The wife caved, I can have my sports car!

[JCE]

The wife caved and said I wouldn't be happy if I had to "settle" for a 4 door vehicle of some kind. The time table is Spring next year. She also said that whatever I get has to have less than 100k miles, something she would not mind driving/riding in and of course something reliable. That does narrow it a bit by removing almost everything European and any Ford Panther platform cars (no Marauder ). Also, I want to make sure I can get a loan on the vehicle so 2001 is the oldest model year I can look at and it has to have 80k miles or less. There are local dealers who are offering a 5/yr 100,000mi warranty starting from the date of purchase--that makes the decision for reliability a bit easier.

Now, I prefer an automatic but would consider a manual if the mileage and price were right. I don't like MX-5's so lets do me a favor and not even seriously mention it or I'll ignore the post. Nothing personal to whom owns them, I just don't prefer them. Thank you. I would appreciate any arguments/bantering/debating to be civil and to avoid "omg that car sucks", "dude these cars are gay" and other such nonsense.

I have driven everything on this list except the Mazdaspeed6. What I'm looking for in this thread is first hand experience with these vehicles by someone who's owned them for a substantial amount of mileage. Any insight is greatly appreciated. 👍

I'll rate these into 2 categories to make it easier.

THE PREFERRED CANDIDATES (so far):

Year - Model - Comments/Criteria

• 2001-2005 Honda S2000 - Would not get white or yellow and it needs to have less than 80k miles. The top needs to be in immaculate shape!
• 2004-2006 Infiniti G35 coupe - No conditions other than mileage needs to be less than 80k.
• 2001-2006 Mustang GT - Would not get white or yellow and it needs to have less than 80k miles. Would consider a convertible, but only with an automatic tranmission.
• 2003-2004 Mustang Mach 1 - Would not get white or yellow and it needs to have less than 80k miles.
• 2001-2001 Mustang SVT Cobra - No conditions other than mileage needs to be less than 80k.
• 2004-2007 Nissan 350Z coupe - No conditions other than mileage needs to be less than 80k.
• 2004-2006 Pontiac GTO - No conditions other than mileage needs to be less than 80k.

THE SECONDARY CANDIDATES:

Year - Model - Comments/Criteria

• 2001-2002 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 / SS - Would only get one if the mileage was less than 60k and the price was right. Would consider a convertible, but only with an automatic tranmission.
• 2006-2007 Dodge Charger R/T Daytona - Would only consider if the mileage was less than 60k and it wasn't lime green.
• 2001-2004 Ford F150 SVT Lightning - No conditions other than mileage needs to be less than 80k.
• 2003-2004 Infiniti M45 saloon - No conditions other than mileage needs to be less than 80k.
• 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 - Would only consider if the mileage was less than 80k. PREFER GRAND TOURING!
• 2001-2002 Pontiac Trans-Am / Firebird V8 - Would only consider if the mileage was less than 80k. Would consider a convertible, but only with an automatic tranmission.
• 2002-2007 Subaru Impreza WRX - Would only consider if the mileage was less than 80k. PREFER PRE-2006 MODELS!

Update 8-4-2011:
Corvette removed. According to Edmunds the C5 isn't very reliable. $1,250 for a brake control module not even including labor? No thanks.

Update 8-2-2011:
Separated candidates list into 2 categories for easier viewing. Removed Nissan Maxima, decided just now that I want RWD or AWD.

Update 8-2-2011:
Removed 2 F150's, the wife wants to trade the RX-8 for a a truck with 4 doors after the RX-8 gets paid off.

I DO NOT WANT LIST:

• Anything in the compact car category.
• Anything FWD (minus the Nissan Maxima).
• Nissan 240SX.
• Anything with a Mazda badge that doesn't include what I mentioned above.
• Anything with a Chrysler/Dodge badge that doesn't include what I mentioned above.
• Anything with a Toyota badge PERIOD.
• Anything with a GM badge that doesn't include what I mentioned above.

 

[Tornado]

I'll make the same suggestion I made last time: Lincoln LS V8.



Can you really swing a Lightning for 17 grand?

 

[deadcell96]

The S2000, imo, is the best looking out of that bunch. Also, why not go for an sti instead of just a wrx?

 

[xXKingJoshXx]

What do you mean you can't get an 06-08 F150 FX2 with less than 80,000 miles? We have 4 in my family. 1 with 15k, 1 with 60k, 1 with 72k, and one with 78k.

 

[Eric.]

I'd go with the S2000 or GTO.

