Guys...I have a problem

[Manbearpig]

WARNING: LONG CAR RELATED RANT BELOW. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED


Where to start...how about here...the STI is too god damn expensive to own. Period. Let me rephrase...I don't know if I can afford to keep this car where my life is headed.

I'm looking to get a place with the g/f soon. Like 3 months soon. I crunched some numbers and with monthly payments/insurance/gas/living expenses etc I don't think I can afford to keep my STI. I love this car...its what I always wanted but I really don't think I can make it work. Car related expenses alone (including gas) I'm spending close to 1k/month! Throw in some of the mods I've been buying and its out of control. :angry:

I've been debating a few other options...like selling it for something else. #1 priority though...I love cars and I love driving...I'm not getting some boring ass 40mpg slow ass econ car. Period. So I've been looking at used performance options and nothing out there is really giving me that feeling like I had when looking for an STI. So after reviewing a few cars I've narrowed it down to 1 really that I only see in my opinion as a feasible option to replacing the STI...

(drum roll)

Used S2000. Probably a 2006. Yes it has no torque. Yes all the youtube videos so how slow it is...but I don't care. It looks nice...reviewed exceptional online/mags and runs around a AutoX course faster then my modded STI. Just for fun I test drove on my lunch break today to see if I would even like it and I'm still not sold. It had NO gas so I didn't want to crazy vtec it and I was driving right about rush hour so cars everywhere. After throwing some quick numbers I'd reduce my monthly car expenses down by $300-400 which is a considerable amount.

But I have 2 big problems.
1) RWD + Chicago Winters. It scares me. Thats a light ass car.
2) Do I really want to drive a 2 seater around for the next few years?

So throw me some opinions. But I'm telling you right now...I'm not getting some boring ass car that gets good gas mileage. Don't even bring it up. I'm also not a 1/4 racer nor a street racer. I don't need a turbo'd zx2 or a cheap ass car with a crazy motor swap. I'm looking for the most enjoyment I can get out of DD a car with reliability.

[gold_member]

sell the STI and buy WRX and slap a bigger turbo on it

[joshalabama]

08 Si?

[zx2crazy]

maybe a mazdaspeed3? they're 20k around if you look hard.

[morningstar2101]

hrm, lets look at this. you really love the car and its everything youve wanted.... .. i say keep it. youre going to have 'monthly payments/insurance/gas/living expenses etc' no matter what you do. on top of that, sounds like youre going to be looking for another car that youll be making payments on. if it really is everything that youve been looking for in a car, then dont compromise yourself on it. there are all kinds of ways to cut down on living expenses, i would suggest looking into doing that before getting rid of a 'dream car'. also, laying off the mods for a few months wouldnt hurt either ;)

[zx2crazy]

i say get a zx2 and at least you'll save gas lol

[CraZx2ing]

^^ read like 2 sentences of the OP. lol

I had a 2001 S2k. It was the most fun car I've ever owned. 2 seats can be a good thing... if you go anywhere that requires more than 2 seats your ridin with someone else, keeping you gas and miles low lol. The only thing i hated about the car was the loose rear. In any sort of non dry conditions I would fishtail around corners. I had to take it crazy easy in the rain. I actually ended up spinning out during some evasive driving (avoiding rear ending a jack ass that cut me off with me doing 50+ mph) and totaled it hardcore (rearend of my car into a truck parked 4 lanes away...).

Modding the S sucked. There was really nothing you could do to it short of boost to make it any faster. I personally loved the fact that it was about as powerful as a civic ex just cruisen around, but then it was a beast when you down shifted and drove with some spirit. Mine was red, lowered on black rims, intake, titanium exhaust. Just a nice looking fun to drive car.

That all being said, I've driven my uncles '05 with some nice tires on it and it felt like a completely different car than the one I owned. It didn't feel all cheap and boy racer, it felt more refined.

I personally think the S is a great choice and can be had for dirt cheap. My uncles '05 bought 6 months ago with 10,000 miles on the clock was only $23,000. You will also greatly enjoy the looks you get because 8 years later no one still has any idea what you are driving. Top down is quick and simple, but the top is a cheap material and will go bad on you. (my top self destructed, and my uncles already has 2 small wear tears). I also live in FL so my top was up and down about 5 or 6 times a day.

Okay, that's all i have for you.

