RSX Type S vs s2000?

SRTfourbanger · 03-19-2006, 03:31 PM

I have a friend who has a 2004 Cavalier he owes $4,300 on. He is looking to get a new car, loves convertibles but raves about efficiency, he is one of those types. He found a 2001 s2000 in Berlina black for $18,000 and he planned on taking his Cavalier, and the extra equity in the s2000 to pay off the cavalier and have one bigger payment, he would be financing $22,000 total I think not to mention he has $2,600 in savings. He is buying the vehicle in NH, we live in Maine so instead of the tax being included in the financing he has to pay up front when he registers it, draining a good $1,000 out of savings. The car has wheels he does'nt like, he hates black so plans on having them re-powder coated from black to silver, the CF hood it has is not properly painted and in the hood slots, the paint isn't there (cheaped out job), some little dumb tid bits with the car as well (red exhaust tips, red stickers etc). All in all he will be paying $422 per month netting $16,000 per year AND he is in college.

I told him the general "can I afford the car" rule of thumb was if the total cost of the car is more than 50% of your net per year it is too much. I told him he should go with an RSX Type S used, couple years newer for a similar price and he can drive it year round instead of owning 2 cars, he usually carries misc crap in his car and I told him he really doesn't have a grasp of how it sucks to have two seats and barely a trunk, not to mention ONLY being able to drive half the year... and that it's going to suck having a big payment when your car is parked and you drive the Cavalier. MY suggestion was to get an RSX Type S because he has the space, it's still nice... sure it doesn't handle RAZOR sharp as the s2000 but it handles very well AND with intake, header and exhaust it can run close in straight line... bottom line I think he would be JUST as happy with the RSX and he would owe $7000 less overall, AND have $2,600 still in savings.

Overall I don't think he has a grasp on convetibles in cold climate and how you can't even get close to full usage out of them, he'd be happier being able to afford a car he'd most likely love just as much, his defense was the RSX was kind of girly and driving an RSX in the winter would be bad for it (cold starts, salt, sand whatever) I told him a simple car was would do the trick and these cars are made well, unless you plan on owning it for 305049893 years rust won't be an issue unless your an idiot and wash it with salt water. He would have all that spare cash to do whatever with, a vacation, not pinching pennies. He has not driven either, I have and honestly I don't see justification for the extra loot he will have to pay JUST to have the s2000, he is not one to care about mods, power and I know he would think the RSX is amazing I mean shit hes comming from a cavalier.

What would you guys do in this situation, if you were him? RSX Type S or s2000...
please keep the forced induction or car potential out of the decision because he isn't going to mod anything but basic bolt ons and some cosmetics. Thanks

His payment with the Cavalier is $262 per month, to own the RSX it will be only $75 dollars more, and that is it... he will add a couple years to the loan but only $75 more he will pay.

Cavalier $262
RSX$290 somethin, plus insurance difference totals $75 more total vs. $293 more to own the s2000.

KCRSXTypeS · 03-19-2006, 05:24 PM

you are smarter than your friend...bottom line...

EP3Racer101 · 03-19-2006, 05:30 PM

mr2guysingh · 03-19-2006, 05:36 PM

Never buy a modded car

quiCk paW 07 · 03-19-2006, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCRSXTypeS

you are smarter than your friend...bottom line...

Might I ask how much money you Net per year and how much you pay for your car payment + insurance per Month?

KCRSXTypeS · 03-19-2006, 07:40 PM

Sure, I net about $30K a year, and pay $297 a month payment at 2.9% APR, and $109 full insurance...good enough for you?

quiCk paW 07 · 03-19-2006, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCRSXTypeS

Sure, I net about $30K a year, and pay $297 a month payment at 2.9% APR, and $109 full insurance...good enough for you?

Are you paying for rent/a house in addition to your $406 per month for your car.. if so, how much?

KCRSXTypeS · 03-20-2006, 05:28 PM

haha, yes, that is part of my net, I mean, if you subtract that car payment, insurance, and rent then I make substantially less...

I rent a brand new $180K house with 2 friends and pay $385 a month utilities included...

tsaiduk · 03-31-2006, 06:42 PM

s2000 pwns

03-19-2006, 03:31 PM	#1
SRTfourbanger Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 153 iTrader: (0)	RSX Type S vs s2000? I have a friend who has a 2004 Cavalier he owes $4,300 on. He is looking to get a new car, loves convertibles but raves about efficiency, he is one of those types. He found a 2001 s2000 in Berlina black for $18,000 and he planned on taking his Cavalier, and the extra equity in the s2000 to pay off the cavalier and have one bigger payment, he would be financing $22,000 total I think not to mention he has $2,600 in savings. He is buying the vehicle in NH, we live in Maine so instead of the tax being included in the financing he has to pay up front when he registers it, draining a good $1,000 out of savings. The car has wheels he does'nt like, he hates black so plans on having them re-powder coated from black to silver, the CF hood it has is not properly painted and in the hood slots, the paint isn't there (cheaped out job), some little dumb tid bits with the car as well (red exhaust tips, red stickers etc). All in all he will be paying $422 per month netting $16,000 per year AND he is in college. I told him the general "can I afford the car" rule of thumb was if the total cost of the car is more than 50% of your net per year it is too much. I told him he should go with an RSX Type S used, couple years newer for a similar price and he can drive it year round instead of owning 2 cars, he usually carries misc crap in his car and I told him he really doesn't have a grasp of how it sucks to have two seats and barely a trunk, not to mention ONLY being able to drive half the year... and that it's going to suck having a big payment when your car is parked and you drive the Cavalier. MY suggestion was to get an RSX Type S because he has the space, it's still nice... sure it doesn't handle RAZOR sharp as the s2000 but it handles very well AND with intake, header and exhaust it can run close in straight line... bottom line I think he would be JUST as happy with the RSX and he would owe $7000 less overall, AND have $2,600 still in savings. Overall I don't think he has a grasp on convetibles in cold climate and how you can't even get close to full usage out of them, he'd be happier being able to afford a car he'd most likely love just as much, his defense was the RSX was kind of girly and driving an RSX in the winter would be bad for it (cold starts, salt, sand whatever) I told him a simple car was would do the trick and these cars are made well, unless you plan on owning it for 305049893 years rust won't be an issue unless your an idiot and wash it with salt water. He would have all that spare cash to do whatever with, a vacation, not pinching pennies. He has not driven either, I have and honestly I don't see justification for the extra loot he will have to pay JUST to have the s2000, he is not one to care about mods, power and I know he would think the RSX is amazing I mean shit hes comming from a cavalier. What would you guys do in this situation, if you were him? RSX Type S or s2000... please keep the forced induction or car potential out of the decision because he isn't going to mod anything but basic bolt ons and some cosmetics. Thanks His payment with the Cavalier is $262 per month, to own the RSX it will be only $75 dollars more, and that is it... he will add a couple years to the loan but only $75 more he will pay. Cavalier $262 RSX$290 somethin, plus insurance difference totals $75 more total vs. $293 more to own the s2000. Last edited by SRTfourbanger; 03-19-2006 at 04:24 PM.

03-19-2006, 05:30 PM	#3
EP3Racer101 New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 12 iTrader: (0)

03-31-2006, 06:42 PM	#9
tsaiduk Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: rowland heights Posts: 273 iTrader: (4)	s2000 pwns