Life is grand Inside an S2000

Hello. I'm going to need ya'alls help here with the S2000.

I test drove one today. Needless to say, I am madly in love with the
S2000. Honestly, every S2000 should already have the deck lid spoiler
as stock since it seriously improves the look.

The thing that I need help with is that the only problem is that I'm
poor. I'm not dirt poor and disadvantaged in any way physically but
I'm not exactly a CEO. No I'm not asking for money ;-)

I need help with deciding if I can afford this car or not. I want an
S2000 plus 2 motorcycles. Right now I already have a car that I am
borrowing.

Here's my financial situation.

US Air Force service-member. I get paid somewhere over $1,500 monthly.
Rent, Food, Health, Dental, and Retirement, are already included. So
the monthly checks aren't needed for the bare essentials, I can use it
as I wish.

The S2000 is a $34,000 car new. For that price its still a bargain
considering that the car is a rocket and that only 5,000 are sold in
the states annually.

Obviously this car retains it's value pretty well considering. But
still, I should consider buying used. I haven't checked the used
market for such a car so I don't know what it's all about. Is there
any reason why I shouldn't buy used? I'm going to get a carfax report
and have the car checked out for sure.

What is the insurance going to be like?

Honda is one of the makers that don't give extra incentives to Veterans
or anyone in Active-Duty.

Again, I'm in love with this car. I want one in metallic blue. When I
sat in the car it fit me perfectly like a glove. Almost as if we were
ment to be. The seat is perfect, it cradles my body type just right.
I've never sat in any other car that fit me better than an S2000. The
car felt very comfortable.

I love the instrument cluster. And I also love the start button. Just
put the key in, press down on the clutch and push. Every car should
start like that since the system will save a lot of starters from
needless wear when someone tries to start a car that is already
running. It's fool proof.

And to think that such a car with just a 4 cylinder without turbo can
perform like a much larger V8. It's just amazing what VETEC and modern
technology can do.

The car has the Honda badge to back it up with gauranteed reliability
so I shouldn't have to worry about that aspect of the car.


TIA

 

Are you sure you're not head of marketing over at Honda? Just kidding.
If I could clear 1500/month and liked the car that much, it'd be a no
brainer.
About insurance quotes, just google "insurance quote" and pick one of
the
online sites. Kentrix seems to be a popular one.

Pars

 

I wished the Armed Forces had their own govenment subsidized auto
insurance. Now that would be something. I've never heard of Kentrix.
But I don't see myself getting Gieco or Progressive insurance for
personal reasons.


East-

 

You may be eligible to join USAA as a service member. Generally, their
rates are better than anyone else. www.usaa.com . I don't know whether there
are any 2005 S 2000 out there still, but Edmunds had the price at around
30k.

 

I would be careful here. Are you really ready to pay half of your
disposable income for the next 7 years for the car and insurance? And
then, where would you park it...do you have a garage? Why not consider a
new Civic Si for half the price or a used, certified Civic Si for 1/3 the
price? Parking a new S-2000 with soft top on the street or in a base
parking lot would not be good in my opinion. Good luck on your decision.

 

Can the Si go 0 to 60 in 5.8 seconds? Can it clear the quarter mile in
14.2 seconds? Does the Si have a power to weigh ratio of 12lbs/hp or
better? Rear wheel drive? If the Si can do all of that, then I would
consider it.

Life it too short to drive vanilla cars. Not that I have a dangerous
occupation or anything but I've always loved high performance cars for
as long as I can remember.

The $1,600 goes up through the years as I get promoted. There will be
times when I won't be spending any money but the car payments in the
off chance of deployment. Deployed I'll be making much more than the
usual.

During the long periods of times when the S2000 is parked I'll put the
optional hard top shell on it and put a good car cover on it. It would
also be insured against hail, tornado, theft, and vandalism during
those times.

But I'm still not going to rush into anything here. I will carefully
consider my options before making such a purchase. It helps that I
know I'll never buy a house. I don't like cleaning and doing yard work
so a much less expensive condo would be in order.


East-

 

If I buy a used S2000 that didn't have the glass window in the back
yet. Is it possible to add the rear glass window to an earlier S2000
that doesn't have one?



East-

 

Looks to me like you're sold on the S-2000. I was considering it as well as
the RX8 and the Infiniti G35. The S-2000 rides kind of rough. Plus if you
don't keep the motor above say, 5500 rpm, performance is mellow. As long
as you don't need to carry more than one additional person, the S-2000 is
an awesome sports car. All three of the above mentioned cars have their
strong and weak points, as does the Si.

 

Which car did you end up buying duckbill?

