$40,000 usd to spend....

[Vansquish]

Ok...well I don't actually have the cash, but my dad's looking for a car for about that much. He has an SCCA racing license of one sort or another, so he's a pretty competent driver. What should we get?

Some of the ideas I've come up with are:

New cars:
-Mazda RX8
-Nissan 350Z
-Mustang Cobra

used:
-Corvette/Z06 (probably have to get a 1yr old)
-BMW M3 or M5 or Z3M etc...
-Porsche Boxster/Boxster S
-Porsche 993
-Lotus Esprit

classics:
-Detomaso Pantera
-Shelby Cobra (it would have to be a replica at this price but who cares?)
-an older Mustang/Camaro/Corvette etc...muscle/pony car (my dad is partial to the '67 corvette cuz he worked on the production line installing interior trim)

a bit out of the range but still possible
CAV GT (the best GT40 replica on the market...I'd have to figure out a way of getting the price down to about $60k, so it's not very likely)

[SPEEDKILLAR]

An E 55 AMG :wink:

I would go for the M3 or M5.

[ahmedgiyab]

New: BMW 330i

Used: C32 AMG, C43 AMG, E55 AMG

For this money you can get a brand new corvette!!! No???? Coz I heard that in the US it

starts from $40,000....may be I'm wrong... 0X

[PATo355]

Stick with the M3 is a fab car , and you can get it for something like 40 , maybe 35 used , its a gr8 car very comfortable and fast , if you want to go faaaast faaaast ( only in straight line tho :wink: ) get the Z06 , good looking and the best bang for the buck if you want to go fast

[Erez]

M3... but you can find some nice 996 carreras too...

you can even get a nice Ferrari 348 :D

http://www.naplesmotorsports.com/inventory.htm

http://www.baystatemotorsports.com/our_inventory.htm

:wink:

[Vansquish]

I know...the problem is that it has to be a stick...my family doesn't much believe in autos...so the E55 as well as most mercs is out the window.

[Silvia_Drift]

Out of that list, I would say the RX-8 for a new car and the M3 for the used one. Are you talking about the E46 M3 as the used car? Or how bout a BMW M Coupe. They are supposed to have one of the most ridged road car chassis ever so this must translate into some amazing handling. Some people hate how the car looks but personaly, I love it.

[Vansquish]

I was talking about the E46 M3, the E36 is nice, but I'm more of a fan of the newer bodystyle and engine. As for the M Coupe...it's a nice car, no doubt abuot that, and it has a great engine/tranny...the only problem is that it doesn't do it for me looks-wise as well as the M3 and my dad really dislikes it to boot (and his is the opinion that matters most)

[Vansquish]

We could also get into some really different stuff...Morgans, Austin Healeys, TVR's (though there are far too few of them here in the states for that to be really feasible), Alfa Romeos, I've seen a Maserati Khamsin or two, and the Bora and Merak are possibilities as well. The Jag XKE and XK120-150 are also potential buys...the only problem is that the car has to be almost daily drivable.

[oscargarza88]

if u have the rx8 in thatr list then the s200 and the wrx sti also should b there...
or why doesnt ur dad like them?

[Vansquish]

I wrote:

Some of the ideas I've come up with are:


oscargarza88 wrote:

if u have the rx8 in thatr list then the s200 and the wrx sti also should b there...
or why doesnt ur dad like them?


I never said anything about those because I just forgot about them hehehe...the S2000, WRX STi, EVO VIII, and used Supra TT, RX-7TT, 3000GT VR-4 etc... could be possibilities too.

[RAMAN]

From your list I assume your family prefers 2-door, NA sportscars?

Maybe your dad should wait for the Lotus Elise? Aren't they supposed to be priced at the $40K range? :?

[saadie]

BMW would do ....... or go for any sports car .... :twisted:

[SFDMALEX]

HOw much are the Elises in US? Get an Elise. Or a 993. Those 993 have great reliability!

[davmac]

no evo or sti? anyway i'd go for the used m3 or elise

[corvette97]

Z06 its the best in price/perf!!!

[RC45]

Z06 its the best in price/perf!!!

Agreed ;)

What exactl;y does he want to do with the car?

Track it? Weekend drive it? Tour in it? Commute with it? Collect it?

[Vansquish]

He wants a toy, but something that he can use year round preferably...the Elise hadn't really occurred to me, but that's definetely something to consider. An awesome vehicle, but it might be a bit minimalist for him. (I'd love to have it though hehehe)

As for the 993, I love them, as I love all air-cooled 911's...it's certainly a possibility, and I know he likes them hehe.

[N.J.]

