Maybe I'm getting a little ahead of myself
 

A 370z is definitely in my future but maybe getting one now is too soon. I can afford the monthly payments but I think I would feel better with a cheaper car right now.

What are some other cars in the ~16k range? I've always wanted a "roadster" type car. I looked at the AP2 S2000 and that seems perfect. Although it doesn't seem to be easy to find a stock.. in my opinion any mods on that car make it borderline ricer. Also prices vary quiet a lot.

Thoughts?
Maybe other cars you guys may suggest?

S2k, Miata, Used 300zx/350 -- maybe even a Solstice GXP.

You could rock a 350z for fairly cheap.

^ Yes, I agree. You can get a decent 350z for around 12k

chevy cruze

As you 370 owners already know, the sort of feeling of exclusivity is cool :)
That is kind of the reason I kind of want to stay away from the 350.

The S2000 are hard to come by here, so it will be cool. Also a convertible is a huge selling point in this beautiful weather :P

My brother owns a s2000 and its such an amazing car. I'd take s2000 over 350z.

:icon18:

You can get a good used BMW Z3 or Audi TT for that amount too.

S2k ftw

id get an s2k over a 350Z de, but not an HR Z

look on autotrader.com u can get a low mileage g35 for cheaper than a 350

300ZXtt best car I've ever owned. Buy that over a 370 and pocket $20,000 for the future.

live life
 

you said you can afford the monthly payments

done deal

start driving one

like the song says this isn't a dress rehearsal

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.

I have a 2005 S2000 and I'm getting my 2011 370Z on Monday. Can't comment much on the 370Z but the S2000 has been great. Mine is stock, never modified (owned it since new) and never had a single issue with it. Not the best daily driver that's where the 370Z will fit in. :ughdance:

I had a c5 coupe for three years. It was wayyy more comfortable but then again i am 6'5. i loved the feel of the v8 and it got better gas milage then the z. but i didnt like how old it was getting and how many were starting to appear on the road as the c6 sold more and more. had a ton of room in it tho both driving and storage. being a part of the vette family was amazing if thats your thing.

all that being said.. i didnt like daily driving it when i had to. i dont think its very practical as a dd but i know a lot of people will disagree.

i drove a s2k for 6 months and as much fun as it was.. if your over 6'2, look for a different car. just saying..

was wanted to add my 2 cents..

You made a lot of good points. The C5 is becoming "more pedestrian" and finding its way into highschool/freshman college kids hands more often.

However, the C5Z is the performance bargain of the century. Low 20's gets a nice one. High 20's, mint. The regular C5 is no slouch, running low 13's@105+ and pulling nearly 1G with good tires, brakes are good, and you're right, 30mpg on the highway is awesome for a 346ci V8.

Being a part of the 'vette community is nice. It's like an all-access discount card/source of inside info to all things relating to your car. Lots of cohesion to the community.

I plan on buying a C5 for my DD in a few years probably. I have been tempted to buy a clean C4 for a DD, but everyone has such bad things to say about those regarding durability, etc. and I love the LSX series like no other, so I will probably pass.

You can buy a brand new camaro for around 16K, or 20K for a V8.

Exclusivity comes at a premium price. Otherwise, everyone would have one.
Of course, you could just go to Canal St. and get a knockoff.

find a nice 350 or g35 with the HR motor and you will have something nice (and reliable) to play with/mod!

Why don't you like the s2k for dd?

Not really interested in modding just yet. Maybe exhaust to start. But I hear it's addicting :eekdance:

I'll have to talk to my bank and see. I was just declined for excessive delinquent credit history.. which has NEVER been the case.
Okay, maybe I did pay a $15 bill two days late...:wtf2:
Got my **** all worried after this one, though.

The c5 is a beautiful car and would be great if I didn't live in a shitty college town. Wouldn't be too practical.. although I live in a nicer area and work full time so I don't have to deal with a parking lot in which it's statistically proven that you are more likely to get an STD in this town than to find a parking space on campus on a weekday. :rofl2: