Purchasing an S2K this evening...
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 22
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From: San Francisco
Purchasing an S2K this evening...
Well, I'm finally able to join the ranks and not just be a lurker.
After agonizing over the color combination I wanted, I finally was able to locate a new Silverstone/Black 2003, which was my "official" first choice ever since I began thinking about buying one. I looked at a Suzuka Blue, but wasn't quite sure about the interior, although I have to say it was nice to see in person. I also looked at a Silver/Red, but I just couldn't commit to that much red, always there surrounding me. For a car with no options to decide on, the buying decision was still not a slam-dunk because of the color choices.
I'm going to the dealership this evening to close the deal and pick up the car. I hope to be able to meet/drive with some of you who live in the SF Bay Area.
Dan
After agonizing over the color combination I wanted, I finally was able to locate a new Silverstone/Black 2003, which was my "official" first choice ever since I began thinking about buying one. I looked at a Suzuka Blue, but wasn't quite sure about the interior, although I have to say it was nice to see in person. I also looked at a Silver/Red, but I just couldn't commit to that much red, always there surrounding me. For a car with no options to decide on, the buying decision was still not a slam-dunk because of the color choices.
I'm going to the dealership this evening to close the deal and pick up the car. I hope to be able to meet/drive with some of you who live in the SF Bay Area.
Dan
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 13,115
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From: Devil's Island
Well, congrats on the new addition. I hope you can get it soon. There is a nice meet coming up in the Sac area if you wanted to come and join. Otherwise, there will always be meets goin on and maybe we can meet up sometime
BTW, show some pix of him when you get it!!
BTW, show some pix of him when you get it!!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 22
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From: San Francisco
This will be a long reply, partly because I'm really excited about having a new S2K, and partly because I've imbibed an adult beverage. But I'll try and be as articulate as possible.
I now have my car! Just returned from a nice LONG drive from the dealer. Funny how certain roads I'd never thought twice about suddenly beckoned me! It's really warm in the SF Bay Area at the moment so I just put the top down for the first time and got to know my new Honda. This is a really neat car! I took surface streets rather than the freeway, and had a lot of fun just clutching and shifting and braking and accelerating, etc. Can someone explain the HID headlamps? I'm not used to the effect, having always had standard incandescent or halogens. I worry about blinding someone! And the effect is actually like a projector. Different, but neat!
I kind of regret having to buy the car right at this moment, because I don't actually have the proper amount of room in my garage for it yet. I have a 2-car side-by-side garage, but an old Porsche 914 that needs to be put back together to sell is currently taking up half the space. I can just barely fit the S2K in next to it, but my comfort level about not having adequate room around the car is not good. Believe me, I didn't plan things this way. But, because I risked not being able to get an '03 S2K in the color I wanted, I felt like I had to act now rather than wait and hope to find one.
But I digress...
For the person who asked how much I paid, I have no problem in sharing this. It was $30,540 + Delivery and Handling fee ($460), tax and license. I think my "out the door" price was $33,688 or something like that. I lucked out by purchasing before Oct. 1st when our California Vehicle License Fee is supposed to triple.
Initially, this dealer quoted me $31,900, but when I told him I could get one through CarsDirect for $30,500, he was able to come down on the price. I highly encourage anyone thinking of buying to go ahead and request quotations thru the various internet auto brokers out there. It's an eye-opener in terms of how close to invoice you can get, and the leverage you then have with dealers. I dealt with the internet Fleet Manager for my car, but it was based on a request I made through Dealix.
*****
Now here's the thing: My drive home from the dealer was only my second time behind the wheel of an S2K. However, I have to say that this is a VERY easy car to get used to in terms of shifting, clutch, braking, steering etc. I'm supposed to baby it for the first 600 miles, but even so, it's an absolute blast to drive, even staying below 5000 RPM! By the time I got home (about 15 - 20 miles), I was amazed at just how "drive-able" this car is! Of course, I'm used to driving a Honda CR-V (can you spell "EXCITEMENT!!!"), but I'm just saying....
*****
And another thing: I'm about 6' tall, but somewhat gravitationally impaired (I'd say conservatively around 250+lbs). However, once situated in the driver's seat (adjusted all the way back, of course), I realized after driving for a while that even someone my size can be comfortable in a car as small as this one! The support the seat provides is really good! (I did note that the total vehicle weight load is not to exceed 400 lbs, so I guess I won't be taking on any passengers. :-) And compared to my CR-V, I have to get used to the relative claustrophobia of the high belt line and narrow cabin. But this is a classic sports car, and as all Triumph TR-6 owners know, interior space is not really a design priority, performance is.
What else? Oh yes: Thanks to all who gave me advice about color combinations. I really appreciate it, and I also appreciate the advice I got to hold out for what I really wanted rather than compromise and possibly regret it later: My first choice in color was Silverstone/Black, and that's what I got. I think this car looks just fantastic in that combination, and I'm really glad I got it that way!
