Best sports car under $50k

[cognoscenti]

I just came off of a multi-year stint as a GM employee. In my role, I was fortunate to extensively drive all of the GM products you listed. I can honestly say that they are great cars (I no longer work for the company), but that the only one really worth a purchase is a C7 Z51. Don't bother with a C7 Z06, they have not really licked the overheating issue when tracking yet and the forced induction is overkill. The NA cars are a delight to drive and are an incredible step up over the prior model. I know you want a car that can also hold a third passenger, so this may be inadequate advice.

Re: the CTS-V, I drove sedan, coupe and wagon versions for a while and they were simply not refined enough in any configuration. Even the wagon lacked interior space for such a large vehicle, and the interior looked its age. The piano black surface smudges, awful capacitive touch buttons and Cadillac CUE drive you crazy too.

EDIT: forgot to mention the SS. Yes, it is truly fun and comparable in character to an E39 M5. However, it is a tad heavy and more importantly, the parts are going to be harder to come by, require a wait (AU shipping) and be expensive. Just look at G8 parts as your indicator - and that car's production volume exceeded SS by a considerable margin!

[SDPLV]

E46 M3 is definitely what I'd go to if I was ever thinking to go back to a coupe.

I got rid of my E46 (non-M) only because I got married/planning family so naturally went to an E90 M cause there is no E46 M sedan.

I don't even see why people would want the E92 other than just not being able to find an E46 in the market.

[srmast1]

Originally Posted by Uber V8

Hey Guys! Don't you love these threads?

Ok I had a E92 M3 (DCT) it was a great experience, then got a C63 and that was a blast. Prior to getting the C63, I really wanted another M3, but this time a 6 speed, however it was terribly difficult to find the exact one I wanted and the C63's torque swept me off my feet.

Now, the C63 is sold and I'm in the market again.

Here are the following two cars at the top of my list:

1. 2017 Camaro SS 1LE - $41,760 (dealer)

2. 2011 E92 M3 (6MT) - AW on black, ZCP, 33K miles, 1 owner, all records, BMW extended warranty 50k or 5/2018, all stock - $39k (private party)

Things I look for:
Must be manual transmission
Great exhaust note
Seats 2 adults and 1 kid
Warranty


Other cars I've thought about, but some might be over budget:
Mustang GT 350
E46 M3
CTS-V wagon
Challenger Hellcat

Any thoughts?

Just trying to pick your brain..but why is there not another c63 on your list? I've been considering one of those..what went wrong to make you not even consider another used one?

[dparm]

Originally Posted by DSilk

My choice would be the 2011 M3, but if you are seriously looking at cars like the GT350 and Hellcat, both of which are commanding premiums over MSRP, why not look at a used Porsche 911?

GT350 is not commanding a premium. The R model is, but the regular GT350 can be had for MSRP or less.

[65fastback]

Originally Posted by srmast1

Just trying to pick your brain..but why is there not another c63 on your list? I've been considering one of those..what went wrong to make you not even consider another used one?

Funny, i just read this thread and was thinking the same thing all along.
My previous two cars where a C63 and a challenger scat pac.

Why no c63 on the list again?

[BrewRifle]

Originally Posted by SDPLV

I don't even see why people would want the E92 other than just not being able to find an E46 in the market.

That's a bold statement, and I wasn't even thinking of an E46 (least favorite M3) when I was looking for an E92 . I think you either want an E46 or E9X as they are entirely different, much like the F8X to the E9X.

[DSilk]

Originally Posted by New2Roundel

This will likely get me banned from the site, but the one thing I would NOT do is buy another e9x M3. You've been there, done that. Life is way too short and there are too many great cars out there to keep buying the same thing.

From a performance perspective, the SS 1LE will destroy the e9x M3 around any track you can find. GM really upped their game with the current platform. However, unless all you use the car for is driving around the track, I couldn't live with the interior. It looks cheap and kind of tacky. I also don't like the seating position (same goes for the mustang). I would probably axe all 3 of the pony cars you have on your list based on size and or seating position. If you just want to melt tires in a straight line however, nothing beats the hellcat.

