All of these responses contain valuable advice, and it is to your credit that you've asked for some before considering a purchase. As to safety, the S2000 has very good crash results but the real point is to avoid situations where you might test that capability and potentially do real harm to yourself and others as a result. As to insurance, my company places the S2000 in the same category as Corvettes, most Porsches and some exotics, i.e. top dollar. And if you're 18 and male that's about the perfect storm of age, gender and vehicle. Consequently, you will likely pay exhorbitant insurance rates or may actually be declined outright for this class of vehicle. Gas mileage about 25-28mpg if you're careful with VTEC use, 20-23 if not.

As a Dad of teens/young adults myself, I would not be comfortable putting anyone of your age straight into an S2000. The reason is simply experience. That counts for a great deal and there is very litle room for error with these cars. Over many more years of seat time than you have yet had opportunity to log, I drove all the British roadsters, early Porsches and a variety of open wheel race cars. These were all demanding rides and good places to learn the dynamics of a powerful rear drive, short wheelbase chassis. I've used all of that experience enjoying my AP1, but it's more difficult to acquire today with the predominance of fwd sedans which may likely have been your first rides.

The advice of perhaps starting with a Miata and getting some rwd roadster seat time in a relatively less powerful car is very sound. If/when you do convince your folks that moving on to an S is appropriate, then consider a later model (eg. 2004 up) AP2 spec S2000 with VSC as they are less edgy than the earlier AP1 cars. Also consider an advanced driver's course with skid training and look into your local sports car club for slalom/gymkhana opportunities or maybe even race school where you can learn car control properly. You'll ultimately enjoy and appreciate the S far more and ensure that it becomes a dream car rather than an expensive mistake.

 

Honestly? You need to go out and call insurance companies yourself to get accurate quotes. I have seen them all over the place for users. Will they be higher than your 10+ year old slow 4 cylinder sedan though? Most definitely.

You also should go through and read the posts in the stickied threads up top. I would do that before anything. Research the cars and what you can afford and what you want. Don't settle on the first thing that comes along either. From your questions I'm also gathering this would be your first car?

Another thing to consider is crime and negligence in your area(s). The seats are hot ticket items and are stolen frequently, this can (and has) caused insurance companies to total the vehicle. Also do you want to park your perfect ding-free S2000 in a school parking lot? I sure as hell don't - it is added stress that you don't need.

Also, if your parents are footing the bill, THEY have the final say. Don't bitch and whine about them spending their money where they want to. At 18 the ONLY reason your parents are blocking you from buying a car is they are paying for something (car payment/loan payment, insurance, etc). If you really want some real-world experience, draft a budget plan with insurance, maintenance, payments, etc and present it to your parents - and be realistic. Get a car (S2000 or other) that you can cover completely on your own in addition to other things (weekend fun, food, etc). Do not put yourself in a position to where if you lost a job you would not be able to function.

 

Its a safe car for what it is. You just have to be responsible. If you drive this car right its very rewarding. But it seems like a hard car to drive right. It def. snap oversteers if you mess up and are not careful. I plan to auto x this summer and enjoy the car that way. You should to.

I really want to buy a bike now lol...I want something more raw than an s2k

 

Hahaha this actually says alot and i think ill just wait a few more years of experience considering i havent driven in almost a year

 

There have been people on here that have had HORRIFIC accidents (car split in two, flying off a 50 foot cliff, etc) and walked away with minor injuries. If I am going to get into an accident, I would gladly pick the s2000.

 

Now that makes you a very mature 18 year old. I am sure you will do great, and will get something much more rewarding than an s2000.
Thanks for listening to other people and saving your and others lives.

 

S2000s don't wreck drivers.......drivers wreck S2000s

At 18, I'd have killed myself in an S. Not saying that applies to you, but it's my reflection of me at 18.

Lots of others have said that you have to respect it or it will bite you. They speak the truth. The lack of torque makes it deceptively quick. If you get behind in your driving and let the car get away from you, your in trouble.

It's a fantastic car, and a blast to drive. It also has high limits and a rather thin line between fun & over the edge. It is a driver's car.

Your an 18 year old man whom I've never met, I won't presume to advise you on whats best for you. If you get one....respect it and yourself.

Others have advised about running auto-x, or other driver instruction, and it's a good idea.

 

The S2000 is not especially forgiving of driver errors. If you can discipline yourself to keep the rpm's down, the car is well behaved, or at least relatively well behaved. I would think insurance considerations alone would make you (and your parents) think twice about an S2000. I am an older guy, and among the cars I owned was a 1993 RX-7 twin turbo. That was the epitome of a high performance car which punished driver errors. Same combination of high power, rear wheel drive, and tendency to kick its rear out as the S2000. But it had tons more torque at low and moderate rpm, and it came on unexpectedly after a bit of turbo lag. Even I spun it out unintentionally a couple of times. The local Mazda dealer had a total of 10 of them to sell in the model's short lifetime of three years. One was totalled by a customer on a test drive.

Please do wait a couple of years. Young guy plus high performance car plus hormones = danger.

P.S. Could you loan me some of your testosterone? Mine has nearly run out.

 

I'm 19 and i drove a civic before my s2000. Insurance was only 15 dollars more a month for me putting it around $150/month. I do have a clean record though, no accidents or tickets. This will make the biggest impact on insurance cost.

If you do end up purchasing one enjoy it, but be careful and safe. This is my first RWD vehicle and first powerful vehicle nonetheless. And this car has helped me mature and learn a lot about driving. So don't push it too hard, learn the ways of it, and take some auto-x lessons. You'll learn a lot. Like tomsbrain said, safest accident is a nonexistent one. From what I've seen our cars seem to be very safe, just do some research to convince your parents.

 

the s2000 is actually my 4th car. my first cars, accord, A4 were a better platform for me to learn how to drive then the s2000 is another animal. at 28, i think its the right car for me, experience wise, if i got this at 18, i would've crashed it