Okay, just wanted to comment that I'm scared and excited. Don't know which is the more prevailing emotion. Scared I think.

Never owned a sports car. Never owned a convertible. Always wanted one. Finances are in order but it will be a bit of a stretch (that's not the scary part).

It's definitely a great car, nice, cute whatever else you want to add adjective wise. I'm thinking 2003 blue with nothing added YET.

I don't live in a high crime area...but park in lots from time to time. Lojack was recommended. I had Lojack on the Prelude I used to own but thank God it was never needed. My mother had a Prelude that was stolen and lojack found it in 24 hours completely stripped. So Lojack did it's thing, but heck was it really worth it? I have seen the Lojack threads and they appear to be mixed. Also the Alarm threads. I need to read up more on Alarms. My current Honda will go off (factory alarm) if I open the door. I understand the S2000 will NOT go off if you open the door. Not good IMHO. Perimeter alarm stuff...never had one of these...I assume it goes off if someone comes close to the car. this could be a problem when I park in lots as there is usually a need for the guy next to me to get within 2 inches of my car I would guess.

What OTHER things should I consider BEFORE buying? During buying? I have what I believe is a good deal after reading the many posts about sales prices etc.

Thanks in advance for help.

 

Gap insurance. If anything does happen to the car, gap insurance will cover the difference between what the insurance company is willing to pay for the car and what you owe to the bank. I think that's better than lojack and probably costs less.

 

Insurance premiums, in general, vary widely.

Take your time and shop around for the best deal.

Get quotes from Progressive, AAA, Mercury, and Wawanesa. Those are some of the most competitive insurers in CA.

Here's a previous thread:

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...?threadid=48956

Good luck.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by funnyesq
[B]Okay, just wanted to comment that I'm scared and excited.

 

You sound exactly like me 15 months ago before I bought my S2000. you need to think about these things.

1) The S2000 is not a good "everyday" car. Do not buy if it is your only car. You will need extra space sometimes and the gas is a killer too (93 Octane and poor city gas mileage).

2) Insurance prices are high. I am assuming that you are under 30. I am 26 and insurance is $240/ month with a $1000 deductable.

3) Repairs. This car is not German, but it's not a Civic either. Be ready for higher and more frequent repair cost.

4) Tires. Tires for this car run about $800 for a set and they wear out about every 15,000 miles (About every 1.5 years for me).

get a used S2000. Try to find a deal on a 2002. You can probably get into one for about $26,000 with under 15,000 miles. Just get the extended 100,000 mile warranty and you should be alright. And I would buy the used S2000 from a Honda dealer. It makes it easier if you ever have any problems with the car.

Good luck!!!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by nastinupe1
[B]You sound exactly like me 15 months ago before I bought my S2000.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by nastinupe1
[B]

1)

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by hlweyl
[B]

i disagree with the s2000 not being a good everyday car.

 

I'm getting my car next week and I had some of the same concerns regarding alarm and LoJack. I am getting the new LoJack that has the active alarm system that will page you or call your cell phone if the car is moved without turning off the transmitter. I figure thats the best way to avoid the scenario you describe where your mom's car was found the next day. If you don't know the car is being driven away while you are asleep, what's the point?

Im also going to get some kind of alarm that has a pager so that if somebody starts to tamper with the car, I will know about it right away. I usually cant hear an alarm from my window in the complex where I park, so the pager will be better.

Of course, you can't control everything and if somebody wants the car bad enough, it will be stolen. I think these are reasonable precautions though.

 

G--- Good point. However, not sure if that type would solve a theft where you are not at home or something. My mom's scenario was that she was at work. Had a pager gone off, it may have taken her about 5 minutes to get to the car...depending it may haven been long gone ("Gone in 60 seconds?"). Although the earlier a car is reported stolen with Lojack I suppose the earlier it can be found. Based on the scenario she reported way back when, it probably was reported stolen within an hour or 2 of it being actually stolen. Don't know why Lojack took until the next day. Or perhaps it was the police AFTER Lojack. I didn't get involved in that part of it. Since the car apparently needs a trailer of some type to steal it...it might be harder to steal than the normal hot wiring etc., thus perhaps there is more time to answer a page to get to the car before the theives move it. I'm normally within about a few minutes of the car. The only times I'm not is when I'm out of town. In that scenario a wireless call to my cell phone might help but I'd call a neighbor or whoever nearby my allegedly parked car and by then it may be over too. I don't want it stolen. No one does. The ignition cut off or whatever that comes with the car is a good deterent. An alarm I think that will go off is also helpful it that it's noise and attracks attention. A perimeter is difficult...desired...but then again I can see the nuisance when parked in a lot. There will be legitimate people getting close to the car and I don't want the alarm to go off because of that. Anyone have a great solution??????