Just bought a 2nd car, need some advice.

[LiQiCE]

So I payed off my car, and I got a new job making more money ... So I decided in the past few weeks I wanted to get a weekend car. The car needed to have a few things. First, it needed to be a 6speed, because I really need to learn how to drive one. Second, it needed to be a fun car, because after all its a weekend car ... RWD was a plus.

So I ended up buying this today on eBay:

2nd Car

I hope I don't regret my purchase. Its not like I just did it totally w/o any research, but I haven't done a ton of homework on the car. I've just read tons of positive reviews on the car, and decided I wanted one.

It has some minor mods, some stereo upgrades: Focal speakers, JL 300/2 AMP, And some minor car upgrades: Slotted rotors, ceramic pads, painted calipers with S2000 logo, Eibach springs (1" lower) and a Viper car alarm. Is the sound system good or not? I'm not really into car stereo upgrades so I have no clue if what the original owner added is good or not. Doesn't sound too bad though, 150 watts per channel on the speakers I guess? It won't shake the ground, but it probably will sound good in the car.

Any advice from people who have bought cars before on eBay? Its going to be shipping from Michigan to Northern Virginia, probably on an enclosed truck. The seller wants me to do a bank transfer of the money from my credit union to his account .. Is this bad? Should I use a cashier's check instead? I've never bought a car from a private party before, and certainly not online before! Any help would be appreciated.

 

[OMG1Penguin]

I am not sure about the legality of payments, etc... but Focal makes high end speakers, in my opinion, definately top 3 that I have heard. JL makes very nice sub equipment too (woofers and amps), so you should be squared away there.

 

[Turkish]

did you ever drive one? s2k is pretty tight inside, i hope you're not over 6 foot.

 

[LiQiCE]

Originally posted by: OMG1Penguin
I am not sure about the legality of payments, etc... but Focal makes high end speakers, in my opinion, definately top 3 that I have heard. JL makes very nice sub equipment too (woofers and amps), so you should be squared away there.

Cool, thanks for the info. I'm glad to hear that it should sound nice

Originally posted by: XietyCOM did you ever drive one? s2k is pretty tight inside, i hope you're not over 6 foot.

No, I've never driven one because I can't really drive a manual, and nobody really wants me driving their car and messing it up. I've rode as the passenger in one before though and that convinced me to get one. I'm short, so height is not an issue at all.

 

[homestarmy]

Very nice choice! What year is it? I hope its the original more pure model.

 

[homestarmy]

Originally posted by: XietyCOM
did you ever drive one? s2k is pretty tight inside, i hope you're not over 6 foot.

Untrue, I am 6 foot and I've driven one, loved it.

Also, I concur, JL makes great amps and Focal is quite high end stuff.

 

[homestarmy]

BTW, how much did you pay? What year and miles etc? Link to ended auction?

 

[LiQiCE]

Originally posted by: homestarmy
Very nice choice! What year is it? I hope its the original more pure model.

No, I decided on the 2004 model since there were so many changes made to it ... I really wanted the 9000rpm redline model, but I read a lot of positives about the additional things added to the 2004 model, like the LED tails, the extra torque, and things as simple as the 2nd cup holder.

 

[homestarmy]

For most, the newer is better, but for balls to the wall performance, the older one wins. Better gearing, smaller tires mean even tighter gearing on top of the tranny, the higher redline etc, I was suprised how much slower the 1/4 times are on the new one.

But I am glad for the new one bc it will prob make the older ones' value go down so I can eventually get a 2000 or 2001 model...

 

[LiQiCE]

Originally posted by: homestarmy
For most, the newer is better, but for balls to the wall performance, the older one wins. Better gearing, smaller tires mean even tighter gearing on top of the tranny, the higher redline etc, I was suprised how much slower the 1/4 times are on the new one.

But I am glad for the new one bc it will prob make the older ones' value go down so I can eventually get a 2000 or 2001 model...

