Clearly you disregarded my last post. Unless I'm misunderstanding your age and situation, you're about to make a huge mistake. I wanted to buy a car senior year in high school because at that point I had ~15k in my savings account alone. After almost three years of college, I'm lucky that account still has 3k or so left. Putting yourself in a situation where you have no savings or leeway is a terrible idea. Trust me when I say you'll need to have money if you plan on going to college. Just insurance alone at your age is expensive, and Craigslist is in no way a steady source of income. Seriously.

EDIT: Please also keep in mind no one here is trying to crush your hopes and dreams. We're being realistic. No one wants to see another post from you in a year or so telling us how you had to sell the car because you couldn't afford it anymore, or hear you got in an accident because you didn't have the money for new tires. Wait until next winter at the very least, when prices are back down and you'll have more money.

 

Hi sorry I got a lot of replies so i skimmed through many of them but I get what you're saying. At this point though, I am pretty set on getting the s2k and am pretty sure I will find one that is in the condition/price range that I am looking for. The insurance will probably be on my parent's policy so it would be a bit cheaper but I will have a job for sure when I am 18 as there are more job opportunities if you're 18 where I am located as far as I can tell. As far as college, I am going to go to college and will try to work and get the money. I made most of my money in like a year so I know what I am going to have and stuff and hopefully it will be enough. I guess right now I am just being a bit naive about this stuff but I am hoping it would work out for me. I will try to make back the savings and put myself in a better situation. I know it's possible as I see some people here on s2ki who are still in HS and have an s2k and some other people with an rsx or something

 

Steady job then buy car is the way it usually goes. Don't screw yourself. I almost did a spit take when I read "I will have a job for sure when I am 18." No one these days who is unemployed has a job for sure. Ask all my friends without jobs. And they're college grads.

 

I see what you're saying, but I will probably try to find a part time job that requires no college degree (something which your friends probably won't be interested in..) until I actually get my degree...

 

I helped my mom buy my dads S2K in July, we paid $18K for an 03 with 40K miles on it. (minty condition)

I bought mine in November for 12K, 65K miles and needs some exterior love (paint in a few places) clean title. I have concidered cleaning it up and trying to flip it in May or June, I could probably make a couple grand off it. I saw cars in similar conditions for 4-5K more in the summer. Summer is not the time for a poor person to buy an S2K.

If you insist on buying, buy NOW. In 1 or 2 months, you're going to pay the warm up tax.

 

Let's get something straight...as an 18 year old, you don't need an S2000. Hell, the vast majority of us here do not need an s2000 either, but the majority of us here are in a much better financial situation than you are. You need to prioritize your needs and wants, because it sounds like this car will be a financial burden for you. When I was in college, I saved my nickels and dimes to buy books, beer, and used whatever was left to chase down panties. Wait until you're in a situation where you can comfortably afford a car like this, and the maintenance + extras that come along with it.

For me, the S2000 is a toy. I have another DD, and my wife has her down car. If I wreck it tomorrow, I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. Echoing others here, I say wait until you're ready for this kind of financial responsibility.

 

Yeah, I have to agree with everyone, buying an s2000 now, with your current situation, is a very bad judgment call.

You don't even have a proper concept of the car's price, value, insurance and repair factors. When you take the car to college are you just going to let it sit outside on campus (which is a hot spot for theft and break ins).

I know this is a challenge to understand with you being young, but buy a cheaper, reliable car for school. Save the rest. Once you get out of school or get a solid job you can buy your S and be grateful you waited.

 

I dont think he was asking for opinions as the whether or not he was deserving or capable of financially owning a 2k, he just wanted to know the time to buy IF he buys one.. and the answer to that would be, NOT IN THE SPRING OR SUMMER!

 

Yeah I was just asking if i can find a nice one during the summer.. But to everyone else, I am obviously going to have some small help here and there from my parents for things such as some of the insurance and gas.. Maybe part of a repair here or there but I am planning to work on my own car unless its something I can't perform without a machine..

 

If your parents will pick up your living expenses go for it. If not, wait until after college.

I had a beat up integra and a gsx-r in college. That was cheap and satisfied my need for speed. Plus the chicks loved it.