What I would look at is the following (new or used):
C7 z51
C6 z06 (despite the chintsy interior---love that engine!)
Any previous generation CTS-V manual
Viper
997 S
The best cayman you can find (personally, I would try for something above the "S" depending on generation)
F-type (the S model is now available with a manual, but not sure if they are down to $50k yet)

All great choices, but none will accomodate the OP, his wife, and a child.

[Bluey//M]

I have a better idea a used Cadillac ATS-V can be had for under 50K, it offers a 6 speed manual and a twin turbo v6, easily best car of the ones you mentioned. Also offered in Sedan or Coupe.

Oh and by the way the car can run a 10 second quarter mile.

[Bluey//M]

[m3nace92]

Originally Posted by BrewRifle

That's a bold statement, and I wasn't even thinking of an E46 (least favorite M3) when I was looking for an E92 . I think you either want an E46 or E9X as they are entirely different, much like the F8X to the E9X.

exactly what i was thinking haha. fact of the matter is the e92 m3 has a body style that, like the e46, is going to age extremely well. the lines of the car are natural. other reasons to get an e92 over an e46: n/a v8 motor, updated interior, personal preference.

to be clear, i was originally looking for an e46 in order to keep some of the difference in price and insurance costs down compared to an e92. when it became longer and more challenging of a process than i felt was worth it, i said fuck it and spent the extra cash for my e92. there's no rhyme or reason to why everyone does or doesn't buy x car over y car. drive what you want and leave it at that.

[srmast1]

What about an e90 instead of an e92? The 4 drs make doing things with a child more convenient, especially if you are planning on having another anytime soon and/or you are driving your partner, child and one of your child's friends around. Stopped me from getting anything with less than 4 doors. Makes me really sad to think that I probably won't be able to own own a corvette or gt350 for MANY years to come.. However the whole spontaneous combustion, massive Ford recall thing does make me feel a little better about it. Still sad about the corvette.

[Uber V8]

Originally Posted by cognoscenti

I just came off of a multi-year stint as a GM employee. In my role, I was fortunate to extensively drive all of the GM products you listed. I can honestly say that they are great cars (I no longer work for the company), but that the only one really worth a purchase is a C7 Z51. Don't bother with a C7 Z06, they have not really licked the overheating issue when tracking yet and the forced induction is overkill. The NA cars are a delight to drive and are an incredible step up over the prior model. I know you want a car that can also hold a third passenger, so this may be inadequate advice.

Re: the CTS-V, I drove sedan, coupe and wagon versions for a while and they were simply not refined enough in any configuration. Even the wagon lacked interior space for such a large vehicle, and the interior looked its age. The piano black surface smudges, awful capacitive touch buttons and Cadillac CUE drive you crazy too.

EDIT: forgot to mention the SS. Yes, it is truly fun and comparable in character to an E39 M5. However, it is a tad heavy and more importantly, the parts are going to be harder to come by, require a wait (AU shipping) and be expensive. Just look at G8 parts as your indicator - and that car's production volume exceeded SS by a considerable margin!

Completely forgot about CUE. I had a week long 2017 Escalade ESV and that damn haptic feedback was damn near a deal breaker for any Cadillac product.

I know you mention the Z51 being the best from GM, but what's your take on the new 1LE?

Originally Posted by srmast1

Just trying to pick your brain..but why is there not another c63 on your list? I've been considering one of those..what went wrong to make you not even consider another used one?

Sure, prior to getting the C63, I actually wanted another E90/2 M3 but 6MT. I felt that, I didn't get the full driving experience of what the M3 has to offer w/o owning a manual transmission, because I really enjoyed my previous M3. I had a 2012 C63 with quite a few mods and hands down was the fastest and most brutal drag monster beast car (can't think of better adjectives) but I still couldn't change gears myself....and my 1 year warranty ended lol.

