What sports car to get for my budget..

skim · 11-06-2009, 12:29 PM

i drive an e90 m3 and even though it's the best car i've owned to date, i realized i'm a small 2seater sports car person.
so the hunt is on for another car =)

budget is around 30k and i'm thinking the following from VERY short list actually. i want to pull the trigger in a month or 2 or early next yr depending on how upcoming holidays go.

1. s2000 (mid10 to low 20k): used to own it and the only car i regret selling. best bang for the buck and low maintenance but since i already owned it, it doesn't have that "new" feeling..
2. 993 C2 (high 20 to mid 30k): my favorite p-car design to date save for 997 GT3. but it's a 12yr car now and not sure if maintenance is something i can live with but god i love the design and the sound of air cooled engine
3. 996tt (low to high 40k <- real budget cutoff): not the prettiest porsche but it's a legendary turbo and for this i can spend more than allocated budget if this car makes sense.. started doing some research on it and it sounds pretty exciting..

so if you guys are in my situation or playing with someone's money for a 2 seater sports car (i consider p-car 2+2 seating to be 2seater

), what would you do... i really can't make up my mind..
thanks for your input really

aut0sh0cker · 11-06-2009, 12:36 PM

If you want a car that you can go mod-crazy on, the 996TT is my choice. Some of the TT's on 6 speed are pushing incredible numbers on a comparatively low budget.

And have you ever sat in the back of a P-car? It is a 2 seater. Those things in the back are just for show really...

ACZakka325i · 11-06-2009, 04:48 PM

Of that list, I would def say 996tt. But, I think a nice one will at least be in the mid 50k range.

Year's_End · 11-06-2009, 04:58 PM

S2000. I'm not for the 996TT for the same reason that ACZakka just posted. Try looking at the facelifted Miata. I've heard good things about it.

justice · 11-06-2009, 05:14 PM

How about a vette, viper, sl, c4s, espirit, elise... it really depends on what your using it for.. the porsche it probably the best all around bet for daily/track driving.

imom · 11-06-2009, 11:40 PM

Cayman S or Z4M are the only two cars I consider buying under $100K for 2 seater...since both are well under $40K used. I say those two...add supercharger or turbo and it's a fun drive all the time.

graider · 11-07-2009, 01:13 AM

s2000. cheap to buy and cheap maintenance. save the rest of your money, there are more important priority in life.

Inspired · 11-07-2009, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imom

Cayman S or Z4M are the only two cars I consider buying under $100K for 2 seater...since both are well under $40K used. I say those two...add supercharger or turbo and it's a fun drive all the time.

what about z06?

If you put a turbo or supercharger on any car, it will be fun regardless..

BillLee · 11-07-2009, 02:17 AM

lotus

Amir87 · 11-07-2009, 03:36 AM

Test drive the new 370z, you WILL be impressed.

ACZakka325i · 11-08-2009, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amir87

Test drive the new 370z, you WILL be impressed.

Yea, but I feel like this car just looks like its trying too hard.

11Past9 · 11-08-2009, 11:16 AM

You are ignoring very special cars:

This one especially: C5 zO6... can be had 01-04 ($19,000-$24,000)

1993-1998 MKIV Toyota Supra Turbo... ($17-30,000)

One of if not the most reliable sports car ever built, I in fact know 2 that are pushing over 700whp on single turbo set ups with 200,000 miles on them and stock block, transmission and more. The car pulled more than a 0.93g in stock form and the world record for stock block WHP was 938whp on one of these, an amazing car that you'd be foolish to ignore. You can pick up one for between $17-30,000 in very good shape and probably pushing 500+ whp on a single turbo set up. The build quality of these cars is great regardless of age and mileage. Mileage doesn't matter with these cars, they hold up so well.

Nawaaz · 11-08-2009, 11:52 AM

Get a new 370Z, or a new S2000.

They're both around the $30k mark, and plus they'd be brand new.

ZJP · 11-08-2009, 12:46 PM

996TT

richardg · 11-08-2009, 12:53 PM

NSX. No comparison

11Past9 · 11-08-2009, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nawaaz

Get a new 370Z, or a new S2000.

They're both around the $30k mark, and plus they'd be brand new.

Quote:

Originally Posted by richardg

NSX. No comparison

So what they'd be brand new... spend $30,000 on a brand new s2000 when you can get one 4 years old that does the exact same thing, has the exact same gear, has the exact same reliability for $18,000? Do you LIKE losing money?

