Just an idea here, mebbe you'd be happier with a 350z or such? You can get a low end early 350 for your price range and you seem to be interested in torque. Loose the convertible, but pick up something more to your liking? Just a thought. Good luck on the decision and there's a red 00-01 for sale here, but you'd have to wheel and deal a lot to get them down to 16k.

 

Given your size and attraction to torque, why aren't you considering a C4/5 Corvette?

 

I drove my Celica from new for 15 years until a year ago. I'm not sure how any Celica owner can complain about the S2000 "lacking in the power dept." But whatever....

I get 25mpg average in my 25 mile (each way) daily commute in mixed traffic; in the winter, when the defroster is on, and the car takes a bit longer to warm up, I get around 23 with the same driving pattern. I get about 30mpg when cruising on the highway at legal speeds.

My car is absolutely reliable, so far (21,000 miles). I have put in perhaps a total of one quart of oil (not including the many oil changes) in that time, so there is practically no oil consumption.

Of course 6th gear is "usable." I use it whenever I'm cruising on the highway, and my car actually pulls quite well in 6th gear, as long as you're reasonably gentle. If you want quick acceleration at speed, that's what downshifting is for, and the S2000 is a joy to downshift.

Mine's a 2004. I drive legally on the public roads; I drive as fast as I can on the track and in autocross.

As for whether it makes a good daily driver, only you can decide that. Mine's a great daily driver for me, but my wife would shudder at the prospect of driving this car every day (she drives an RX-8, and likes the comfort, room, quiet and amenities).

I decided that I didn't like putting commuter miles on this car in icky weather (of which we have a lot in Seattle), so I bought a beater to drive on the wet, cold days. Ironically, it's a Celica--a 1988 Toyota Celica All-Trac (AWD turbo; a cool car, actually, but the All-Trac folks don't like seeing the All-Trac referred to as a "beater" any more than the S2000 folks). IMO it is a much better "beater" than an S2000, since it has lots of space, I don't mind parking it anywhere, and I don't worry about some idiot dinging it with his door (and it only cost $2700).

 

I use mine as a daily driver and I agree with you...it is "a cool car to have"! On the other hand, I would never classify this car as a "beater". An S2K is not an inexpensive car to own. For example, I just replaced the tires on my new 2004 with 10K miles at a price of around $1,000 (including alignment). Good rubber is extremely important for this car. Research the numerous posts on the board regarding owners losing control in the rain. Or, newbies doing sudden 180's because they had bald tires. IMO...any car that needs tires replaced at 10K at a cost of 1K does not "a good beater make". Also, factor in insurance, cost of mods, high cost of replacement parts, etc...


As much as I would like to welcome you to the fold, better "beater" cars exist. But please don't take my word for it, do your own research on the Forum. It shouldn't take you long to "see the light".

Good luck with your search!

 

little to no reliability problems with both s2000's I've owned, and doesn't seem to be an issue on the board either.

and the 2003 is much nicer than the 2000, which I owned earlier.

 

S2000 has plenty of power for daily driving. I get about 25-28 with 40% city and 60% highway. I kick in vtec when I am passing or just have fun from the stop light otherwise it seems to be an overkill to WOT all the time. It saves me gas and does not scare other people. As far as reliability goes, I have not had any trouble with it but I only had it for 2 months. I did not notice ANY oil consumption after a trip to the dragon and the Zoo run, VTEC was engaged most of the time during those spirited driving. I know I don't do my S justice since I drive it rain or shine but it is meant to be driven. I love it so much I want to drive it everyday!

 

Oh, I use 6th gear all the time... some neighborhood driving at 35 mph, I have it in 6th and just cruise... the 25 mph area is a bit tricky for 6th I usually just use 5th. but S has shorter gear i guess so 6th very useable.

 

Welcome to the board


I hope that everyone here will treat you with the same disrespect that I have for you

 

Interesting thread

 

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