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Hey guys:
Although I've been a devoted Civic lover, and have put a great deal of time and money (~$4000) into my Civic, I have decided that since I am earning more than twice as much as I was a year ago, I want to move up to the $30,000-$35,000 sport sedan/coupe market. I've been looking at the following cars, and would really like your honest input/experience with the following vehicles, as well as any additional recommendations. I've narrowed down my options to the following (please, no BMW 3s- I'm not an 18-year old jewish girl from Long Island):

Honda S2000
Lexus Is300 ( they have it in 5-spd now )
Audi TT
Nissan 350Z ( if I wait until next year )

My timeframe for buying will probably be this summer, so you can probably cross the 350Z off the list... Also, I'm kinda pissed, because I financed my Civic over 5 years, and basically, all of the payments I made in the past 12 months have paid off just the interest: I still owe almost $17G- so, I'm bound to lose a few thousand dollars when I sell it this summer, but oh well. I need to drive something that has a LOT more power. Besides, "civic" doesn't exactly scream "this guy makes 60K a year." Help a brutha out. I know that for real POWER I should grab a cobra or camaro or something, but I'm not really digging the styling on either one.... something a little more luxurious. Any input is greatly appreciated.

Peace

-C

 
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S2000 all the way baby!!!

 
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My $.02.....

I wouldnt spend 35k on a car if i only make 60k a year.

If you pick any of those cars, pick the Lexus IS300. It looks great, and you can get a body kit and all the cool things you want...Theyre fast too.

S2000's kick as$ but theyre too small and such...

350z are nice, but they just arent the best car out there. If you want people to know you have money, buy a luxury car... Nissan is not luxury.

Audi TT's are the ugliest sports cars out there, i totally am against them...What a waste.

 
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I'm with AEMCivic...S2000 is the only thing you need on your mind right now!!! That is one helluva car!

 
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Honda s2000!!!!

 
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I dont know why you dont want a 3series.. lots of girls drive it in your area?

its an awesome car, IMO, heck lot better than IS300, (the 330 sedan or coupe)

here's my opinion on those cars:

S2000: Its a roadster, what can you say? its fast, its got handling, but you can only carry yourself, and one other passenger... so if you want utility, this might not be a good choice... I think its okay as a daily driver, but I'm not too sure dude...

IS300 definitely has more utility than the S2000. Being a sedan, you can actually take people around.. the new 5spd is good too, makes the car a lot more quicker... but IMO, for that price, you can get something better.

Audi TT? either the convertible or the hardtop one is awesome looking, but truthfully, this car isn't that quick... both the cars above and below will eat it, no problem. it styling is there though, but like the S2000, you wont be going on any field trips with buncha buddies...

350Z? I think its a 2 seater hatch. the power is there. I duno about its handling. since you want one this summer, and since the car hasn't come out yet, not much to say about it.

personally, I think you have A LOT MORE choices, looking at your income... look around some more dude... if you really dont think having a 2 seater is a big deal... then the s2000 is a awesome choice...

I duno, you said no 3series, which is what I would recommend to people.

in your choice though, its between the IS300 and the S2000.

go test drive 'em all!

 
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the Z's not out yet so there's bound to be probs, since they've already moved the release date back, not the s200 is nice, but small. You need to look at what you want your car for, passenge space, performance, etc. You might be interested in a rsx-s adding in mods which I would like or WRX???? there are a lot of cars out there for $30k so find the style of car you want ie sedan, coupe, convertable, etc then you're decision will be much easier. best of luck and tell us what ya get

 
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IS300 5 speed all the way!, i love that damn car. get it in silver or that new red color throw some 18" racing harts on it and you'll be set. Or if you wait till spring of 2003 you could get one of these. Like i want.

 
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S2000 or the IS300

 
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wrx or evo....both awd......the differentials on the evo are better in euro,...they don't know if they will be the same in the states though......[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/IMG][IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/IMG]

 
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Yes 2 the IS300!!

 
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id go with rsx-s with every option, lexus is300, or a bmw 330

 
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wait and get the z

 
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just get a used Audi S4 if youre in the IS300 range. **** to hell with all them other cars, Biturbo!

