S2000 for college student?
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young people think they know everything. go ahead, help hike up out insurance rates some more** with its RWD, torqueless, gutless motor, and a rear end that is always planted, it's a great car for the novice. don't believe these stories about little bumps in the road causing crashes, or how about a tail happy rear (see cheap tires). Bottom line, best car for a 20 year old if they can afford 400 a month in insurance.
** according to recend survey: the car is the 2nd more expensive to insure, next to rustang convert
/end of sarcasm
** according to recend survey: the car is the 2nd more expensive to insure, next to rustang convert
/end of sarcasm
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Originally Posted by happs22,Oct 29 2005, 01:11 PM
Just a quick and dirty analysis of this thread shows:
1. The majority of people saying, "YES" have less than 5 months on this board AND are 18 years old AND in college.
2. The majority of people saying, "NO" have 1+ years on the board AND have already been through college.
Based on these results, one can surmise that many 18 year olds are saying, "I can do it, so can you" but have no real, long-term experience. There's nothing wrong with that, but these guys and girls have very little experience with 1. college, 2. an S2000, 3. living in college with an S2000. Take their advice with a grain of salt.
My personal opinion is that there are much better cars for a college kid to drive. For one, this car is incredibly impractical - 2 seats, small trunk, not easy to drive in the cold and wet. Second, college kids are sloppy, drunk, and don't often think straight. Third, college kids get jealous.
My suggestion is to get him an Audi A4 or BMW 3 series (if he's into having a "nice" car at 18). Both cars have 4-5 seats - beleive it or not, he'll be hauling his friends around all day long if he has a car. He'll want the extra seats. "Cool" guys can bring lots of girls to a party. . . not just one.
North Carolina still gets cold and wet in the winter. Inexperienced drivers tend to have problems with this kind of weather, regardless of the car. Might as well mitigate the risk of a crash by getting an inexperienced driver a car that will help him keep it on the road.
Moving crap back and forth from school to home, to wherever he'll be in the summer requires a lot of space. An S2000 has NO space for moving. Consider a hatchback.
Finally, no matter how responsible you think your kid is, he's not 1/2 that. An 18 year old with a nice, powerful car is going to do something stupid. Bottom line. Why tempt fate?
Good cars for "cool" kids:
BMW 3 series
Audi A4
Acura Integra
Acura TSX
Saab 9-3
Mazda 3
Honda Civic
Toyota Corrola
Toyota Celica
Lexus ES300
Infinity IS300
Ford LTD Wagon
1. The majority of people saying, "YES" have less than 5 months on this board AND are 18 years old AND in college.
2. The majority of people saying, "NO" have 1+ years on the board AND have already been through college.
Based on these results, one can surmise that many 18 year olds are saying, "I can do it, so can you" but have no real, long-term experience. There's nothing wrong with that, but these guys and girls have very little experience with 1. college, 2. an S2000, 3. living in college with an S2000. Take their advice with a grain of salt.
My personal opinion is that there are much better cars for a college kid to drive. For one, this car is incredibly impractical - 2 seats, small trunk, not easy to drive in the cold and wet. Second, college kids are sloppy, drunk, and don't often think straight. Third, college kids get jealous.
My suggestion is to get him an Audi A4 or BMW 3 series (if he's into having a "nice" car at 18). Both cars have 4-5 seats - beleive it or not, he'll be hauling his friends around all day long if he has a car. He'll want the extra seats. "Cool" guys can bring lots of girls to a party. . . not just one.
North Carolina still gets cold and wet in the winter. Inexperienced drivers tend to have problems with this kind of weather, regardless of the car. Might as well mitigate the risk of a crash by getting an inexperienced driver a car that will help him keep it on the road.
Moving crap back and forth from school to home, to wherever he'll be in the summer requires a lot of space. An S2000 has NO space for moving. Consider a hatchback.
Finally, no matter how responsible you think your kid is, he's not 1/2 that. An 18 year old with a nice, powerful car is going to do something stupid. Bottom line. Why tempt fate?
Good cars for "cool" kids:
BMW 3 series
Audi A4
Acura Integra
Acura TSX
Saab 9-3
Mazda 3
Honda Civic
Toyota Corrola
Toyota Celica
Lexus ES300
Infinity IS300
Ford LTD Wagon
I'm almost 19 now and initially, I also THOUGHT I could drive better than the majority of other motorists regardless of age. But the more I drove, the more I realized how many skills I lacked that could only be gained through more experience. If you're 18 like me, what would you say to a 16-year-old who just got his/her license? Being responsible and possessing experience are two different qualities.
Sedans are definitely more college-friendly and way more practical. I have a BMW E46 330i, and it's absolutely fantasic for my daily needs. The new 3 series gets even better MPG and is a bit larger. Audi A4s are also a great choice; Audi's quattro AWD system is excellent as well (will definitely take care of your son in any inclement weather). Though I'm a bimmer fan, Audi's quattro is definitely a better system than BMW's xDrive.
Roadsters in general aren't very "good college cars" for all the reasons mentioned by the other members. But really it's up to you and your son, online forum opinions can only sway your final decision so much.
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From: Cincy, Ohio
I think the S2000 is a fine car for college for me, but it is entirely dependent on the individual's situation.
