Teen S2000 Drivers
08-07-2004 | 06:27 PM
#11
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 159
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From: Austin
If you are looking for a car and are worried about insurance, most insurance carriers will quote you a rate if you have the VIN number. As for cool cars that you could probably afford? I'd go for the Acura RSX or Honda Prelude. If you can branch out beyond Honda, I'd look at a Toyota MR2 (has a smaller engine so it may be less) or a Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe. Moving down my list of cool small cars at affordable prices... next would be the Scion xB--the tC is cool, but not as different as the xB. I would steer clear of Chrysler (i.e. Dodge, Plymouth, Jeep, etc.) unless you don't mind putting money into repairs. Lastly, I'd look at the Civic coupe or Corolla with the sport package. All of these that I have listed should be reasonable to insure.
As for being 16 and driving? Well, don't speed too much. Your driving record and insurability will go with you for a long time, and insurance isn't a good deal at any rate. Also, you probably aren't going to be as good of a driver as you think you are. If you want to know how to drive hard, take a professional driving course. They aren't cheap, but you can really learn how to drive aggressively--not defensively.
Lastly and unfortunately, free advice is just that--free. Most don't appreciate it even when it turns out to be good. Also, some people will always have to learn the hard way. If you can learn from others, do it--it is usually much cheaper. And sometimes older people are correct even if it is irritating. Of course, YMMV.
Cheers
As for being 16 and driving? Well, don't speed too much. Your driving record and insurability will go with you for a long time, and insurance isn't a good deal at any rate. Also, you probably aren't going to be as good of a driver as you think you are. If you want to know how to drive hard, take a professional driving course. They aren't cheap, but you can really learn how to drive aggressively--not defensively.
Lastly and unfortunately, free advice is just that--free. Most don't appreciate it even when it turns out to be good. Also, some people will always have to learn the hard way. If you can learn from others, do it--it is usually much cheaper. And sometimes older people are correct even if it is irritating. Of course, YMMV.
Cheers
08-07-2004 | 06:32 PM
#12
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 708
Likes: 0
From: Miami
Im 16 1/2 and have a 02 s2000I have had it for about 2 weeks i payed for most of it w/ my bar-mitzva money and i pay for half of my insurence with my job. and the insurence is expensive but not that much more than my friends car, rx8 g35c, 330ci, 330i. I know i dont know everything about driving but i am very carful and i dont push my car on the street im waiting for me to get used to the car a little bit more and im going the the next autocross/ driving school around my area to learn HOW to properly drive my car.I do have money left to go out and enjoy my self and i do enjoy taking care of my car i wash it 3 times a week and plan to do as much of the maintance my self.BTW i live in south florida also
08-07-2004 | 06:41 PM
#13
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,985
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From: Denver
Originally Posted by Ckcrigger,Aug 7 2004, 06:21 PM
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=226864
This guy learned it the hard way. Not a good car when you're making minimum wage. He'll probably lose thousands of dollars on the resale as well. That's lots of beer, parties, computers, and I-pods wasted.
What's the fun of using all your money to buy a car that just gets scraped to s#$! Only buy a car (and insurance) that leaves you plenty of money for Spring Break, pizza, girls and beer.
Nobody will be impressed if your new car is dirty, scraped up, and you have no money to go hang out. Buy the car when you can afford to live well all around with balance.
Expensive car with no money for food... screams POSER to me.
But that's just my opinion.
I'd go with a used accord, acura tl, or maxima. A 98 maxima is roomy, fast enough for a first car, and heavy enough that you'll survive a crash. You can get one for under $10k, easy. Then spend your money on having fun.
Besides, you'll want a new car in college anyway.
Smack your first one up and upgrade later.
This guy learned it the hard way. Not a good car when you're making minimum wage. He'll probably lose thousands of dollars on the resale as well. That's lots of beer, parties, computers, and I-pods wasted.
What's the fun of using all your money to buy a car that just gets scraped to s#$! Only buy a car (and insurance) that leaves you plenty of money for Spring Break, pizza, girls and beer.
