Hello everybody, bear with me here.

I'm brand new to the forums, and I'm 16 years old. I have my beginners, and in October I'll be able to get my G2, so I'll be able to drive on my own. I have a job, and I'm saving up for a car. AP1s around here can be had for as low as 8-10k. My mom has agreed to help with insurance, so pricing/insurance isn't the issue. If I have to save up for a little longer than planned, so be it.

I've done tons of research and I really want an S2000. Before you say that I'm too young and statistics say that bad things will happen, hear me out. I raced karts (125cc, 150km/h+) for five years. I have been passionate about cars and admittedly speed, as long as I can remember. I was succesful and I learned how to drive in all sorts of conditions, how to manage understeer/oversteer, avoid collisions, etc. I know that karts are different from cars, but I really feel as though I would be able to respect the car for what it is, and not be a dumbass with it like I feel most teenagers would. I feel I'm mature and responsible enough to get one, as does my mom.

I came here to ask if this is a smart choice. I know what people say to kids like me in my situation, but I don't think its naive to say that I'm more responsible and ready for something like this than almost anybody else my age. Since you people know this car, am I making a good choice? I just want to make sure that my predictions are correct. Like I said, I really want one, but I don't want to become a statistic. I don't want to underestimate the car and overestimate my abilities. I feel I would be responsible enough to take the time to learn and connect with the car. Would it be better to buy a less expensive car, like a civic or corolla for my first car instead and get even more driving experience first? Keep in mind, in October I will have been driving the family minivan around for 8 months. I am also taking drivers training.

I just want to make a good choice when I'm in the market for a car.

Thanks for reading,

Zay

 

If your mom is okay with it then I say get it. If you screw up, wreck and live. You'll learn from it.

 

$8k-9k is already cheap, a used civic is not much cheaper. The cheaper aspect would be the insurance. The car is not practical as it is not recommended to carry a load over 400 lb (this is including the occupants). You will be spending more money on tires than the civic, but you race so karts and go karting is not cheap (I use to race kt100 gokarts). If someone pressures you to show off, just don't do it on the streets and kill someone.

 

People of all ages do stupid stuff in cars, its not about how old you are or what your background is.

The question of whether or not the S2000 is a smart choice has more to do with practicality. Have money for snow tires and the cost of insurance? Ever need to bring more than one person in the car or more than two small suitcases worth of cargo in the trunk? Ever park in neighborhoods where you need to be concerned about the security of goods/items inside the car?

 

If you were my son I'd be concerned with bumpsteer (and snap oversteer) characteristics of ap1 S2000's which can be dangerous in certain conditions, but with your racing experience you should know all about that. I would normally recommend an ap2 for that reason but you won't get an ap2 for the kind of money, I don't even know where you will get an ap1 for that little dough but it's great if you can.

A 16 year old's insurance on any Honda is crazy expensive, but if you and your Mom are good with it then go for it. I think after insuring the car for 5 years you'll end up spending more on insurance than you will on buying the car, but that's your choice.

Good luck going forward, if you end up being a member here post up your pics and you'll get a warm welcome to the community.

 

your mom will need to take out a second mortgage for the insurance, but hell, if she's ok with that, rock on.

I learned to drive 25 years ago on RWD. no worries there. Its at the limit, on the street (where you shouldn't be at the limit anyway), where a poorly driven s2000 will bite your ass. Come out to centralia (if you're in SW ontario) or do a track day and explore what the car does when its mishandled.

make your money, pay your money, spend your money.

good luck

darcy

 

First off, WELCOME Zay !

You apparently have put much thought into this and it sounds like you're a mature 16 year old.

Plus you have mom on your side so . . . I'd say take a thorough test drive in one. If it's everything you thought it was then go for it !!!

With responsible driving and upkeep you'll have many fun miles for years to come.

Good luck with your choice !

 

I understand you have the experience with RWD so I wont touch that subject.

The question now is where will you be looking for a AP1 for 8K in Ontario.
Insurance will be expensive as well.
Another thing to consider is when you go out with friends you won't be the taxi driver. (I hate that anyways... I m used to say the extra seat is for my girl only...)
In the winter, will you be driving the S2K? It is not impossible but personally I wouldnt like to put these cars in the middle of all the salt.
So in the end, either you have 2 sets of tires or you decide first to go with a beater and then get a S2K, which I think would be a better choice for those days where you prefer to leave the S2K indoors.

 

Welcome Zay, you and I are almost on the same boat.
I'm 19 years young , Also saving for an ap1. As I always say , age is just a number. If you know what you're doing and know what's right and what's wrong on the road then you're fine.

Myself I have never driven an s2000 in the flesh. I've always played gran turismo and such with stock s2000s with TC , asm etc off since the car came out , but thats not the same of course. When you get the s2k just be aware of your speed and your surroundings. A highway is obviously not a racetrack so keep yourself within the speed limit. (I'm saying this whole I was doing 110 in a Camry just now -_-) .

Anyways another thing to look out for is tire wear. The s2000 would be sliding worse than a kart haha.


http://youtu.be/5taKdZsM0C0

Not a good look
Good luck with saving , and make sure you give your mom a nice ride when you get the car!

 

I would like to add my welcome and I admire your introspection and desire to ask for advice.
The above post has some essential points that I was thinking of when I read your opener. The S2000 is a Honda and if the thing was not abused, treated well, it should last a long time. It really is not a great winter car (although some would beg to disagree) so you will need tires other than summer performance. Have some snow tires to pop on. I have not had mine in the really cold environment so I am not sure how the soft top would hold up.
As you know it is a 2 seater. However a few of my friends had 2 seaters when we were your age and we made things work just fine.
With a good attitude and desire not to push things (especially when you will have some Molsens in your blood in a couple years) I think it will work out. A bit pricer than something else but will work. Its a great car and at your age you don't have some limitations an older married guy might have. You will grow into it and you will be shocked in the future when you drive other cars.
Don't buy a salvage car.
Follow the advice and DIY on this and other sites. Good luck.