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      11-06-2009, 11:29 AM   #1
skim
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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
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      11-06-2009, 11:36 AM   #2
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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...
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      11-06-2009, 03:48 PM   #3
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Of that list, I would def say 996tt. But, I think a nice one will at least be in the mid 50k range.
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      11-06-2009, 03:58 PM   #4
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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.
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      11-06-2009, 04:14 PM   #5
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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.
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      11-06-2009, 10:40 PM   #6
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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.
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      11-07-2009, 12:13 AM   #7
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s2000. cheap to buy and cheap maintenance. save the rest of your money, there are more important priority in life.
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      11-07-2009, 01:15 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by imom View Post
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..
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      11-07-2009, 01:17 AM   #9
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      11-07-2009, 02:36 AM   #10
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Test drive the new 370z, you WILL be impressed.



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      11-08-2009, 09:28 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Amir87 View Post
Test drive the new 370z, you WILL be impressed.



Yea, but I feel like this car just looks like its trying too hard.
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      11-08-2009, 10:16 AM   #12
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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.

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      11-08-2009, 10:52 AM   #13
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Get a new 370Z, or a new S2000.

They're both around the $30k mark, and plus they'd be brand new.
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      11-08-2009, 11:46 AM   #14
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996TT
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      11-08-2009, 11:53 AM   #15
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NSX. No comparison
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      11-08-2009, 04:07 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nawaaz View Post
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 View Post
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...
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      11-08-2009, 04:44 PM   #17
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^^They bleed Honda Racing Red. Only a few people could probably understand it.
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      11-08-2009, 05:53 PM   #18
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NSX like above.

Lotus Elise (around low 30's used)

Rx7 (around 15k)

Rx7 with LS1 motor ( around 30k)
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      11-08-2009, 06:06 PM   #19
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miata
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      11-08-2009, 06:33 PM   #20
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definitely go for the supra or mustang cobra
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      11-08-2009, 07:58 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by benmoooon View Post
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.
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      11-08-2009, 09:17 PM   #22
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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.
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