Sp00led Ya

I will have a good amount of money after my deployment. I am thinking about picking one of three cars. Either an EVO (most likely a 2003 or 2004) an s2000 (most likely an AP1 which is 00-03) or an Corvette (FRC or zO6). I am going to be living in the north east however. Here is how I broke it down...

EVO

I would have a car that can do it all, be stupid fast if I want it to be, already handles very well, usable power in all weather, space and all for about $20,000-22,000. I would only have to have one car which is nice too because insuring two can be a pain, as well as maintaining two.

s2000

These cars have great fit and finish, you can drive the snot out of them and they remain rock solid for 150k+ with only regular maintenance, it's attractive... very fun to drive and a convertible with very few rattles. The car can actually be driven in the winter with the right tires no problem. I can get one for $15-17,000 with low miles and good condition. I am reluctant because the car isn't VERY fast... 14.0 stock and bolt ons don't really do crap for it. Still a lot of car for not a lot of money though.

C5 FRC or C5Z

Very fast, sound great, I hear they are reliable but still rattly and what not... dated interior. The biggest suck part is that people insist that if a zO6 is $20-24,000 it is probably a ragged on POS. Not to mention there is NO way in hell I could drive it in the snow no matter WHAT freakin tires it has. It'd be nice to find a Z for $20-24,000 but I just don't think so without high high mileage or a beaten one = no thanks.


What would you all do...

Option A:

Buy the EVO, have a do all performer and only ONE car to maintain and insure for $20-22,000

Option B:

Buy the s2000, appreciate the car for what it is and get good tires and swing it in the winter too... for $15-17,000

Option C:

HOPE to find a good condition, low mileage FRC or zO6 and have a bad *** car but spend a whopping $23-24,000 AND have to have a winter car... and deal with two insurances when the Vette is probably the most expensive of the bunch

I live in New England

RE AND CHERYL

iTrader: (31)

There is no replacement for a V8. I consitter my SS and these cars toys and as such for me they are an extra vehicle. If you have to have only one car though, given your list I would go with a Evo or a WRX STI.

Re'

Red99TA

iTrader: (11)

I understand that the S2000 doesn't have sh_t for torque (what is it like 150 ft-lbs or something crappy like that) so I guess you could drive it in the winter but it's still RWD. I would say financially to go with the Evo just because as you know it costs a bit more to have a summer car sitting in your garage while you pay insurance on 2 cars. You can mod the hell out of those things too and make sick power but at the end of the day you're driving a mitsubishi...not my cup of tea but to each their own.

bgblockelcamino

iTrader: (9)

the s2000 will not go int he winter. i have a few customers with them and they did not make it anywhere. i would say teh vette is prob better in the winter tham S2K just for weight over rear wheel

but best bet is prob the EVO but i cannot justify spending money on a DSM that is just gonna break more in the long run.

CySevans

I would never own either an Evo or a S2000. But, to each his own. I do own a Honda Accord, but for my fun factor it has to be American muscle. And if you can drive an S2000 in the snow, you can certainly drive the Vette. It's no different from other rear wheel cars. Front wheel or all wheel is the best of course. The Vette has traction control and active handling to help with the rough spots. Just take it easy.

Benner

iTrader: (2)

Whoever says that a c5 z06 for $20 to $24,000 is either high mileage or Ragged is crazy. Dublin dealerships sell C5 Z06's all the time for around those prices that are low mileage and in great condition

LS1LT1

iTrader: (16)

You can drive a Corvette in the winter just as easily (if not easier) as you can drive an S2000 in the winter.
I've driven Camaro Z28s and Mustang V8s through some REALLY bad NJ winters on real snow tires and NEVER had an issue and a Corvette C5 is even better balanced than those cars.
Good/dedicated snow tires (not merely 'all season' tires) and a full tank of fuel are key.
Even an AWD car such as an Evo isn't going too far in deep snow/ice on those virtually slick 'dry weather only' tires that they come with.

~JOSHUA

iTrader: (92)

S2000 cars are like Miatas.... gay.