[MrWeeyums]

Figure out a way to budget around the STI. Its the car youve always wanted so keep it. You wont be happy dealing with an impractical 2 seater convertable that you cant drive in the winter anyway. Go easy with the right foot, stay out of boost, and youd have to do better gas mileage wise.
~Ryan

[zxtuner98]

But I have 2 big problems.
1) RWD + Chicago Winters. It scares me. Thats a light ass car.
2) Do I really want to drive a 2 seater around for the next few years?

1.) true. i see so many people driving rwd cars in winter tho. good set of winter tires and drive cautiously like you would in winter anyways. i guess you were probaly a bit more aggressive with the STi lol.

2.) sure. just you and the girl right? they have decent trunks for being a roadster. they have some balls, plus not that bad of mileage.

If the STi is something you always wanted, try and find a way to finance like weeyums said. You gotta do what ya gotta do tho...

sell the STI and buy WRX and slap a bigger turbo on it

doesnt that just defeat the purpose of what he wants? lol its gonna get very similar mileage. Subaru's are dawgs with gas. There's one in my driveway haha. You also get not so great of a tranny. Cant be worse than the zx2 tho.

[zx2loon]

Stop whinning and get another job to support your addiction or kick the g/f to the curb and continue life. :violin:

Hard to believe you, of all the people on this forum, are posting in the Dear Diary section. I thought you were tough?? A hard, complex manbearpig that doesn't take crap from anyone. Now here you are, whinning about how much your dream costs you and how you might have to loose the "dream".....

Come on, don't let us all down and loose your ride to the "I have a g/f and we are getting a house so I can't afford to have fun anymore." syndrome.


Next thing ya know, you'll be married. Gasp at the thought will ya??

:beer:

[Manbearpig]

Lots of answers here lol.

sell the STI and buy WRX and slap a bigger turbo on it

I had a WRX first...going down a 2nd time isn't even an option. There is no advantage in my mind to go back to a WRX.

08 Si?
Honesly...it seems very practical given my situation. Maybe a used one though. But for shits and giggles I drove one a few months back just to see why everyone was buying one and it was super meh. Really didn't excite me at all.

maybe a mazdaspeed3? they're 20k around if you look hard.
I really don't want a new car again. Maybe a used one but I'm still not sold on the 5 door thing.

i say get a zx2 and at least you'll save gas lol
I've heavily considered a ZX2 as a winter car....don't know if I could afford it though.

^^ read like 2 sentences of the OP. lol

I had a 2001 S2k. It was the most fun car I've ever owned. 2 seats can be a good thing... if you go anywhere that requires more than 2 seats your ridin with someone else, keeping you gas and miles low lol. The only thing i hated about the car was the loose rear. In any sort of non dry conditions I would fishtail around corners. I had to take it crazy easy in the rain. I actually ended up spinning out during some evasive driving (avoiding rear ending a jack ass that cut me off with me doing 50+ mph) and totaled it hardcore (rearend of my car into a truck parked 4 lanes away...).

Modding the S sucked. There was really nothing you could do to it short of boost to make it any faster. I personally loved the fact that it was about as powerful as a civic ex just cruisen around, but then it was a beast when you down shifted and drove with some spirit. Mine was red, lowered on black rims, intake, titanium exhaust. Just a nice looking fun to drive car.

That all being said, I've driven my uncles '05 with some nice tires on it and it felt like a completely different car than the one I owned. It didn't feel all cheap and boy racer, it felt more refined.

I personally think the S is a great choice and can be had for dirt cheap. My uncles '05 bought 6 months ago with 10,000 miles on the clock was only $23,000. You will also greatly enjoy the looks you get because 8 years later no one still has any idea what you are driving. Top down is quick and simple, but the top is a cheap material and will go bad on you. (my top self destructed, and my uncles already has 2 small wear tears). I also live in FL so my top was up and down about 5 or 6 times a day.

Okay, that's all i have for you.

Thanks. That gives me a good perspective from a former owner.

1.) true. i see so many people driving rwd cars in winter tho. good set of winter tires and drive cautiously like you would in winter anyways. i guess you were probaly a bit more aggressive with the STi lol.

2.) sure. just you and the girl right? they have decent trunks for being a roadster. they have some balls, plus not that bad of mileage.

If the STi is something you always wanted, try and find a way to finance like weeyums said. You gotta do what ya gotta do tho...


I know it can be done...but do I want to. I'm spoiled with the STI in the winter. It will be a harsh reality to learn.

I really don't want a truck. I'm just not a truck guy...sure some are fast but I'd rather have handling over speed any day. Plus the fast trucks are HORRIBLE on gas.

