What is the best Used Sports Car buy around?

[sameerrao]

Nice to see the classic car buffs turn in their votes

So many interesting choices:
- E30 M3
- Porsche 930
- Porsche 911 Carrera
- Lancia Delta Integrale
- Ferrari 348/328
- Lotus Elan (original)
- Mazda Miata
- De Tomaso Pantera
- Light Car Company Rocket - if you can find one
- Cosworth RS500
- Mercedes 230 Evo
...

It is clear that one man's definition of a good used sports car buy is different from another's. We are all different in our likes and dislikes and some cars press our buttons but leave others cold.

[ViperASR]

Mazda Miata

Great choice, can buy one used absolutly dirt cheap, like under $7000, and still have it be the one with the exposed headlights and a 6-speed. That leaves, $38,000 saved, and say you spend about $10000 modding it, it would be the most fun and bang for the buck EVER! They are excellent cars to drive and to learn on, and even provide smiles for pros. Great sports car that would be a ton of fun as a second car for track days and autocrossing. If it had enough balls under the hood (a turbo ) it would also do pretty well at amateur drift days.

[sameerrao]

As a track car it will be fantastic. I was talking to a Formula Renault driver as well as some Ferrari owners who track their cars. They mentioned that driving a low power but agile car like the Spec Miata was the best way to start tracking.

It is RWD like most race cars and is throttle sensitive. So it is in effect giving you a glimpse of what happens if you say back off the throttle in the middle of corner for instance. Useful lessons to build your skills before you try it with a 500hp car and make a fool of yourself.

Also because the Miata is low on power, if you make a mistake it punishes you with a poor laptime. You can't just call up on more power to make up some time. It forces you to follow the driving line and sustain momentum thru the corners.

All for like 10 grand. What a deal!

[ViperASR]

Also because the Miata is low on power, if you make a mistake it punishes you with a poor laptime. You can't just call up on more power to make up some time. It forces you to follow the driving line and sustain momentum thru the corners.

The quote of the century . That is exactly the best way to learn how to drive and how to be smooth. Talk to any real racing driver (I am friends with Randy Pobst, although I havnt seen him in about a year) and they will tell you exactly the same thing. Start racing slow, with inexpensive stuff because you will tear s***t up, and want to keep the costs as low as possible. And driving a low hp car will teach you to be smooth and to respect the cornering ability of the car. If you mess up a corner in a high HP car you can put your foot to the floor and make part of the time up in the straight, if you mess up a corner in a low HP car you will get a really slow lap time, and will learn from that mistake.

This is what we like so much about our Formula car, is because it is low HP it teaches you to be smooth and gentle with the car. Also, there are alot of people in the series who are willing to slow down during practice and allow you to follow them to help learn the line. The cars are not difficult to drive, they just reward the driver who is the smooth with suprisingly fast lap times

[sameerrao]

What formula car do you have? Pics?

[RC45]

Originally Posted by sameerrao It is clear that one man's definition of a good used sports car buy is different from another's. We are all different in our likes and dislikes and some cars press our buttons but leave others cold.

Actually it is more telling than that even.

Note how not one person used interior layout, build quality, perceived luxury or leather thickness as a criteria.

All people have been doing is posting up names of cars that excite them.

Some like slow cars, some like fast cars - but not one used "interior" or "nationality" or "demographic" or even "luxury" as a selection criteria -

[to the rest]

It is how ever interesting that people are adamant "performance" is not a selection criteria either - try tell this to even a weekend track warrior - that it is "ok to be the slowest slug on the track - as long as you are having fun" Yeah - sure,,

[sameerrao]

Originally Posted by RC45 Originally Posted by sameerrao It is clear that one man's definition of a good used sports car buy is different from another's. We are all different in our likes and dislikes and some cars press our buttons but leave others cold. Actually it is more telling than that even. Note how not one person used interior layout, build quality, perceived luxury or leather thickness as a criteria. All people have been doing is posting up names of cars that excite them. Some like slow cars, some like fast cars - but not one used "interior" or "nationality" or "demographic" or even "luxury" as a selection criteria -

[ViperASR]

Originally Posted by RC45 Some like slow cars, some like fast cars - but not one used "interior" or "nationality" or "demographic" or even "luxury" as a selection criteria - Wink

That is because in your rules you stated that this wasnt your only car, so interior and stuff isnt as important as you are not sitting in traffic jams on your way to work. Also, luxury is not important as it is a used sports car being used for track days and racing and occasional street use, or ar least that is what it is turning into.