 

[Perfect Balance]

*looks at thread title* "Sports car".



*looks at list*




"Ford F150"






"Nissan Maxima"








Totally should get a bro40sx though man.

 

[gogatrs]

What about a Volkwagen R32?

 

[JCE]

I'll make the same suggestion I made last time: Lincoln LS V8.



Can you really swing a Lightning for 17 grand?

The LS is a great car, but locally every time I find one with the mileage I want for the V8 they ask too much money for it. Plus, for a sport saloon I'd rather have a Mazdaspeed6. Rarer and would be better resale when I'm done with it.

Yes, I can get a Lightning for $17k. They do occasionally appear!

The S2000, imo, is the best looking out of that bunch. Also, why not go for an sti instead of just a wrx?

I agree partly with the S2000, it is better looking than most of my list. However, I cannot argue with V8 and RWD. I prefer the rumble of a V8 over the high screaming I4 VTEC.

What do you mean you can't get an 06-08 F150 FX2 with less than 80,000 miles? We have 4 in my family. 1 with 15k, 1 with 60k, 1 with 72k, and one with 78k.

Trouble is locally they are used for work trucks more than "road cars" or daily commuters. What ones I've seen for sale in the last 3 years all had over 80k miles and they wanted way too damn much money for them.

I'd go with the S2000 or GTO.

Those two and the Mustang are my top 3 choices easily. I love all three almost equally albeit with the Mustang pulling a head by a snake head ... errr nose.

*looks at thread title* "Sports car".

*looks at list*

"Ford F150"

"Nissan Maxima"



Totally should get a bro40sx though man.

The Nissan Maxima is sometimes classified as a sport saloon. The F150 FX2 is known as FX2 Sport (semantics I know...), the Harley Davidson not so much (true) but the SVT Lightning is absolutely a sports "car".

Already owned a 240SX and I don't want another one.

What about a Volkwagen R32?

Hmmmm, I'm intrigued, tell me more. 👍

 

[CAM]

You can get a pretty nice BMW E46 3 Series for less than $17,000 around here. I haven't seen anything pre-E92 go over 20 grand here lately.

 

[Diego440]

That does narrow it a bit by removing almost everything European

I don't get this part.

 

[gogatrs]

I'm intrigued, tell me more. 👍

Well, it's basically a 4WD Golf.
However, it's got a 3.2 liter engine as opposed to 2.
This equals many more ponies which means this:
Oh yeah, and it's German.
You could probably use it as your everyday car too...

 

[CAM]

I don't get this part.

Agreed, BMW 3 Series cars are some of the most reliable cars there are.

 

[JCE]

You can get a pretty nice BMW E46 3 Series for less than $17,000 around here. I haven't seen anything pre-E92 go over 20 grand here lately.

Clicky -->

There are usually exactly ZERO M3's for the E46 generation for sale for that price and in the mileage range I want. Even the fugly baby poop green color!

This or this are the closest one I could find to my location and criteria.

I don't get this part.

Most European cars have a higher mileage numbers in the price ranges and years I can afford--which puts them too close to needing scheduled maintenance that is bloody expensive.

Well, it's basically a 4WD Golf.
However, it's got a 3.2 liter engine as opposed to 2.
This equals many more ponies which means this:
Oh yeah, and it's German.
You could probably use it as your everyday car too...

I knew the stats on the R32 I was more interested in reliability information.

 

[SVX]

How about this 2003 Nissan 350Z Coupe?

 

[CAM]

That's quite unfortunate, that white M3 had me drooling. I'm sure if you really wanted a BMW a 335i would have enough oomph for you, and definitely cheaper than any of the M labeled cars. Happy hunting 👍.

 

[JCE]

How about this 2003 Nissan 350Z Coupe?

I saw that one last night. That would be in my price and mileage range. I would dig it.

That's quite unfortunate, that white M3 had me drooling. I'm sure if you really wanted a BMW a 335i would have enough oomph for you, and definitely cheaper than any of the M labeled cars. Happy hunting 👍.

I would like a 335 but I can't find one for my mileage and money. I would prefer an E46 M3 over the new 335. 👍

 

[Diego440]

BAM! 2006 Mercedes Benz SLK350 $19,988

2007 Mini Cooper S

2005 Audi S4 Convertible

2005 Mini Cooper S

2005 Subaru Impreza WRX

 

[niky]

06 Max? Why not get an Altima V6 or SE-R? Something that, well, you know, can actually turn?

Maxima

Altima SE-R

Simple choice, really...