Stop whinning and get another job to support your addiction or kick the g/f to the curb and continue life. :violin:

Hard to believe you, of all the people on this forum, are posting in the Dear Diary section. I thought you were tough?? A hard, complex manbearpig that doesn't take crap from anyone. Now here you are, whinning about how much your dream costs you and how you might have to loose the "dream".....

Come on, don't let us all down and loose your ride to the "I have a g/f and we are getting a house so I can't afford to have fun anymore." syndrome.


Next thing ya know, you'll be married. Gasp at the thought will ya??

:beer:

Yeah I hear ya but what fun is life if I'm just throwing money at a car?

[CraZx2ing]

Lots of answers here lol.

I really don't want a truck. I'm just not a truck guy...sure some are fast but I'd rather have handling over speed any day. Plus the fast trucks are HORRIBLE on gas.



Trunk, not truck. He was saying the S has a big trunk for the size of the car. This is a very true statement. I was impressed with the cargo space i did have.

Come on, don't let us all down and loose your ride to the "I have a g/f and we are getting a house so I can't afford to have fun anymore." syndrome.

Next thing ya know, you'll be married. Gasp at the thought will ya??
When i first bought my house i was single had a subi, rubicon, and r6. After i got married sold my '00 Subi RS 2dr 5sd with 30k on the clock (for a profit :dance:), my hooked up R6, and parted out my zx2.

On the plus side since being married I've traveled halfway around the world (twice) to china, taiwan, japan, and vietnam, I get sex 3-6 times a week, have 3 home cooked meals a day (not crap from a box or can), soon to have a 2nd income, my house smells good and is getting thoughtfully upgraded, and i have about 100K in equity even in todays market. My wife also wants me to buy a new bike and a BMW 135i as soon as finances are straight.

Theres soooooooooo much more to life than blowing money on cars.
/soapbox

[zx2loon]

Lots of answers here lol.

Yeah I hear ya but what fun is life if I'm just throwing money at a car?


Ok...this is the time for a dumbass come back......you ready??

What fun is life, if your just throwing money at a girl??

(Or a house, or drugs, or sack shaving supplies, whatever)

You liked that one didn't you??


It's called, a budget and time. (You know this admit it) You have all the time in the world (many years to come) to upgrade the Suby. Take your time, get moved into a house, get a budget going, get used to not having much money, and finally, start throwing your money back at your car (or other hobbies) No need to spell it out for you. Maybe you just need a swift kick in the ass for making this post in the first place. (But you know this already right?)

Our little manbearpig is growing up and having to make grown up decisions. That's why we love him sooooooo much! :rofl:

You know I'm right. You also knew deep down that there is absoutly no way your gona get rid of the Suby just because you don't "really" have the money to mod it anymore, since your wanting to settle down and possibly start a family and all. You've said it yourself before on the old site......"If ya don't have the money to mod your car, maybe you should stop modding it."

Just an ignorant persons perspective.....
















Theres soooooooooo much more to life than blowing money on cars.
/soapbox

Yeah right. You obviously aren't part of the FnF world are you?? Good god your such a looser!! :flipa:

Jk.....:rocknana:

[scort2498]

a used m3.

[SeRiousZX2]

Look at a Mazda Miata. Its a fun little car.

You could also look in the new Lancer. The 09s come with a 2.4 170 hp motor. If you have to have the AWD the new RA will be released soon with a price tag at $24K.

[SoCalZX2]

If you want to keep the STI, how long have you had it? How much do you owe on it? Could you refi it down to a lower more feasable payment to make it more affordable?

If not, I don't know what to say... the cars that compare to the STI in performance and fun are the same price used if not more... Although you could get a several years used BMW or audi of similar performance. You'll still lose the AWD though.

[scort2498]

not with an audi. iirc

[zxtuner98]

mazdaspeed 6. turbo awd. i dont know how they finance tho. 20k + range. Mileage depending.

[JonsZX2SR]

Keep the STi, skip the mods, economize on other stuff, limit your driving and learn to take public transportation for local trips where you don't need the STi.

Start using a bicycle for local trips as well. If nothing else your conditioning will improve.

This probably isn't what you want to hear, but it will allow you to keep the STi for limited use and it will avoid the expensive exchange of selling the STi for less than it is worth and going through the trouble of getting another car, then starting the modification cycle again.

[scort2498]

u live in the city right? to be honest if i lived in the city i dont know that i would even own a car.

[Larka]

A performance RWD car sucks in the snow.

