Sports car?

[bradaz2488]

I disagree, but then I'm a huge Porsche fanboy, so feel free to discount my opinion. Here are some FACTS:

In German motor journalism, it's kind of a big deal how fast a performance car can do a lap on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. That tells you more than just the number of bhp, or how fast it can accelerate from 60-80km/h. Here's a list of the fastest lap times ever recorded by auto motor und sport (always the same driver, weather conditions obviously vary): Rundenzeiten Nürburgring-Nordschleife - AUTO MOTOR UND SPORT

All these are normal production cars licensed for road use, not race cars. You will find 6 different 911s among the top 17, all with the less-than-optimal rear engine. If you are interested in what Porsche engineers can do with a mid-engine layout, look no further than #1.

So, no: Porsches are special. They are the finest performance cars in the world.

Congratulations to the OP! You made a great choice.

+100.. Thanks for the link! 5 of the top 10 cars are Porsche. That says it all, period... I was a little surprise Ferrari only had 2 cars in the top 40..

My 2009 Boxster S came in at 116 fastest car on the track... Not too bad, just glad to be on the list ... Did not buy for speed but rather for the handling and the open top driving experience.

 

[Car-Guy]

I've had lot's of sports cars, mostly Vettes. C4's thru C6's. Actually had a C7 for a short time too. Each was quicker and faster than the other. I've found that as I get older, I still want the performance but these days I want comfort and luxury just as much (maybe more). A couple of things I've learned as I got older, there's always something out there that's quicker and faster and there are a lot of better (or maybe crazier?) drivers.

 

[bradaz2488]

Porsche fan too, my third. A 2002 911 bought in late '07 with 30k on it for $32k. Sticker was $92k. Now have 58k on it, could sell it for $23k easy, maybe a bit more. Nothing depreciates faster than a new Porsche, or holds its value better than an old one. I do my own wrenching, and.believe in PM, so costs have been minimal, but I preemptively replaced the RMS, IMS bearing, water pump, oil separator, coolant tank, installed the IMS Guard, etc. Only failures, most from wear, none catastrophic or debilitating were oil sending unit, headlight switch, ignition swith contact module, one radiator fan resistor, motor mounts, and passenger window regulator cable. I installed PSS9s, low temp tstat. Really enjoy driving it.

Your post brought back fun memories of my 2001 Boxster S (81k miles). I did all the same repairs you did with the exception of the IMS/RMS/Clutch. That was gong to be my next project before I found a 2009 Boxster S with 17K miles. Too good to pass up for $33K ($71K list price)... On the 2001 I had to do the ignition switch twice. They will go out without any warning. Kept an extra one on hand just in case

 

[LARS]

Porsche is an iconic sports car brand, producing highly desirable automobiles that have stood the test of time and race tracks. The only other brand that equals, or surpasses it, is Ferrari.

That is not to say that there aren't many other highly desirable brands like Aston Martin, Lamborghini, McLaren, Lotus, BMW, Mercedes, Pagani (and other specialty manufacturers) etc., but Porsche and Ferrari are first in the Pantheon of sports car manufacturers IMHO.

 

[GravitySucks]

DD1 is on a forum where the sports car question often comes up. In her forum it always ends with:
Miata stands for:
Miata
Is
Always
The
Answer

I don't think they're as well heeled as some here so a good Porche or Ferrari are off the table.

Me, right now I'd rather Kitesurfers Transit van he set up as an adventure vehicle than a sports car.

 

[Breedlove]

Nothing wrong with a Miata at all kind of brings back the era of the real sports cars MG's Triumphs . I took a Corvette 1993 out for a ride last week . Then read the reviews , not a bad weekend car but they mentioned a problem that happens to all of these a steering wheel knuckle breaking because the way people get in and out.

Might sound crazy but the Fiat 500 Abarth , they call it a road worthy go cart

 

[kitesurfer2]

DD1 is on a forum where the sports car question often comes up. In her forum it always ends with:
Miata stands for:
Miata
Is
Always
The
Answer

I don't think they're as well heeled as some here so a good Porche or Ferrari are off the table.

Me, right now I'd rather Kitesurfers Transit van he set up as an adventure vehicle than a sports car.

welcome to my world

 

[jimbee]

welcome to my world

Nice pictures, looks like you're having fun. Love the C7 in classic colors.

 

[tinner2u]

Well I didn't buy a sports car but I did just get a 2017 BMW GS 1200 Adventure motorcycle. Wife is complaining that the older I get the faster my motorcycles are getting. Seems reasonable to me.

 

[LARS]

Well I didn't buy a sports car but I did just get a 2017 BMW GS 1200 Adventure motorcycle. Wife is complaining that the older I get the faster my motorcycles are getting. Seems reasonable to me.

Well I hope you are placating your wife by increasing your life insurance policy proportional to the rise in speed of your motorcycle!

Seems only fair, no? [emoji6]

 

[Breedlove]

GS 1200 , Adventure Bike , sure is a nice bike . We are selling our bikes seems we are finding more reasons to not ride them . I have an FZ6 and DW rides a Kawasaki Ninja . Kind of funny we sometimes ride to a biker bar out in the country . A couple pulls in on a couple Ducati's she is wearing white leathers , he has black and red . She takes her helmet off and everyone realize they are grandparents age. . All the young guys always get excited with the girl on a Ducati. I guess the Italians have did their marketing right.

