I know you guys probably get tired of this kind of thread, but I figured I'd try to get your advice. I've always loved the S2000 and I have the opportunity to own one now, but I have a few questions about it first.

I'll have about $5k to use as a down payment. What I'm wondering is this: is it possible to get a good S2K without a ton of mileage and mechanical issues for $15K or so in So. Cal? I know I've seen them around, but I don't know whether these cars have been abused/messed with by kids thus ruining the car.

Right now I'm looking for something that'll be pretty reliable. I'd love to get one with a warranty but that might be impossible at my price range. I've gotten tired of old sports cars giving me problems, so if I can get a good S2K that'll be relatively trouble-free for a while (other than the usual routine stuff), I'd love to. But otherwise maybe I'll get something more sensible.

Thanks!

 

for kicks i checked out craigslist the other day in my area, there were two s2000's for sale, one at $7500 and one at $9500, the higher priced one i think was a 2000 but had only like sixty thousand miles. you need to be patient and keep checking, don't pull the trigger on the first one you find.

 

I bought my o4 in SoCal for $13,900. After tax it was $15,500. It had 66,000 miles on it. The car was stock and was in perfect condition. You can find ones for cheap these days just keep your eyes peeled and dont be afraid to negotiate. The dealer i bought my car from wanted $18,000 for the car. We negotiated well and i got a good deal.

 

Definitely possible. Just be patient, and find the right car for you.

 

do you have a garage? do you have a second car or do you plan on DDing the s2k? Is there enough space to meet your needs? These are a couple things come up when people own a s2k and you should take them into consideration. There are a ton of threads of vandalism and parts getting stolen from s2ks that are parked outside. Personally, if I didn't have a DD and a garage, I wouldn't have gotten a s2k.

If you've already thought about those, 15k should be enough if you take your time to look. It should get you a pretty low mileage AP1 too.

 

How much do you make?

Just because S2K's are getting cheaper, the insurance is still rape. And it eats up rear tires.

 

Front tires too. I'd go for the Goodyear Eagle F1 - GS-D3 all around . They offer better grip but don't last a lot longer than the Bridgestone Potenzas. And you'll know it when the fronts are used up. They seem to find every rut in the road and they understeer when they're worn out, and that's with any tire on the front of the s2k.

 

Ya you can completely afford it and they are out there with low mileage.
In 2007 when I was 18 I got an 05 for 18500 (all other AP2's were still 22000- 25000 at the time) with only 30000 (low for me) miles on it. I bought it from a guy whose grandpa had died and needed to get rid of the car.
Only problem was a tear in the roof from punk kids tryin to steal it. Easy fix. Using patch til I recieve my hardtop in Aug.
I'm in socal and it seems as if people just aren't selling there s anymore but Just shop around and you will see that they are out there.

Good Luck

 

NO

 

yes
hope you have a garage though since you live in theft capital