I'm in a good financial position after a lot of hard work. I've got my CL-P and I love it but lately my eye has been wandering. I have two ideas. One of which is trading in my CL for a new TL Type-S, 6MT of course. Or keeping my CL and buying a used S2000 on the side. On the one hand I love my CL and I'm already used to it. The speed factor is what leaves me wanting tho. Which I'm the sure the S2000 can alleviate. But then the TL Type-S is kinda an all around good car. Fast, luxurious, nice, aggressive stance. Any suggestions? And no, I'm not a daddy's boy. I'm just good at making money. I pay for all my things, including my car :-)

 

Wait until the new TL's come out or get the S2k. The S2k is by no means a speed demon, but its certainly not slow and it is an incredibly fun car to drive. But since you seem happy with your CL, I would recommend you sit tight for a year and see what develops.

 

S2000 for sure

 

I would go for the new S2000 CR. That car is awesome!!!!

 

Hmm good point about sitting tight. And I'd love to have the S2000 but the CR is outta my range dude! haha i really want to make a decision that i won't regret a few years from now. I know i should be patient but at the same time what if i find some very good deals right now and later on when i do decide it's too late? i think i think too much...

 

I would stay away from the 4th generation (on it's 1st year at least). Let them work out all the bugs and fixes before you go out and buy it.

Since I have a 2004 TL (oldest year for the 3rd gen, with some recalls), there were very little problems with my car in particular.

I'd save your money.

 

Get a 2004 model year S2K, they can be found for around $20,000

 

Yep and use the extra cash to do track days!

 

True. What do you think is a fair amount of mileage on an 04 or older model for around that price? I see a few for about 13k but they're salvaged :-\

 

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...eadExists=true

What do you guys think? I'd totally drive to Utah just to pick it up...:-D

 

Ap1 S2000 ftw!

 

i say s2k, at least when I was 18, I probably could've used an s2k as a daily driver. Course at 18, I probably would've crashed it too . I had a few too many accidents a few years ago. My friend just picked up a 2005 red/black one like you listed, and is using it as his daily.

i guess if at 18 and youre making good money, you're not planning on going to college.

 

No, I am. I'm finishing up my Associates in Psychology in the spring then transferring to CSULA for my Bachelors, then finish off my Masters in a few years. I'm just really focused on getting as much shit done as I can right now that I'm young so that later on I can slow down the tempo.

But anyhow, like I said, I want to make a smart decision so that later on I won't regret it. The S2000 wouldn't be my daily driver. I'd probably have it in my friends shop half the time. And it does have a classic body style, so it'll probably always look that damn good. On the other hand, the TL-S has some damn nice technology and luxury going on, plus the speed and appearance. If I knew what I wanted for sure I wouldn't be on here, but I really want to hear some expert opinions and since a lot of you guys on here have lots of car wisdom I thought it'd be a damn good place to start!

 

Save your money bro.

 

think of it like this...why do you need two coupes?

Sit tight and see what happen in the next year. If you have the money let it gather interest over that time.

 

V6 over a screaming 4 anytime anywhere.

 

2004 S2000

or

2000-2003 S2000 plus @ $2000 for driving school.

 

I mean no offense by this, but you are twice the OP'ers age, what you could not live with he may welcome.

 

s2000 you won't regret it!

 

Those cars are in two wildly diferent functional catagories.

I'd figure out which one meets your needs/desires regards daily or "average" use and then buy that.

For example:

If you just want to go blasing through the country side with one other person - s2k.

If you need a baller to go out clubbing with a few friends - TL-S

 

Keep CL (hope no tranny issues though) & get s2k... comfortable DD + FUN car = winning combo >> 1 fast DD

Which year(s) s2k would you be looking at? I picked up my 05 about 4 months ago

 

Does it get really cold in the winter time in Pasadena? I would say, scrap both ideas and get a nice RWD. If you really want a convertible, maybe get a new 350Z Roadster?

If my suggestion stinks, then I say stick with your CL and get the S2000. It'll be nice to switch from car to car...

 

Dont forget about the insurance on 2 cars instead of one...