All you people saying S2k....sure its good for a weekend car, but daily driver....dont think so. Hope you love driving RWD in the rain unless you live in the desert, and you're only hauling around 1 person and her purse... I would say IS300 but for a few more g's or go used and you have a really nice Twin Turbo Sedan!

 
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I like the fact that the IS300 is able to carry more poeple around. Only thing is they are not worth the 30,000 but are a great car. The RSX-S is a great car as well but again your limited to the space. Might as well be a two seater, but the price is great for the power + mods. If I were you I would check the WRX out. Seems to give the power you want, or wait for the EVO VII Lancer to be introduced this comming up year and see what is offers. I believe it goes for about 30,000 if I read correctly. The choice is yours but I myself would limit to these cars. If you do not care about the space, the S2000 would be added to my list but again I want space if I am gonna pay over 23,000. Again just my opinion.

 
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i would actually suggest the audi A4 over the TT with the sport package. very very nice car for the money and you still get functionality out of it, unlike the TT. IMO, your choice is between the IS300 and the A4. personally i would go with the A4, and you can still have some fun with modding it.

 
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Wow. Thanks guys. I really didn't expect so many replies to this thread. I forgot to mention the Infiniti G35 in my list before, but it seems a lot of you are digging the IS300 and the s2000. Really, I'm a 22 year old single guy, not looking to settle down any time in the near future, so having a 2 seater really isn't a big pain in the *** for me. Better now than when I have a family and it becomes useless. If anyone else wants to jump on this thread with more advice, all input is appreciated. This is really cool that so many people replied.

Input on the G35?

Thanks again,

-C

 
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how about the Acura CL Type S... 6speed manual

 
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I test drove an Audi TT one time and I didn't like it at all. The turbo boost was cool, but the interior was so loud I could barely hold a conversation with my friend 2 feet away in the passenger seat. There was this loud roaring droning sound coming from the back - sounded like one of the Pod racers in Star Wars Episode I. You would have thought the Audi TT was a mid-engine vehicle or something with all that noise in the back.

 
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I say go test drive every car that catches your eye, u will end up with what u want, take your time and choose wisley

 
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man, i really love the is 300, i would nut over that thing. but to be honest, read as much as you can about all the cars. the only car i would probably stay away from in that list is the tt, that car is nasty jack. anyways, it's all about preference. do you want luxury? do you want performance? read car trend and motor trend for info on all those cars. honda, from what i heard will probably stop production on s2000 within the next year or so, which will probably make buying parts a little harder and expensive. definetly test drive though, and dawg the $hit out of those cars when you do. good luck.

 
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in my opinion i'd get the s2000, but if that roadster is not suitable for ur everyday driving, i'd suggest the G35 over the IS300 because the G35 is ALOT quicker and is also much more luxurious. to me the IS300 is overplayed and underpowered for its class. the styling of the G35 isn't too bad, but if u can wait i suggest the G35 Coupe, coming out in the fall i think, now thats a hot car. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG]

 
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Well I'm 22 years old and I own a 2001 Honda S2000. Best car I've owned. I can't say enough about it.

Basically you have to look at it this way.... the car is NOT practical for carrying stuff.... so don't expect to get more than 2 suitcases worth in the trunk... cuz you won't. If you are single, you only need room for one girl, not 3. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG] It's perfectly driveable as a daily driver, as mine is my only car. It is fine in the rain. At least as much as any other rear wheel drive car. In other words, don't floor it around corners in the rain... DUH. It is HORRIBLE in snow... so if it snows where you live, you need something else to drive during that time. (get a beater like I am going to do)

So that's pretty much it for the negative points. I'll tell you right now, you will not believe the attention you get in this car. It's almost impossible to drive around town with the top down and not get comments or get noticed. Especially if you live in an area where there really aren't any S2000's. You will get people of all ages 10-90 years old, gawking at your car.