NSX? No Comparison? I hope you know what an NSX for $30,000 is going to be a 18-19 year old car with almost 100,000 miles on it and still slow...

Schumacher · 11-08-2009, 05:44 PM

^^They bleed Honda Racing Red. Only a few people could probably understand it.

b0bab0i · 11-08-2009, 06:53 PM

NSX like above.

Lotus Elise (around low 30's used)

Rx7 (around 15k)

Rx7 with LS1 motor ( around 30k)

b0bab0i · 11-08-2009, 07:06 PM

miata

lopealle · 11-08-2009, 07:33 PM

definitely go for the supra or mustang cobra

11Past9 · 11-08-2009, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benmoooon

NSX like above.

Lotus Elise (around low 30's used)

Rx7 (around 15k)

Rx7 with LS1 motor ( around 30k)

Lotus Elise (around low 30's used) WRONG... more like mid to low $20's now and they are harshly unfriendly to the daily driver. A great track car but they don't even have carpet...

Rx7 (around 15k) FD RX-7 is a great car but expect to put in $3-5,000 per year in regular maintenance and there is an extremely limited reputable shop that actually knows what they are doing with them, they are hopelessly unreliable

Rx7 with LS1 motor ( around 30k ) WRONG again, you can get a nicely done FD LSx for $20 ish... $30k gets you one with a blower and a bunch of supporting mods. Great car but not for everyone.

oneintheory · 11-08-2009, 10:17 PM

Supra? Really, people? He said sports car, not drag strip queen. I like the Z4M, C5 Z06, 996tt, and S2000. Of course, there isn't really much comparison in speed between a Z06 and S2000, so it's important to say whether you're looking more for fun or fast.

11-06-2009, 12:29 PM	#1
skim Lieutenant Drives: 07 Z4MC Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 546 iTrader: (0)	What sports car to get for my budget.. i drive an e90 m3 and even though it's the best car i've owned to date, i realized i'm a small 2seater sports car person. so the hunt is on for another car =) budget is around 30k and i'm thinking the following from VERY short list actually. i want to pull the trigger in a month or 2 or early next yr depending on how upcoming holidays go. 1. s2000 (mid10 to low 20k): used to own it and the only car i regret selling. best bang for the buck and low maintenance but since i already owned it, it doesn't have that "new" feeling.. 2. 993 C2 (high 20 to mid 30k): my favorite p-car design to date save for 997 GT3. but it's a 12yr car now and not sure if maintenance is something i can live with but god i love the design and the sound of air cooled engine 3. 996tt (low to high 40k <- real budget cutoff): not the prettiest porsche but it's a legendary turbo and for this i can spend more than allocated budget if this car makes sense.. started doing some research on it and it sounds pretty exciting.. so if you guys are in my situation or playing with someone's money for a 2 seater sports car (i consider p-car 2+2 seating to be 2seater ), what would you do... i really can't make up my mind.. thanks for your input really __________________ Future mod consideration: exhaust, pulley otherwise, very happy with how the m3 was born
	Tweet

11-06-2009, 04:48 PM	#3
ACZakka325i Lieutenant Colonel Drives: X1 3.5 M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CT Posts: 1,755 iTrader: (2)	Of that list, I would def say 996tt. But, I think a nice one will at least be in the mid 50k range. __________________ 2013 535i xdrive(Current) 2008 E92 M3 (Gone) 2006 E90 325i (Gone) 2002 E46 325xi (Gone) 1991 E30 325i (Gone)

11-06-2009, 04:58 PM	#4
Year's_End Cpt. Buzzkill Drives: '08 E92 335i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: St. Pete, FL Posts: 11,786 iTrader: (0)	S2000. I'm not for the 996TT for the same reason that ACZakka just posted. Try looking at the facelifted Miata. I've heard good things about it. __________________ _.[In a love/hate relationship with...] E92 335i: Space Grey\|Coral Red\|Aluminum Trim _________VMR V710s\|M-Sport Rear Bumper & Rockers\|M3 Spoiler\|Golf-T__________Moved on to the misc. Later, brahs.

11-06-2009, 05:14 PM	#5
justice Second Lieutenant Drives: 2006 BMW 330i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Phoenixville, PA Posts: 285 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i w/sport p ... [0.00]	How about a vette, viper, sl, c4s, espirit, elise... it really depends on what your using it for.. the porsche it probably the best all around bet for daily/track driving. __________________ 330i Sport Package, 6spd, Terra interior.... suspension, wheels, and tint coming soon.

