I bought my AP1 5 years ago (man time flies) when I was 20 as well. I paid $7000 and it had 130k on the clock, but it was in absolutely immaculate condition. Not trying to rub it in, but just saying to wait until the car checks off all of your boxes. Don't rush because you really want the car (I had trouble with this too). Good condition unmolested cars actually do exist out there.

Also, don't be afraid of high-mileage on these cars if the maintenance records are good. I am about to hit 200k and I routinely drive the car to the track, drive it how I want, and go right back home. The only maintenance I do is regular fluid changes and tires. Can't ask for a better car!

 

My 03 is my DD.It's been a great car.Bought it new.Now with 104K miles.

\rlr
Carolina

 

The Cincy Craig's List S2000 linked above is exactly what you need to expect in your price range and judging only by the description sounds like a good purchase keeping mind sellers usually sell for less than asking prices. It has the obligatory induction change (AEM or K&M intakes are seemingly universal and everywhere) and the Tanabe Medalion Touring exhaust really is wonderful. Of course you need to take a close look at it and test drive it.

Driving it daily ceases to be fun after awhile and the rag top is a thief magnet.

Germain has an '09 Civic Si under $10,000 (over in Beaver Creek) which is more than capable of winter driving and will survive parking near campus. Looks to be fully serviced according to their AutoTrader ad. Since Germain is a pretty big Honda dealer there is probably financing available in case you don't have $10,000 in hundred-dollar bills sitting around. Yeah it's a Civic, not a S2000, but it is an Si which has at least a little "street cred." And it's black!



BTW I bought my '06 off Germain's Dublin used car showroom floor two years ago. It was fully serviced and detailed. Did I pay too much for it? Maybe. It'd been buggered with black aftermarket wheels but otherwise top condition. S2000s are getting harder to find.

July 2014. Those wheels came off within a month and were replaced by OEM AP2V2 wheels.



-- Chuck

 

Exactly why the S2 is such a drag to daily, IMO. I worry about theft, door dings from the Whole Foods parking lot (and especially the campus where I work) and people in general f---ing with it. Something like that Civic above would be a far more comfortable, stress free DD with a fun factor.


[Kudos on the wheel change! Black wheels looks like somebody stole your hubcaps, at least to an old guy like me.]

 

Agree. But wondering what percentage of users on this forum know what a hub cap is...

Sent from my SM-G920P using IB AutoGroup

 

 

Photo from same quarter. With "hubcaps!"



-- Chuck

 

Lol you guys are glass-half-empty kinda people.

There's nothing wrong with DD'ing a S2000. Its got the maintenance schedule of an Accord, gets good MPG, and is a mass produced Honda.

Obviously, if you need more room than it offers, then its no good. But that's not a downfall or surprising tidbit. Its obvious when you look at the car that its a 2 seater with a small trunk.

OP, if you're considering a RSX instead, then skip that and look at the 06-11 Civic Si. Its a much better car. Better chassis, LSD trans, better ergonomics, roomier, etc.

 

Yeah, I have considered the Si as well, but to me, one of the dream cars that I always saw myself owning was the s2000. So I'm in the market now and keeping my eyes peeled. I'm not pressured to sell my Civic because it only has 120k miles on it and runs like a reliable honda. Wish me some luck guys!

 

Unfortunate news today, apparently because I am 20 my current insurance company wouldn't even insure me even though I've had zero accidents or tickets . Looks like I'm going to have to do some shopping around for car insurance and get some quotes.