If you're after something practical, cheap, idiot proof - get a Subaru WRX (new or used)

For a 2 door (used), go for either an M3 or a 993.

[Vansquish]

I think it would be an STi if we got a Scooby..but I think he wants a coupe.

[RC45]

Make you final decision - then take a used $37,000 Z06 for a test drive.

Your mind will be made up.

Period.

[Vansquish]

lol...I'll keep that in mind...some of our friends have Vettes (including a Z06), my uncle has a standard 97 coupe in black with chromed wheels (I like the aluminum ones better personally)...so we can definetely arrange test drives...but seeing as my dad just retired from Ford after 30 years, I kind of doubt he'll get a newer Vette...it would have to be the 63-67 Stingray for him.

[corvette97]

hey RC45 are u still happy with ur Z06??

i've read that if anyone that will buy a used z06, the car should be no more than 1 year old! why??

[draak666]

WRX OR the a low price Ferrari! CORVETTES SUCK (the new ones the classics are nice) ! or M3 or M5 you can buy a Elise where i live www.parkplaceltd.com

[draak666]

oh yeah and for all you american fans there is a Saleen S7, also Lotus Caterham and like 2 or 3 Ferraris
http://img1.imageshack.us/img1/3057/2967.jpg
http://img1.imageshack.us/img1/3830/9999H-3l.jpg
http://img1.imageshack.us/img1/1563/1000M-1l.jpg
http://img1.imageshack.us/img1/2622/12324-2l.jpg
http://img1.imageshack.us/img1/6461/15044-1l.jpg
http://img1.imageshack.us/img1/8485/5274-3l.jpg
http://img1.imageshack.us/img1/8062/5272-1l.jpg

[RC45]

WRX OR the a low price Ferrari!

If you say so...


CORVETTES SUCK (the new ones the classics are nice) !

And you came to this conclusion how? If by suck you mean, are cheaper to buy, run and insure than an F360 - yet turns out to be better performer - I guess it does suck.


or M3 or M5 you can buy a Elise where i live www.parkplaceltd.com

M3 vs M5 vs Elise - could you try for a more dis-similar line up? :roll:

[Vansquish]

I personally like the idea of the Elise, but I'm afraid that in all likelihood it'll be out of the price range and a bit...on the minimalist side for my dad's tastes.

[SFDMALEX]

After thinking about it more Vansquish, 993 is the best way to go. They are dirt cheap also!
Plus you can transform it to an ultimate track machine easily.

Ohh and the Z06 would be a good idea also...but I wouldnt get one. Have noting against the car, its a lovely machine,,,but just dont like it. Doesnt excite me.

[jon_s]

That is a good point about the Elise, does anyone think it will sell over there? It is without doubt a fantastic car, but I fear that the lack of a 6ltr V8 will create problems!

[SFDMALEX]

That is a good point about the Elise, does anyone think it will sell over there? It is without doubt a fantastic car, but I fear that the lack of a 6ltr V8 will create problems!

Well there is a lot of track activity in US. So I defenetly see a market.

[DMbaseball1604]

I say 993 all the way, or the STI...and I have to be honest, I know corvettes have good performance and all but they seem like they are made so cheap...the rubber steering wheel and the entire dash is basically the same set up you get in a regular chevy pick-up...but a lot of people love them and they do perform well

[spitfire6000]

umm i dont know if u can get a decent m3 at that price...i mean even the 2001 models are selling for like 48 49k right now.

Try:

Mazda rx8
or
Infiniti G35 Coupe <---- insane car for the money

[Swanniebird]

There's always an old ferrari, from like the 60's. Infiniti G35 Sprot coupes aren't bad. They have the same egineering as the 350Z, just more luxury. If your dad is willing to get a truck, a new Dodge RAM SRT-10. I think those are $48K though. Used Vipers aren't bad either. Mercedes SLK 230 or 320 convertible, used or an SL500 used. Did I fail to mention older Porsche 911's and other models?

[Vansquish]

I thought about the G35 coupe, but you know it's basically a less stiff, more gentlemanly version of the 350Z...it's nice, I think it looks better than the 350Z, but it's got 27 less bhp and a bit less torque to boot. I think I'm going to start looking into 993's ... I've seen a few Esprit V8's for close to that money too...think they're worth looking for?

[SPEEDKILLAR]

Look Vanquish, eventually its your choice(or fathers) don't listen to what we like,

buy a car that fits you or your family profile, you know, what you guys like.

[Vansquish]

I know hehe...I was just curious if there were any ideas out there that I hadn't considered...the Elise is a thought I rather like, so is the 993, the Noble M12 if I can find one etc...

