Want good advise? Don't buy an s2000 as your only car when living in Alaska. Period.

Just wait until you can afford to have 2 cars. In the meantime pick up a used 4Runner, Tacoma or something cool that is 4x4.

 

As much as I love my S2000, in a situation like yours the WRX would be a much better option. You can drive it all year, comfortably without worry. It still is a fun car and hauls the mail too. My fiancé just bought a '14 WRX hatchback and it is a really great car and fun to drive. Tons of room and practical also. The S2000 is definitely more hardcore, and they really are not comparable cars at all, they are just totally opposite animals. I have read numerous times though that the S2000 does just fine in the snow with winter tires, but I personally couldn't imagine driving it everyday in those extreme conditions. I just think it would take the fun out for that 6 months of the year. I personally would also feel quilty about beating it up like that. To summarize, if I was in your situation, I would take the WRX any day. It just works better in that environment.

 

If i lived in Alaska, i wouldn't even entertain an s2000. I would be building the WRX to be a rally cross car and tear around being a hooligan in the dirt instead.

darcy

 

People in Western Canada often tell me they have "dry" winter conditions so it doesn't "feel" so cold, despite it being -30 degrees C and colder. Blah, blah, blah, blah, I tell you when you are driving a car with square tires for the first few miles of every drive, you are living in extreme cold conditions. I would not want to sit on a leather sport seat in those temps, a comfy vehicle with a great heater, remote start, and lots of ground clearance is what I would need. Sheepskin seat covers would be a must

 

My main question is ... can you afford a $25K car? and if the answer is yes... then I'd go for the WRX.

But and BUT... if money isn't an issue and can actually acquire $25,000: As one of us suggested.... and I would also highly recommend.... is to go ahead and buy the S2K and get a truck or a used WRX even if it's an older model. I'm assuming the fact that you are in Alaska the surplus of finding a good used truck or a 4x4 vehicle would be abundant and will not be an issue. However, you would also have to consider the insurance cost when owning two vehicles.

But then again the S2K that you mentioned, with having a little less than 60K miles for 14.5, and perhaps the seller might even consider lowering the price isn't too bad of a deal. So...find yourself a truck worth or somewhere between 6-7K and you're set! You still have 4K in savings!

When you're done with college, go ahead and sell the truck or simply give it to a family member!

Let us know!

 

Bah. I daily drove an S2000 in Chicagoland (granted not Alaska, but still snowy) for 4 years. Get decent snow tires and stay off unplowed roads and you'll be fine.

 

The car would do fine with some snow tires but you'd only get to enjoy it for what it is during half the year, and the other half will be that much worse. Personally I'd go with the subaru but if you really love the car then follow your dreams.

 

If I end up getting the S2000 I'll definitely get a truck or something thanks to all the input i've been getting. Now it's just deciding whether it should be a beater for the worst patch or something a little more fun for the whole winter...

I actually just passed my CDL today and as a result got the summer job I've been dreaming of! This definitely makes my decision easier financially, and by the end of summer I might just get both haha. I have about 27-30k saved up in my "car account" that I can spend pretty comfortably so getting the WRX over the S2K definitely wouldn't break me, but I know for sure depreciation will be a whole lot less pretty on that '14 Subi in the long run.

Great to hear, thank you!



Do you think the S's light weight will make it any "harder" to drive on snow/ice than a rwd 335i or a Mustang? I've done both without any problems but know they are all much heavier cars. On the other hand the near perfect 50/50 balance along with lesser torque should help though...
Sorry about all the questions, and thanks again for the help!

 

I fully understand the desire. I've previously had two "real" Brit sports cars (in Georgia and Ohio) and running them in bad weather or even daily ain't for me.

I can't see the S2000 as an only car in any climate -- they're second cars. I won't allow mine on the road until the salt is washed off and pot holes at least patched. My "everyday drivers" in Ohio and North Country New York (where if does snow) are a pair of Subarus (wife and daughter) and my Expedition. The S2000 with "extreme performance summer tires" won't leave my garage, even in the 70°F weather we've had this week, for another month.

If you've been paying attention you'll note we wreck these cars almost daily. And that's just reports from guys here. These cars are routinely totaled by insurance companies for what looks like minor damage.

-- Chuck

 

Justin, if the S you're considering hasn't been driven in the winters so far, keep it that way.
Levi