Originally Posted by 65fastback

Funny, i just read this thread and was thinking the same thing all along.
My previous two cars where a C63 and a challenger scat pac.

Why no c63 on the list again?

See above. Curious why you moved on from the C63 too? Also how was that scat pack?

Originally Posted by Bluey//M

I've researched this car extensively, but the TT V6 doesn't make the best noises

Originally Posted by srmast1

What about an e90 instead of an e92? The 4 drs make doing things with a child more convenient, especially if you are planning on having another anytime soon and/or you are driving your partner, child and one of your child's friends around. Stopped me from getting anything with less than 4 doors. Makes me really sad to think that I probably won't be able to own own a corvette or gt350 for MANY years to come.. However the whole spontaneous combustion, massive Ford recall thing does make me feel a little better about it. Still sad about the corvette.

This was my long time original search and it got SO frustrating because I didn't want to settle. It had to be blk on fox red. ZCP, 6MT, under 30k miles. I recently found one on here that but the seller had some issues and had to remove it from the market.

[burtonsbs5114]

The only car I would get rid of the M3 for (within a similar price point) would be a 911.

[DSilk]

Originally Posted by burtonsbs5114

The only car I would get rid of the M3 for (within a similar price point) would be a 911.

I would look at the last of the 6 cylinder Boxster Ss and Cayman Ss, the F-type S (with a 6 speed manual), a 911, and a Corvette C7 GrandSport. I would have added the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio to the list, but at the last minute FCA has pulled a switch and is only offering the car with an 8 speed automatic in the US (same in the UK).

[Uber V8]

Originally Posted by burtonsbs5114

The only car I would get rid of the M3 for (within a similar price point) would be a 911.

Will the 911's seat 2 adults and a kid? I always get confused with the chassis codes (i.e 996, 997, 991 etc...) so wouldn't even know where to start. They also seem to hold value amazingly well.

[W///]

OP, I'd consider the E92 M3 again (still personally my favorite car for under $50k) or the GT350.

Originally Posted by SDPLV

E46 M3 is definitely what I'd go to if I was ever thinking to go back to a coupe.

I got rid of my E46 (non-M) only because I got married/planning family so naturally went to an E90 M cause there is no E46 M sedan.

I don't even see why people would want the E92 other than just not being able to find an E46 in the market.

Definitely give the Z4M's a shot. I just picked up a Z4MR. The E46 M3 didn't really blow my mind away like it does for a lot of people, but the Z4M's do for some reason. Just a completely different driving experience than any other BMW's I've ever driven

[DSilk]

Originally Posted by Uber V8

Will the 911's seat 2 adults and a kid? I always get confused with the chassis codes (i.e 996, 997, 991 etc...) so wouldn't even know where to start. They also seem to hold value amazingly well.

The +2 rear seats are small, but will hold a child. For what it's worth, they will even hold a sufficiently motivated adult, as my brother (6' tall and over 200 lbs) sat in the back of our friend's 930 Turbo when we went for a spin.

[Bluey//M]

Get an Infiniti Q60 red sport!

[Uber V8]

Originally Posted by W///

OP, I'd consider the E92 M3 again (still personally my favorite car for under $50k) or the GT350.



Definitely give the Z4M's a shot. I just picked up a Z4MR. The E46 M3 didn't really blow my mind away like it does for a lot of people, but the Z4M's do for some reason. Just a completely different driving experience than any other BMW's I've ever driven

Z4, leaves no room for my daughter.

[Uber V8]

Originally Posted by Bluey//M

Get an Infiniti Q60 red sport!

I don't think these are available in manual transmission.

[beemerb0y]

Challenger Scat Pack is pretty nice too

[young dude]

Originally Posted by beemerb0y

Challenger Scat Pack is pretty nice too

That name though..