Ok... I've been wanting an S for a long time and finally can afford it. I have some factors holding me back from purchasing one. First is just the cost of maintaining it. Such as the high insurance prices, and maintenance. Also it's not a very practical car (also why I love it.) 3rd reason is the bad streets of Philly, terrible roads. Also I don't want my S to be vandalized or broken in! I would be crushed:[
I need a new car and I honestly have no interest in any other car than this. I am obsessed with it. But I need opinions on whether a 3rd year college student who will be commuting a lot should own an S or not. I plan on living at home so I can afford to keep the S :]
What are some of your opinions? Should I wait until I get out of college, become stable and then get an S, or should I satisfy my obsession and splurge on an S? THANKS in advanced!

 

Im graduating this semester, got a job so as soon as i get my bonus im off to get a new s2k. Its a long, painful wait but worth it. I live in downtown atlanta and im glad i don't have to worry about parking an s2k.

If you can swing the finances i wouldn't worry and just get it. Its a low maintenance car for sure relative to other roadsters ('cept the miata).

 

My $0.02.

Focus on your studies and getting a well-rounded college experience.

I'd put the money towards a slummy college apartment with lots of roommates. You can only do college-type stuff for so long. You can have an S2000 anytime.

Wait until you get a real job (or post-graduate education) lined up before doing anything that stretches you to your financial limit.

In this horrible economy, you want a future lined up before getting yourself into a hole.

If you're a 3rd year college student, then you have less than a year before you have something in the bag anyway.

Wait that year, save your pennies, study hard, get a great job, and buy someone's FI S2000 instead.

 

Smart move.
You'll appreciate the decision in a few years. Just get something to get you though college. I drove a 1982 Dodge Ram D-50 during my academic career. Bought my S after I got a full-time position in my profession. Looking back it was a great choice because I was able to enjoy it more and afford any daydream mods...

 

During college (1998-20002 or so), I was obsessed with the 1995 Camaro Z28. I finally saved up enough money to make a sizable downpayment and qualify to finance the rest (as I had no credit history back at the time).

It was the worst decision I've ever made. Well, I learned a whole lot about cars, learned to drive stick, but that thing kept me away from my studies, and ate up so much money that I didn't have - I was living on razor thin margins, taking out emergency loans from the university to make insurance payments, ditched class to change the oil, or troubleshoot an exhaust leak, et,c etc.

The car cost me $12,500, but I believe I spent over $25k on it. In insurance, late fees, interest, fines, parts, labor, repairs, gas, etc. That $25k could have done much more for me than a sports car ever could have. Not to mention - when I graduated, my car tastes had completely changed, and I wanted a 1991 NSX, but was stuck with an old Z28 that was falling apart.

Living as a college student, you have a lot of things to do and very little money to spend. The first month of living on razor thin margins to have your dream car might be worthwhile, but 2 years later, you'll still be stuck making those same payments, insurance payments, gas, maintenance, for a 2 year old car that is old and losing it's appeal.

If I could do it over again, I would have taken that $12.5k, put it in stocks or a CD, and taken the investment out of graduation to reward myself with a nice car, fully paid for, with no strings attached. Now *that* is the way to enjoy a car. if you *need* a car to get around, get a 1992 Miata for $2000 and drive that around until graduation. It won't cost you your leg, and you'll still have plenty of fun zipping around in that car.

 

Dude, fight the urge to buy it now.

You don't want the financial burden while in college, trust me I was in your shoes and had to make the same choice...fortunately I chose to wait till I graduated.

The S2000 has very stiff suspension. I've been in Philly several times and the streets do suck, not to mention the S or any other nice car is not something you want to own in places where you have to parallel park all the time... the amount of bumper damage you'll get will make you want to cry on such a nice car. It's a very easy car to break into and the soft top and nice seats make it a target for thieves in the city areas.

Also If you can afford to rent right now and would have to move in with the parents to afford an s2K, the choice is simple...wait! Living with the parents as a Junior and Senior in college? College is supposed to be the time when you are the most free you will be all your life...before college the partents hold you down, after college women and kids hold you down. . .

In the end you have to make up your own mind but I can tell you from the other side...I'm VERY glad I didn't buy a car that would require a large car payment + high insurance while I was in college. If you will have student loans to pay off when you graduate what I've said is even MORE valid!

-JL

 

I appreciate everyone's responses and advice! but also the thing is I can have the car paid off and if I have a job throughout school (which i intend to have) then insurance shouldn't be a problem.

Also the S2000 is different than a 1995 Camaro in my opinion. I trust I won't have to put too much money into fixing it and also I won't have to worry about car payments since I am planning to buy a used one.

I have lived my crazy college life the past few years and I am DONE with it. I am in a fraternity so believe me I've lived it to the fullest. I have completely grown out of it and want to be more mature and start acting and living like someone who is on the road to success.

I WANT to live at home and not at college. The college life has gotten old and boring for me. I miss being at home with my parents (they are all alone now that I'm gone and my mom works while my dad is all by himself most of the day). My parents are very old and I want to be with them.

I feel like I'm trying to convince you guys to convince me to get this S lol.

 

I bought the S in the summer of my Junior year in college. I got a MY02 SS with 23k miles for 14k. The deal was too good to pass up and I saved all my earnings from the previous year and downed 7k on it. Going into my senior year, I was stressed with the fact that I didn't have a job yet and dug myself in a hole. I continued to work hard in school and 2 months in I landed a job offer and am set to pay off the S in 1.5 years. Before the job offer, the car purchase really held me down financially because there were other things that I wanted to buy. But it all comes down to what matters most to you. I love the S, it makes me happy day and night and I always take it for a cruise just for kicks.

 

Go with your heart, do you want, and suffer the inevitable consequences. Whether or not they turn out to be worth it, you'll have to tell us. Myself in your position, there's nothing that could hold me back, but I'm not known for making great decisions. I am known for taking the consequences on the chin though, and that's what you'll have to do. Fortunately (for me) it took me until I was 31 to be able to afford one (by the way, they cost literally DOUBLE here).

 

that's true... i mean I cannot stop thinking about or imagine myself driving one this past few weeks that I found out I can own one. I have no interest in any other cars other than an S, I just hope I won't regret buying it!

I think I'm gonna check a few out first before I make up a decision.