From your post, you've been driving 5 years, that is a lot of experience. Also, from the posts so far, you act more mature than I did when I was your age.

There are two issues I looked at when I brought the S2000,

1) Practically. As long as you have a practical car at home, or one you can borrow you are good!
2) RWD, which is something you have experience with. I am not sure where you live, but if weather conditions are horrid, you may want to consider 06+ (it has TCS).

You don't need a website to prove to your bro S2K is a great car. Everyone's definition is different. The best way to change his mind will be a test drive. If he still doesn't like the car after the test drive, then no website is going to change his mind.

 

So you're an amazing driver because your dad says so and you'd be a smart shopper if your brother approved your decision?

If you do get the S2000 (and are currently in the States), make sure you come out to a track day or autocross. You may be an amazing driver. Or you may find out that you're not. Either piece of information would be very useful going forward.

 

i live in canada, i would totally love to come to autocross! but it's too far , anyways he hasn't test drove an s2k, but i have and i loved it, it's just something different it's like a rocket lol. + the engine roar is also something else. and thanks for the feed back once again everyone..!

 

Psst. There are autocrosses in Canada. There's even a "Canadian Nationals" event.

 

all the cars you mention having driving experience with have traction control. And, imo, driving experience counts with a particular car if you've daily'd the car for over a year straight (covers all seasons in your area) or taken it to the track, which it doesn't sound like you have. If you get an S, which it sounds like you've made up your mind, best stick to an '06+ as they've got traction control.

Either that, or pay to go to a skip barber type driving school or take the car to the track and get some lessons on how to handle it properly if you're going to get an ap1/early ap2.

Sorry but i agree with the Miata/240 comment. You'll appreciate the S a lot more if you go this route. I'd say Miata/240 for atleast a few years and definately some track time.

good luck!

 

If this is how you are going to act please dont post on these forums.

 

The S2000 is an amazing car and a great value in the used sports car market today.

Your brother is right about it being dangerous.

It is a VERY poor choice for inexperienced drivers for the following reasons:
1. Insurance will be astronomically high until you are 24 years old. Some highschoolers are paying $400 per month for full coverage!
2. Rear wheel drive and a peaky motor makes this car easy to loose control of for inexperienced drivers, especially if the tires are cold and/or pavement is wet
3. The Ap1's are very difficult to launch smoothly in 1st gear compared to almost every other manual transmission car made. This makes the AP1 a terrible car for a new driver, especially a new manual transmission driver.

It's your money and your life. But if it were me...I would get a beater to get me through college (you don't want to buy a $15,000 car and then have to take out student loans to get a degree!) Once you are out of school you can get a newer S2000 if you are still into the car. That's just my suggestion.

I see too many kids go broke trying to afford their "dream car" while they are in school and then after school when they are broke they have to sell their "dream car" to make ends meet.

 

Money is definately, not the problem here, i agree this car is a very dangerous car to drive without experience. I think i can handle the first few months without traction control, go with the speed limit, don't do anything stupid just cruise around, then maybe i can just drive like the other cars. thanks everyone once again.

 

Wait, why turn traction control off?

 

I agree with most of this, although I don't agree with the starting out in first gear. I think you'll be fine with that.

I do agree it's a dangerous car for your first one if you are an agressive driver. If you are really mellow, and I mean ALL the time, then it's possibly an OK choice.

I thnk the Miata is a great car to have fun with. It's a good one to get experience in. It's RWD, and awesome handling, yet low power and low weigh and not oversteer prone, so much less likelty to get in trouble with. If you fix it up, you wont have to worry about looking gay, if that's a concern.

If you do get an S2000, I can't stress enough to get an 06 or above, so you get the stability control. It could literally save your life in an emergency maneuver (and the lives of other drivers)