car people - suggest a toy

[mrfeh]

I'll be selling a classic car, and am considering replacing it with a more recent sports car. What I want:

• $25K price limit
• manual transmission
• rear wheel drive
• nimble & fast

The car would not be driven in the winter. Might occasionally be driven to work, but for the most part would be a fun weekend ride. Maybe a couple thousand miles/year.

I've always desired a Porsche 911, and the '99-'04 Carreras fit the bill. What other year/make/model would you suggest?

Thanks.

 

[Red Badger]

We had a used Miata with the powered hard top. It was a fun car that epitomized the term roadster. Just about the most fun I ever had with my clothes on. YMMV!

 

[RunningBum]

Sounds like a Miata to me. Pick the year range to match your budget. Get the RF if you don't want the soft top. If I were buying one now I'd get heated seats to extend the top down driving season.

Eventually you'll get tired of it. 20 years after buying mine, I'm just a little tired of it. Probably in another 20 years I'll be ready to get rid of it.

 

[Bamaman]

I too love the Porsches, however anything German scares me mechanically. In fact, all the really desirable sports cars can be a money pit--at $125 per hour mechanic labor.

If you get down to it, the Mazda Miata is the best sports car to ever be built that's affordable and durable. But it has an image of being a "girl car." My college roommate had a couple of racing Miatas he campaigned out of Florida, and they weren't for sissies.

The other great sports car that's a little harder to find is a Honda S2000. They're hard to beat. Otherwise, the big bargain is a slightly used Corvette. Alternatives would be certain models of used Mercedes, but they're probably automatics and not spirited enough for you.

The largest importer/exporter of used Porsche's in the world is about 3 miles from me in our industrial park. We see high line sports cars coming and going from his shops weekly to and from Europe and California.

 

[freedomatlast]

Test drive a 2014, 2015 or 2016 BMW M235i. Way more dependable and cheaper to maintain than a 911. Much more comfortable too. Read up on them and take one for a test drive. You'll be sold.

 

[Car-Guy]

I personally would be looking for a Corvette. Of course 25k isn't a lot of money but you should be able to get a decent C6 (2005-2013) for that. Of course any older sports car (or any older car for that matter) comes with higher maintenance risks/cost.

 

[COcheesehead]

A used BMW 135

 

[Floridaman10]

I have a newer Miata with a power hard top. I track it and have some mods. It is so fun, reliable and relatively cheap. Hard to explain how good it is until you drive one, try it just to see if you would like it. Now 911s appear great, never owned one though.

 

[OldShooter]

There is an Alfa version of the Miata that is more of a head-turner, built on the Miata line so little risk of the fabled Italian reliability. I strongly considered it before I bought my WRX, but wanted the extra space in the soob.


The Alfa is great fun to drive and has entirely adequate power for a street car. Having spent 15 years racing sports cars, I am not very excited by unnecessary horsepower on the street but YMMV.



I have had Porsches and they're great for the ego but astronomically expensive to maintain. I also considered Vettes at one point, but DS said: "Dad, you're going to look like a guy in middle life crisis." Yes, that.

 

[Mykle57]

The 996 (Porsche 911 1999-04): unloved among collectors, but, making a strong comeback. A good '99 can be had for well under 25k (Whereas a similar condition '98 is worth 3 times as much). Make sure you research 'IMS bearing' before you jump in. Boxster and Caymans are nice too (I have one).

Miata: Always big fun. Great clubs and numerous racing opportunities. The gen 1 cars (the '90s versions) hold their value quite well; less so with the newer models.

If you're a muscle car kinda guy, look at: Mustang GT, vette, cuda and camaro.

Also take a look at Mini Cooper S, VW GTI, BMW M3 or Z3 as well.

 

[SpinDr]

One car not mentioned so far. A Honda S2000. This was one of my favorite cars ever and am still sorry I sold mine. They have a bullet proof engine and a great manual 6 speed. Look for one that has not been overly modified and you’ll have a very fun car. I like Miatas as well but the Honda is a bit more engaging.

Oops. Just re-read and saw another mention. Great car.

 

[eytonxav]

Porsche's are definitely nimble and fast, but I doubt anything worthwhile could be had at your price point. The Miata is a good option, as would the S2000 if you could find a decent S2000 at that price. Now, if you are willing to give up on the rear wheel drive, a VW GTI or Golf R or a Subaru WRX or STI might fit the bill. There might also be a few older Audi's like a TT that would also be nimble performers. Personally, I do not consider Corvettes in the nimble category, but they are great road circuit performers if you want to track it. I still miss my 96 C4S!