And we never said that they were slow cars. 0-60 in 5.5 sec is fast as hell, just not as fast as some. You cannont say that anything that does 0-60 in above 4 seconds is not a sports car, and it seems like everyone agrees with that.

Originally Posted by RC45 It is how ever interesting that people are adamant "performance" is not a selection criteria either - try tell this to even a weekend track warrior - that it is "ok to be the slowest slug on the track - as long as you are having fun" Wink Yeah - sure,,

Never said I was the slowest, far from it, but hey, someone has to be the slowest . I just stated that I didnt have to be the fastest one out there to have a good time, but for some people that is more important. There are alot of people out at track days that spend alot more money then I am worth on their car so they can be the fastest guy out there, and to me that is not important.

"How fast you want to go? How much money you got?"

Originally Posted by sameerrao What formula car do you have? Pics?

Its a Formula Vee, its basically an old VW Carmen Gia engine and major suspension components on a Linx Vee chasis. Its one helluva fun car. As for pics, not of mine, as I am usually driving or crewing and not taking pictures. And considering I am away at school I cant jump over and take a few snapshots. I know it Pics of STFU so I guess someone can label me a liar, I really dont care.

[sameerrao]

^ Post some pics when you get a chance - I would love to see it

[ViperASR]

Originally Posted by sameerrao ^ Post some pics when you get a chance - I would love to see it

It'll probobly be during the summer when we get a chance to get it out of the garage as my father and I are both rather busy right now, but I'll snap a few pics next time if I remember . Next time I'm home and have some time on my hands I'll try to push her out of the garage and snap some pics.

[RC45]

Originally Posted by ViperASR Originally Posted by RC45 Some like slow cars, some like fast cars - but not one used "interior" or "nationality" or "demographic" or even "luxury" as a selection criteria - Wink That is because in your rules you stated that this wasnt your only car, so interior and stuff isnt as important as you are not sitting in traffic jams on your way to work. Also, luxury is not important as it is a used sports car being used for track days and racing and occasional street use, or ar least that is what it is turning into.

Nice comeback.. sortof.. still a cop out.

The point is even if you daily drove - oh, say a 944, the medicre interior wouldn't bother you - right?

Or say a used F348.. right? After all - the interior is NOT what a sports car is about.

Originally Posted by ViperASR And we never said that they were slow cars. 0-60 in 5.5 sec is fast as hell, just not as fast as some.

In a world of 5s sednas and sub 4s sports cars, 5.5 is pretty slow.. you measyre that in car lenghts. Its simple times and performance benchmarks change.

Originally Posted by ViperASR You cannont say that anything that does 0-60 in above 4 seconds is not a sports car

This was never said - ever - What was asked for was fast sports cars... big difference - you and others just chose to read in what you wanted to.

Originally Posted by ViperASR , and it seems like everyone agrees with that.

Whats not to agree with - but a 5.5s sedan is still not a sports car - which is what some loile to claim

Originally Posted by ViperASR Originally Posted by RC45 It is how ever interesting that people are adamant "performance" is not a selection criteria either - try tell this to even a weekend track warrior - that it is "ok to be the slowest slug on the track - as long as you are having fun" Wink Yeah - sure,, Never said I was the slowest, far from it, but hey, someone has to be the slowest .

Who was talking about you? You think your 944 is slow then?

Originally Posted by ViperASR I just stated that I didnt have to be the fastest one out there to have a good time, but for some people that is more important.

The ability to master your steed, fast or slow is what sports cars are about - but you also eventually graduate - why else do people bother to modify even their Miatas?

Originally Posted by ViperASR There are alot of people out at track days that spend alot more money then I am worth on their car so they can be the fastest guy out there, and to me that is not important.

Well - unless they spend the money on improving their skills, all they will be is the potentially fastest - while their ride may be "fastest' they may not be.. and you know full well that I was implying you want to be the fastest and quickest you can be for your own self enjoyment.

Originally Posted by ViperASR "How fast you want to go? How much money you got?"