11-07-2009, 02:17 AM	#9
BillLee Major General Drives: AW E90 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: HTX Posts: 5,141 iTrader: (19) Garage List 2008 335i Sedan [4.65]	lotus __________________ "Like" my facebook fan page!

11-06-2009, 12:36 PM	#2
aut0sh0cker meh Drives: E92 335i, 997.2 C4S Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: 91362 Posts: 1,758 iTrader: (2)	If you want a car that you can go mod-crazy on, the 996TT is my choice. Some of the TT's on 6 speed are pushing incredible numbers on a comparatively low budget. And have you ever sat in the back of a P-car? It is a 2 seater. Those things in the back are just for show really...

11-06-2009, 11:40 PM	#6
imom Second Lieutenant Drives: M roadster Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 263 iTrader: (3)	Cayman S or Z4M are the only two cars I consider buying under $100K for 2 seater...since both are well under $40K used. I say those two...add supercharger or turbo and it's a fun drive all the time.

11-07-2009, 01:13 AM	#7
graider Colonel Drives: py/kiwi e46 m3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: toronto Posts: 2,406 iTrader: (0)	s2000. cheap to buy and cheap maintenance. save the rest of your money, there are more important priority in life.

11-07-2009, 03:36 AM	#10
Amir87 Gruppe Titan Drives: 08 E92 SG/Coral Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NC Posts: 2,842 iTrader: (37) Garage List 2008 E92 335i [5.00]	Test drive the new 370z, you WILL be impressed. __________________

11-08-2009, 11:16 AM	#12
11Past9 First Lieutenant Drives: A stolen one Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 309 iTrader: (0)	You are ignoring very special cars: This one especially: C5 zO6... can be had 01-04 ($19,000-$24,000) 1993-1998 MKIV Toyota Supra Turbo... ($17-30,000) One of if not the most reliable sports car ever built, I in fact know 2 that are pushing over 700whp on single turbo set ups with 200,000 miles on them and stock block, transmission and more. The car pulled more than a 0.93g in stock form and the world record for stock block WHP was 938whp on one of these, an amazing car that you'd be foolish to ignore. You can pick up one for between $17-30,000 in very good shape and probably pushing 500+ whp on a single turbo set up. The build quality of these cars is great regardless of age and mileage. Mileage doesn't matter with these cars, they hold up so well. __________________ gentle now the tender breeze blows, whispers through my Gran Torino, whistling another tired song, engine humms and bitter dreams grow, heart locked in a Gran Torino, it beats a lonely rhythm all night long

11-08-2009, 11:52 AM	#13
Nawaaz Brigadier General Drives: . Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: . Posts: 4,647 iTrader: (0)	Get a new 370Z, or a new S2000. They're both around the $30k mark, and plus they'd be brand new.

11-08-2009, 12:46 PM	#14
ZJP Lieutenant Colonel Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: LI, NY Posts: 1,756 iTrader: (7)	996TT

11-08-2009, 12:53 PM	#15
richardg Captain Drives: e36M / e92M / e36 328i Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bloomfield Hills Mi. Posts: 936 iTrader: (2)	NSX. No comparison

11-08-2009, 05:44 PM	#17
Schumacher Second Lieutenant Drives: E90 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: A Box Posts: 219 iTrader: (0)	^^They bleed Honda Racing Red. Only a few people could probably understand it.

11-08-2009, 06:53 PM	#18
b0bab0i Captain Drives: 03 TiAG z4 3.0i w/ hardtop Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 770 iTrader: (0)	NSX like above. Lotus Elise (around low 30's used) Rx7 (around 15k) Rx7 with LS1 motor ( around 30k)

11-08-2009, 07:06 PM	#19
b0bab0i Captain Drives: 03 TiAG z4 3.0i w/ hardtop Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 770 iTrader: (0)	miata

11-08-2009, 07:33 PM	#20
lopealle Resident Black Guy Drives: Lion Join Date: May 2009 Location: Federal Way, WA Posts: 2,254 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 M5 [5.00]	definitely go for the supra or mustang cobra

11-08-2009, 10:17 PM	#22
oneintheory no longer a BMW owner Drives: 2011 Ford Edge Sport Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Suffolk/Chesapeake, VA Posts: 1,469 iTrader: (0)	Supra? Really, people? He said sports car, not drag strip queen. I like the Z4M, C5 Z06, 996tt, and S2000. Of course, there isn't really much comparison in speed between a Z06 and S2000, so it's important to say whether you're looking more for fun or fast.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search