It is incredibly fun to drive. Zip around town, barrel through curves, and just listen to the sound of 9000rpm as you fly by with the wind in your hair and some hottie next to you. hehe. Yup. It's damn worth it. Take one for a test drive, and you will probably put a deposit down right after!

 
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Honda S2000 - Closest you can get to a sportbike...9000rpm redline, anyone? I so want one but I am getting a bike first!
Lexus Is300 ( they have it in 5-spd now ) - Even though you don't like BMWs, the Lexus is still second best to the awesome 3-series...a 330ci coupe would be
Audi TT - This is a fine little roadster to be seen in, plus the attention to detail is impeccable...alas, it is no sports car...more of a topless cruiser.
Nissan 350Z ( if I wait until next year ) - Could be a great car...don't know enough about it yet and have yet to see one "in the flesh", as it were.

The G35 coupe looks awesome to me, plus has some real sports car pedigree, like the "midship-forward" mounting of the engine--just like the S2000--which gives it near-ideal balance. The interior lighting is the one thing I would change...its [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-puke.gif[/IMG]amber. I love the analog clock though.

Are you open to other types of cars? Do you prefer a certain size or configuration (2-dr, 4-dr, hatch, etc)?

 
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If your making 60K a year and can afford something in the range of $35,000. I would get a slighltly used M3.

Based on your choices, the S2000 hands down, but why not just a Z3? If your really concerned of the image portrayed by the car you have. BMW screams louder then a Honda.

The G35 is really nice, and with the coupe/manual coming out, that might be a no brainer in this price bracket.

Ray

 
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Yeah, but what BMW screams is not necessarily something positive in the eyes of the general public. Many people look at younger people driving BMW's as cocky or arrogant. Racial profiling yes.... but the reputation comes from somewhere. Besides, why get a car that costs TWICE what an S2000 does, and barely goes faster straightline but still loses in the curves (E46). And E36 or previous are slower too.

 
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<< Yeah, but what BMW screams is not necessarily something positive in the eyes of the general public. Many people look at younger people driving BMW's as cocky or arrogant. Racial profiling yes.... but the reputation comes from somewhere. Besides, why get a car that costs TWICE what an S2000 does, and barely goes faster straightline but still loses in the curves (E46). And E36 or previous are slower too. >>



I personally would rather own the S2000 over the Z3.

And to the general public, we are talking consensus, not people who are just into Imports and the like. BWM is definetly held in a higher regard then Honda.


The orginal poster stated :

"Besides, "civic" doesn't exactly scream "this guy makes 60K a year.""

then,

"Help a brutha out. I know that for real POWER I should grab a cobra or camaro or something, but I'm not really digging the styling on either one.... something a little more luxurious. Any input is greatly appreciated."

It sounds like someone who is concerned of what other people think and not fall into a certain category. Even with stating :

"please, no BMW 3s- I'm not an 18-year old jewish girl from Long Island)"

Ray

 
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Yeah I would go for S2000 or the IS300.
Just my $0.02

 
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well, a lot of you seem to like the IS300 and the s2000. I have already been in contact with a lexus dealer in the area, and plan on test driving the IS this weekend. I will try to test drive the s2000 as well, and maybe the A4 and WRX (even the 330 bimma!) just so I have more cars to compare the performance of each one against. Yeah, I do dig the G35, and it's cheaper and faster than the other cars mentioned before, however, the standard tranny isn't coming out until 2004 or 2005! Wow. I would get that in a heartbeat I think if it was available in 5-speed. Unfortunately, I have been spoiled by driving sticks, and I don't think I'll ever be able to be happy driving an automatic. My dad's A6 has that stupid tiptronic, eshift, whatever you want to call it gimmick, and it just is NOT the same at all.

When I get back from test driving, I'll post my experience with each car, and let you guys know what i loved/hated about each one.


I'm really impressed and appreciative of the way this thread turned out... You all really gave good, honest answers and have helped me a great deal. I'm so happy this didn't turn into a car-flaming thread, which I would have expected.

-C

 
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Doublins: Yeah, do post your impressions...I'm also curious to find out what you decide to get.

Edit: I am especially curious to find out if the G35 is indeed faster than a 330ci.