I was out looking at BMWs and an S2000 yesterday. The BMW guys were real pricks and tried to sell me a used 330Ci with 28,800 miles on it for $1k under MSRP for a new 2003! Anyways, I said screw them and went to checkout the S2000 (which is what I was looking at anyways). Nonetheless, I've decided on the S2000... I went over to Lute Riley (it is quite close to me), and they said there is a standard '$3000 market premium' on the S2000 because it is such a 'rare' car and hard to find. As it was late when I left, I haven't been to any other dealerships...so I figured I would ask you where you think I should go and if the $3k markup is just a gimmick for the sales guy to get some money in his pocket.

Is there a place I can get the car for MSRP and they have good service too (won't tag a '$3k market premium' on the car)?

And on a side note, does anyone know how much insurance for a 21yr old in an S2000 is?
I would imagine I'm taking a stab in the dark asking, because it seems most 21yr olds go for a mitsu, si, or a V8. I've currently got a 2000 Mustang (dont ask ) I got a couple years ago and I can't stand the suspension on it anymore (especially considering the upside-down resell value). Last, whoever made this: rocks

Thanks, and hope to see you around in an S2000 soon!

 

You might consider traveling to some of the dealers in the Marketplace forum. Routinely there are prices under 31k at those dealerships. If you stay in the Dallas area, $500 below MSRP is the best deal I have heard of. I bought mine from John Power at Rusty Wallice last December for MSRP. A friend of mine on this board (Gernby) bought his from John as well for MSRP earlier this year. Rusty Wallice is probably the second closest Honda dealership to you if you live in Richardson. I have nothing but praise for John there and highly recommend you give him a call (214-348-7500). Tell him I referred you and said you would sell to him for MSRP. Gernby did this and John sold to him for that with no further haggling. Good luck.

 

I can't tell you where to go, but I can tell you NOT to go to David McDavid in Irving. You will get the same thing you got at Lute Riley. Do what TypeSH says and go to his dealer. I have heard great things about them.

 

When I was at lute riley, I noticed the car has 16" wheels...I've driven some vehicles (rather intensively) with 16" wheels and the guy said they could put 17" wheels on there instead.

What surprised me is that the guy said they could lower the car 1" for me (He suggested it, I didn't even ask). As I expect to really enjoy this car both for the driving and the convertible top , should I get it lowered and put 17" wheels on it?

Is there anything wrong with lowering the car 1"? As I can't find any place to test drive an S2000, I don't even know if it would make a difference.

Thanks again

 

Yeah there's a $3k premium markup on it...Like 2 years ago! I got the same run around w/Lute Riley also. As w/any dealership, Lute Riley will charge up the a$$ on aftermarket parts.

Some say if you lower it then your handling gets worst. However, I have it lowered 1.4" w/17's & I don't notice handling's worst. Although, the ride does get harsher w/a lowered car & smaller profile tires. Hope this helps.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by HondaGuy
[B]Yeah there's a $3k premium markup on it...Like 2 years ago!

 

Lowering the car would require the dealership replacing the springs or shocks, or both. IMO, it's likely that anything they do would be done in the interest of cheapness, not providing the best handling experience. A set of decent coilovers would be at least $1000 - Mugen ones are $3300 - which is a lot of money to spend to modify a car before it ever leaves the dealer showroom floor. My advice is to leave the car stock so you get a feel for how it behaves - Honda made suspension tuning changes involving sway bars, springs and shocks to give it a reportedly more stable cornering stance - and then start changing things if they don't feel satisfactory to you.

Even with stock height, you'll be scraping a lot. (A Coastal Metals chin guard might be a good investment.)

I have a set of 17" Volk CE28N weels mounted with race tires. I have the stock wheels for everyday use.

 

Go to Freeman Honda. Rita or the sales manager both said for you to tell them David Bennett sent you and then they will know to go straight to the cheap sheet. No, I don't have magical powers nor am I related. It is just that if they know a customer knows what price it can be bought for and if they are serious they will cut thru the pricing BS. They will treat you fair, you just have to know how to play the game.

I really can't tell you how good their service department is as I have only had my car in for one thing that no one could fix. It was a fluke and I fixed it myself later.

You will pay MSRP or less. I am not sure if they will sell the 03s for less than MSRP yet is why I said it that way.

I paid considerably less than MSRP for my 02 in March and we have discussed pricing policies several times so I know they will sell to you for less than MSRP.

 

I bought mine at John Eagle Honda down off of Lemmon last April for MSRP, as did a friend of mine. Talk to Benny Franklin down there & he should take care of you. So far I've always taken my car there for service too (yes, it's quite a drive from Plano), but I like the staff and the service I get there.

 

Do not go to LUTE RILEY or Vandergriif, at Vandergriff the salesman told me what they would give me for my car, I thought it was workable. Then the internet person, says" he is just a salesman and not an appraiser", which is true but I do not like the way they do business. The internet person lured me in with "things are slow right now" then refuse to discount there car one penny...............and making me wait 1.5 hours. I will find a car I just have to be patient............ Thank you for this forum