I'm sure I'll be looked down upon by the end of this post, but i would really appreciate the help. i've been fortunate enough to learn from all of you in the past year. now im looking to acquire a stook. i just turned 20, am a junior at UCLA. got lucky in the stock market back during 17 and got my Acura TL NAV which i cherish every moment of everyday. But the truth is that the car is not a sports car. it's an awesome sedan. I've read through all the old post about other people's situations. The general consensus is to live it up while you can without being iresponsible. I rented a stook back in January for 16 hrs and i've been thinking about the sound of the 9000 rpm shift at 132 mph ever since. In any case, I figure i could try to get a zero down lease with a near $500 payment. The point being, should i? would it be worth it? I know that those are relative questions. I love cars and especially love that one. but it would require giving up much time for work. I would get to drive in a great location, but filled with corrupt cops.
I'm babbling. I would appreciate any input. I'm worried that my human instinct to acquire is on overdrive. but i don't want many things. this more than anything right now.

I guess the question is this: stook vs free time/less stress

THANK YOU

 

If you are mature and responsible I don't forsee this car being a problem for you. I am just five years older than you but somehow in hindsight I am glad I didn't have this car when I was 20. It is just too tempting to punch the VTEC all the way to redline and by the time you shift into 3rd you are well on your way to 80mph As you can see - in the LA area this is not only dangerous but can cost you with EXPENSIVE tickets. I already have 2 - but one of these was just pure victimization with the cop picking me out even though every single car on the freeway was speeding and most were faster than me.

Cost wise - you have to look at it critically. I am not rich by any measure of the word - but the way I approached it is that you are only young once. I am sure that between the ages of 25 and 30, I will enjoy this car much more than I will when I am older and more established and committed in my career. This does NOT mean that I think older people cannot enjoy this car to its fullest. I am a firm believer that age brings wisdom and better judgement - but I really wanted to enjoy myself at this age - that is why I ended up getting this car.

As far as free time is concerned - if you have a balanced head - the car should not become an obsession. It is a toy to be played with when you feel like. There are other things in life which all deserve due attention and time.

Good luck

 

You only live once....you never know what's going to happen the next day. If you could afford it with ease....I don't see why not...just enjoy life to the fullest and have no regret's about it.

btw...you could always go to the track and autocross to release your cravings for speed and performance or spirited driving.



just my 2cents

 

Do it. You don't sound spoiled, either.

 

"If you can afford the price of admission, I highly recommend it." (Ferris Bueller's Day Off)

 

Just do it. Btw, chicks dig the car.

 

I don't know why you'd think that you're gonna be looked down upon for wanting an S2000. Spoiled kid, LOL, you live in LA, and near westwood. I would've thought that you'd be used to seeing them everywhere by now. If you need more proof come down to Palos Verdes

Back to the point, I don't think that selling your TL and leasing the S2000 would be such a good idea. For one I'd never lease a relatively inexpensive car like the S2000. It's just not worth the $500 a month rental fee. I made the downpayment of $10000, and am paying $550 for 60 months. So if you can sell your TL and have some money left over after paying it off, I'd just use that money to make the down payment on the S2K.

You should've told us more about your TL; is it leased, financed, or already paid off? This will make a significance difference in anyone's decision making. If your TL is nearly paid off or already paid off, I'd just keep the car and not worry about anymore payments. You're only a junior, and you probably still need two or three more years to graduate. And if you live near campus, you probably don't even use your car everyday. Do you really want to work 10-15 hours a week just to drive a car that you'd may be use 500 miles a month? May be I'm just lazy but I work 15 hours a week and am barely getting the grades I need to transfer.

Before I got my S2000, I had this POS 92 Accord with 150,000 miles on it. It was an Auto 4 door LX with like 112 HP. I swear, it was like the slowest thing on four wheels. Stopping and turning that thing was another adventure in itself. When it came time to buy my own car, I wanted a used ITR and a sportbike. I had other cars in mind like the Audi A4 or TT, and all though they were nice cars, they just weren't that fast in stock form, and I didn't want to waste my time and money fixing up cars.

Once you start pouring money into your car, it will end up owning you, and you do not want to get owned by anything and anyone while you're still in college. This is the time to tell everyone to piss off and really worry about your future.

When my parents pretty much told me that a chronically depressed suicidal individual like myself don't belong on a sportbike, I looked for an alternative. Closest match was a Lotus Elise, but since they were not available in US, I picked the S2K.

Owning this car probably did more to help me than any therapy could possibly have. It's probably cheaper too. I just wish that it wasn't so damn expensive to own.

But I still kind of wish I had gotten the ITR and the bike. It would have been cheaper to own for one, and I 'd have easier time finding parking spaces with the motorcycle. Plus, sport bikes are devilishly fast, and I'd still have something interesting to drive on track, autocross and rainy days with the ITR.

So if I were you I'd keep the TL and learn how to ride a motorcycle, for that times when you feel the need to know that you are still alive.

Sorry it got so long, but I'm just one of those people who have a lot to say but nobody listen=l8ser.

 

Like you, I am also 20 and taking a full roster of college classes. I also clock 40 hours a week at work. Is it easy, no. Is it worth, abso-frigen-loutly! Every time I press that starter button it makes it all worth while. I'm in the process of paying for every nut and bolt on my own. I bought the car with the same logic that you are using. I may as well be impractical while I can. Who the hell buys a rear drive sports car as their only mode of transportation in a place that gets three feet of snow anyway? I must be crazy, but that's O.K. Life has been know to through hanging curve balls, you may never have the chance to own something like this again! Go for it! You will not be disappointed. And S2R is right, chicks really dig the car. Good luck!

 

You sound very level headed mate. I'm 19 and am fortunate to have a fast car as you are wanting. One thing to consider also is the cost of insurance. I pay around 600 a month (with a few speeding tickets). Other than that...

The fact that you are debating the issue shows that you are mature and cautious about the decision. You are looking at all aspects of the decision. That is a good thing.

As a person in a similar situation (i am in the Owner's Choice program with BMW) i can tell you that it is a wise choice if you understand what you are getting into.

If you lease a vehicle, then you can't modify it. If you lease a vehicle, then you will have to make payments until the lease is up. Also, i tend to drive my car a bit hard. Chances are that you will do the same. In a lease, you will be accountable for any unusual wear and tear.

If you can handle all of the consequences mentioned above, then have fun with your new car.

matthew

 

Don't do it!
Have fun in school and wait a couple years!