$80k budget

[Woofmeister]

Power? Luxury? $80k budget? Easy.
Sedan=Audi S6; Coupe=BMW 650i or Jaguar XK.

Yeah, yeah, the Corvette Z06 is a performance monster, but if you're used to riding in an E500, it's going to feel pretty down market.

And for those of you suggesting a new 911 for $80k, unless you're looking for a stripped base model (assuming you could even find it), I think the 911 is a little out of his price range. $90k would do nicely though.

 

[imported_Truenofan]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
lets see, she has a high powered luxo sedan. so he needs something that is the complete opposite.

exige.

another agree from here. nothing better than a street legal racing car.(even the elise is borderline)

 

[alimoalem]

need to get 1 or 2 years used: 911 (turbo or gt3 if possible), M5

Z06, exige, 535i (saves money), M3, RS4, S6, cayman s

if he's cool with getting something 6-24 months used, that would be best.

i wouldn't look outside of audi, bmw, porshce or the Z06.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: 996GT2
Lotus Exige (can fit a turbo/supercharged engine on it and still stay well under 80k)

The 2007 and up Exiges are already supercharged.

 

[imported_Truenofan]

mmmmm exige.......those are so evil....i'm sorry but if i could drive one, oh god they would have trouble trying to get me away from it lol, i'd be taking pictures of the thing all around, me in it, engine bay, video of me driving it...those things are such bastard cars, but they handle beautifully.

 

[PricklyPete]

If he wants a bit of luxury...I'd go for a new M3 or a 911.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Truenofan
mmmmm exige.......those are so evil....i'm sorry but if i could drive one, oh god they would have trouble trying to get me away from it lol, i'd be taking pictures of the thing all around, me in it, engine bay, video of me driving it...those things are such bastard cars, but they handle beautifully.

My only issue with the Exige is that when you pull the roof off the engine gets a bit warmer due to the panel differences between it and the Elise. I'd rather get an Elise and supercharge it with a Sector111 kit. That will get you 40hp more than you get out of the Exige stock.

 

[FallenHero]

Viper

 

[thomsbrain]

Ariel Atom 2 300, and a used Accord V6 for the weekdays.

Hey, I'm half-way there.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Ah, perhaps a classic Jaguar then if you can locate one (maybe through the DuPont registry), the 60s models are gorgeous classics that are great investments.

Not bad. But I'd still go for the Lotus Exige S...or an Elise and pocket the rest. Especially if you aren't going to track the car. Maybe a 911 if you aren't into street legal race cars.

 

[IGBT]

..a Hummer truck wit many layers of candy.

 

[ScottFern]

Used Porsche GT3 FTMFW!

 

[ayabe]

Originally posted by: SithSolo1
This: <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://www.edmunds.com/il/nissan/skyline/index.html">https://www.edmunds.com/il/nis...skyline/index.html</a>

This is what I would buy for 80K.

 

[c3p0]

Viper or Vet

c3p0
:beer:

 

[DarkThinker]

Z4 M Coupe 330 HP! luxurious, costs $ 50k he can load it out of the rectum with options and he would still pocket $20k of saving. That monster looks like a little BMW M6 devil, and I am telling ya 330HP in car the weight of the M Coupe is a lot of power!

Second option I think it would be either a brand new M3 or brand new M5 / 650i. I love the M5 because this is an extreme sports performer that would fit very nicely in an everyday scenario since it's a spacious sedan. But since your buddy and his fiancee already have a E500 I would say they'd better go with a brand new M3 they would have an awesome time in that coupe I am sure.

I wish I had your buddy's options, of course my pick would have been the M5 no doubt. Ehhh some day ... some day

 

[Dizzymon]

I'd get a Lexus GS350 and dump the rest on the stock market.

 

[ponyo]

update: He ended up buying another new Yukon late last year. He wanted a sports car but she wanted a large utility vehicle to go camping and drive down to their Florida beach condo. But he still wanted a sports car so he called me late last week to look for a car. We ended up deciding on an used 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo. We finalized the deal yesterday and he and I went on a roadtrip to buy the car and bring it home.

pics of 996 Turbo

I only rode as a passenger on the 6 hour ride back so I'll have to wait to give the driving impression until I drive it later. Car has surprising amount of room inside and big enough for a small suitcase and items. It's a great touring car. Seats are very plush and comfortable and wraps your body. Very nice. The interior reminds of my old Boxster but much nicer due to full leather everywhere. Even the A/C vents are leather wrapped. Quality is top notch. We got the new car sticker which showed the car had the MSRP of $141k and change when it was new.

Car is fun, especially when it's in boost. It pulls like crazy while in boost but even then, it doesn't feel much faster than my C6. The turbo spooling sounds neat and the exhaust has a nice roar when you floor it.

When I got into my C6 to drive back home, I noticed how bad the support on the seat were compared to the Porsche and how flat and wide it was. The interior of the C6 felt so plain and plastic but large. Felt like I had just stepped into a Chevy Cobalt or something. But soon as I pressed the gas and felt the engine pull, I quickly forgot and a big smile came over my face. LS2 engine definitely hold its own vs the turbo.