Evo?

I've never heard of a C5 rattling... (by the way, I bought my Zo6 over a year ago with 40k miles and perfect in every way for $25k. You can get them for a little less now...


Please make up your mind, the threads are getting annoying, because mainly I think you'll buy rice anyway, even though they are really an inferior car compared to even a ragged out Corvette. So all this time spent is for nothing anyway.

LS1C5Vette

iTrader: (11)

Evo's can be made VERY fast but dont expect to hit low 11's - high 10's without a stroker kit, forged motor and bigger turbo ($9-10,000 parts AND labor). You can get a C5Z into the 10's (all motor) for about $6,000 IF you do all the work yourself (heads, cam, Intake, full exhaust, etc, etc). An evo or S2k will never handle like a Vette. Skip the S2k they are dirt slow.

Hennytime

iTrader: (33)

look on corvetteforum.com they have great deals on very well cared for c5's. i like the evos but they cost a **** ton to mod properly and from what ive read have issues with clutches and trans once you get up in power.

c5+aps tt=awesometown

dailydriver

WRONG!! (bold in above quote)
You will still need to have at least one other set of snow/winter wheels/tires (as others have mentioned) as even AWD is useless in the cold/winter on pure semi-slick summer only tires.
Just ask all of the ricer punks who've balled them up into expensive accordians thinking the AWD would 'save' them on those stock tires in winter conditions/on ice/etc.
And even with them you would still have to turn down the boost, or use a different tune (if you plan on building one of the sick power ones) for bad winter conditions.
Not much different than driving a bolt on C5 Z06 on 4 real good snow tires with care, except that it is a lower car overall (but then so is your other Japanese RWD choice).
I seriously doubt you will raise your Evo up higher (IF you even get height adjustable coilovers for it) for snow/winter use either.

ProjecT 9

iTrader: (6)

I'd get the vette, then buy a $1-3k beater. Just my opinion.

Besides my insurance dropped when I got my vette. Went from 555 for 6 months when I had my SS to 336 or something close to that.

LS1LT1

iTrader: (16)

That's true and raises a good point as well...most new Corvette owners are often older and treat their cars more delicately (on average) than younger owners of less expensive cars.
And of course just the sheer nature of the car being nearly $50k when new usually means new owners aren't looking to destroy it.

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

Move, then buy a Corvette.

MadIceV8

iTrader: (12)

You can get a great condition C5 for $20k or less. I know guys that drive these in Canada year round with a good set of all season tires. Have a set of snow tires and you'll be good.

Ragtop 99

iTrader: (7)

It sounds like your budget is tight. If you are willing to drive the S2000 in the snow then buy it and use the difference to start saving for a house. In a few years when you're on better financial footing, buy a C6 vette.

SERB Z06

iTrader: (6)

My good friend hit high 10's with just a Buschur racing 35r kit, cams, and a street tune he did himself. He also hit mid 11's on the stock turbo with a mail in flash.

As for what car to get, I would vote for the Evo simply for it's AWD winter abilities.

The S2000 and Z06 have the same weight distribution so they should be the same in the winter. Between the two performance wise the Z06 will hand the S2K its *** on the drag strip, road course, and to the gas pump.

Evo is the best all around car here hands down. Its weak points are that it's an econobox 4 door and they look arguably gay. Chicks do not dig Evo's at all.

FourG63 97GST

iTrader: (1)

Being a Mitsu guy, owning a Vette, and driving couple S2000s.
I'll have to go with the S2000, all because from my experience you don't want a Toy/daily driver. though possible it almost never works out as planned. EVos and Vettes are so easy to mod and make stupid fast and start breaking stuff.
The S2000 would be the better adult decision according to your circumstances. Though no 12second car, Its fun, reliable, handles great, great motor.

Sp00led Ya

I beg to differ on the "an s2000 and EVO will never out handle a vette" comment.

raisuli81

iTrader: (2)

It really depends on what you like the best. IMHO, don't pick one because you think it do good in the winter. Buy the one you like, and get a cheap beater for the winter.