 

[CAM]

I would too buddy, my favorite manufacturer by a long shot. And I think I deserve props for saying nothing pre-E92 goes over $20,000 and both cars you posted were $19,9XX.

 

[BryCivicSi]

WOW! I just realized you don't plan on buying said car for almost a year. I don't see the point of this thread other than to show off.
But anyways, some words of advice....
I think what you fail to realize is that cars from this timeframe and mileage require lots of maintenance. I didn't view your link for the SVT Focus but I'd know how long it took you to rack up that bill. And well, this warranty you speak of, it is a joke. Take care of your car and it will take care of you. If you are worried and think you need a warranty, you shouldn't buy it in the first place. And that's the hard truth. Read the fine print on those warranties. They are basically selling you piece of mind and nothing else. You'll almost never need it and if you happen to, it is probably cause some scheduled maintenance was missed and that alone should void said warranty.
Scheduled maintenance is there for a reason- it actually works.

 

[ShobThaBob]

I might be looking at selling my 2006 GTO around that time next year. PM me with any information you'd want. I'm located in Houston. Not joking.

 

[CodeRedR51]

I don't like MX-5's so lets do me a favor and not even seriously mention it or I'll ignore the post. I'd rather have herpes and chlamydia then drive one of those. Nothing personal to whom owns them, I just don't prefer them. Thank you.

Funny you say that, because everything you are looking for in a car....is what an MX-5 is all about. Afraid people will think you're gay? Be a man and get over it.

 

[samie57]

I had a GTO if you find one cheap low miles 👍

 

[motortrend]

I say get the E46 M with a manual tranny even if it's far. If you have the opportunity, you can have a mini road trip while picking up the car and you get acquainted with the car while you're driving it back.

 

[homeforsummer]

Of the list in the original post, Lightning and S2000. Maybe a Corvette or 350Z.

S2K, 350Z and 'Vette because they're the best sports cars on the list, though in all honesty I've never been keen on the C5 'Vette (looks a bit tame and featureless with those gloopy 1990s curves), so it's a pity your budget won't allow a C6.

The S2K doesn't need much introduction sports car wise but I would wonder if, given the large number of large-engined cars on your list and the fact you'd prefer auto you wouldn't get a bit fed up of a car that encourages you to thrash everywhere rather than roll on a wall of torque. 350Z less so, probably better to live with day to day not least because it has a proper roof.

And the Lightning because there's a lot to be said for the supercharged V8, auto transmission and high driving position. You'd just have to make sure that it had a bed cover so people didn't steal your luggage at traffic signals, and that you don't mind your shopping sliding from one end of the bed to the other all the way home, as I've never seen pickups being that practical in situations that involve carrying smaller stuff (in which case, a double cab like the H-D might be better).

 

[McLaren]

I say get the E46 M with a manual tranny even if it's far. If you have the opportunity, you can have a mini road trip while picking up the car and you get acquainted with the car while you're driving it back.

E46 M3s are still over $20,000. You have to be careful when buying them near the OP's budget.

 

[keldabest13]

Get a GT-R!!

 

[McLaren]

Did you read the OP?

 

[Joey D]

Funny you say that, because everything you are looking for in a car....is what an MX-5 is all about. Afraid people will think you're gay? Be a man and get over it.

A lot of people just don't like MX-5's at all, I've driven them and I know for a fact I couldn't live with one at all. I don't care what others think of me with a car either, remember I'm the one who owned a MINI Cooper.

===

As to JCE's original question, I'd get a Ford F-150 Lightning if I was in your shoes. You can haul whatever you want with it and then clean out the bed and go waste people on the strip. They take a lot of punishment and go like a stabbed rat. A family friend of ours had a silver one with all sorts of mods done to it, including a 100 shot of nitrous. It easily trounced Vettes.

Not to mention you're in Texas where I think everyone drives a pickup any way so you should be able to find out fairly easy.

Past that I'd look the Mustang Cobra and the Mustang Mach 1 from your list pretty heavily too. The SVT Cobra is one of the few cars I've been in that is actually scary to drive, but scary in a good way .

Shame it's gotta be newer then 2001 though, a GMC Typhoon would be the perfect combination of sportiness, utility and comfort.

 

[CodeRedR51]

A lot of people just don't like MX-5's at all, I've driven them and I know for a fact I couldn't live with one at all. I don't care what others think of me with a car either, remember I'm the one who owned a MINI Cooper.

Yeah, that's fine. I just don't like the way his comment came across. Just say you don't want to consider it, don't have to take it as far as he did.