Honda Car Forum

"Where does it say a sports car has to include suffering". What did
they mean by that, I don't get it. They are either saying that the
S2000 is a comfy car for a sports car or they are saying that the S2000
is very uncomfortable.

One journalist said the S2000 was a noisy ride and that two passengers
would have to yell to hear each other. She said her ears were buzzing
after a drive and that it took a short time for her hearing to return
to normal. Either she has some very sensitive ears, or the car is in
fact a very noisy ride.

What else have you looked at? What about a used Porche Boxer?



East-

Good point...I thought it meant it beat you up until I re-read the
following additional comment in the magazine: "Communicates every nuance
(slight variation) of the road without beating you up." So it's a good
comment! My first and last German car was a VW Bug. Was stationed in
Germany where BMW's and Mercedes were as commmon as Fords and Chevies used
to be over here. While new they are great....but when they get age on
them, watch your wallet. I'm not at all qualified to make any comments
about Porsche....except they are way above my paygrade.

<eastwardbound2003@yahoo.com> wrote
> I need help with deciding if I can afford this car or not.

> I want an
> S2000 plus 2 motorcycles. Right now I already have a car
> that I am
> borrowing.
>
> Here's my financial situation.
>
> US Air Force service-member. I get paid somewhere over
> $1,500 monthly.
> Rent, Food, Health, Dental, and Retirement, are already
> included. So
> the monthly checks aren't needed for the bare essentials,
> I can use it
> as I wish.
>
> The S2000 is a $34,000 car new. For that price its still
> a bargain
> considering that the car is a rocket and that only 5,000
> are sold in
> the states annually.

No, someone earning what you do cannot afford this car.

If you want advice on what's the cheapest extravagance you
can buy, that's different.

But don't frame it as though buying this car makes good
personal budgeting sense. It doesn't.

If you truly want financial planning advice, post your
question at misc.invest.financial-plan . Be prepared for
boring, non-sexy questions about what you want in the future
and how important your long-term financial peace of mind is
to you.

Elle, how can you say that? Say my disposable income is $1,600
monthly. (goes up with promotions) If the car payments are $600 a
month and the insurance is $100 a month than I still have $900 for
gasoline, clothes, and entertainment. If in the off chance I get
deployed it can be $500 more meaning $2,100 a month. Plus deployed
members do not have the chance to shop and spend their money. So I'll
have that much more money to save up. Possibly used to help pay off
the car loan that much faster.

In any case I went ahead and inquired with misc.invest.financial-plan
about my situation. I still need to give USAA a call, to see how they
might be able to help me with the loans and car insurance they offer to
the armed forces.


East-

<eastwardbound2003@yahoo.com> wrote
> Elle, how can you say that? Say my disposable income is
> $1,600
> monthly. (goes up with promotions) If the car payments
> are $600 a
> month and the insurance is $100 a month than I still have
> $900 for
> gasoline, clothes, and entertainment.

Airman eastward,

How long will you be in the Air Force? What are your plans
after the Air Force? College? Do you want a house someday?
Do you plan to get married? Have kids? When to you plan to
retire? How much education do you have right now?

How much do houses, retirement, and supporting a wife and
kids cost? And one more caveat: Don't marry a woman who
doesn't know how to budget! She must know the value of a
dollar! And watch out for women looking to trap men into
marriage. That could be a more stupendous a mistake as this
fancy car you've got your heart set on.

You want this fancy car, fine. Save for it over a few years.
Do not take a loan. On a car, interest is money thrown away.

Again, if you just want advice on getting a good deal on an
expensive toy, fine. But cars are a horrible investment (but
great hobby if you like engine etc. repairs). Somewhere down
the line you might wish you had this $25k or so you want to
throw at this car for something that goes to basic needs.