I'll try and be a good S2K forum member, neither hurling epithets or assassinating characters. I will also strive to spell check, use complete sentences and make use of standard English as much as possible. Can I do anymore than this? I don't think so, but you people tell me.
I'd be interested in meeting up with people in any Northern California event, my schedule permitting.
And is anyone interested in a 1975 Porsche 914 in good condition, and with all the parts to build a new engine?
Thanks,
Dan
I now have my car! Just returned from a nice LONG drive from the dealer. Funny how certain roads I'd never thought twice about suddenly beckoned me! It's really warm in the SF Bay Area at the moment so I just put the top down for the first time and got to know my new Honda. This is a really neat car! I took surface streets rather than the freeway, and had a lot of fun just clutching and shifting and braking and accelerating, etc. Can someone explain the HID headlamps? I'm not used to the effect, having always had standard incandescent or halogens. I worry about blinding someone! And the effect is actually like a projector. Different, but neat!
I kind of regret having to buy the car right at this moment, because I don't actually have the proper amount of room in my garage for it yet. I have a 2-car side-by-side garage, but an old Porsche 914 that needs to be put back together to sell is currently taking up half the space. I can just barely fit the S2K in next to it, but my comfort level about not having adequate room around the car is not good. Believe me, I didn't plan things this way. But, because I risked not being able to get an '03 S2K in the color I wanted, I felt like I had to act now rather than wait and hope to find one.
But I digress...
For the person who asked how much I paid, I have no problem in sharing this. It was $30,540 + Delivery and Handling fee ($460), tax and license. I think my "out the door" price was $33,688 or something like that. I lucked out by purchasing before Oct. 1st when our California Vehicle License Fee is supposed to triple.
Initially, this dealer quoted me $31,900, but when I told him I could get one through CarsDirect for $30,500, he was able to come down on the price. I highly encourage anyone thinking of buying to go ahead and request quotations thru the various internet auto brokers out there. It's an eye-opener in terms of how close to invoice you can get, and the leverage you then have with dealers. I dealt with the internet Fleet Manager for my car, but it was based on a request I made through Dealix.
*****
Now here's the thing: My drive home from the dealer was only my second time behind the wheel of an S2K. However, I have to say that this is a VERY easy car to get used to in terms of shifting, clutch, braking, steering etc. I'm supposed to baby it for the first 600 miles, but even so, it's an absolute blast to drive, even staying below 5000 RPM! By the time I got home (about 15 - 20 miles), I was amazed at just how "drive-able" this car is! Of course, I'm used to driving a Honda CR-V (can you spell "EXCITEMENT!!!"), but I'm just saying....
*****
And another thing: I'm about 6' tall, but somewhat gravitationally impaired (I'd say conservatively around 250+lbs). However, once situated in the driver's seat (adjusted all the way back, of course), I realized after driving for a while that even someone my size can be comfortable in a car as small as this one! The support the seat provides is really good! (I did note that the total vehicle weight load is not to exceed 400 lbs, so I guess I won't be taking on any passengers. :-) And compared to my CR-V, I have to get used to the relative claustrophobia of the high belt line and narrow cabin. But this is a classic sports car, and as all Triumph TR-6 owners know, interior space is not really a design priority, performance is.
What else? Oh yes: Thanks to all who gave me advice about color combinations. I really appreciate it, and I also appreciate the advice I got to hold out for what I really wanted rather than compromise and possibly regret it later: My first choice in color was Silverstone/Black, and that's what I got. I think this car looks just fantastic in that combination, and I'm really glad I got it that way!
I'll try and be a good S2K forum member, neither hurling epithets or assassinating characters. I will also strive to spell check, use complete sentences and make use of standard English as much as possible. Can I do anymore than this? I don't think so, but you people tell me.
I'd be interested in meeting up with people in any Northern California event, my schedule permitting.
And is anyone interested in a 1975 Porsche 914 in good condition, and with all the parts to build a new engine?
Thanks,
Dan
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 2
From: Midlothian
RE: HID - they do not blind people - that is absolute silliness that had its 15 minutes of fame on the news programs - hey, In the Bay Area, just tell the tre higgers that it saves fuel, and then if there cars have halogen, stick a "I am ruining the envirnment - ask me how" on their mumpers (i am kidding).
Welcome to the Forum - nice group of folks, very knwoleldgeable on the most part, and I do not get my '04 for a month, unfortunately.
Welcome to the Forum - nice group of folks, very knwoleldgeable on the most part, and I do not get my '04 for a month, unfortunately.
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: LA
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Road Rage
[B]RE: HID - they do not blind people - that is absolute silliness that had its 15 minutes of fame on the news programs - hey, In the Bay Area, just tell the tre higgers that it saves fuel, and then if there cars have halogen, stick a "I am ruining the envirnment - ask me how" on their mumpers (i am kidding).
[B]RE: HID - they do not blind people - that is absolute silliness that had its 15 minutes of fame on the news programs - hey, In the Bay Area, just tell the tre higgers that it saves fuel, and then if there cars have halogen, stick a "I am ruining the envirnment - ask me how" on their mumpers (i am kidding).
great car
