I didn't see anything saying if you were financing or what? planning on trading in the civic? I think it's crucial to make sure how much insurance is actually going to cost you/car payments even with the assistance from your parents. You don't want to live paycheck to paycheck for any car, so that's the most important thing.

As far as should you get an AP1 or not, I will say this, I've also wanted an s2000 since they came out/your age,been on the forum since 04..I'm 26 now and still have yet to own one, but am looking forward to it when I get stationed (military) back in the states in a few months here. When I could afford one, it wasn't practical/circumstances led me to other vehicles, but I still find myself lingering for it. With that being said, if you're going to make the leap and spend the money, I always say get what you REALLY want. You don't want to get stuck wondering/wishing you did something different. It's better to stay with the civic now and get the s2k later, than waste money/be dissapointed. Miatas/Integras are great, but are they really cars you can settle with over an s2000? Those cars really can't be left stock to truly enjoy them IMO. That's another thing, an s2000 comes with so much out of the box, that you can truly have a one of driving experience without touching it. I love E30s as well, but unless you plan on doing your own work, and even then, parts are just so expensive...and with an older car like that, you're bound to run into something. Factor in labor costs, and you'd be eating ramen noodles to drive a 20 year old bmw...

Also, like Omerta said, the s2k/honda community is truly hard to beat. Trust me, I've owned it all, IS250, Skyline, WRX, EvoV, S15, been around different people/forums, and the s2k community is just different. A lot of my buddies back home drive s2000s, and they're always out going for drives/meets, at each others house help work on each others cars, or just going to eat,drinking. It becomes more than just cars, and I can't say it's been that way for any other car I've owned/been around.

Last thing I wills say, is Nomorecivics has a point about how practical it would be for you with hauling your gear around? When I buy mine, I will have a beater on the side for family duties. Like I said initially, I didn't see anything about if you're going to be able to keep the civic or is that something you'd trade in..If you can keep the civic to fulfill your other needs/duties that would be a easy decision to go ahead and jump on an s2k. If you really need a more fun to drive car NOW while staying practical, I'd recommend a civic si...honda reliability,K-series,4 doors and a full size trunk and cheaper insurance...

either way good luck!

 

Firstly, I thank everyone for their poignant responses and detailed opinions. I can see why this forum is so highly praised and notable for it contains some of the most personable and intelligent members I have come across in recent memory.

I have recently had more experience around several Si's and have now become more complete in adopting that platform as my next Daily Driver. It provides the familiarity to make the switch an easier transition than that of the S2K while upping the performance to a level where it starts to become a completely different car than my EX.

Most significantly, the risk factor for an S2K in college seems too daunting for proper ownership of one. I want to be able to nurture and fully enjoy the S2K and with the obstacles of potentially costing me opportunities while undergoing such an important time in my life, the bliss delivered would simply not stack up to the missed opportunities. College will go by faster than I think, and if I stay on the smart side, I can not only get the S2K afterwards, but more specifically an uncompromised S2000, unlike my current budgetary constraints.

I thank you all for your replies and prompt action to assist a new member, it speaks for the collective of the forum. Hopefully you will all hear from me in the near future on regards to an S2K purchase, but until then, it's for the best that I leave that animal untamed until school is out of the way.

My Thanks and Appreciation,

~ Ian.

 

I would say get one and just enjoy it, if people can fit 4 rims and tires in the front seat and trunk, you should have no problem fitting whatever you need in there.

 

@XBMAX: I agree with you. I am not entirely saying that I am out of the S2K race, as I still have 4-5 months until final purchasing time comes. I will keep looking. I am noting your comment on trunk space, as from I can remember test driving an AP1, the space seemed more than ample for the equipment I have (which is all DSLR gear and is designed to be compact), but some people are telling me otherwise. Trunk space isn't a huge issue to begin with. I hate hauling things in my car, and even with an Si, would probably rely on another friends's vehicle for filming, (as I have been) given the more off-roadish tendencies given with the locations we tend to shoot in, something in which the Civic is really not suited for. To be honest, I really like the fact that an AP1 would be around the same price as my current DD, compared to that of an Si, which is about $3K-$4K more expensive, which can prove to be an issue when going over the initial purchase with the parents.

My mind sways back and forth, part of me enjoys the Si's practicality, but the other part thinks the pricey upgrade to be too similar to the car I have now and that soon I might regret spending the extra money.

As for finances, my current car still needs about $3-4K to be fully paid off, which is being offered by my parents as a graduation gift, meaning I would have the full value of the car to sell and to spend (~10K), and then whatever I save from here till then.

Only time and fate will tell I suppose.