 

Still undecided, but if you look at an RX8 forum, there are a lot of
unhappy campers because of poor gas milage. Infiniti G35's are having
tire and brake wear issues. In 2004, the S-2000 received an improved
engine with increased displacement from 1997cc to 2157cc of. The rear
suspension was also softened a bit to reduce unwanted oversteer says Car
and Driver Magazine in its July 04 Comparison Test of Exreme Sports. Car
and Driver loved the engine and gearbox but commented on the numb steering
and their final verdict was "where does it say a sports car has to include
suffering." I would be looking for a 2004 with some factory warranty left
if I decided to go the S-2000 route. But, I also like the Si. My son
wrecked my 87 Toyota Supra
5 speed (not his fault) and is now driving my 85 300ZX. I'm currently
driving a 95 Civic EX with the CVCC engine. I can't even tell it's a front
driver. Honda makes great cars.

 

"Where does it say a sports car has to include suffering". What did
they mean by that, I don't get it. They are either saying that the
S2000 is a comfy car for a sports car or they are saying that the S2000
is very uncomfortable.

One journalist said the S2000 was a noisy ride and that two passengers
would have to yell to hear each other. She said her ears were buzzing
after a drive and that it took a short time for her hearing to return
to normal. Either she has some very sensitive ears, or the car is in
fact a very noisy ride.

What else have you looked at? What about a used Porche Boxer?



East-

 

Good point...I thought it meant it beat you up until I re-read the
following additional comment in the magazine: "Communicates every nuance
(slight variation) of the road without beating you up." So it's a good
comment! My first and last German car was a VW Bug. Was stationed in
Germany where BMW's and Mercedes were as commmon as Fords and Chevies used
to be over here. While new they are great....but when they get age on
them, watch your wallet. I'm not at all qualified to make any comments
about Porsche....except they are way above my paygrade.

 

No, someone earning what you do cannot afford this car.

If you want advice on what's the cheapest extravagance you
can buy, that's different.

But don't frame it as though buying this car makes good
personal budgeting sense. It doesn't.

If you truly want financial planning advice, post your
question at misc.invest.financial-plan . Be prepared for
boring, non-sexy questions about what you want in the future
and how important your long-term financial peace of mind is
to you.

 

Elle, how can you say that? Say my disposable income is $1,600
monthly. (goes up with promotions) If the car payments are $600 a
month and the insurance is $100 a month than I still have $900 for
gasoline, clothes, and entertainment. If in the off chance I get
deployed it can be $500 more meaning $2,100 a month. Plus deployed
members do not have the chance to shop and spend their money. So I'll
have that much more money to save up. Possibly used to help pay off
the car loan that much faster.

In any case I went ahead and inquired with misc.invest.financial-plan
about my situation. I still need to give USAA a call, to see how they
might be able to help me with the loans and car insurance they offer to
the armed forces.


East-

 

Airman eastward,

How long will you be in the Air Force? What are your plans
after the Air Force? College? Do you want a house someday?
Do you plan to get married? Have kids? When to you plan to
retire? How much education do you have right now?

How much do houses, retirement, and supporting a wife and
kids cost? And one more caveat: Don't marry a woman who
doesn't know how to budget! She must know the value of a
dollar! And watch out for women looking to trap men into
marriage. That could be a more stupendous a mistake as this
fancy car you've got your heart set on.

You want this fancy car, fine. Save for it over a few years.
Do not take a loan. On a car, interest is money thrown away.

Again, if you just want advice on getting a good deal on an
expensive toy, fine. But cars are a horrible investment (but
great hobby if you like engine etc. repairs). Somewhere down
the line you might wish you had this $25k or so you want to
throw at this car for something that goes to basic needs.

I'm confident USAA will be the best deal in town for
insurance, with the caveat that, the sportier, the car, the
higher the insurance premiums will be. You can go to their
web site and get info. A few years ago they permitted
enlisted personnel to become members...

You're a good man to go ask at misc.invest.financial-plan.
Keeping an open mind to other points of view on this subject
shows brains.

I'm not saying you "can't" have it. I'm saying plan your
future. This is one big chunk of change you're going to
spend, and invested for several years, it could be much
bigger and be a sweet down payment on a house. (Meanwhile
you get your motorbikes for toys?)

Stay away from any sharks giving any indications of wanting
a piece of soldier boys' and girls' money. You call USAA and
compare what they offer (be it their credit card, investing,
insurance, banking, or other services) first. They're a
pretty reputable company on all fronts.

 

an SI can't but there are many cars that can for a lot cheaper. if
you're heart-set on honda i would at least look at getting a used one.
maybe get an 03 or 04 with 15 or 20k miles,, and save your self like
$10,000. since new cars lose their value pretty much as soon as you
drive it off the lot,, my personal preference would be to never buy a
brand new car. just muh :2cents:

 

<<<<How long will you be in the Air Force? >>>>


I just started. 6 to 8 years. Possibly a lot more.


