Well here goes my first post

So for the past few weeks, I've allotted most of my free time to researching many cars that appeal to me. So far, most of the time has been going towards s2000s. I will be going to college next year, but I may get a car as soon as a couple of months. The cars I have been looking into include: s2k, rsx type-s, 350z, rx-8, and prelude, ranked in order from what I think I want. Of course, the best thing would be to go and test drive them all, but I would like input from fellow s2k owners.

Before anyone starts using the word spoiled, I would like to clarify myself. My parents are willing to pay half of the total, which we are trying to keep around $11-$13k (nothing more than $15k), meaning they will pay $3000-$3500 each (they are divorced). That's the major reason why I'm looking at cars to purchase around winter time.. because the prices will hopefully drop.

As far as my driving goes, I am fairly confident that I can handle the s2k. I don't own a manual car, but I do know how to drive one. I am a very mature and alert driver and I have gotten myself out of many sticky situations. My friends who drive manual often commend me for how safe I make them feel. So I think in a week's worth of practice (as well as some track time I'm looking forward to), driving it will become second nature. I'm only worried about how it will handle in the rain. I do plan on changing the tires to something more suitable in the rain.

Now I would like to hear your thoughts on the practicality of a car like the s2k for college. I am a UC-bound (University of California) student (albeit not the top UCs), and I was wondering how concerned I should be regarding theft/vandalism. I realize college is no place for nice cars, but neither is high school, and there a few nice cars that have had no problem. I am also considering Cal Poly SLO and the Air Force Academy as colleges. If the latter, I will probably sell my car after my senior year in high school, but the academy was just a thought, not really my plan. I will be taking many precautions such as installing hood and seat locks, an aftermarket alarm with pager, engine kill switches, lojack or gps locator, etc. since I live in Fremont currently. I believe the SF/Oakland/Fremont area is rank #5 in the U.S. with the most auto thefts.

I plan on sharing an apartment meaning it will be parked in some kind of apartment complex. Whether it is indoor or in a parking structure I have no clue. My dad, who has been covering my insurance for now will initially put the car as his weekend car with me as secondary, because I don't plan on driving it more than once or twice a week while I'm still in high school. The plan was to have only liability coverage, though. But the more I think about it, would comprehensive coverage actually be a better idea? When I become the primary driver, the insurance rate will be much more, so will it be worth it in case something bad happens?

Now.. as far as fitting more people, moving more things, and luxuries, I don't see myself really needing it. Even now in high school, where some of my friends don't even drive thus needing rides, I find myself rarely giving rides to more than one person, if that even. Only on occasional trips like great america will we carpool where I'm usually the driver. With that said, I do see the use of having more seats, which is why I initially planned on getting the rx8, until I saw how hard it was to maintain, and the grief that repairs could bring me. Not only that, but the mpg was awful. The rsx type-s is just something I thought of today. I have not been looking into it at all, other than my friends telling me it is very different compared to the s2k and is more like a prelude/civic coupe.

I consider myself a driving enthusiast (well maybe not now), and by that I mean I love the thrills and every aspect of driving. When I see videos and pictures of people driving their s2ks (especially with other s2ks) in canyons, mountain passes, open roads, and of course the tracks, it sends a tingle through my spine. Sure I could get a practical car like a honda fit with this kind of money, but it will never put a smile on my face like the s2k would. The s2k is on the other end of the spectrum though.

Will the s2k be too unpractical and a bulls eye for thieves? Is the rsx even a worse car to get than the s2k since thieves love cars like that? Should I somehow try to find a cheap 350z (First year production ) that will be less likely to get broken in to, and possibly offer more comfort than the s2k? Will it be too much for me to handle? Should I take a gamble and go with the rx-8? Or like the rsx, should I hope thieves don't find me and get a prelude that will offer a bit of fun?

Thanks for reading my little essay that I have here , and any suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated.

 

What it all comes down to is how YOU feel about this car. Although I'm kind of on the same boat as you I've already made up my mind and NOTHING is going to stop me from getting this car . I could care less about it be broken into (not really) but thats what insurance is for. I feel my school is safe enough, theres plenty of nicer cars than the s2k . Practicality? who needs it, we're both young kids, we need to have 2 seaters haha. Anyways, I'd say just take some serious time to make the decision, go for some test drives and figure it out. Good luck with the car, but more importantly good luck with school

 

I was in kinda the same situation... for me it was between an s2k and 350z... i did test drive them both and the s2000 just made me feel more alive and alot more fun to drive! not that i didnt enjoy the 350 though! but insurance on a 350 is literally at least 30% higher than s2000's and gas is also worse... if your not going to be driving it all that much i dont see why youd want to pay that much more for insurance! id go with s2k. also it should be ok with the vandalism.. i hang out at uc schools all the time and i see insanly nice cars there with not a scratch but like you said alarm and seat locks would be in ur interest!

rx8 are insane to maintain.. after about 60k miles.. they are usless (so ive herd) rsx's are nice cars.. but you wont get anywhere near the expirience from driving it compared to the s2k! and preludes are also pretty nice but i wouldnt buy a car that old for your situation! hopefully that helped some.. good luck!!! : )

 

I'm in pretty much the same boat as you, so I completely know what you mean. I'd also like to point out that most high schoolers, myself included, THINK they are great drivers. If you're like me and drive an auto fwd car, the switch will be pretty damn dramatic. I think it will take some responsibility to restrain yourself if that's where you're coming from.