The most I ever haul around is my bookbag, and never more than one person, so the cargo/passenger space isn't an issue.
As for RWD, my first car when I was 16 was a Mustang GT and I was fine. I wouldn't suggest this for everyone, as RWD can get you in trouble at times of bad weather (or good if you aren't responsible) but obviously it isn't a universal scenario that anyone under 20 with a RWD will die.
The most I ever haul around is my bookbag, and never more than one person, so the cargo/passenger space isn't an issue.
As for RWD, my first car when I was 16 was a Mustang GT and I was fine. I wouldn't suggest this for everyone, as RWD can get you in trouble at times of bad weather (or good if you aren't responsible) but obviously it isn't a universal scenario that anyone under 20 with a RWD will die.
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Chicago
I'm in college. Have an s2000 & a 350z. NO problem. I also had both of these cars when I was still in highschool and it was a blast. As long as he's responsible... he shouldn't have any problems.
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From: Tallahassee, FL
With regards to this being a bad car for a first timer, it is probably one of the easier RWD drive cars to drive. There is not a lot of torque or low end power, so it is not really "hard to manage" unless you are in the powerband, which around town is REALLY hard to stay in. In day to day driving, this thing handles like a slightly more powerful RWD civic.
This is my second RWD car (first was a 1st gen. miata), and it is no more dangerous than anyother RWD car I can driven. My friend's Camaro SS is tougher around town, because of the tons of torque. The tires break loose mid turn with even the most modest throttle.
This car is very balanced, has good grip, and if driven RESPONSIBLY it is very easy to be safe in. It is a coincidence, however, that younger drivers TEND to be a little more aggressive and a little more stupid in their driving techniques. If your son is a good driver (not aggressive / bat-outta-hell) he should be fine. Just make sure he samples VTEC on a straight the first few times. It can get kind of hairy if you VTEC mid turn.
John
This is my second RWD car (first was a 1st gen. miata), and it is no more dangerous than anyother RWD car I can driven. My friend's Camaro SS is tougher around town, because of the tons of torque. The tires break loose mid turn with even the most modest throttle.
This car is very balanced, has good grip, and if driven RESPONSIBLY it is very easy to be safe in. It is a coincidence, however, that younger drivers TEND to be a little more aggressive and a little more stupid in their driving techniques. If your son is a good driver (not aggressive / bat-outta-hell) he should be fine. Just make sure he samples VTEC on a straight the first few times. It can get kind of hairy if you VTEC mid turn.
John
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From: USA
We've sold a few to "about to go to college kids" and for "my kid is doing well in college" parents. Some outcomes are positive and some are negative.
I'd recommend a good value,reliable car with good gas mileage for your college bound son. He'll put a ton of miles on the car while he's in school and realize he's going to need something more practical for his four years. When he's done with colllege considering the S2000 is more feasible.
I'd recommend a good value,reliable car with good gas mileage for your college bound son. He'll put a ton of miles on the car while he's in school and realize he's going to need something more practical for his four years. When he's done with colllege considering the S2000 is more feasible.
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From: Durango, Colorado
As far as the issue of a powerful RWD car for a college student is concerned, my "college car" was a '64 Pontiac GTO (brand new then -- I'm showing my age), and it was much more likely to spin out than my s2k I have now ---- and I'm still here at age 61 to tell about it. The s2k can be driven in a very conservative manner, feels much like driving a Civic, and gets 24 mpg in town and 30 mpg on the highway. When one revs it up, it will really go, and would show my old GTO its tail lights.
The major problem I see with an s2k for a college student is the fact that it is a convertible, and most college students don't have a garage in which to park their cars. In my opinion, convertibles and outside parking just don't go together. The worst problem with outside parking would be with the '00 and '01 models, which have plastic rear windows. These just don't last parked outside. Even with the '02 to '06 models with glass rear windows, the top material just isn't made to last without a garage. A possible solution to this would be to get a hard top for the car.
Then, when I was in college, I frankly needed more room to haul stuff back and forth from home to college than is available in the s2k. The trunk is good for a little over five cubic feet of "stuff" and the passenger seat could hold a little more, and that's it. No room behind the seats, or anywhere else.
With all these negative things about an s2k for college being said, I must confess to having this fantasy about being in college again --- but this time having my s2k.
Thanks,
Richard
The major problem I see with an s2k for a college student is the fact that it is a convertible, and most college students don't have a garage in which to park their cars. In my opinion, convertibles and outside parking just don't go together. The worst problem with outside parking would be with the '00 and '01 models, which have plastic rear windows. These just don't last parked outside. Even with the '02 to '06 models with glass rear windows, the top material just isn't made to last without a garage. A possible solution to this would be to get a hard top for the car.
Then, when I was in college, I frankly needed more room to haul stuff back and forth from home to college than is available in the s2k. The trunk is good for a little over five cubic feet of "stuff" and the passenger seat could hold a little more, and that's it. No room behind the seats, or anywhere else.
With all these negative things about an s2k for college being said, I must confess to having this fantasy about being in college again --- but this time having my s2k.
Thanks,
Richard
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From: Queen City, NC
Originally Posted by iamhomin,Oct 29 2005, 09:14 PM
Buy him a safe car. That's the best bet.
Maybe a 97 300 ZX? The G35 is nice, you should try another.