Thank you guys for all the help :-D

[SFDMALEX]

There's always an old ferrari, from like the 60's

Are you crazy? An F car from the 60s will cost you 200k+

[Vansquish]

yeah, the only Ferrari's that are in the range would be Mondials, 308/328s, a 400i or two and the odd 348 that has pretty high mileage.

There are Aston Martins too...the DB7 is a bit out of the price range, but I've seen a Virage or two and of course the wedgy Lagonda of the 1980's.

[Swanniebird]

An F car from the 60s will cost you 200k+



No they won't. I've seen them for 30-50K and in good condition. Not all, but some you can find for that.

[sentra_dude]

Well, is your dad planning on using the car on the track a lot, a little, or never; because that has a big effect IMO. If he plans to go to the track frequently I would say your best bet would be a Z06, very fast in all respects and pretty cheap to buy a used one and maintain it.

Also...Elise would be wonderful, although I fear they may end up out of your price range when all is said and done with the U.S. version...

Maybe a kit car? There are some Lotus Super 7 kits, in fact there's a guy down here that makes a kit with the Celica GT-S engine (same as Elise I believe) and offers it for $35K completely assembled and ready to drive, however that maybe to harsh for a daily driver, but it would still be cool. 8)

I would stay away from a Lotus Esprit, a neighbor of mine had one and it was a great car...but it was always sitting in the drive way, he was afraid to drive it because something always broke when he drove it. :roll: Yeesh...stay away from Ferraris, or any Italian cars unless you want horrendous repair bills.

Scooby's are nice...but base WRXs aren't the best handlers, they have a lot of AWD & crappy tire induced understeer, but its better with the STi.

If it were me, I would get an Elise no questions asked; I would sell the wife's jewelry or something to come up with the difference. :D

[Vansquish]

I like the way you think sentra_dude...though the ZO6 is an excellent vehicle...my dad won't go for it, I'm fairly sure about that...he's a sort of dyed in the wool Blue Oval guy. The Elise is my current choice unless we can find a Noble M12 GTO-3 used...he'd like that even more because the Duratec 3L was one of the last things he worked on at Ford, not to mention the fact that it's fast as hell and quite a good looker as well. If we're getting a track car, my guess is that it would be a stripped out and upgraded Miata or something to that effect, as they're cheap to run and pretty handy handlers. As for kit cars, my fave is still a bit out of the price range...the CAV GT muahaha...now THAT would be excellent. :-D :-D :-D

[sentra_dude]

An M12 would be so sweet :D...no one would know what kind of car it was (except a few car nuts)...but they'd know it was something special just by looking at it. They are excellent handlers and plenty fast, and they look so damn good (although, sadly, I've never seen one in person)...

Plus the handling is biased towards oversteer. :twisted:

[Vansquish]

I know...I love them hehe...cross your fingers :-D

[Vansquish]

Well...I think the other fantasy (besides the Noble) is beginning to bear fruit. I believe I might've found a site where I can get my hands on an ERA/GTD/CAV GT40 replica for something between 35 and 45 grand. Bearing in mind that these cars have at a minimum about 270bhp and a maximum of nearly 550bhp within that price range, I think things are definetely looking good :-) (and fun hehe)

[nthfinity]

definately some interesting ideas... i am suprised however that nobody seemed to glisten to the idea of a 2003 Mustang Cobra. the car is an absolute pleasure to drive. sure, its a "straight line handler" compared to the vette... and worse for circuit racing due to the poor multilink rear suspension.... but that doesnt mean it doesnt corner at all. the car produces incredibly controlled slides under power, and has incredible potential to modify engine performance.

a kit car is definately a cool idea, the Cobra replicas ive seen are grand (except one with a soft top) i dont think to many cars could give as much commanding thrill of driving as the cobra replicas.

around that area of the state, im not familiar with any race tracks... the closest decent one is Michigan Speedway if i recall... but im not sure if it has a circuit as well as the oval? my point being that how much of a track car does he want? but at the same time, there are plenty of curvy roads to get frills on between the AA area, and Bloomfield.

being your dad is a blue oval man... i trust the Firehawk is out of the question? or perhaps a SLP Trans Am WS-6... just a few extra ideas :) good luck, id love to see whatever is chosen

[Vansquish]

There are quite a few curvy roads between AA and Bloomfield, but I don't think that MIS has a road course (which would be the most fun hehe). There are however numerous autocrosses and of course the Dearborn proving grounds (my dad could probably go visit one of his buddies at Ford who still has access :-) ). Of course one of the best things would just be cruising Woodward :-D:-D:-D:-D