I'm assuming you're going to be a senior, and this is going to be your second car? The reason I ask is because although all high school students, there is a huge difference in experience between a soph that just got his permit and a beginning senior that has had his license for at least a year. I'm sure you know what I mean. A 16 year old does NOT belong in a s2000, too much car for a driver with little to no experience. Contrary to popular belief, gran turismo doesn't really help.

Here in norcal, 350s and rsxs are much more common than s2000s. I can go a week without seeing a single s2000 on the road. To avoid theft I think it'd be best to not park in your school's parking lot, but on the street instead. Keep your doors locked and top up. There shouldn't be too many problems. There's a corvette, a tt, and many bmws in our student lot, and I haven't heard of anything bad happening. My friend with a 350z parks on the street, and nothing has happened to his car either.

Stay away from the rx8 as a high school student. The mpg is horrible and it's costly to maintain. Best of luck to you and enjoy your car, whatever it will be.

 

Lots of good advise here, but you still need to go and test drive to find the right car for you.

When you're debating whether its practical to own a car with 2 seats, consider if you'll have larger cars available easily, whether it be your friends or parents. You'll definitely come across situations where you need the extra bit of room, but if you have good friends or if your parents are nearby they should be able to bail you out. I feel that being in college is the best time to own a 2-seater because once you're out of college you're going to be on your own and a 2-seater just won't be feasible as an only car, so its own one NOW or 25 years from now.

As for vandalism, I won't be too concerned since it seems that UC has plenty of ice cars. Be smart about where you park and if you feel like seat locks and alarms are necessary then install those.

GL with your search, let us know what you end up getting.

 

Despite all the concerns posted it really boils down to test driving and making a decision. Any car can be vandalized or broken into. You're not guaranteeing that your car will be untouched if you choose anything but the S.

Test drive test drive test drive. We say it over and over and over but for very good reason. You have to really want an S for it to be your daily. A test drive will tell you whether or not you can live without it. You can't be a "driving enthusiast" unless your car purchase research consists of enough time behind the wheel of each option to really get a good feel for each. You can read all you want but driving isn't about stuff on paper or comments from other people. It's a personal decision based on your relationship with the car.

That's the type of thinking that will get you in trouble. All of us, even the ones with many hours of track time and years of experience driving stick in all sorts of conditions, are always constantly learning.

 

Thanks for your input guys. I've received a lot of other responses from the bay area forum since I posted the same thing there. I will definitely make sure to test drive the s2k as well as many other cars to make sure I won't regret my choice in the future.

Hellspare, I definitely know what you are talking about. I have thought of the worst things that could go wrong while driving a rwd sports car like the s2k. I have about a year and a half's worth of driving experience with no accidents or tickets, and I believe I am much more experienced than when I just started. Of course, I have still have many more years worth of practice until I can truly say I am a safe driver and can handle everything a sports car like the s2k can do. But really, driving itself is dangerous as there are just some unavoidable things like drunk drivers which can determine if you live or die in an instant. Granted, driving the s2k just increases these chances, but I believe that by following the rules of the road and taking extra safety precautions, I'll be fine.

Anyways, I've asked the bay area forum what other cars I should perhaps look into besides the ones I've listed. It's not like I need more space or seats, but it seems many people are against having the s2k as a college car, because it is not a daily driver. It's not like I won't meet any friends in college who can lend me a hand if I need to move something, right? Any college students or prior college students care to chime in?

 

Without reading your post, I will assume that is your application essay.. long enough at least

one thing for sure though, you're not going to want a car that can fit a lot of people in college.. because then people will ask for rides.. you'll have to DD your car to bars when you turn 21, and all that crap.

 

Best advice here.

2 seaters give you an exscuse not to give people rides!

Im also the same situation you are, except i dont got the luxury of my parents puting in money, im waiting for my loan to get approved here in a couple of months, and then it's gonna be my summer car.

Most likely going to keep my Celica for the winter since it handles amazing. Only problem is that i kinda act like a snow plow up here in wisconsin, Car is lowered to about 6 inches

 

As most of the others i was in your situation. I didn't go with the rx-8 because it didnt seem reliable and the mpg. I didn't go with a 350 because most of them consume oil and have that horrible tire problem. My family advised me that an s2k was to impractical and i should wait till i get out of college to get my "dream car". So with them pressuring me and feeling like they may know whats best i bought a rsx type-s. I have regretted that everyday after the first week i had it lol.. Its not that i don't like the car i do its a great car. But its just not an s. The biggest thing is the hood it short and stubby lol. My advice is if the s2k is at the top of your list dont get something because it may be more practical you can worry about that in a few years when you get out of college or start a family.