Riiiiiiggggghhhhhhtttt -- except the falacy that you have to have a $100,000 to get $100,000 speed is the one some of us aim to disprove

In your world just becaus eyou don't have $100,000 you can't go really fast... in my world there are ways to achieve $100,000 speeds without having to spend $100,000

Originally Posted by ViperASR Originally Posted by sameerrao What formula car do you have? Pics? Its a Formula Vee, its basically an old VW Carmen Gia engine and major suspension components on a Linx Vee chasis. Its one helluva fun car. As for pics, not of mine, as I am usually driving or crewing and not taking pictures. And considering I am away at school I cant jump over and take a few snapshots.

Hmm.. the car isnt stored near by/ You dont maybe have a couple snapshots from last season?

Originally Posted by ViperASR I know it Pics of STFU so I guess someone can label me a liar, I really dont care.

Nice way to participate in the forum there...

Now I know you were not refereing to me in the above episode because I know you know those are not my rules - The community as a whole voted for that.

*shrug*

[ViperASR]

Originally Posted by RC45 Nice comeback.. sortof.. still a cop out. The point is even if you daily drove - oh, say a 944, the medicre interior wouldn't bother you - right? Razz Or say a used F348.. right? After all - the interior is NOT what a sports car is about. Razz

Yea, the interiors may show their age, but they are also older then I am. But when they came out they were awesome interiors.

Originally Posted by RC45 The ability to master your steed, fast or slow is what sports cars are about - but you also eventually graduate - why else do people bother to modify even their Miatas?

Thats why I'm mondifying the 944 as my skills grow, however I dont want to dump a ton of money into it cuz I plan on buying something faster when I graduate

Originally Posted by RC45 In your world just becaus eyou don't have $100,000 you can't go really fast... in my world there are ways to achieve $100,000 speeds without having to spend $100,000 Wink

I never said that, actually, I said that I would love to own a Super 7-like kit car or something that would be really cheap to drive and would would be hella fast. Remeber in the Z06 topic I said I was a grassroots racer . I love fast expensive cars, but I also like the hella fast cheap cars

Originally Posted by RC45 You think your 944 is slow then?

In a straight line, hell yea, I'll be the 1st to admit it Your Z06 would walk away from me like I was standing still. Thats why the $$$ I've spent on it has been on the suspension, cuz I enjoy cornering . I actually just put some track front balljoints on it, and its back in my hometown getting a 4-wheel alighnment, as I'm sure you must know you cant run down to the ghetto car shop and get a good alighnment on a nice sports car.

Originally Posted by RC45 Well - unless they spend the money on improving their skills, all they will be is the potentially fastest - while their ride may be "fastest' they may not be.

Amen to that, I've beaten Vipers and Z06s at autocrosses in the Honda

And about the Vee, call me fulla shit, really dont care When I get the opportunity the shots will arrive on the forum, no worries!

[TopGearNL]

I once drove with somebody in a Volvo 850 T5R, that car had a rattle and the interior wasn't perfect but it does have character!

I actually like the car to have a unperfect interior, or it rattlling sometimes. It gives the car character otherwise the experience is so well bland..

But who cares about interiors, its the driving experience that counts on the end of the day..!

[sameerrao]

But you got to admit Brembo that when you are driving really fast, the quality of the stitching is not really on the top of your mind as you negotiate the fast sweeper.

I would take an F40 with its bakelite plastics and barebones design over a plush Veyron any day of the week and twice on Sunday.


The CS which is one my all-time favorites has a simple but clean interior -nothing fancy but it is business like and purposeful


Honestly too much effort on interior design in a $50-75k and under sports car indicates to me that less effort or money spent on the exterior mechanicals.

Of course if you are buying a price = no object car like the McLaren F1 then a finely stitched hide is OK because you do know that the mechanicals were not compromised. As long as the luxury items do not add too much weight that is.

In a sports car, I appreciate simplicity and function. In a luxury saloon, the quality, fit and finish matters a lot more

I know a lot of you tend to ride on the Z06 for its cheap seeming interior but for the performance you get for the money you spend, it is well worth it. Buy a used '01 S4 for $24k for its interior and a Z06 for $30k for its performance and you are set.

[TopGearNL]

But you got to admit Brembo that when you are driving really fast, the quality of the stitching is not really on the top of your mind as you negotiate the fast sweeper. In a sports car, I appreciate simplicity and function. In a luxury saloon, the quality, fit and finish matters a lot more

We share that point of view Sameer! 8)

I love the F40 and Challenge Stradale for that reason!

Thats why I like the M3 CSL so much too. For sure its a stupid car to some people but having no airco, no radio just makes the driving experience even better..