<<<<What are your plans
after the Air Force? College?>>>>


The Montgomery GI Bill. I will be going to college, payed for by the
gov'ment. Registered nursing major.


<<<<Do you want a house someday? >>>>


I don't even have to really think about it. The answer is no. I don't
want the responsibility. I can't stand gardening and I hate to clean.
I'm more of a smaller condo/townhouse type person. I'll be away from
home most of the time (seeing Europe, Africa, Austrailia etc.) And
Condos are very easy to secure. Just Lock up and leave.

I grew up in Los Angeles. The city where many people spend more time
inside their cars getting form point A to point B rather than in their
homes. Having a nicer car than a better house means a lot to someone
like me. And I do go cruising around town and in the countryside a
lot. It's like a hobby for me.



<<<<Do you plan to get married? Have kids?>>>>


That's another big no. I don't ever want to marry or have kids. That
would prevent me from doing what I love most. Stuff like leaving town
on a moments notice. Touring the far corners of the world. Etc.



<<<< When to you plan to
retire? How much education do you have right now? >>>>


I have "Some College" under the belt right now. I do not know when I
plan to retire. I will know once I get there.


<<<<How much do houses, retirement, and supporting a wife and
kids cost? >>>>


I won't have to worry about housing prices too much. Condos are usualy
fairly enexpensive unless they are located in highly desirable
locations. But lets say I get a Condo in Hartford Connecticuit. That
city is really cheap right now because the economy isn't doing so good
and hasn't been for decades now. It would make more sense to buy a
home in places like that verses say Manhattan Island, or downtown
Boston or some place.


Thank you for your insight.


East-

 

The gov pays it all? I thought it was only some. I trust you
will double check or already know for sure what the deal is.

Nursing, cool. Good money. Rewarding job (well, compared to
most other jobs out there).

Are you doing this while in the Air Force? Even better.

Perfect. Fact is, houses can be a very poor investment,
given the cost of maintenance and property taxes. People
should only buy a house (or condo) if they want more peace
and quiet, and control over decorating, and are willing to
pay for those benefits. Then they should buy as little house
as possible, like, you bet, a condo. You're thinking
intelligently, FWIW.

True. I can understand this. Cars are fun; cars are cool.
Life is to enjoy, and one should not be too cheap about it.

God women must be a letdown these days! I can sure attest to
too many unhappy marriages and can understand why people
stay single.

All other comments noted. I see some good posts on going for
less expensive but as sporty cars. If you weigh it all and
still want this particular "fun" in your life, and
understand the tradeoffs, then FWIW it's not at all
necessarily a waste of money. It would be far worse to throw
your money away on wine and cheap women (sic).

 

<<<<All other comments noted. I see some good posts on going for
less expensive but as sporty cars. If you weigh it all and
still want this particular "fun" in your life, and
understand the tradeoffs, then FWIW it's not at all
necessarily a waste of money. >>>>


What cars do you speak of that offer the same sportiness for less
money? And yes the GI Bill pays for a part of it.

Maybe your mean the Honda Si. Honestly I would buy the Si's
competition which is the VW GTI. Based on looks, handling, and the
powertrain.

The Mazda RX8 is still up there in price only not as much. The Mazda
with it's rotary engine seems to be a gas guzzler. The Ford Mustang GT
soft top is less expensive but not by a substantial amount.

Honestly though I can live without the Honda for now. I can get the
sport bike that I want first. The bike offers plenty of performance,
the car I have now would be more of a rain coat. As for other high
performance cars out there. I wonder if there is anyone in this
newsgroup that has some experience modifying certain cars making them
lightning fast.

In the end though it is obvioius that the automakers are making out
with tons of money. Since they charge far more than how much it
actually costs to make such a car.

I will carefully consider everything before making any purchasing
decisions. I wan't to consult with a personal financial adviser first.


East-

 

<<<<an SI can't but there are many cars that can for a lot cheaper. if

you're heart-set on honda i would at least look at getting a used one.
maybe get an 03 or 04 with 15 or 20k miles,, and save your self like
$10,000. since new cars lose their value pretty much as soon as you
drive it off the lot,, my personal preference would be to never buy a
brand new car. just muh :2cents:[/QUOTE][/QUOTE][/QUOTE]



What are the cars that are cheap high performers that you would
recomend? What's a car that gives the most Horsepower for the money
that you would suggest? Maybe something that has tons of aftermarket
parts to make their engines lightning fast. Rear wheel drive
preferable.

The Subaru Imprezza comes to mind. Only I would miss the soft top.


East-