Keep the SI you dont need a S2000 at 17 years old you need more seat time and you do not want to take a S2000 to college and have it parked outside your just asking for the top to be cut and seats stolen.

 

You guys have convinced me haha I got the same opinions on 8thcivic.com but I wanted another view, and I thought it would be different considering most here have an S2K. I've decided to put the extra money into driving school and tires for autocross, and save the rest so in a few years I can buy an S2000 CR when I actually have some experience. Since my ultimate goal here is to improve my driving, is this the way to go?

 

Keep the Si... go all out pay off the Si... then get the S2k.
I daily drive an Si Hatch from way back when (92). The best of both worlds.

 

PS. Get a motorcycle. Go race that. After racing a motorcycle everything in a car is much easier. Throttle control, smoothness, radial braking, following, knowing and picking your line.

 

It's paid off already lol I had 12k saved up and my dad paid the rest. Now thats a good setup. I'd honestly love to but I doubt my parents will let me, but ill probably pick one up in college maybe just for the track and riding to class.

 

Keep the Si. I loved my 07 Si. I loved it so much I wish I didn't sell it for an S2k. I do like the S2k but trust me the Si has potential. It will be a great auto x car for sure. You will be so paranoid about the S2k too. It's a target for assholes sometimes. Your dad will come around with mods. Since you want to auto X...Just get a camber kit, RSB, and some nice tires and just drive the hell out of it. BTW if you are thinking of doing bolt on engine mods:

Hondata flashpro
Skunk2/Kidd racing header
AEM/Injen CAI
70mm or 3 inch exhaust
get an e tune from etunez

Those mods take the Si from a high 14 second car to a high 13 second car

 

I personally advice against the camber kit and any other not stock legal mod for the following reason. Stock is the only class the newer Si is competitive in, which doesnt matter initially but will be important if you start getting serious about it. Also, its best to do a season with a car in stock form to learn how to really drive that car. If down the line you decide you definitely don't want to take autox seriously, then start modding beyond stock limits.

 

I hope he will warm up to the modding thing too, but for now I'm leaving all of the suspension stock because that's how I will learn to drive it, as stated ^^^. I definitely wanna do those engine mods whenever I'm allowed to because those won't really hurt my driving and although they will put me out of the stock class, I dont have the money or time to be a seriously competitve autoxer. Maybe in a year or two. Thanks for the advice!

 

OP,

I was in the same position as you are (albeit I was not 17). I had a 2008 Civic Si and wanted to jump into a true sports car/roadster to improve my driving. The s2000 was the obvious choice especially considering a lot of the mods I did to my civic si came factory in the S (ie, Headlight retrofit, push button start, etc. etc.).

Since you are so young, as everyone has stated, hold off on the S2000. Here's why (coming from an owner who once had an Si as well)

1) Gas will cost you more. If you are going to college, every penny counts
2) Like many have said, you will be paranoid about the car
3) You lose a lot of creature comforts you've already gotten use to in the Si
4) I believe the S is a true drivers car. While I use it for DD'ing, I also bought a second car in order to drive through the winter here in Canada. I know in your area you don't have that problem but owning a second car will keep the miles down on the S. This is something I think most owners should consider since the S is such a rare car to own and most people end up keeping it for a very long time
5) If you can't outright afford to buy the S, don't. My biggest mistake. The S is an older car and if it gets into an accident, you will be in head over heels in debt because the payout most likely wont be as much as the car is "worth"

Hang onto the Si because it is such an amazing car. Or better yet, downgrade to an Echo RS, save a sh*t ton on gas, save up and then buy a lotus

 

It's impossible to say. The suggestions above are worth seriously considering but this is never a one-size-fits-all matter and you need to carefully consider the pros and cons for you on both sides. I'd especially consider the paranoia while you're in college. Even with insurance you run the risk of getting your car totaled if the seats are stolen.