What sports car should I get?

[ahbrady]

I'm looking for a sports car about $33,000 or under. I know I can't get anything great for that price. I was looking at the Honda S2000, Nissan 350Z, and the Toyota MR2 Spyder. Any suggestions on those or other ones? If someone would like to donate about $25,000 or so, I'd really love a Porsche.:D

[Subby]

I think you should save your money and buy a life.

[CamEdwards]

I would go for a 2000 Chevy Cavalier, then use the leftover 23,000 to buy a Russian Mail Order Bride. You might even be able to buy two for that price.

[albionmoonlight]

Peruvian mail order brides are so underrated these days . . .

[JimJam19]

I would go with the S2000. I own one and its such a nice ride. Quick as a whip, handles like you woudnt believe. I am very intrigued by the 350Z also, it is a sweet looking car. But i will always buy Honda, and the S2000 is a great car.

[albionmoonlight]

Dola--

I know nothing about sports cars. However, one piece of advice I have from a friend who was a dealer (in cars, not Russian brides). A lot of people who get a cheap sports car like to "trip it out" and do all sorts of alterations to the car. Feel free if you want to, but realize that you are killing the resale value of the car.

[ahbrady]

Thanks jim and albion. I won't "trip it out." I don't know enough about cars to do any alterations or have any desire to. I like the S2000 a lot, and I know that Honda makes great cars. I used to own an Accord and liked it quite a bit. It was pretty old, but it ran great even though I was young and dumb and wrecked it a few times. The S2000 is a bit more expensive I think. I will probably go and talk to the dealers and see what kind of deals I can get on them. I love the way the 350Z looks too. I'll probably end up keeping my old car for a while. I always end up chickening out of stuff like this. And Subby, I don't know why you were offended by this, but you are probably right. The smartest thing to do would be to save my money, but what fun is that. I don't have much of a life, you should see how much time I spend lurking around here.

[Rich1033]

Id go for the 350Z. I have always liked the way they looked when I saw them on TV, plus it made car and drivers 10 best list. However, I recently saw one on the road for the first time and was suprised by just how small that thing is. Im not sure how much it will cost but a convertible version is coming out soon(or could already be out.

Personally, If I had 33K burning a hole in my pocket, I buy a newer Trans Am. Hell, I would still have enough money left over to buy a Bike to go with it. A Honda CBR would be a nice match.

[sterlingice]

No way would I get a Japanese car if I were getting a sports car. I'd go for something like a Camaro (tho the current ones are ugly) or Mustang. Or go steal a Porsche 911 :D

SI

[Craptacular]

You could get a base level BMW Z4 or 3 series sedan. I agree, though, that the 350Z appears to be a sweet ride. The bible of car research (Edmunds) loves it as well.

[Fritz]

FWIW, you can get a big assed SUV for the same price and drive over the fools in the sportscars. Despite illusions of speed, sportscars have to stop at traffic lights too.

[Craptacular]

Or for that price, I could outfit your current car to eject spike strips from the rear of your car for those Expeditions, Suburbans, and Hummers following you out of the mall parking lot.

[Fritz]

Originally posted by Craptacular
Or for that price, I could outfit your current car to eject spike strips from the rear of your car for those Expeditions, Suburbans, and Hummers following you out of the mall parking lot.

self sealing tires are now standard on the big boys.

[EagleFan]

Subaru WRX, drive one and you'll be hooked.

[ShagVT]

For that money, I would probably take a look at a TT, although you would have to look at the hardtop in that price range.

One thing I would seriously consider with the Spyder is storage space - a co-worker test drove on a few weeks ago and complained that the trunk barely had room for his laptop.

The S2000 is probably the best performer of the bunch. You won't find another car out there that gets 240 HP out of a 2.0L engine. It's unfortunate that it is by far the least attractive, but if you are looking for performance it is your best choice. Honda is pretty rigid on their prices - don't expect to pay any less than sticker.

The Nissan is supposed to be a sweet car - Nissan has always done well with the Z series, and everything I have read say this is another winner. The biggest issue you will have is availability - these things are selling well, and most of the folks around here have to (a) wait for them to arrive on the xth truck from the factory and (b) pay more than sticker price just to get in line.

[ShagVT]

As an aside, if you are willing to go used, for 33K you can get a 2000/1 Porsche Boxster.

[MizzouRah]

I would get a Mazda Rx-8. I just love the way they look. Oh, how I wish I had the money!!

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/large/1045-6.jpg

[Fidatelo]

I don't think you can go wrong with any of those cars, but I'd lean towards the S2000 or the 350Z over the MR2. Something about the S2000's ridiculous redline and that cool (but pointless) Start button have me leaning that way, but it's not like I've ever even been inside either one, so it's hard to make an informed opinion.

[Anrhydeddu]

That Mazda looks really faggoty (TM SkyDog 2003. All Rights Reserved).

[MizzouRah]

Originally posted by Anrhydeddu
That Mazda looks really faggoty (TM SkyDog 2003. All Rights Reserved).

What color is yours?


Todd

[Subby]

Originally posted by MizzouRah
What color is yours?


Todd Hahahahaha. Bucc is such a dipshit sometimes :)

[bamcgee]

You can do no wrong with the cars mentioned. However, if you like the 350z, it might be worth moving up a few grand to the four seater Infiniti G35 coupe. What a great looking car.

[Fritz]

That Mazda looks a lot like an early 90's Celica.

[korme]

My friend's mom has the Spyder mentioned in the first post. Very nice.

[ahbrady]

I really like the Audi TT, but I'm not sure that it is in my price range. Although, I probably shouldn't buy any of these. It's not like these are real practical, and I'm not exactly raking cash in. I've always dreamed of owning a Porsche, so I might look into a used Boxster. Thanks for the info guys.

[cuervo72]

Originally posted by Shorty3281
My friend's mom has the Spyder mentioned in the first post. Very nice.

Can't resist.....is she hot? Does she take you for rides? :D

[MizzouRah]

I heard Howard Stern talking about the Audi TT yesterday. He wanted a grey one with black leather.


Todd

[Craptacular]

Originally posted by EagleFan
Subaru WRX, drive one and you'll be hooked.

If you can get in one after looking at that butt-ugly hood.

[Marmel]

I have a 1984 Pontiac Fiero. Hot car, baby. You should get one.

[Sharpieman]

Just buy a mustang, then you could save your money for something more important. Or buy an old fashioned car. I reccomend my dream car, A 1970 Plymouth Barracuda Hemi.

[Rich1033]

Originally posted by Sharpieman
Just buy a mustang, then you could save your money for something more important. Or buy an old fashioned car. I reccomend my dream car, A 1970 Plymouth Barracuda Hemi.

I agree that an older car would be a nice choice, but you really couldnt use that as a primary car. However, a Mustang? Everyone and their grandmother seems to be driving those around.

I dont know how old you are, but it might help to call your insurance company and check on the rates for each car you are considering. If it comes down to two cars that could be a good tie breaker. I assume you are over 25, but the increase in rates alone stopped me(21 at the time) from buying a new car last year.

[Sharpieman]

I say buy a older car now, since cars fueled by gas will be gone in 15 yrs, and you might as well get a cool car while they last.