Hi Everyone,

My name is Ian, a soon-to-be high school graduate as I wrap up the remainder of my last semester. While I am aware this is the section where new members usually introduce their recently purchased S2Ks, I come welcoming you with different conduct.

I do not own an S2000, but think about one each and every day. I have recently seen an opportunity placed before that would allow me to maybe partake in the ownership of one, but I come to seek your opinions on my prospects, as you all live with the breed each day and are far more knowledgable on it's daily suitability than I. I will quickly provide some backstory details about myself and skip to the dilema before me as quickly as I can.

As aforementioned, I am Ian, residing in AZ, soon about to be apart of the university scene by Augusts' time. Among my AP scholastic workload, I work two jobs; one for stability control at a local movie theatre and the other featuring freelance photography and videography as part of my startup company 'Niteo Productions'. Among my two years in the field as a leader for my team at Niteo, I have the pleasant opportunity of driving many newer model sportscars and highly tuned track machines as part of shoots and reviews for owners' sake. I currently drive a 2006 Civic EX.I have loved my Civic and it has treated me with care, but its AUTOtragic functionality has become wearisome on my enthusiast spirit. I have always been the main source of transportation for friends over the past several years, and why that hasn't truly upset me, a 2-seater always has remained a dream in my mind, as to finally place a stake in my independence.

My parents have offered me a choice to maybe get something different at the end of this year for my years in college, and while that may not seem like a big deal to most people, my car has always been a true reflection on myself and an experience in that, besides filmmaking and video work, I hold as a close second passion. I am a car fanatic. And with that fanaticism, the S2000, since my first developing love for it about a year ago, has been there right besides me.

I am looking into using this opportunity to getting one, as a representation of a new era in my life, an embodiment on my motivation to capture the more outstretch opportunities and a mirror of my ambitions. It would mean alot to me.

Having said that, there are many concerns that go alongside those hopes for an S2000 future. With my car prospects among the S2K, cheaper options have also been tantalizing, such as a miata, integra, or E30, as I would then be able to have a more amble savings supply for my college years, but at the same time, I would rather get an S2000 and work full time over the summer in order to provide the savings, while not having to sacrifice a solid car of my current civic for an older car, that may not as stable. Besides the dichotomy in purchase decisions, I am curious to see if I am right in assuming that the S2K is pretty reliable, as I have often heard, as that is a huge concern for someone attending school. I am especially eager to see how they hold up after prolonged use, as my price allows for only a AP1 with 100K-120K mi. Among that, insurance is a caveat, as I know it will be more, but what difference that may be is the issue. I have often heard the insurance for an S2K to be strenuous, but I feel with work, I might be able to manage with my dad's offered assistance. Finally, I want to know how that this, hopefully not ludicrous, idea sounds to you all and how it will fair among college years. I know that a university setting can be daunting for many car owners, so I am curious to hear any feedback on that.

I really want to make this work. I am the type of person who likes to take matters into their own hands and take on things that generally scare people away, seen with me starting my own company as well as many academically competitive standpoints that I have recently taken on. However, I can understand if the time is not quite right for ownership of an S2K, and with that I can grow to understand, but if there is any chance or glitter of hope, I want to take and grasp just a small fraction of a large scope of my aspirations.

I apologize for the anecdote, I hope I do not come off as overbearing for a newbie such as myself. I am eager to hear you guys' feedback,

Thanks in advance,

~ Ian.

 

my comment will seem a little bs
i just wanted to say, that's a well written and professional introduction
i don't think my writing is as professional as this even though i have graduated from university
you seem really mature for your age tbh

anyways as far as reliability goes, this car will not cost you a fortune to maintain. but remember to do a thorough inspection before purchasing it. that will ultimately saves you thousands

 

If you can get the car and that's what you want, you'll make it work or otherwise learn a life lesson

 

^^^^ First of all....this.


As far as the car goes, I can not recommend this car enough. I'm a huge car enthusiast, and I'm sure most on this forum are. Let me explain why I believe this is probably one of the best options out of the ones you listed.


I've never been a huge fan of the Miata. It's too small for me. I've never driven one so I can't comment from a driving standpoint but it just never seemed like enough car for me. I've owned an integra, and driven many E30's, and can honestly say that the S2000 is much more of a drivers car. To each their own I guess. The best part about this car to me is the community. I've lurked here forever and never gotten sick of the forum. I've belonged to many communities - Zilvia, honda-tech, Supra forums, Ricekiller, and many local groups (mnhondas, mnsportcompacts, D-town). None of these groups had what you have here. If you stick around here long enough you kinda get the sense of how things work. You always have idiots, but there aren't nearly as many here from what I can tell.

Ultimately it's up to you, just don't do anything you aren't 100 percent on and do what you really want to do. The worst thing you can do is settle for something you don't really want.

 

After reading that, the only thing I would say is, there isn't much room to haul audio/video equipment in the s2k. I can barely fit 2 suitcases when I go on a trip so you might want to check that out. Also, a jdm front integra with a K series would be a great replacement for an s2k but it will be stolen in 3 days

 

1. Appreciated your thread; I'm 60 and have been through the car scene and back a few times.
2. The S is not a practical car for a college student. If you live at home and go to school close by, then it increases your odds that you could make it work, but, not being able to get but 1 other person in your car is a restriction, unless you have no friends, ha!
3. not being able to haul stuff is another drawback; there will be a time you need to do this, if you have another friend whose car you can use to haul things, that's good.
4. Having a softtop on a campus is another red flag
5. Plus, I'm just jealous; I was driving a 1963 VW bug when in college, ha!

 

Reading your well rwritten introduction reminds me of my horror stories from my AP English courses (they were actually far more difficult than any of my college writing courses). Anyways, as long as you have someone else transport most of your belongs to college, it can work. I am a graduate student in college and prefer to drive the S2000 over my IS350 simply due to the fun factor and the fact that I do not need that much cargo room. Due to the age of AP1 and the fact you are most likely a good student, insurance should not be much if you are under your parent's policy. Cars on most respectable campuses should not be vandalized, so there should be little issue. At my undergraduate university, students were driving GTRs, 911 Turbo S, etc.

 

1. Cool, cool.
2. Oh come on, some times you gotta just follow your heart and say, f^#k it.
3. Ehhhhhh......true..
4. Also true.....my top was sliced open at a campus parking lot..so yeah. Very true.

Looks like you have been through the car scene a few times...cause you're totally right. Not practical for a college student at all. There are many times that I wish I could be the driver and haul tons of longboards around with my buddies in a 4 door but after driving this amazing vehicle, I can never go back to a practical car.

So the way I see it, you could think for the future and get a more economical car that seats more with more room and MPG like this guy (smart choice)
or you could do what I did and follow your heart and get the car you have been thinking about every day like I did (the fun choice)

I don't regret my decision and I'm sure neither does he. So I guess the moral to the story is, do you stay safe with the blue pill (civic) or take the red pill and see how deep this rabbit hole goes? (the s2000)

follow the white rabbit.

 

1. One of the best responses I've ever read with someone who has respect, but has a different opionion.
2. Your conclusion was priceless! Great humor and personality, "blue or red pill," really funny!!!
3. Yes, I'm too practical, always have been; it has its advantages, but your way is more fun! I'm boring and know it; the secret is to to life is find a woman who appreciates boring and practical, and drive a fun car, ha!
4. Enjoy your car and your life!

 

Sure, but I'd do very little interior/exterior aesthetics mods. Theft/Break-in rates of these things jumps up alot around campuses for some reason.

On a side note, I know another photographer who bought an S, and he sold it a week later because it was unpractical and too small to carry around his gear.