 

[Kabob]

Porsche's are hawt, I love the cherry interior. If ya don't mind, what'd he end up paying for it?

Buddy of mine is looking at a 996 Turbo. He's had a german sports car before though, so he's debating between a 996 Turbo, Z06, or a Viper GTS/SRT-10 (he's never had an American sports car), I keep pushing for the Porsche but I think in the end he's gonna get a viper (foolishness!!). Only thing that's holding him back is one of the GTS' he went and looked at had a replaced hood. Apparently the owner let his wife try to drive it and she went straight into his mailbox, and he claimed it was $12,000 for a new hood (sounds like an exaggeration but I guess ya never know).

There's an '01 996 Turbo with a few nice bits on it on ebay with a BIN of $42,750, my buddy is looking at it. Only like a day left on it though and I think he's gonna let it sail on by...

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Originally posted by: Naustica
update: He ended up buying another new Yukon late last year. He wanted a sports car but she wanted a large utility vehicle to go camping and drive down to their Florida beach condo. But he still wanted a sports car so he called me late last week to look for a car. We ended up deciding on an used 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo. We finalized the deal yesterday and he and I went on a roadtrip to buy the car and bring it home.

pics of 996 Turbo

Was that a Tiprtronic automatic trans I spotted?

Oh hell no!

Supposedly the 2009 automatic is greatly improved but Porsche has never been known to have produced a good automatic trans.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: Fmr12B

Originally posted by: Naustica
update: He ended up buying another new Yukon late last year. He wanted a sports car but she wanted a large utility vehicle to go camping and drive down to their Florida beach condo. But he still wanted a sports car so he called me late last week to look for a car. We ended up deciding on an used 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo. We finalized the deal yesterday and he and I went on a roadtrip to buy the car and bring it home.

pics of 996 Turbo

Was that a Tiprtronic automatic trans I spotted?

Oh hell no!

Supposedly the 2009 automatic is greatly improved but Porsche has never been known to have produced a good automatic trans.

any reason why they can't get DSG from VW?

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
Porsche has never been known to have produced a good automatic trans.

I've not heard anything specially bad about them. In fact, until the Tiptronic, Porsche sourced almost all of their automatics from Audi/VW and the worst I heard about them was the standard complaint about 3-speed transmissions. On the other hand, most of the Porsche guys I know have the manual versions, so I may just not be hearing about it.

ZV

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: kabob983
Porsche's are hawt, I love the cherry interior. If ya don't mind, what'd he end up paying for it?

Buddy of mine is looking at a 996 Turbo. He's had a german sports car before though, so he's debating between a 996 Turbo, Z06, or a Viper GTS/SRT-10 (he's never had an American sports car), I keep pushing for the Porsche but I think in the end he's gonna get a viper (foolishness!!). Only thing that's holding him back is one of the GTS' he went and looked at had a replaced hood. Apparently the owner let his wife try to drive it and she went straight into his mailbox, and he claimed it was $12,000 for a new hood (sounds like an exaggeration but I guess ya never know).

There's an '01 996 Turbo with a few nice bits on it on ebay with a BIN of $42,750, my buddy is looking at it. Only like a day left on it though and I think he's gonna let it sail on by...

He ended up paying $56k which is a steal IMO. We ended up looking everywhere but that was the cheapest one we could find with the mileage. It had 19,6xx miles when we picked it up. The bad economy is great when you're trying to pick up toys. This is the worst I've seen it pricing wise when it comes to high end toys. Great time to buy, terrible time to sell.

My younger cousin picked up a stock '02 Viper GTS with 13k miles couple weeks ago. He has in the shop right now getting some work done to it. He changing out the wheels, brakes, headers and exhaust, and adding a supercharger to it. It's going to be a beast and easily equaling or besting the new '08 Viper hp/tq. I can't wait for him to get it back from the shop so I can ride and drive it.

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: Fmr12B

Originally posted by: Naustica
update: He ended up buying another new Yukon late last year. He wanted a sports car but she wanted a large utility vehicle to go camping and drive down to their Florida beach condo. But he still wanted a sports car so he called me late last week to look for a car. We ended up deciding on an used 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo. We finalized the deal yesterday and he and I went on a roadtrip to buy the car and bring it home.

pics of 996 Turbo

Was that a Tiprtronic automatic trans I spotted?

Oh hell no!

Supposedly the 2009 automatic is greatly improved but Porsche has never been known to have produced a good automatic trans.

His wife can't drive a manual and wanted him to get the tip. If you're married, you do what your wife says if you want to buy toys.

 

[Kabob]

When we first met my wife could drive a straight shift better than me. It's still close (she may still have the edge...not sure). Her dad pretty much gave her the "you're gonna learn how to drive and you'll do it right" speech, all her family can drive 5 speeds.

Yeah, the $42K 996 Turbo on ebay has like 62K miles, so for the price you did well (although I'm with them, the automatic makes me cry inside). Shoulda spent $1K on a junker with a 5 speed and made her learn

 

[Bignate603]

I would buy at least 10 different old jeeps. My apartment complex would hate me. There would be a line of cherokees, wagoneers, wranglers and CJs in the parking lot.