 

save the money...

 

No need for two cars or a brand new TL-S... Invest the money and put it towards a home after gaining a few years' interest.

 

s2000 is not a "NICE RWD"?

350Z roaster is

 

Not a Z roadster, but i'd deff the coupe over an S2k. I'm sure they can be found in that price range as well...

 

with gas prices reaching $4.. S2k>350Z... 26mpg..

 

TL-S
speed, looks and room.

s2k is .....

 

Talk about polar opposites. RWD 2-seat hardcore roadster or a refined, FWD sport sedan. Buy whatever suits your needs first, and your wants second. I don't have any kids and don't want people to ask me for rides everywhere, and I love revving to 9000 so I would go with the S2000. S2000s get good gas mileage even when driven hard.... TLs on the other hand, in general... not really.

Can't go wrong with either car. Also, props on being independent and getting a car (or cars) on your own.

 

Thanks bro. Good advice too.

And thanks to all you guys who have posted advice. I fear most of you are right. It would be a more sensible decision to save the money, as somebody said, for a house, or whatever future expenses may come. But dammit I want a fast car! And hell, my girlfriend and mom and sister and brother and etc. haven't been much for the getting another car idea either, and even tho it's my money I know I should listen to advice. I'd love to be rolling in an S2000 tho. Never know. Might give myself an extra nice Christmas present this year.

 

Its great that you're mature enough to take advice and buy a car by yourself. Great knowing that there are people out there our age who can take care of their things. I don't know if your credit is that great or if its too new, but you may need to cosign, but you can still pay for it all yourself. Shop around for a good loan... I got a loan for 60 months with a 6.94% interest rate, my Fico score was 730-something, only had credit history for a little over a year and a half, which is pretty good, most people should agree. First credit union flat out denied me, second one which is what I went with preapproved me for the above terms.

Best question that someone (my 33-y.o. brother who has 2 mortgages) asked me was: whats wrong with your current car? That should be the determining factor really. You should never sell your car because you want a faster or nicer one, but its okay if thats what you're looking for once you sell your current one.

My reasons were good enough to convince myself (its my/your car after all). It had horrible paint, I ruined it by trying to fix it myself with the advice of inexperienced friends, tooling around in the mountains, etc. and I couldn't get girls in it.... actually, I never tried because it was so embarrassing.

Like you said it is your money. Just make sure you figure out EVERYTHING before you do it. Gas, insurance (full coverage, since its new), etc. and make sure you have money left over afterwards for worst-case scenarios. I had $1000 left over, which wasn't enough still but it is good in case I ever screw up somehow. I think its too early to be worried about getting a house... moving out, maybe. I don't plan on getting a house until I'm at least 25, but I do plan on working towards one from now until then.

Whatever you decide, good luck. If you get a car, make sure you start a thread and post pics.

 

I guess I should say that I usually go mostly by looks, but the 350ZR is pushing 280+!

Don't get me wrong, the S2000 is a very nice car, I just think the looks is getting old...

 

tl-s is the way to go. trade in the old cl and have one, daily driver thats fun to haul around. with two cars, you have more maintenance costs, not to mention higher insurance rates from owning an s2000

 

350ZR looks ok with top down.... it is one of the ugliest convertible out there with top UP

 

If you want speed and luxury, get the 335i.

 

used s2000. keep the CL. enjoy both rides...

 

Two cars is definitely fun. Just remember: You can only drive one car at a time... You're young, really young. 18 and doing all that, kudos to you. Either way, good luck with your decision, if you want a new car, get a new car... If I were you, I'd sleep on it for a week or two. Having large amounts of money at 18 is awesome - in fact, if I were you test drive every damn possible car you can think of, that way you're 100% sure what you want. Just don't do anything hasty, ultimately it is your decision... we're all here to offer advice, just listen to those close to you and listen to what you really want.

Good luck!

 

s2000 fo sho

 

The S2000 is not a fast car.... Its a fun car, but not a fast one. I really want one as a second car, but my turbo PT would whoop all over it in a straight line.

Save the cash for forced induction and savings.