car people - suggest a toy
- Thread starter mrfeh
- Start date
Thanks for the replies everybody!
A little more info - I am 6 ft tall. I'm not all that interested in a topless car, but if a screaming deal presented itself, being a convertible probably wouldn't prevent a sale.
I'm not all that interested in the well-known US sports cars (Vette, Mustang, Camaro).
Lots of recommendations for the Miata...I shy away from them a bit because of the go-cart comparisons. I'd prefer something a little more substantial.
A little more info - I am 6 ft tall. I'm not all that interested in a topless car, but if a screaming deal presented itself, being a convertible probably wouldn't prevent a sale.
I'm not all that interested in the well-known US sports cars (Vette, Mustang, Camaro).
Lots of recommendations for the Miata...I shy away from them a bit because of the go-cart comparisons. I'd prefer something a little more substantial.
DD (23 years old) wants to learn manual so I just picked up a 2004 Nissan 350Z. 6 speed manual. Loving it. Needs a little TLC but I got it for half blue book. Only had it up to 60 so far so haven't even had it in 6th gear. V6 is plenty of giddiup. My previous toy was a Chrysler 300C with the hemi. I am loving this little Nissan so far.
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ShokWaveRider
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This is NOT a car for the feint of hear, they are designed for 5' 8" - 5' 10" Englishmen, and of course James Bond.
I owned a few in my younger days in the UK. MKII - MK IV, each was a challenge. The last one I had was a V8 that I designed a custom injection system for. It is described here:
Lotus Esprit V8 Twin Turbo Picture Page
As someone else pointed out the 996 years of the 911 are unloved and IMS failure is a real thing. There was a large class action and Porsche paid out big dough I believe. However, only Porsche aficionados know they are 996 (easy to spot due to the ugly headlights). They also are expensive to keep on the road. I would probably buy something cheaper, more reliable, that's really fast, rear wheel drive, and they made stick shifts up to a certain year (not sure when). That would be an Infiniti G35. I have had one and had a 911 and the Infiniti was every bit as fast in a straight line. Didn't handle quite the same as the 911 but was really a great car and was mechanically perfect as they use the old Z engine.
Z3Dreamer
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I, like Gumby, have and love my 2002 BMW Z3. However, may I suggest the 2019 Honda Civic Si Coupe?
https://automobiles.honda.com/civic-si-coupe#
Fast, sexy looks, brand new, top rated. Most dealers can't get them but when they do, they are gone quickly. My personal favorite is the Modern Steel Metallic color.
https://automobiles.honda.com/civic-si-coupe#
Fast, sexy looks, brand new, top rated. Most dealers can't get them but when they do, they are gone quickly. My personal favorite is the Modern Steel Metallic color.
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flintnational
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Last year we sold a Nissan 350Z. We had owned it for about 15 years. It was a fun great car. Six speed manual with rear drive. If you were not careful the rear end would come around and pass you. 
I, like Gumby, have and love my 2002 BMW Z3. However, may I suggest the 2019 Honda Civic Si Coupe?
https://automobiles.honda.com/civic-si-coupe#
Fast, sexy looks, brand new, top rated. Most dealers can't get them but when they do, they are gone quickly. My personal favorite is the Modern Steel Metallic color.
Saw some teenager just beating the piss out of one of these around town.
MOSAT
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We bought a Miata a few years ago, fun little car. It was DW's daily driver, she loved it. We took it on a few 600 mile round trips, noisy on the interstate, but that was to be expected with the rag top. Fun car at the beach!
Grandkid(s) came along and she said she needed something with a back seat for the car seat. Traded it in for Honda Civic.
Now, in FIRE, we wish we had it back.
Grandkid(s) came along and she said she needed something with a back seat for the car seat. Traded it in for Honda Civic.
Now, in FIRE, we wish we had it back.
