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Friend is looking to spend 18K on a fun car

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JCH13 said:
$18k would get you a cherry Mazdaspeed Miata.
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I actually shopped those just out of curiosity and a good example with under 50k miles goes for around $14k. I saw higher mileage ones for much less, including one just over 100k miles for just under $12k. Not bad for a Summer/weekend car with the power of the latest Miatas (maybe more torque?), better looking stock wheels and leather interior.

HarryLui said:
New or used?
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That's what I was wondering too. Could make a huge difference in what gets recommended.
 
My suggestion: have her look for a really good deal on an '03 cobra. 15 grand or less sort of deal on one with 50k miles or thereabouts. The other 3k as a budget for maintenance and repairs, and call it good.

Those things are pretty thick on the ground, most are original adult owned, low mileage and not at all hammered. Simply because there's very few times you CAN hammer them and not die a horrible, flaming death.

The same doesn't always go for the garden variety GTs or camaros. You can find a clean, low mileage, unbeaten one -- but it'll take some searching.
 
v8envy said:
My suggestion: have her look for a really good deal on an '03 cobra. 15 grand or less sort of deal on one with 50k miles or thereabouts. The other 3k as a budget for maintenance and repairs, and call it good.

Those things are pretty thick on the ground, most are original adult owned, low mileage and not at all hammered. Simply because there's very few times you CAN hammer them and not die a horrible, flaming death.

The same doesn't always go for the garden variety GTs or camaros. You can find a clean, low mileage, unbeaten one -- but it'll take some searching.
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You must be from bizarro world because pretty much terminator I see on the road is running DR's and the ones I've seen up close have pulleys and exhaust work at the very least. On top of that, I've never seen one for sale anywhere near $15k. I'm sure there's stock, low mileage, non-modded ones out there, but you'll be paying more like $30k minimum.
 
v8envy said:
My suggestion: have her look for a really good deal on an '03 cobra. 15 grand or less sort of deal on one with 50k miles or thereabouts. The other 3k as a budget for maintenance and repairs, and call it good.

Those things are pretty thick on the ground, most are original adult owned, low mileage and not at all hammered. Simply because there's very few times you CAN hammer them and not die a horrible, flaming death.

The same doesn't always go for the garden variety GTs or camaros. You can find a clean, low mileage, unbeaten one -- but it'll take some searching.
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Im sure she would get tired of having to do a leg press every time she went to push in the clutch.
 
v8envy said:
My suggestion: have her look for a really good deal on an '03 cobra. 15 grand or less sort of deal on one with 50k miles or thereabouts. The other 3k as a budget for maintenance and repairs, and call it good.

Those things are pretty thick on the ground, most are original adult owned, low mileage and not at all hammered. Simply because there's very few times you CAN hammer them and not die a horrible, flaming death.

The same doesn't always go for the garden variety GTs or camaros. You can find a clean, low mileage, unbeaten one -- but it'll take some searching.
Click to expand...

Very bad idea for someone with no experience with that kind of car. As much as I love those cars and half heartedly suggest them from time to time, they are not for the inexperienced or faint of heart, certainly not for someone coming from an Accord.

Also you're not going to get one for $15k that isn't over 100k miles or beat to shit. With that kind of mileage, even if it's in perfect shape, it's going to need 4 new Bilsteins, strut mounts, bushings all 4 corners, differential mounts, oil cooler gaskets, possibly new supercharger needle bearings, etc. New set of front struts and rear shocks alone are about $1000 and they typically start making noises or go out at 30-60k depending on the local road conditions. Firm suspension + lumpy roads do not mix.

Awesome cars, but very temperamental beasts meant for the enthusiast, not for everyone, esp for a single car daily driver. Also don't know what kind of mpg she would accept. You can get 25 if you granny the Cobra, but someone looking for a "fun" car is going to be in boost all the time and getting 9 mpg and spending $800 a year on tires.
 
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IcePickFreak said:
*obligatory*

Tell her to save up more for an M3 or Elise.


Seriously though a used GT Mustang is the definitive girls "fun car" (and that's not a dig at Mustangs.) It's a matter if she likes/dislikes rwd or if it's a little too much "fun" for her.
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I see chicks driving the 05 body style GT mustangs all the time as well.
 
zerocool84 said:
That extra 5 grand will have to go to the extra maintenance and oil she'll need for it.
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Any car needs maintenance, and I am using only about a quart per 1200 miles. It's not THAT expensive. Gas is a bitch though.

But seriously - RX-8 handles great, it's womany, and turns heads where ever you go. And they are cheap (especially the 2004 models, because that particular year RX8 are riddled with problems.)
 
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