I heard the 2004's 1/4 mile times were pretty much the same as the 2000-2003 models? Thats what I read at least. I know in the magazines, the 0-60 times are about the same even with an extra shift needed into 3rd gear.

I would also stay away from the 2000-2001 models because of the plastic rear windshield. They say it warps very quickly and distorts your view like crazy.

 

[sniperruff]

let me get this straight...

1) you bought a car off ebay, you have never driven in it... have no idea what's the condition of the car is in... except that it's silver and has some mod's to it
2) you don't know the history of the vechicle either.
3) you have never driven a S2000, let alone that particular one, and of course, you don't know how to drive a stick...

and you are paying a lot of money for the car mentioned above? best of luck to you and i'd suggest taking out a stick shift chevy aveo for a test drive just so you won't smoke the clutch on the new S2000...

 

[LiQiCE]

Originally posted by: sniperruff
let me get this straight...

1) you bought a car off ebay, you have never driven in it... have no idea what's the condition of the car is in... except that it's silver and has some mod's to it
2) you don't know the history of the vechicle either.
3) you have never driven a S2000, let alone that particular one, and of course, you don't know how to drive a stick...

and you are paying a lot of money for the car mentioned above? best of luck to you and i'd suggest taking out a stick shift chevy aveo for a test drive just so you won't smoke the clutch on the new S2000...

Well, I'm not 100% sure on the condition of the car, but its advertised as being in perfect condition and it only has 1500 miles on it. So I'm guessing it can't be too bad. eBay has insurance in the event that you buy a car that arrives in a different condition than what was advertised.

I know the history of the vehicle based off of CarFax which is clean. It has had 1 owner and was purchased in December.

I've driven stick before, I'm just not good at driving one. I have a bunch of friends who do drive stick and who have offered to help teach me how to drive.

 

[thomsbrain]

well if the cars in good condition, i think you will love it. that's my dream car.

 

[homestarmy]

You will love this car. Unless you get it and its been run over by a monster truck, its worth it!

Awesome price for an equally awesome car!!

oh yeah check out http://s2ki.com/ !!!! very good s2000 site!! ask your question there... then update us here as to what they think or link us!

 

[isekii]

dude, just fly out to Virgiina or wherever the car is and drive it back. It shouldn't take you more than 1 day.
Fly out early in the morning, and you should be back later that night.
Also.. you get the assurance of not getting scammed out.
Have Cashiers check ready or you can have the electronic transfer ready and drop a call to complete the transaction with a phone call to your bank.

 

[m2kewl]

nice car!! :thumbsup:

i see these all over Long Island in the upper middle class neighborhoods...you won't regret the purchase

 

[isekii]

I want one.. but not until I get out of NJ and into Midwest.

 

[NickelTitanium]

Get a Hummer

 

[HappyPuppy]

Originally posted by: NickelTitanium
Get a Hummer

Which kind?

 

[Imyourzero]

nvm

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: Imyourzero
S2000 = overhyped and overrated

But at least it's RWD and handles well.

Name another car that's better in it's price range.

 

[jurzdevil]

6 speed and rwd...i was hoping for this in the link :frown:

 

[Imyourzero]

Originally posted by: isekii

Originally posted by: Imyourzero
S2000 = overhyped and overrated

But at least it's RWD and handles well.

Name another car that's better in it's price range.

Well, it depends on what you mean by "better." Faster? Handles better? Isn't a chick car?

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: isekii

Originally posted by: Imyourzero
S2000 = overhyped and overrated

But at least it's RWD and handles well.

Name another car that's better in it's price range.

Crossfire. (Although, there is no convertible in the 2004 line up, but there is in the 2005).

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: Imyourzero

Originally posted by: isekii

Originally posted by: Imyourzero
S2000 = overhyped and overrated

But at least it's RWD and handles well.

Name another car that's better in it's price range.

Well, it depends on what you mean by "better." Faster? Handles better? Isn't a chick car?

S2k is hardly a chicks car.
More like a chick magnet.