 

[tinner2u]

GS 1200 , Adventure Bike , sure is a nice bike . We are selling our bikes seems we are finding more reasons to not ride them . I have an FZ6 and DW rides a Kawasaki Ninja . Kind of funny we sometimes ride to a biker bar out in the country . A couple pulls in on a couple Ducati's she is wearing white leathers , he has black and red . She takes her helmet off and everyone realize they are grandparents age. . All the young guys always get excited with the girl on a Ducati. I guess the Italians have did their marketing right.

FZ 6 is a very nice bike. I've been riding for 47 years, really about my only hobby. Justified spending nearly $30,000 on a toy as a retirement gift to myself. Possibly my last new bike. I've had new bikes, old bikes, vintage bikes and race bikes, love them all. Worked for years as a motorcycle instructor for state of Washington and also for Harley Davidson. Got burned out doing that but might go back to it as a post retirement gig. I figure when I get old enough I'll just hang out in old motorcycle t shirts and annoy everyone with stories about how fast I was.

 

[Badger]

I like the Alfa Romeo 4c and the Fiat 124 Spyder but both have interiors that are a little small for me. I like riding my 06 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic and 07 modified Suzuki C50. Maybe in the future I will look into an Indian Vintage Chief. A couple of years ago when my wife was 68 we found a fantastic deal on an immaculate, top of the line CanAm Spyder with less than 2k miles at half the price. This should take care of our leasure driving for awhile. For grins and giggles I'm waiting to see if Elio goes into production. Although really an economy car and not a sports car it still may prove to be fun to drive

Cheers!

 

[splitwdw]

... For grins and giggles I'm waiting to see if Elio goes into production. Although really an economy car and not a sports car it still may prove to be fun to drive

Cheers!

I finally gave up waiting on Elio Motors. I signed up for email alerts when they first started. I think I saw one at either the New York or Philly auto show. I was thinking of putting a reserve on one. At the time I think it was $1000. and the vehicle was suppose to come in around $6000. They had a "show" near me but couldn't attend due to work. I was looking at this as a fun ride/toy, plus it would drive our corvette buddies crazy.

 

[Badger]

I finally gave up waiting on Elio Motors. I signed up for email alerts when they first started. I think I saw one at either the New York or Philly auto show. I was thinking of putting a reserve on one. At the time I think it was $1000. and the vehicle was suppose to come in around $6000. They had a "show" near me but couldn't attend due to work. I was looking at this as a fun ride/toy, plus it would drive our corvette buddies crazy.

Yes, I've been a little disappointed with the wait. Kind of like when you were little waiting for your birthday or Christmas. The expected price has gone up since the original $6800 but I'm locked in at $7k with the first group to get one. I'm hoping to see them in production sometime the end of next year. Wait and see.

 

[aja8888]

Yes, I've been a little disappointed with the wait. Kind of like when you were little waiting for your birthday or Christmas. The expected price has gone up since the original $6800 but I'm locked in at $7k with the first group to get one. I'm hoping to see them in production sometime the end of next year. Wait and see.

$7400 base price now. Cool looking car. Looks like it can drive right under the back of a semi-trailer...at least from the bottom of the windshield down.

 

[splitwdw]

Yes, I've been a little disappointed with the wait. Kind of like when you were little waiting for your birthday or Christmas. The expected price has gone up since the original $6800 but I'm locked in at $7k with the first group to get one. I'm hoping to see them in production sometime the end of next year. Wait and see.

I think it was RobbieB, on the Elio thread, that said he had a deposit on one. Wonder if he's still waiting.

 

[EllisWyatt]

Late to the party, but wanted to put my 2 cents in.
She who must be obeyed fell in love with the BMW Z3 when it first came out, so we bought her one in 1997. Best investment I ever made - 20 years on, she is still driving it. That purchase has saved me a pile of cash as she is still in love with the car.
In 2006, I bought a new corvette. Second year of the new model. Drove it to w**k - 700 mile round trip each week - until I retired in 2014. Almost 100k miles on it now.
We will probably drive both cars until the wheels fall off, then put on new wheels.

We aren't looking at buying a sports car in retirement. Have already checked those boxes.

 

[kitesurfer2]

We aren't looking at buying a sports car in retirement. Have already checked those boxes.

I am just curious how that will work out for you. what replaces a sports car?

 

[LARS]

I am just curious how that will work out for you. what replaces a sports car?

Easy. How about one of these...

https://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/future/model/model-2018_Mercedes_AMG_E63_S_Wagon

 

[kitesurfer2]

haha the spirit of a sports car would not transfer to a station wagon for me!

 

[EllisWyatt]

Actually, She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed was looking at a used Bentley Continental GT as an option.
Her logic - sporty, very comfortable, very pretty, and the depreciation is so immense that used ones cost about the same as a new Miata.
My logic - the incredible depreciation is a clue....great car, but no place to service them around here, no dealerships within 450 miles of us, and our mechanic won't touch it. Worse yet, the Maintenance andparts costs are unbelievably high.
So... Not gonna happen, but they were briefly considered as an option.
I suspect next car will not require us to have to do contortions to get in or get out.

 

[Blue Collar Guy]

She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed

 

[ndnguy822000]

Get an s2000

 

[albireo13]

Did you buy a fancy sports car when you retired?

I have my eye on a nearly new Porsche Boxster but don't want to be a cliché

....or maybe you 'treated' yourself to something else as a retirement gift...from you...to you?

Oh no .... another fat, bald, old guy cruising around in a sports car !!!!