> If in the off chance I get
> deployed it can be $500 more meaning $2,100 a month. Plus
> deployed
> members do not have the chance to shop and spend their
> money. So I'll
> have that much more money to save up. Possibly used to
> help pay off
> the car loan that much faster.
>
> In any case I went ahead and inquired with
> misc.invest.financial-plan
> about my situation. I still need to give USAA a call, to
> see how they
> might be able to help me with the loans and car insurance
> they offer to
> the armed forces.

I'm confident USAA will be the best deal in town for
insurance, with the caveat that, the sportier, the car, the
higher the insurance premiums will be. You can go to their
web site and get info. A few years ago they permitted
enlisted personnel to become members...

You're a good man to go ask at misc.invest.financial-plan.
Keeping an open mind to other points of view on this subject
shows brains.

I'm not saying you "can't" have it. I'm saying plan your
future. This is one big chunk of change you're going to
spend, and invested for several years, it could be much
bigger and be a sweet down payment on a house. (Meanwhile
you get your motorbikes for toys?)

Stay away from any sharks giving any indications of wanting
a piece of soldier boys' and girls' money. You call USAA and
compare what they offer (be it their credit card, investing,
insurance, banking, or other services) first. They're a
pretty reputable company on all fronts.

eastwardbound2003@yahoo.com Wrote:
> Can the Si go 0 to 60 in 5.8 seconds? Can it clear the quarter mile in
> 14.2 seconds? Does the Si have a power to weigh ratio of 12lbs/hp or
> better? Rear wheel drive? If the Si can do all of that, then I would
> consider it.

an SI can't but there are many cars that can for a lot cheaper. if
you're heart-set on honda i would at least look at getting a used one.
maybe get an 03 or 04 with 15 or 20k miles,, and save your self like
$10,000. since new cars lose their value pretty much as soon as you
drive it off the lot,, my personal preference would be to never buy a
brand new car. just muh :2cents:


--
98BlackTransAm
------------------------------------------------------------------------
98BlackTransAm's Profile: http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...?userid=447219
View this thread: http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=546094

http://www.automotiveforums.com

<<<<How long will you be in the Air Force? >>>>


I just started. 6 to 8 years. Possibly a lot more.


<<<<What are your plans
after the Air Force? College?>>>>


The Montgomery GI Bill. I will be going to college, payed for by the
gov'ment. Registered nursing major.


<<<<Do you want a house someday? >>>>


I don't even have to really think about it. The answer is no. I don't
want the responsibility. I can't stand gardening and I hate to clean.
I'm more of a smaller condo/townhouse type person. I'll be away from
home most of the time (seeing Europe, Africa, Austrailia etc.) And
Condos are very easy to secure. Just Lock up and leave.

I grew up in Los Angeles. The city where many people spend more time
inside their cars getting form point A to point B rather than in their
homes. Having a nicer car than a better house means a lot to someone
like me. And I do go cruising around town and in the countryside a
lot. It's like a hobby for me.



<<<<Do you plan to get married? Have kids?>>>>


That's another big no. I don't ever want to marry or have kids. That
would prevent me from doing what I love most. Stuff like leaving town
on a moments notice. Touring the far corners of the world. Etc.



<<<< When to you plan to
retire? How much education do you have right now? >>>>


I have "Some College" under the belt right now. I do not know when I
plan to retire. I will know once I get there.


<<<<How much do houses, retirement, and supporting a wife and
kids cost? >>>>


I won't have to worry about housing prices too much. Condos are usualy
fairly enexpensive unless they are located in highly desirable
locations. But lets say I get a Condo in Hartford Connecticuit. That
city is really cheap right now because the economy isn't doing so good
and hasn't been for decades now. It would make more sense to buy a
home in places like that verses say Manhattan Island, or downtown
Boston or some place.


Thank you for your insight.


East-

<eastwardbound2003@yahoo.com> wrote
> <<<<How long will you be in the Air Force? >>>>
>
>
> I just started. 6 to 8 years. Possibly a lot more.
>
>
> <<<<What are your plans
> after the Air Force? College?>>>>
>
>
> The Montgomery GI Bill. I will be going to college, payed
> for by the
> gov'ment. Registered nursing major.