Nobody will be impressed if your new car is dirty, scraped up, and you have no money to go hang out. Buy the car when you can afford to live well all around with balance.
Expensive car with no money for food... screams POSER to me.
But that's just my opinion.
I'd go with a used accord, acura tl, or maxima. A 98 maxima is roomy, fast enough for a first car, and heavy enough that you'll survive a crash. You can get one for under $10k, easy. Then spend your money on having fun.
Besides, you'll want a new car in college anyway.
Smack your first one up and upgrade later.
08-07-2004 | 06:56 PM
#14
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5,372
Likes: 0
From: The Beach, CA
Originally Posted by Ckcrigger,Aug 7 2004, 09:21 PM
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=226864
This guy learned it the hard way. Not a good car when you're making minimum wage. He'll probably lose thousands of dollars on the resale as well. That's lots of beer, parties, computers, and I-pods wasted.
What's the fun of using all your money to buy a car that just gets scraped to s#$! Only buy a car (and insurance) that leaves you plenty of money for Spring Break, pizza, girls and beer.
Nobody will be impressed if your new car is dirty, scraped up, and you have no money to go hang out. Buy the car when you can afford to live well all around with balance.
Expensive car with no money for food... screams POSER to me.
But that's just my opinion.
I'd go with a used accord, acura tl, or maxima. A 98 maxima is roomy, fast enough for a first car, and heavy enough that you'll survive a crash. You can get one for under $10k, easy. Then spend your money on having fun.
Besides, you'll want a new car in college anyway. Smack your first one up and upgrade later.
This guy learned it the hard way. Not a good car when you're making minimum wage. He'll probably lose thousands of dollars on the resale as well. That's lots of beer, parties, computers, and I-pods wasted.
What's the fun of using all your money to buy a car that just gets scraped to s#$! Only buy a car (and insurance) that leaves you plenty of money for Spring Break, pizza, girls and beer.
Nobody will be impressed if your new car is dirty, scraped up, and you have no money to go hang out. Buy the car when you can afford to live well all around with balance.
Expensive car with no money for food... screams POSER to me.
But that's just my opinion.
I'd go with a used accord, acura tl, or maxima. A 98 maxima is roomy, fast enough for a first car, and heavy enough that you'll survive a crash. You can get one for under $10k, easy. Then spend your money on having fun.
Besides, you'll want a new car in college anyway.
Smack your first one up and upgrade later. . That's what I'm realizing now.
08-07-2004 | 07:07 PM
#15
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 741
Likes: 0
From: ewa
im 21 and i made the mistake of not getting full coverage and my car got hit the week after i got it (hit and run). i ended up paying an extra 4500 (not including new rims) to get it fixed and this is my 5th car.if i was in your situaltion i would probably get a rsx type s or a civic si. alot easier to drive and dont lose there value as fast as american cars. incase you decide to sell it the get the s2k
08-07-2004 | 07:48 PM
#16
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,094
Likes: 6
From: Vienna, VA
I'm guessing you got the money to pay for it either from a trust or bar-mitzva or something? while in effect you are paying for the car, it's quite different from the older people who work to pay for theirs...but this is not what my post is about.
Another piece of advice...all too often many of my friends got nice cars with "their" money, but had to work almost full time to pay for insurance. This kept them from being able to go to nice colleges full time, and many of them were barely able to get an AA degree then quit to work to pay the insurance. Their lives/incomes are now severely impacted as a result.
If you plan on going to college, I would get something you can really afford and won't have to stretch to pay insurance on. To pay insurance on an S2000, you are going to be spending MOST of your money on insurance, as you will only be able to get like $7 an hour (unless you dad hooks you up with a "job" hehe).
Another piece of advice...all too often many of my friends got nice cars with "their" money, but had to work almost full time to pay for insurance. This kept them from being able to go to nice colleges full time, and many of them were barely able to get an AA degree then quit to work to pay the insurance. Their lives/incomes are now severely impacted as a result.
