Newbie alert!

I was just wondering how difficult it is to test drive these cars? I know that some dealerships will not let people actually test drive certain "flagship" cars (BMW M cars, SVT Cobra Mustangs) so that owners do not get cars that have been driven previously. Just wondering about the S2000.... I'd like to drive one before making a commitment

Also, is MSRP the best that can be done on a new one? I guess I'm not a 100% sure how difficult they are to get. Also, are certain color combos tougher than others? Or can anything be ordered? Again, please forgive my "silly" questions. Yes, I've done searches and come up with some info, but not all.

My wife has actually given approval to an S2k. Trust me, that's not an easy thing to do. She has the practical car (Volvo V70) and usually nixes many performance cars I'm interested in... but not the S2k.

I was strongly considering waiting to see what the Mazda RX-8 will be like... and I still might. No, it's not a roadster, but it should be similar in weight (well, at least < 3K lbs) and a high-revving motor. And being able to put my little fella in a back seat might be nice.

But the more I see S2000s, the more I'm drawn to them. And living in Wis., I'd be driving it year-round, but I've read the posts from the helpful fellow from Calgary (drawing a blank on his logon name right now) and I know it's possible. And as an aside, a first-gen Rx-7 with a LSD and Hakkapelliitas in the snow was about the most fun I've ever had in a car, so I know that RWD and snow are far from mutually exclusive.

TIA for your help.

--Dave

 

Getiing a test drive is never that difficult if you are a serious buyer and do not come across as some "ricer-boy" looking for a thrill. I would contact your area Honda dealers as ask for their quotes on what they have availble and coming, and then see if they have one (new or used) that you can go in and try out. Sometimes, a fleet manager or sales manager would be better to deal with as then you cut some of the crap out. (but then again, we know the saying..."Sh!t floats to the top" is sometimes true too.) MSRP should not be a problem given the numebrs of these cars out now. Good luck!

 

I had the same dilemma. My son is 6 and a half years old and boy does he love riding in the S2000!

There's no easy answer here. Honda told me they won't install an on/off switch for the passenger airbag. Besides, as you probably know, front seats (the only kind the S2000 has) are statistically less safe than rear seats even if there is no airbag.

I've heard good things about a company called Sensible Solutions (877-773-7908) and I'm planning to have them install their aftermarket switch. More importantly, until my son is older and larger, I'm planning to limit the amount of time he spends in the car and be as safe as possible when he is in it. Honda recommends not carrying children in the S2000 but pages 19 - 32 of the MY 2002 owner's manual describe exactly what to do if you elect to assume the risk.

 

Dave-

I didn't get to drive my car until after the paperwork was signed. I spoke with 3 dealerships in my area and they all had the same rule - the first miles to be put on the car will be by the new owner. With the limited number the dealerships get, I don't blame them. Also, it's nice as an owner to get a car that hasn't been driven by other people - especially since letting somebody that is clueless take it out on the highway would result in an unbroken-in engine being revved to the limit to feel the VTEC.

I was able to get MSRP and have them throw in wheel locks.

I would get the S2K and put the little guy in the Volvo.

YS

 

The dealership I went to always has the s2k in the showroom, with a sign "please don't touch." So I suspect they don't want to provide test drives.

I'm thinking used S2k's will be easier to get a test drive from.

And if your interested, I found a place in Las Vegas that will let you rent an S2k for a whole day for $169.

 

Thanks for all the replies.

I found a used one at a Acura dealer about 10 miles away... looks like I need to stop by today!

--Dave

 

Reading the posts, I was going to say that. I've seen a few used ones on lots and they are good candidates for test drives. They will be broke in and will give you a better idea how VTEC feels. When I bought mine, the first time I drove it I was on the way home. I bought it for MSRP but had to call a lot of dealers to find one at that price. Color choice was limited then (about a year ago).

 

After reading these posts, I'm stunned to hear that some dealers would not let you drive the car until it had been purchased. It's a terrible way to run a dealership, and these dealers obviously couldn't care less about repeat business if they treat customers in that manner. For heaven's sake, we're not talking about flooring a Ferrari or Porsche 911 Turbo here.

Perhaps the only way to register a complaint is to refuse to buy another car from these dealers (and to let them know why, as well). I've observed a similar phenomenon in south Florida with the introduction of the E46 M3, where some dealers were gouging customers to the tune of $15,000 over list. I'm not suggesting that any of you paid over list to get your cars (although I'm aware that some Honda dealers have also been gouging), but it's incredibly unfair for a dealer to expect that one would spend $30K+ for a car, without having driven it.

 

I had to find a used one to test as well, was the best decision I made, got to see how the car had held up over a hard 25,000 miles. bought a car the next day.

Try and find a consiterate owner in your area to take you for a spin, you will get the jist of the car real quick :-)

 

I got lucky. The dealer's GM drove one (Spa) so test drive were easy. It is great when the Dealers loves the car, and is willing to let other test drive it. The GM is also a S2kI member and sponsor. It does not get any better then that. Thanks Eagle1.