Hello guys!

I'm looking forward to buy a s2000 this summer when i come back from Europe, but the only thing that stands between me and my dream car are my parents (I'm 18).
I've done a bit of research on its safety ratings and they seem to be very good, i was wondering if you guys (who own this car) could give me advice on whether or
not its a good/safe car for teen driver and things to keep in mine when driving this car. Also it'd be awesome if anyone can tell me about insurance prices, if it cost more
because its a sports car and convertible, and info on gas mileage.

Thank you!

 

For a convertible, it's pretty safe. I nearly totaled mine (~$15,000 in damages) and my biggest physical problem was finding my sunglasses (they ended up on the hood of the car).

However, the safest accident is the one you never get into. The S2000 is not a car that is forgiving of driver mistakes. With the experience, judgment, and personality of an 18 year-old, you're probably gonna crash it within a year. The first time you push a Civic too far, you'll probably be able to reel it in and be okay. The first time you push an S2000 too far, you're going to crash it.

If you do get one, I'd highly recommend doing autocross, both to get out your need for speed, and to learn how to drive the car.

Gas mileage is high 20's for most people.

 

The crash safety rating is pretty good, if I remember correctly it's got 4 and 5 star ratings. Insurance will be more expensive than say, a Civic. Gas mileage has a lot to do with how you drive it, shifting at low RPM will yield good mileage. That being said, if you're getting one at 18 I hope you're a very responsible 18 year old. You can easily lose control by doing things like giving it too much gas coming out of a corner... something that's less likely to happen in a regular car. Personally, I think it really depends on your maturity level. If you respect the vehicle and don't drive around like a maniac you'll do alright. But if you try to impress/scare your friends, are cocky about driving it... you'll end up in a ditch eventually.

There are far more experienced drivers, who can tell you a lot more about what not to do with an s2000. I'm still learning this car myself, so the only good piece of advice I can give you is to take it slow (for a while), and get someone older who really knows sports cars to take you out.

Most people I've come across who think they're good drivers are actually just reckless. They usually end up totaling their car, it's just a matter of time.
This website has a lot of good information about why driving smoothly not aggressively is what makes a good race car driver.

Good luck, wish you the best dude.

 

When I was 18 I considered myself to be a "mature/responsible" driver...now that I look back, if I woulda had my S I def would have wrecked it doing some of the dumb things I did.

 

The S2000 has some pretty damn good crash test rating. Go on youtube, there are videos of test centers doing every crash that is needed to pass safety standards. Like the above statements the car is not very forgiving. I know how to drive my car pretty well, but at times I have found myself in a bit of a struggle to maintain it. Everyone has their days where they like to have fun. The S2000 though, I would suggest having fun in open areas with people and their cars are not present, i.e autocross events. It is not a safe car to get out of control with, and you will learn that if you get it. Te car deserves a lot of respect, and it was built to be driven that way to.

At 18 if I had the car I am not sure what would've happened, even at 22 now, I still find myself asking why do I own a car that can get me into trouble sometimes. I get about 300 miles per tank, I hit VTEC about 3 times a week and just enjoy the car. You will get there, it takes time. If you want one, look into the common issues, and what you should look for when you want to buy a S2000.

 

I still do not trust myself fully with the S. I am 33. I wouldn't let my son drive a car like this when he's 18. It's almost like a bike, in that getting yourself into trouble is almost as easy. But you'll get less damage in the S.

 

This question has a two part answer...

The safety/structural integrity of the chassis/car itself is superb. The windshield holds while flipped, the roll hoops support the weight, it will take sliding into a lightpole or a guardrail well. So if you're guaging safety in that measure, yes it's a very safe vehicle... except...

This is a high revving, nimble, two seating sports car. It's designed to, it wants to go fast. Would I trust my 18yo with an S? Hell no. All it takes is a look through the wrecked thread, correlate the stories and ages, and you get a view of the recipe for disaster. Let me put this straight though before all the 17yo schumachers come out of the woodworks to claim how good they are at driving. It's not inherently because they're 18... it's because at 18 most don't have the self control to handle this car. The S is kind of like a K-9 german shephard. Sure they're loveable and treat you nice, until the moment you slip up, then it goes straight for the juggular. There's a very fine line, and when you cross that line it really clamps down with its jaws. Now if my 18yo old displayed years and years and years of maturity, self control, a proper mindset, I *might* consider it. Even then I'd probably buy him a cheap ass Miata, tell him to get the basics down of the lighter weight/nimbleness, then re-sell it and not lose too much money when they're ready for the S.

Since I don't know you personally; I'm going to play the risk assessment odds and say, no I would not buy you an S until I knew you had the technical skills to drive it safely.

 

someone who drives these cars irresponsibly in a high speed corner and doesn't know how to react to snap oversteer could possibly face severe injury or possibly death. These cars can be driven hard in corners and not have issues, but if you drive it beyond reasonable you can pay a dear price. A lot of teenagers may find themselves in precarious situations, if you aren't one of those then you might be alright.

Secondly, you have to keep lots of rubber between you and the road, if you cheap out and run low tire tread depths (like many teenagers might tend to do) you'll find yourself over-rotated in a ditch very fast in wet conditions. These cars wear out rear tires pretty fast, if you aren't up to buying new tires on a regular basis and when needed it can get dangerous. Checking tire pressures regulary and engine oil levels weekly is a must as well.

Try to get yourself an 04-09 S2K, they can be a bit more forgiving in cornering situations as compared to earlier models.

 

Driving safety is more about the driver than the car. Can you handle the social baggage that comes with driving the S? You're going to have to deal with a haters, friends that want thrill rides and cops who think a kid in an S is probable cause. If you have a track record of responsibility and maturity, your parents should have no real concerns.

 

Wow...just wow.

OP, get you an S. It's fun, it's fast...and it'll make you a man.

It is a car, not this uncontrollable fiery god-chariot these others try to make it out to be.

Besides, you can always rely on the VSA. I hear it's a life-saver.