 

How are parts for the AP1. I have heard mixed things, I know they are obviously more expensive than the civic, but are they mangeable? What are some alternative ways of picking them up besides dealerships? Pricing of parts is something I want to take note on, although it is not a deal-breaker. The universities I am leaning towards (OofTatAustin and UofA) both are contained within large town areas and I would be living on campus, so the car wouldn't be seeing strenuous use and of course I would never come close to abusing it. Most days I would probably bike to local restaurants and classes and then maybe plan on driving on the weekends for spirited driving or when visiting family.

 

As always, get quotes on insurance. Also, it's not just the cost of the car and insurance but the cost of maintenance as well. You'll chew through tires much quicker with the rears typically wearing out twice as fast. You'll need more frequent precision alignments, etc. You'll also burn through money faster if you get into tracking the S (highly recommended). Make sure you're considering TCO versus your budget.

This isn't a one-size-fits-all thing. The S2000 may work for some college students while it won't work for others. Don't overlook the former similar threads as this is far from the first time these questions have been asked. Try tweaking this site-restricted Google search:
https://www.google.com/search?q=s200...w=1920&bih=995

Subjective matter. Again, it's a good daily for some and not for others. If you haven't carefully looked at one with your specific needs/wants in mind then take a look again. I'd continue to daily mine -- did so for 5 years -- but I'm trying to save wear on it and it has recently become a third car.

It really depends on what you're hauling. I've never had problems hauling a Pelican case with camera, tripod, and other misc gear but different people use different gear even if they're all doing "video production". The S certainly has enough space for my wife and I to take 2 week road trips (with the tool kit removed and one or two laundry runs during the trip).

Define "manageable". That's highly subjective. Without some examples you can refer to online parts suppliers such as Majestic Honda, etc. I find it manageable. YMMV being in college.

 

practical is relative, the ap1 s2k is just F*cking fine.. ive had 2 over the last 3 years, through college and now at a full time management job. I also have normal family and girlfriend duties, the S2k does the job, as far as maintaining? cheapest car you can find aside from a new civic, literally, even a NEW bmw, hundai, mazda, merc, or subie id be more sketch about than a early 2000s (well taken care of) s2k

 

As stated - great introductory paragraph: it makes you seem much more mature than your years, especially how you have already considered many different view points!!!

I think your post on going with an Si is the best choice. Love the S2000 and am glad to have it now. But for your use, needs and financial sense, the Si is
the better option:

- You are going to want to make sure you can haul more than a passenger and a few items which is about all the S0000 can do.
- You are not going to want to worry about your car being vandalized as it sits out on public streets, which you will with the S2000.
- You are going to want to minimize costs, be it maintenance or insurance, as much as possible which the S2000 will not really allow (insurance will be higher than an Si and the tire costs are an important factor to consider).
- The Si is not just a pricey upgrade from a base Civic. It is quite different and I do believe you will generally enjoy it much more than the Civic you have. The Si is quite the performance upgrade and it will be more than noticeable.

College should be time spent enjoying versus worrying and and S2000 will give you a few more worries (financial and personal) than the Si would.

Either way, good luck to you!

 

I got my s2000 the end of my senior year in high school and I never regretted the decision. I am now a college student and I think that it's a perfect car for college too. I don't commute to school so I can put a minimal amount of miles on it, and when my friends and I need to go somewhere I say, "I would drive but I only have one more seat". Then all my friends drive me everywhere. Only thing is I go to school in San Diego so there are a quite a bit of car break ins and stuff so I got a hardtop to help a little with theft, which is something you might want to think about depending on where your car will be.

Even though the s2000 is a small car it can also haul a lot of stuff. Whenever I have to go back home for break or whatever I can bring most my stuff without any trouble. I just load up the trunk and the passenger seat.

For maintenance I have only owned the car for 7 months or so now and have performed basic fluid changes such as engine, transmission, and differential which will be kinda pricey for a college student like me if you use quality fluids. I also end up spending a lot of money on basic car wash stuff such as shampoo, wax, clay bar, etc, and also interior stuff like leather conditioner. If you don't mind doing basic stuff to keep your car looking good and performing even better than the s2000 should be a good fit.

In terms of insurance, I pay a decent amount for the s2000 but my friends who have trucks pay even more for their insurance. My dad is currently registered as the primary driver though I believe.

I got my 2004 s2000 with 87000 miles for $12,500 but I don't think there could have been any better choice for a car at this price range. Sure the s2000 isn't the most economical but at this price point I think the driving experience is worth even more. If you can, buy the best s2000 you can even if you have to wait a long time. I highly recommend the car.

 

I got mine senior year as well, It's spacious for my needs, I'm 6' 2". put about 8k miles on it in 2 years. Loved every minute of it. One of the best cars you'll ever get to drive/own or both