Okay, so I'm planning to buy my S2000 (and first car) in June.
I'm 18, I've been working two jobs and saving money since I was 16.
After researching the car itself intensely, I've decided to go with an AP1 (2003 to be exact).
Basicaly here's the thing, a family friend is going to help me find a mint S, and has found one.
He's going to pick it up for me and I'm going to buy it from him in June.
I recently learned how to drive manual on my god mother's '93 Mustang 331.
Not too worried about that, but most of my time spent driving has been FWD.
My S will be my daily for the duration of the summer (weather permitting), and I will be buying a shit daily for the next winter.
Pretty much my big question is what're some precautions I can take to be sure nothing's going to happen to my S while I'm adjusting to it? I'm sure most of you are thinking "18 year-old kid, he's gonna beat the shit out of it."
I'm not, I've got too much respect for cars and especially the S2k. It's never been an option to me for another car to be my first but I'm rambling now; suggestions on how to keep both my S and I safe while adjusting to RWD?

 

Don't drive like an A hole and you should be fine! j/k
My only advice is to check your oil like a mental patient

 

Check your oil, as mentioned above, frequently. These cars burn it and then your engine blows if not checking it.
Ensure you have good quality tires with plenty of tread. Don't floor it mid turn or in the wet etc. The rear can spin around fairly easily if you're being dumb.
Keep up with all maintenance. If worried about wrecking it I'd spend a little money for a track lesson or auto x or something like that to get a better feel for it.

Welcome to the site and good luck with your first car!

 

18 year old here chiming with an 2001 AP1 I'm learning manual on (the clutch on these cars are amazing).

I did a bit of manual before on my brothers EG and my other brothers 280Z but when I got in my car it sort of clicked. Don't worry about the losing control aspect, just drive it how you would any other car in certain weather conditions. As others have also said, make sure you have oil, and good tires. When I got mine and we drove it back, we checked the oil and there was little to none and what was there was pitch black. Instantly drove to Walmart in my brothers car and got some oil and an oil filter as I didn't want to wait if I ordered it online and wanted it done then and there.

Aside from what everybody else have/will tell you, I will tell you one thing. This car is a kids dream. Don't let people put you down cause you're a "kid" driving a sports convertible 2D, you worked for it and I respect that. I hope you enjoy it very much, and expect to spend a lot of money on it with mods!

 

Oil's a pretty big deal in the S, huh?
So the standard 3k miles or...?

 

Hmm, that's actually quite encouraging. Easy-going clutch is definitely something I'm looking forward to, because of the fact that I'm still relatively new to manual etc. I honestly plan to keep my S stock for at least a year plus. Not looking fwd. to dumping money into it straight away when It's not necessary. Going to do everything I can to keep it in good running shape. I want it to be a weekend car, so I may do some aesthetic things to it (no, I'm not some StanceNation kid that's going to have ridiculous negative camber) but more along the lines of paint etc. keep it clean.
It's going to be a trophy to me because of how long I've worked to get it. For me another car has never been an option; I've had the option to buy plenty of cars a lot of people my age would kill for, but the S is my only option.

 

I've owned 2 03' Ap1's . My advice is simple,

Rain=driving in the right lane, subtle accelerations, subtle braking, and taking off/on ramps @ the speed limit.

Check oil every 1,000 miles. I used to burn a lot more oil, but Billmans valve adjustment did some sort of miracle and I have not burned a drop since he did it.

If you run the car hard, you will burn oil. It's not a biggie, just stay on top of it.

Tires are very important. Make sure you invest good money into your tires and never drive bald. Also check your tire pressures.

Watch your over revving. You don't want to mis-shift and blow your engine.

Lastly, you made a very wise choice picking up a 03'. It will be the most sought after S for years to come. Treat it with love and respect.

 

Performance is the way to go. I understand why some people "stance", I even know people that like that, but to me it just takes away the vision of the car.

As for the clutch, I learned it in 2 nights of 5 minute driving-around-the-neighborhood. As far as modding goes, I hear you. The car already is a good sports car, but I would suggest your first mods to be some suspension/handling to improve the car all around.

You have no idea how similar I was to how you are. Everybody in my family told me "that car is so impractical, get x" and I was like nope. It started when my oldest brother got a berlina black AP1 6 years ago for his first car. Ever since then, I would daydream about it and hoped I would one day own it. To be quite honest, I never thought I was actually going to get one till I found a 42k mile rebuilt salvage one in immaculate condition for $6k. I couldn't turn it away, and I wouldn't accept no as an answer.

For the oil, you should be good for 5k miles or so. Just check it every time you go to a gas station once a week and you should be good. It all depends on how you drive it, spirited or not.

 

Performance is the way to go. I understand why some people "stance", I even know people that like that, but to me it just takes away the vision of the car.

As for the clutch, I learned it in 2 nights of 5 minute driving-around-the-neighborhood. As far as modding goes, I hear you. The car already is a good sports car, but I would suggest your first mods to be some suspension/handling to improve the car all around.

You have no idea how similar I was to how you are. Everybody in my family told me "that car is so impractical, get x" and I was like nope. It started when my oldest brother got a berlina black AP1 6 years ago for his first car. Ever since then, I would daydream about it and hoped I would one day own it. To be quite honest, I never thought I was actually going to get one till I found a 42k mile rebuilt salvage one in immaculate condition for $6k. I couldn't turn it away, and I wouldn't accept no as an answer.

For the oil, you should be good for 5k miles or so. Just check it every time you go to a gas station once a week and you should be good. It all depends on how you drive it, spirited or not.
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I mean I'm not saying I can't stand stance but for certain cars it just isn't right. The S is a sports car, treat it as such. Not to mention I live in Chicago, my bumpers would not appreciate sitting an inch away from the ground, I'm sure. The biggest thing I can say for sure is that I'm going to at very least keep it NA for as long as possible. If I ever rebuild the head or anything, I may consider FI in that moment.
I may have slight negative camber in the rear, just for control etc. but other than that nothing on my car will be "stance".
I also admire you a bit in the respect that we've got so much in common and you've done what I'm hoping to do. It still seems so far away, though. Haha.

 

True. Lowering is fine by all means, same with a minor camber, but driving to the point where you have to go slow to enter a parking lot and have to avoid speed bumps? That's just silly in my opinion. Though I have to admit, I've seen some damn good looking stanced cars, I just wouldn't do it.

For me, I'd never go FI in any way possible. I am keeping it strictly N/A, it just feels so much better in my opinion. Don't worry about the wait, time will fly by!