You're moving in with your girlfriend- is there marriage/kids in the near future? As in- would it be a smart long term goal to get rid of a 4 door for a 2 door/2 seater?

Does the girlfriend have a car? If so- if her car is practical, then maybe you guys can compromise so that you can still have a performance car.

[powder]

Option 1. Refi. for a lower rate and more years. If you love the car THAT much, you'll pay on it for longer. lol

Option 2. Trade it in on a blob STI.

Option 2 is what i'd go for in your position. Can't go wrong w/ the blob.

[ImCrazy]

Get a used civic Si, still sporty good on gas and can be had for about 17k used with less than 20k miles on it, I love the '08 lx we have, check out www.8thcivic.com, ive seen posts from guys who went from sti or wrx to SI and they love the Si now.

forget the s2k in chicago man it would be aweful in the snow plus no trunk space sucks ass.

[Escort Pimp]

Being the new owner of a roadster, you do not want one for a DD. At all. It seriously took me a few minutes to figure out where to put my hat when I had a passenger with me. I had to arrange 2 cases of pop and 2 boxes of cereal just right to close the trunk.

I would have already killed myself if I didn't have my Audi for dd duties.

[SoCalZX2]

Option 1. Refi. for a lower rate and more years. If you love the car THAT much, you'll pay on it for longer. lol

Option 2. Trade it in on a blob STI.

Option 2 is what i'd go for in your position. Can't go wrong w/ the blob.

Only problem with option 2 is if he's really upside down in the STI, then he might not gain a lot of ground when they roll the negative equity into his new car payment.

[powder]

True. That would be the case for me.

[Manbearpig]

Many more answers. :shrug:

a used m3.
No BMW's...I don't have tons of money for upkeep or way expensive parts.

Look at a Mazda Miata. Its a fun little car.

You could also look in the new Lancer. The 09s come with a 2.4 170 hp motor. If you have to have the AWD the new RA will be released soon with a price tag at $24K.

I'm actually considering a Mazdaspeed Miata. My dad just picked one up last month...I may head on home soon to drive it a bit. They can be had for considerably cheaper then S2k's.

I'd also rather not have another new car. They depreciate way to much.

If you want to keep the STI, how long have you had it? How much do you owe on it? Could you refi it down to a lower more feasable payment to make it more affordable?

If not, I don't know what to say... the cars that compare to the STI in performance and fun are the same price used if not more... Although you could get a several years used BMW or audi of similar performance. You'll still lose the AWD though.

I've had the STI for about 1 1/2 years. I'm at almost the bottom of the barrel for APR rates. I don't think I can refi it for less then 4.9% right now. Right now I'd be out about 2-3 grand on any trade in with the STI.

I know I won't be in a car with the same all around performance then the STI. The speed was nice but it still handles like a sedan. I'd happily trade the turbo power for small car handling.

not with an audi. iirc
Again no german cars. Not made of money. :smile:

mazdaspeed 6. turbo awd. i dont know how they finance tho. 20k + range. Mileage depending.

Nice car but again the styling doesn't do it for me. It comes across as a much older persons car.

Keep the STi, skip the mods, economize on other stuff, limit your driving and learn to take public transportation for local trips where you don't need the STi.

Start using a bicycle for local trips as well. If nothing else your conditioning will improve.

This probably isn't what you want to hear, but it will allow you to keep the STi for limited use and it will avoid the expensive exchange of selling the STi for less than it is worth and going through the trouble of getting another car, then starting the modification cycle again.

Alot of you are getting the wrong idea. My car isn't very modded. I just recently spent a good chunk of change on the suspension. I don't plan on doing any more mods even if I end up keeping her. She is quite nice where she is at.
I wish I could take the bus/train to work....that would be nice.

I know getting another car is a very vicious cycle in my position.

u live in the city right? to be honest if i lived in the city i dont know that i would even own a car.

I'm in Chicago and I have to have one. I work about 30-45 in the burbs. I can take a train but my one way trip would be about 2 hours with all the transfers. I just switched jobs and I love the company and the commute isn't so bad.

A performance RWD car sucks in the snow.

You're moving in with your girlfriend- is there marriage/kids in the near future? As in- would it be a smart long term goal to get rid of a 4 door for a 2 door/2 seater?

Does the girlfriend have a car? If so- if her car is practical, then maybe you guys can compromise so that you can still have a performance car.

