

I decided to get the S2000 because the TSX would really be a replacement for my Accord that still drives great with 135K miles, and I have a 3rd bay garage and so I have room for the S2000 as a third car.

I went with the S, but I still think about ditching the Accord in the near future for the TSX (having both the TSX and the S2000 would be great).

Personally, when I was 22, I think I would have gone with a less expensive car than either the TSX or the S2000 (e.g., Civic) and obtained a place of my own.
Hey, now that I remember, that is exactly what I did!

Although that Civic was great, it would have been nice to have a car like the S2000 back then. I don't think I would have been interested in a TSX or any 4 door car as a 22 year old.

You only live once, get the S2000!

 

1. Don't expect a car to solve your depression problem. There are better ways to deal with depression and it will be to your advantage to talk to a professinal about your options.
2. Think about your immediate plans and make certain that the car you get now allows you to accomplish those plans.
3. Enjoy whatever car you decide to get. If you use your common sense, get your depression under control and continue to move foreward, you will have lots of other cars during your long-life.

Good Luck and stay safe.