My grandfather passed away about a month ago, and apparently his wish was for me to have his 2005 Honda S2000 60k Miles. It's not in the will, but he told numerous people verbally that he wanted me to have the car... and it sounds like things are going to be worked out in order for it to happen.

Needless to say, I'm pretty excited about the whole thing. Right now I drive a 2004 Honda Civic EX and never really owned anything that could be considered a Sports car let alone a convertible. I don't think I'll be able to keep it long term unfortunately for a couple reasons... I'm currently renting and the money I'd get selling it could mean me being able to put a down payment on a house sooner than later. Also it's rear wheel drive, which would be probably be horrible during the winter months in PA.

I'd love to keep it, but given the reasons above it just doesn't seem practical. So what I'm thinking about doing is keeping it for a year, as a weekend driver. If I do, I want to maintain the resale value so I need to baby the hell out of this thing. It's a garage kept car and in excellent condition.

Just really looking for advice about the whole thing. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a complete newb... I'm 27 years old, a good driver, and know how to drive stick.

I do not have a garage so I should probably get a car cover, yes? Maybe I should consider a front end nose cover too? Anything I should know about the S2000? Things to watch out for or things to check out How much faster is the S2000 compared to a Civic SI or a 6 cylinder Accord? What can I look forward too? Where does this car accel?

 

Your gramps is shaking his fist right now at the thought of you selling it.

I think once you drive it you'll fall in love. Enjoy it like he did.

 

If you can't garage it be prepared for seat theft. The car is much to easy to get into and then they undo four bolts for each of the seats and are gone. Bad thing is they will have cut the top to get into the car so that will add more cost to the repair if the replacement cost of the seats don't already total the car. My advice if you don't plan on keeping it any ways and want the money sell it now. If you are going to keep it find/rent a garage that you can keep the car at since it won't be your daily. Once you decide on wether or not you are going to keep it let us know and if you keep it there are a few other things about the S that you need to know.

It is faster than an Civic SI and a 6cyl Accord, it rules in the turns doesn't like drag racing. If you keep it you can look forward to either loving the car the way it is and the long drives on the twisty roads. Or some become obsessed with power and the long road of dumping money into it begins, regardless your choice both paths are sources of joy for the respective owner.

 

Why not keep the civic and the S2000? The civic is practical. The S2000 is the best car ever made. Good mix, no?

 

drive it like you stole it

 

What do you think your grandad would have wanted?

Keep the car and enjoy it?

Sell it and use it as a deposit (big step up in life).

Both are pretty sensible, but it would be nice to try and do what he would have wanted.

I guess.

 

I am sort of sentimental so i would keep most likely keep it forever. I might be weird.

 

My thoughts exactly.

 

Not too worried about someone stealing the seats or anything. I live in a very yuppie suburb, there's really not any car theft where I live. But thanks for the heads up, I won't be going to Philadelphia with it for sure.

 

Thanks for the replies people. I guess the true test will be if I'm able to give it up after I drive it for the first time.

 

i'm weird too - you never get another chance at something like this..

 

Sell the car and buy a house. S2000 is nothing but a car. It will depreciate no matter what. A house is more important since you already have your "own" car to drive around.

 

keep it, give it to your grandson someday

 

man u lost the most important person to u but damn u gained a priceless possetion in both ways it being yur grandpapis and it being a s2000 goodluck bro with the decision

 

best of luck with the car bro, sorry for your loss but the car will always be a timely reminder

look after her

 

keep s2000, sell civic and buy beater. Use profit for down payment on house

 

I would never be able to sell that car.

 

took the words right out of my mouth...

 

Civic = beater?

 

OP, if he wanted you to have the car, do you think he cared about how much value it had or the maintenance costs associated with ownership, or practicality it had? I think not. He wanted to share the joy and exhilaration he got when he owned it. The joy and thrill that many of us S2000 owner's current and past enjoy(ed) and the experiences associated with these cars.

I would advise for you to keep the car until you're forced to part with it. If I was in your shoes, that would be the chassis I'd build/play with to its or my bitter end (whichever goes first).

I guess what I'm saying is that there is more to life than the mighty dollar. The sentimental value would be priceless to me, and the fact that it's a modern machine suitable for practical use makes it even better.

 

Yes. it always was, and always will be JUST a civic.

 

go dags.

 

sell said civic and get like a 95 civic beater... use left over money to put towards a down payment on the house...

 

As a fellow s2000 owner, the thought of you selling that car really breaks my heart.

The value of the s2000 is just about at rock bottom as far as resale value is concerned, but it will start to climb in value and really be worth something in the future if you kept it in great condition. It is a limited production, basically hand built in the same factory as the nsx, f1 inspired car developed by honda to celebrated 50 years of racing excellence.

My suggestion is to make a thread in the northeastern section of s2ki.com regarding your situation with your grandfathers car. I wouldn't doubt that some reputable s2ki member with a nice barn or several car garage offers to let you store it there during the winter months. Nobody in your family to help you out with that?

Hell, there are plenty of guys who nut it up and just drive an s2ki up there in your neck of the woods 12 months out of the year on some really good snow tires. Not my idea of a good time but if it comes to a worst case scenario, I see that as better than selling it.

Please drive the hell out of it through some twisty roads this spring and report back with your decision.

 

Keep the S