My g/f and I have been together for 6 years so yes marriage is defiantly in the future. Kids...we both agree NO time soon. I thought about the only 2 seater aspect but by the time we are ready for any type of family she will have a car by then.

Option 1. Refi. for a lower rate and more years. If you love the car THAT much, you'll pay on it for longer. lol

Option 2. Trade it in on a blob STI.

Option 2 is what i'd go for in your position. Can't go wrong w/ the blob.

Again, I can't refi for any cheaper then I am now. I checked.

I could trade down to an 05 STI...its an option to consider.

Get a used civic Si, still sporty good on gas and can be had for about 17k used with less than 20k miles on it, I love the '08 lx we have, check out www.8thcivic.com, ive seen posts from guys who went from sti or wrx to SI and they love the Si now.

forget the s2k in chicago man it would be aweful in the snow plus no trunk space sucks ass.

Si is an option like I mentioned above. No new one though...have to be used. I'll check them out at work tomorrow. :smile:

Being the new owner of a roadster, you do not want one for a DD. At all. It seriously took me a few minutes to figure out where to put my hat when I had a passenger with me. I had to arrange 2 cases of pop and 2 boxes of cereal just right to close the trunk.

I would have already killed myself if I didn't have my Audi for dd duties.

Your cars trunk is unbearibly small though...you have enough trunk for a few 2 liters at most. In the S2ks defense it does have a good sized trunk for groceries and crap.


More thinking to do guys. Thanks for all the non-asshat comments. I knew we had many good guys on here who have productive comments.

Lauren and I are going to check out some S2k's this weekend and maybe that MS Miata. I'll keep you guys posted.

[scort2498]

yea man i used to live in the city ad then in the burbs up there... to bad u like the company.
I would have found a job in the city. but thats just me.

sounds to me like going down a year would be ur best option.Also u could still use all the mods that u bought and not lose any money there.

[autox_zx2]

Get a miata so that NEXT summer we can autocross in the same class. :p
By summer of '09 i hope to buy a newer miata. ive driven a couple of miatas and i love them. no power, but theyre really fun to drive. The only thing that makes me not want to get one is that they are the apitomy of a "chick" car.....About the s2k, they are really really fun to drive and pretty quick, but you need to rev the shit out of it to feel any power. If i had the dough i would look at a s2k over the miata though....

[Escort Pimp]

Your cars trunk is unbearibly small though...you have enough trunk for a few 2 liters at most. In the S2ks defense it does have a good sized trunk for groceries and crap.

Yeah I know the S2K trunk is bigger but its still a two seater and I don't know how someone could deal with one for a DD. But maybe you don't carry more than one passenger or need to carry a bunch of shit around. Just something to think about, good luck.

[Manbearpig]

Ok well I'm back after about a full day or driving and car lookin. No, I am not driving something new today. 8)

I drove a 04 Mazdaspeed Miata and 2 S2K's.

Impressions:

MS Miata - My dad has one that I drove quickly before the dealer. Drives like a little go kart on the street. LOUD turbo above 4k rpm's and doesn't exactly pull like crazy but it gets going. Trans felt great so did the handling. Price was about right where I would be in a comfortable place. I liked it a lot...besides it being so small of a car. My dad told me any time I want to stop by home I can drive his more...I may take him up on that.

S2000 - I drove an 03 and an 04. I found a stretch of road to bring her up to redline and let me tell you that thing screams like hell at 8.5k rpm. :cyclops:
The only ones affordable to me didn't stand out. Either cosmetic problems or wear items that needed to be replaced. After running the numbers quickly the S2000 isn't really in my price range...and I would need a winter beater...add those together and I'm in a worse financial spot then I am with my STI. So no S2000 for me. Fun little car but not at this point. Frankly I expected the car to really stand out...and performace wise it really didn't. I LOVE the looks but I really wasn't impressed like I was shopping for the Subaru.

Right now I going to stick with the STI. It's the smartest financial decision but I will need to make a real budget and stick to it. It's going to be a bit tight but we both thing it can work.

One thing Lauren and I agree on are the coil overs need to go. They suck in the city....bad. I'm looking into a set of mid lowering springs/stock struts. Maybe camber plates/stiffer strut tops. We will see. This will be the last mod The STI gets in a while so I better make it count.

Well this ends this discussion. I appreciate all your opinions and advice!

[morningstar2101]

Right now I going to stick with the STI. It's the smartest financial decision but I will need to make a real budget and stick to it. It's going to be a bit tight but we both thing it can work.


fact. glad to see that this is what you guys decided