Hi everyone. Well, I sold the Civic so now I'm ready to buy. I'm in NJ and was set on picking up a black 2006 with 23,200 miles located in VA. The guy's asking price is 19.4k. With that said, he's the 3rd owner and has only put about 4k miles on it, but other than that I'm not sure where it's been. I do know that he had purchased it from Carmax.

Car #2 just popped up on Autotrader. In Yonkers, NY. It's red, 2006, 2nd owner who's 68 years old! So there's a good chance it wasn't beat on. Garage kept. Summer car. 30k miles. He's asking 20k. Tons of service records on carfax which I like. Seems like it was very well maintained. No accidents, etc.

Car #1, it may be possible to negotiate. Car #2, the guy is pretty firm on the price. With Car #1, though, it's all the way in VA. I'm planning on going to look at it soon but it's still a huge hassle to go look at it and eventually get it home if it comes to that. Car #2 is 40 minutes from my house (no traffic of course). May go check it out tomorrow. I LOVE both colors so that doesn't play a factor.

What do you guys think? If you need more info, let me know. Any help is much appreciated

 

Car #1...lower price, lower miles + old people ride the clutch.

 

Are you fine with either color?

I would probably go for car 2. The more owners there are, the more wary I am that they bought the car to rag on and then get rid of.

At the same time, being old doesn't mean anything. The guy might be an old school IROC racer for all you know. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYpt1NFKyGQ[/media]

 

Yeah I'm fine with either color. The convenience of Car #2 is pretty enticing. I think i may stick with my plan. Going to look at Car 2 saturday and Car 1 next friday. After I see both, I'll be in a better position to make a decision. So close I can taste it.

 

I welcome more input from anyone. Curious to hear your opinions.

 

You really gotta see both in person before making your decision. There might be door dings or scratches on the paint or worn out seats/carpet that not shown on the ads. Obviously, go see the Yonkers car first. There must be a reason why the guy is firm on the price, it might truly be in MINT condition. You just never know until you go look at it.

 

car #1 bothers me because of all the owner, but with that low of miles maybe it doesnt matter.
Car #2 sounds good but his price is a little high and if he is super firm than you dont want to get ripped off, but if its super immaculate than I would get it. Its worth paying a little more for an almost bran new car
Tough decision. Dont rush and make a decision youll regret, the right car will be there sooner or later.

 

It's a $600 difference between the 2 cars. The mileage difference is 6,800. Assuming both CARFAX records are clean (no accidents/repairs), I'd go for the best conditioned S2000. Which one has newer tires, which one has less soft top wear, when was the last fluid change/brake pad change etc. If the NFR has brand new tires/new fluids/brake pads, that's worth the $600 difference.

 

car#2 owner might be willing to negotiate the price for the buyer that comes over.

i usually say over the phone "it's really pointless to do negotiation over the phone - just tell me if i come over and like the car can you be a bit flexible on the price?".

until now i never heard "no".

this way you already prepared the ground for the price drop.

 

Ok guys, I just checked out the NFR one in Yonkers. He's had it since 2006 when he bought it with 3500 miles on the clock. He's had maintenance done at the dealership. He didn't know if the diff fluid or tranny fluid was ever changed. He just said the dealership did whatever they had to do. Tires are brand spanking new, interior is spotless. Top looks fantastic and the engine compartment is almost TOO clean haha. I was told he used it as a summer car as he has an Impreza for his DD.

A couple things. The clutch engagement was pretty high. Is this just how S2k's are? Or does it indicate something else? I don't think the brakes have ever been done. Brake pedal was firm but I think I may just be used to my civic with a touchy pedal. There were a few paint imperfections which is what is really stopping me from jumping on this.

I looked down the lines of the car from the rear passenger side toward the front. Paint looked matched but underneath the passenger mirror there looked like there were "ripples" or "waves" in the paint. Not too sure what that means. On the drivers side fender, there were a few scratches but it sort of looks like the paint is "cracking." It isn't really cracked but it isn't completely smooth. He said he tried to have them buffed out but to no avail.

Other than that, the car is immaculate. Drives like a dream, feels strong. The shifter is UNBELIEVABLE haha. I'm definitely in love with the S2K in general now.

Your thoughts? Thanks, guys.