The gov pays it all? I thought it was only some. I trust you
will double check or already know for sure what the deal is.

Nursing, cool. Good money. Rewarding job (well, compared to
most other jobs out there).

Are you doing this while in the Air Force? Even better.

> <<<<Do you want a house someday? >>>>
>
>
> I don't even have to really think about it. The answer is
> no. I don't
> want the responsibility. I can't stand gardening and I
> hate to clean.
> I'm more of a smaller condo/townhouse type person.

Perfect. Fact is, houses can be a very poor investment,
given the cost of maintenance and property taxes. People
should only buy a house (or condo) if they want more peace
and quiet, and control over decorating, and are willing to
pay for those benefits. Then they should buy as little house
as possible, like, you bet, a condo. You're thinking
intelligently, FWIW.

> I'll be away from
> home most of the time (seeing Europe, Africa, Austrailia
> etc.) And
> Condos are very easy to secure. Just Lock up and leave.
>
> I grew up in Los Angeles. The city where many people
> spend more time
> inside their cars getting form point A to point B rather
> than in their
> homes. Having a nicer car than a better house means a lot
> to someone
> like me. And I do go cruising around town and in the
> countryside a
> lot. It's like a hobby for me.

True. I can understand this. Cars are fun; cars are cool.
Life is to enjoy, and one should not be too cheap about it.

> <<<<Do you plan to get married? Have kids?>>>>
>
>
> That's another big no. I don't ever want to marry or have
> kids. That
> would prevent me from doing what I love most. Stuff like
> leaving town
> on a moments notice. Touring the far corners of the
> world. Etc.

God women must be a letdown these days! I can sure attest to
too many unhappy marriages and can understand why people
stay single.

All other comments noted. I see some good posts on going for
less expensive but as sporty cars. If you weigh it all and
still want this particular "fun" in your life, and
understand the tradeoffs, then FWIW it's not at all
necessarily a waste of money. It would be far worse to throw
your money away on wine and cheap women (sic).

<<<<All other comments noted. I see some good posts on going for
less expensive but as sporty cars. If you weigh it all and
still want this particular "fun" in your life, and
understand the tradeoffs, then FWIW it's not at all
necessarily a waste of money. >>>>
>>>>



What cars do you speak of that offer the same sportiness for less
money? And yes the GI Bill pays for a part of it.

Maybe your mean the Honda Si. Honestly I would buy the Si's
competition which is the VW GTI. Based on looks, handling, and the
powertrain.

The Mazda RX8 is still up there in price only not as much. The Mazda
with it's rotary engine seems to be a gas guzzler. The Ford Mustang GT
soft top is less expensive but not by a substantial amount.

Honestly though I can live without the Honda for now. I can get the
sport bike that I want first. The bike offers plenty of performance,
the car I have now would be more of a rain coat. As for other high
performance cars out there. I wonder if there is anyone in this
newsgroup that has some experience modifying certain cars making them
lightning fast.

In the end though it is obvioius that the automakers are making out
with tons of money. Since they charge far more than how much it
actually costs to make such a car.

I will carefully consider everything before making any purchasing
decisions. I wan't to consult with a personal financial adviser first.


East-

<<<<an SI can't but there are many cars that can for a lot cheaper. if

you're heart-set on honda i would at least look at getting a used one.
maybe get an 03 or 04 with 15 or 20k miles,, and save your self like
$10,000. since new cars lose their value pretty much as soon as you
drive it off the lot,, my personal preference would be to never buy a
brand new car. just muh :2cents:
--
98BlackTransAm >>>>

>>>>



What are the cars that are cheap high performers that you would
recomend? What's a car that gives the most Horsepower for the money
that you would suggest? Maybe something that has tons of aftermarket
parts to make their engines lightning fast. Rear wheel drive
preferable.

The Subaru Imprezza comes to mind. Only I would miss the soft top.


East-