 

[Breedlove]

Probably not what most would want but Ford Mustang . We left our motorcycles for our 2002 Mustang. The Mustang is the car for every man not great at anything but good at everything . Join Mustang Club America and join a local club and get ready for fun. Everyone , no ,matter where you go has a Mustang story and it is always the love for the Pony. We run our Mustangs on road rallys . Also lots of road courses have track days . Mustangs are cheap , bullet proof and fun .

 

[38Chevy454]

I think a Corvette convertioble is a good choice. I'm an American V8 guy, so those little 4 cyl just do not get me that excited. A C6 will fit your budget, can have some simple add-ons for increased performance, and with a convertible you get top-down fun in nice weather. Lots of 6-sped manual versions to be found.



If I had to settle for a 4 cyl smaller car, the S2000 is more my choice than a German car. I think the only way I could own a Miata is if it were a V8 Miata, often called Monster Miata.


If you can stay with a hardtop, the Camaro or Mustang, with V8 and manual trans are good options to consider. The GM LS V8 as used in Corvette and Camaro is a great engine with a lot of performance potential.

 

[Gumby]

We have a 2001 BMW Z3 roadster that fits all your requirements. Fast and nimble; a real joy to drive. We only take it out on sunny days between April and October. In fact, I've only ever put the top up to wash it.

 

[gauss]

Miata quickly came to mind given your specs. They use to be popular in the Autocross circles around here.

Another idea, how about a C5 Corvette?

-gauss

 

[OddGuy]

For $25k, you can get a newer, lower mileage Cayman than any 911.

If you're a Porsche person, and you haven't driven a Cayman, I highly recommend you do so. Even though it's technically "a Boxster with a roof," that configuration transforms the road manners of the car.

Also, I just got a 2018 VW GTI, 6 speed, no sunroof, with 7,000 miles for $21,900. Basically, the first owner paid the depreciation. GTIs are great fun.

Another option is the FIAT 500 Abarth. Incredible amount of fun (and a great snarling exhaust) for not to much money.

 

[Sojourner]

Boxster and Caymans are nice too (I have one).

Another vote here for Boxster. I'm sure you could pick up a used one (say, 2009-2011) in good condition, low mileage, for under $25K. Beautiful, sexy car and tremendously fun to drive. Not cheap to maintain, but not exorbitant either if you can find a good, independent body shop — which you should do regardless of which car you settle on.

 

[brett]

My sister is now driving her third Miata over I don't know how many years.

Great car, well built. Styling has certainly changed over the years.

 

[Ian S]

I've enjoyed my Genesis Coupe since buying it new in 2010. You can get the last production year (2016) Ultimate version with 6 speed stick for under $25K. The 300 hp V6 is a nice engine.

 

[misanman]

We have a 2008 MX-5 (Miata) roadster bought new and it has been extremely reliable and loads of fun. We are thinking of switching, though, because we'd like to take the fun car on trips occasionally and the Miata is pretty noisy, has a fairly unforgiving ride, and extremely limited trunk space. It's a blast on curvy, twisty, roads, but not so pleasant on an expressway. We are considering a Mustang convertible (GT?) but need to confirm that it will be a more pleasant experience on longer drives.

 

[aja8888]

I have a 2002 BMW 325 Ci (convertible). Mine is in mint condition and fun to drive, plus they are easy to maintain (e46 series). Later than e46, they get costly to keep up.

I've had Vettes and other sports cars, but German is the way to go (IMHO)!!

(I would still kill to get my 1965 Vette back though).

Miata's are great, but a bit on the tiny side. Tough if you are 6' tall.

 

[stephenson]

Miata is fun ... cheap to drive and repair ... and cheap.

Smaller BMW (not the smallest) is way more comfortable, but surprisingly expensive to maintain - unless you do your own work.

The RWD limitation provides the greatest restriction on options - if you were to remove that I might consider an AWD Subaru WRX, or especially a VW GTI in FWD (or even the AWD version Golf R). Lots of these available. the Subie is pretty uncomfortable and loud compared to the the VW products.

 

[Breedlove]

Our toy is a 2002 Mustang 6Cyl coupe 5 speed . Now we bought the car with 60K miles for less then 3000.00 had the suspension tuned . Paint was good and runs great . Not a race car but a fun car. Kind of funny we looked at a new Eco boost Mustang same platform but with a turbo charged 4cyl 6speed at the local Ford dealer (advertised special ) 18,888. I think for the money it is a tremendous value . And Mustangs run on regular gas , not like some of the Euro . Cars .

 

[Rdub]

I have a 2006 Z06 that was updated in 2013 with a new 2013 drive train and interior. They added a cam and some porting work before putting the new crate engine in. It is a blast. However, it is more in the $35-38k range. If you are looking for a Corvette, you might get a deal on Z06, but another option is a low mileage grand sport C6. They are great cars.