Hey, I am 19 and in college with a an 04 wrx, when your 19 you don't want a little 2 seater like an s2k. Now that I have had the wrx for a year now, its a great car. The only problem I have had are (1) got keyed on a door by a bitter ******* and (2) Tranny takes awhile to get used too. I wouldn't reccomened parking in a college lot with any of the cars your are thinking of buying (if your go to school). People WILL mess with your new car. I don't even have my car at college, till next year when i have a safe place off campus to park.

Oh and one more thing I had my door fixed for cheap by getting a replacement door off a totaled STi that at the time was driven by an 18 year old. I try to keep that (why/how do I have a new door) in the back of my head to keep me from doing something stupid in my car now. Theres no need to rush into throwing your money into a new car to make it faster. You may be responsible but why do you need to make more power? Good luck with what ever you decide.

-Scott

 

I was reading this thread all the way until I saw the part where YOU LIVE IN MAINE!!!!!!! In all honesty and without a touch of bias, get the WRX. Power wise, yes, the SRT is the best bang for the buck. I absolutely love the s2k and almost got it instead of the STi. I love hondas and had a pretty nice Prelude. If you are going to college you DO NOT WANT A TWO DOOR. First and foremost you are going to be meeting tons of friends who will be from all over the country and without a doubt you will have to drive them around. I fit 7 people in my Prelude at a party at FSU and almost smacked myself in the face. You can not value a quick 4 door enough in college, especially one with the potential of a WRX. GET THE SUBARU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I agree, get the subie. Not only is the WRX an excellent platform to mod from; the convienence factor of having enough space to carry your stuff is worth it, especially in college where you spend half your life moving things and people around. Besides this, the four wheel drive is a must for snow and ice conditions on the East Coast. The WRX is a great compromise as it's a decently fast stock car that also looks good, rather than spending a bit less and getting a car that unfortunately looks like a Dodge Neon with a pig snout, or a hot, spendy two seater that you can't fit anything into.

 

seems like an interesting choice of 3 cars to look at. Of course an S2K has more eye appeal, it's a drop top roadster vs two 4 door sedans. I know you mentioned picking up a winter beater for snow, but consider that those cars are really only fun when you can drop the top, which, in New England, is not that often, since once it gets REALLY hot, you probably will tend towards A/C. I drove an S2000 for a while, with the top up, S2K has poor visibility, and is loud and cramped. It only performs well when pushed very hard because the redline is so high. Not to mention that you'd best buy a hitch and a trailer if you want to go to the grocery store, because you're sure as heck not going to fit anything more than a loaf of bread and a quart of milk in the trunk.

If you're seriously thinking roadster, keep your Explorer, and I would encourage you to seriously consider spending 10K or so on a late 90's miata or eclipse GS-T, or something that would be easy to tune, fun to drive, and not too expensive.

Relying on an S2000 and a junker in this climate will have you cranking down (yes cranking) the window of your 86 Accord a lot more often than you like just to catch a glimse of your beautiful S2000 parked in the driveway.

 

hmm.. not sure if your still lookin as you haven't been here for awhile... but after researching for a WRX and an s2000, dont think mods will be that much cheaper for an s2k. they're not. pricewise for car AND mods would be the SRT hands down... parts for the wrx and s2k are not cheap in any way.. not sure how you got that idea.

 

Go w/ the S2K. It's your car so get one that you want.

 

If you do get an S2K make it an all engine monster. TODA or JUN cams, King Motorsports head, valves, etc.... NA S2Ks are da shiet.

 

two words...TEST DRIVE

I almost bought a V6 Accord (nice family car) but chose a WRX Wagon after test driving it.

One thing people never mention is how pleasant a WRX is as commuter car. At 80mph, its as nice as my wife's RX300. Really.

If you don't have lots of cash, get a japanese car. You'll save plenty of cash on repairs as well as overall longevity of the car.

Dude, you live in Maine. AWD = no brainer.

Anyhow, good luck on your search/decision.