If you plan on going to college, I would get something you can really afford and won't have to stretch to pay insurance on. To pay insurance on an S2000, you are going to be spending MOST of your money on insurance, as you will only be able to get like $7 an hour (unless you dad hooks you up with a "job" hehe).
08-07-2004 | 08:47 PM
#17
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
From: Columbus
I agree with those that say to learn to drive on FWD. I'm almost 18 and have spent the last 2 yrs driving a POS Cavvy, and while that does suck, FWD has kept me alive more than once. Once you can become responsible and confident (though not over-confident) with FWD, graduate to something so wonderful as the S. I'm saving my a$$ off to buy one, and it's aggrivating to see those much more fortunate to myself, but there are those that have it much worse than I. If you can afford one and do get one, just don't take it for granted.
08-07-2004 | 09:57 PM
#18
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
hey thanks for all of your imput. maybe i should clarify this a bit. i'm not going to be paying for my car. my parents would have payed for it. i was just interested in the insurance price because i know it high but i'm not sure about the actual numbers. As for my first car I'm planning on keeping it for a while so my best bet is the front wheel drive Audi A4 1.8. It's not fast but it's not to slow and it looks decent. Besides if I get bored i can always chip it (neuspeed)
08-07-2004 | 10:39 PM
#19
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,403
Likes: 6
From: DFW, TX
you know...I actually disagree with things said about buying a FWD car first...
honestly, I would say that you should buy an underpowered RWD car as you first car if you are an enthusiast. If you know you will be buying RWD higher powered sports cars in your future. Then learn how to drive a slow RWD car first, because FWD is much different and the switch from Front to Rear causes a lot of S owners accidents.
I for one made my switch from FWD to RWD with the S...and I came from a 340hp FWD 99 Eclispe GST. I had gone to AutoX's with that...learned how to drive it...but hated FWD because of some RWD experience I got. I learn how much better it is for racing. So I got the S.
I would say...start with something like an older 240zx...or an older MR2. They are both RWD and not fast. FWD is good for people that don't care...if you actually plan to race in your life...why learn how to drive a FWD car...anybody can do it, not everybody can drive (I don't mean go and get your mom groceries, I mean flying through the twisties way faster than you should be) a RWD car.
anyway...I almost 19, and thats my .02
honestly, I would say that you should buy an underpowered RWD car as you first car if you are an enthusiast. If you know you will be buying RWD higher powered sports cars in your future. Then learn how to drive a slow RWD car first, because FWD is much different and the switch from Front to Rear causes a lot of S owners accidents.
I for one made my switch from FWD to RWD with the S...and I came from a 340hp FWD 99 Eclispe GST. I had gone to AutoX's with that...learned how to drive it...but hated FWD because of some RWD experience I got. I learn how much better it is for racing. So I got the S.
I would say...start with something like an older 240zx...or an older MR2. They are both RWD and not fast. FWD is good for people that don't care...if you actually plan to race in your life...why learn how to drive a FWD car...anybody can do it, not everybody can drive (I don't mean go and get your mom groceries, I mean flying through the twisties way faster than you should be) a RWD car.
anyway...I almost 19, and thats my .02
08-07-2004 | 10:55 PM
#20
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,645
Likes: 7
From: Los Angeles, CA
Originally Posted by Miike505,Aug 7 2004, 06:05 PM
I'm 16 and it's time for me to get a car. I'm thinking 01 S2000. I've been reading this forum for a while now and I've researched a lot about the S. Most of the info I found about the car was posted by older people. No offense but I want some opinions from people closer to my age. I've searched this forum for how much people pay for their insurance and all I've found where prices of people over 27 or prices that seemed to low to be true. I live in south florida so I know my insurance is going to be high because of that. Also, I'm going to be driving this car everyday. Mostly highway's and not to much traffic. I would like to hear about some thoughts or experiences from you guys about your cars. I would appreciate it a lot if I got some informative responses. I'm between choosing a used S2000 or leasing an A4 1.8. I know the A4 would be more practical but there's something pushing me towards the S2000. I'm looking for unbiased opinions but also I know this is an S2000 forum.