ShokWaveRider
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
This thread got me thinking about a Z4 M. Thanks DTAIL 
stephenson
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Here’s a 2018 VW GTI review from Redline - guy does a lot of reviews and covers a lot of ground quickly. When he smiles and laughs he is having fun with speed and handling ...this is with the DSG (dual clutch manumatic) ... my son has one and it is incredibly fast, fun to drive, gets great fuel mileage, doesn’t require premium fuel, very comfortable, almost unnoticeable torque steer, can carry 4-5 folks, furniture, lots of luggage ... and, does not have the samurai look of the latest batch of Japanese boy racer cars.
A gray one is virtually unnoticeable on the highway ��
A gray one is virtually unnoticeable on the highway ��
mpeirce
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That's what we have. If you want to be noticed, don't get one of these. This is a car to enjoy, not to show off in.
One last thing, if you are tall this is a good car to have. Both DS and I are 6' 6" and have plenty of head room in this car.
Dtail
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This thread got me thinking about a Z4 M. Thanks DTAIL
Go for it. We love it and drive all over FLA in it.
RunningBum
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If you're not really interested in top down driving, I wouldn't get a Miata.
We had a brand new Jetta few years ago and I will say it was the worse car we ever bought . Believe it or not the door chime played coo coo caratcha . Also the Tail pipe fell off at 26K miles Ok we lived in Houston on paved streets . The dealer told us normal wear and tear . He wanted 1100. 00 our cost to fix it without his help it was 1900.00 . We went to a muffler shop paid 80.00 . Maybe we had a Lemon but DW dumped that car for an Acura a MUCH better car.
Just my worthless opinion VW and the rest of the Euro cars want to make you think they are better so you pay more and accept you have to pay more for maintenance . Give me the new Civic .
To buy a BMW or Mercedes ( used ) go to Baton Rouge . There is a Volvo dealer that has tons of rental returns . At the New car show he was begging people to buy one . These are cars back from lease. 85% of the new BMW and Mercedes on the road are rental and the returns are filling up lots.
Just my worthless opinion VW and the rest of the Euro cars want to make you think they are better so you pay more and accept you have to pay more for maintenance . Give me the new Civic .
To buy a BMW or Mercedes ( used ) go to Baton Rouge . There is a Volvo dealer that has tons of rental returns . At the New car show he was begging people to buy one . These are cars back from lease. 85% of the new BMW and Mercedes on the road are rental and the returns are filling up lots.
targatom2019
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I love Porsche since I started driving but it was never a priority until recently so I rewarded myself with this 2019 Targa 4GTS before my retirement this July .
with your price range you might have to stick with 996 year- 911 model(1998-2004) if you can live with the egg drop headlights and make sure they upgraded the IMS bearing or else budget in 2k to fix it and don't wait to fix it.
with your price range you might have to stick with 996 year- 911 model(1998-2004) if you can live with the egg drop headlights and make sure they upgraded the IMS bearing or else budget in 2k to fix it and don't wait to fix it.
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Big_Hitter
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can get a convertible ss camaro for under 25k easily
stephenson
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Breedlove,
What year was the Jetta - would like to avoid that one!
What year was the Jetta - would like to avoid that one!
Beautiful ride. Drive it and enjoy! Tomorrow is not guaranteed.
Car-Guy
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You should be able to get a decent C6 convertible for 25k too. Of course you get what you pay for and buying any used sports car is a bit of a crap shoot. But, I've had my days with flashy sports cars. (they are cop magnets) I prefer something much more comfortable, stealthier and quicker these days.
Big_Hitter
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I've seen 2016 and 2017 1SS convertibles go for around 25K. I was thinking of something newer than a C6?
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Bamaman
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I've been reading this post closely. I guess I'm a glutton for punishment as my toy car for retirement is a Jaguar XK8 convertible. Its hard to imagine that it cost about $35K more than a Corvette when new. You can buy'em cheap used with low mileage.
And the Jags are a fabulous ride--when they're running. The trick is figuring out their quirks and how to deal with modern electronic modules. Jaguar engineers like to make repairs complicated.
And the Jags are a fabulous ride--when they're running. The trick is figuring out their quirks and how to deal with modern electronic modules. Jaguar engineers like to make repairs complicated.
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