For 16K, you can buy a very nice late model Miata. There are many well cared for Miatas to be found and they really last forever. I bought mine new in 1996 and wouldn't part with it when I bought my 370Z. While it's obviously no where near as powerful as the Z and is a much different kind of car, it has a more comfortable ride, is less noisy and visibility is better. In 15 years, I've had absolutely no trouble with mine and I suggest it is a perfect "first sports car" for a young person. Very affordable to own and very enjoyable to drive.

Miatas also have indestructible doors :tup:

I would probably say get a 300zx TT if not an s2k. I was surprised whence found out how much a stock 300zx TT was putting to the wheels when I heard about JeffBlue getting one. He has a build thread in here somewhere if you can find it.

I say drop $10k on a nice TT 300zx. You will not be dissatisfied. It's faster than a 350, looks great, and is fairly uncommon. Also you can get one with T-tops which are legit.

S2k

See if you can find a low mileage last gen MR2 spyder. Awesomely balanced little cars and Toyota reliablity. Definitely not all that common either.

Or, wait a year, and see about the new FT-86 coming out. More money, tho'.

If now isn't the right time for a 370 I'm not sure a TT 300zx is the best option. Maintenance is a PITA on them and good luck finding an affordable one that doesn't already have issues you would want fixed right away IMO.

buy a car that you can afford to mod. that's the fun part about cars haha

A '67 VW Beetle complete with surf rack, little chrome headlight "eyelids" and a fresh copy of Hot VW's magazine :D

I love my Z but in all honesty, if Honda still produced the S2k and I could pick one up today NEW from the factory I would get it in a heartbeat. Give me an AP1 engine but with the glass rear window from the AP2 model and I will happy.

I drove one a couple years back but it would have been financially irresponsible for me to get one being fresh out of college w/ loans to pay off etc. The S2k may not have the power of the Z but it is the quintessential roadster/sports car made in the last decade IMHO. Nothing like ringing out a car for every ounce of power while the revs climb to 9k rpm. :driving:

The problem is the financial institutions are stingy and say I have insufficient credit for a loan like that. What bull.

Best advice in the thread! :stirthepot:

That's pretty much what I'm afraid of. Not sure I would want an older with 50k+ on it.

Why is there such a fluctuation of prices on the s2k? And the is there any variation in the 2004-2009 models?


By the way thanks very much for everyone's participation :)

Regarding your S2k questions:

1999 - 2003 -> AP1 S2000's
These had 2.0L engines that revved to the sky. The rear window on this model was plastic and tended to fade/cloud over time. General consensus is this first generation was more raw and harder to drive than the second gen models.

2004-2009 -> AP2 S2000's
The displacement was upped from 2.0L to 2.2L. Power remained the same but the torque was increased. Redline was lowered. Suspension was tweaked and was more livable/easier to drive. AP2's also had minor cosmetic mods/different/larger wheels. Rear window was changed to glass also.

I'm pretty sure I'm missing some other things too so others feel free to chime in. :hello:

:iagree:

I just don't fit in the damn car! :mad:

Technically, the s2k was only sold as a 2000 model on. The plastic rear window was only on the 00's, and some 01's. 02-03 had a glass window. General gist is the same, but 06 adds traction control, and suspension tweaks came pretty randomly (02 got a changes, as did 05 and 06).

S2000 or c5 Corvette. The c5 performs nearly identical to a 370z, albeit with not as nice interior. The s2k is a very well made car and fills its performance niche like nothing else.

Find a new institution. I financed my new 'vette with nothing but 2 paid off one thousand dollar loans, a 8 month old credit card, and a 2.5 year old line of credit in my history. Granted, I was low 700s, but that is seriously limited and low limit history. All they wanted was 10% down. Just look around someone will finance you unless you have seriously messed up along the way. I went through 1 bank and 2 CUs before I got financed. Work at it.