Help me pick a car

[Pantlegz]

I'm sort of in the market for a new car, or will be in the next 6-9 months and starting to do a little research and figure out what I want and what I can afford. I want something sporty, must be manual and RWD, I'd prefer IRS too. Really I'd rather get something a few years old vs buying a brand new car. This wont have to be my daily driver, I plan on keeping my Mazda 3 for that and toting the kids around in. So a back seat is optional.

As far as what I've look at so far... I'm pretty fond of Nissan and I've been considering the 370z. Or a very similar G37 Coupe which seems a little more grown up to me, which may or may not be a good thing. It's also a little slower from what I've read. I was also looking at the 2011+ Mustang GT's but they're all over the place and I'd rather get something not so common if possible. Outside of that nothing has really caught my eye which is why I'm asking here.

General price range: <30k
HP: 300+
Basically everything else is optional, preferably something lightly used 09+

 

[Phanuel]

First, GT-R.

 

[Throckmorton]

Camaro

 

[Dr. Detroit]

2012+ Genesis Coupe 3.8 R
BMW 335/135 Coupe
2005/6 Pontiac GTO
Porsche Boxster
BMW Z4 M Coupe
2006/7 Corvette

 

[Pantlegz]

First, GT-R.

If I could afford one, I'd love to but they're only about double my price range

Camaro

SS is too expensive, it's too big/heavy with a V6

2012+ Genesis Coupe 3.8 R
BMW 335/135 Coupe
2005/6 Pontiac GTO
Porsche Boxster
BMW Z4 M Coupe
2006/7 Corvette

The bolded I would consider. The Porsche looks awful. Possibly the 335is if I could find one in my price range. The GTO/Corvette are questionable just because they'd be a little older and it's not uncommon they're abused and Chevy has quality issues in my experience.

Thanks guys!

 

[Fenixgoon]

pontiac G8 GT

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Foxbody mustang 87-93. Cheap to own and loads of fun. Parts are dirt cheap and I don't know if there is better aftermarket support on any single car like what's available for the fox.

 

[JCH13]

CTSV

SVT Cobra Mustang

Corvette

$30k is enough to get you into an older Viper...

...or a V8 Miata from FM...

 

[PricklyPete]

I would drive a 135i just for sh!ts and giggles...you might be surprised how much you like driving it. I think the 370z you already mentioned is a great option that is a lot of fun to drive. Maybe check out the Hyundai Genesis Coupe with V6...although I haven't driven it to give any real feedback on whether it is decent or not. I heard they gimped the throttle or something for the first 2 gears to save the gearbox (don't quote me on that...but I would do some research).

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

CTSV

SVT Cobra Mustang

Corvette

$30k is enough to get you into an older Viper...

...or a V8 Miata from FM...

Why are you guys so willing to spend so much for a toy? 30k wtf? You can find plenty of fun, rwd, high hp cars for a song and a dance. On top of that you'll have plenty cash left to make it your own. I have a foxbody mustang and half the fun is buying parts and seeing what improvements really work and how they work. I guarantee you I get just as many sh!t eating grins as the next guy and im not breaking the bank. Sorry having 30-40k sitting in a toy car isn't my idea of fun. My tires smoke just the same and when im done driving I just park it and there's no worries. No car payments and I don't lose any sleep wondering what I could of done with all that money.

 

[JCH13]

Why are you guys so willing to spend so much for a toy? 30k wtf? You can find plenty of fun, rwd, high hp cars for a song and a dance. On top of that you'll have plenty cash left to make it your own. I have a foxbody mustang and half the fun is buying parts and seeing what improvements really work and how they work. I guarantee you I get just as many sh!t eating grins as the next guy and im not breaking the bank. Sorry having 30-40k sitting in a toy car isn't my idea of fun. My tires smoke just the same and when im done driving I just park it and there's no worries. No car payments and I don't lose any sleep wondering what I could of done with all that money.

I was only working within OPs budget, <$30k. He is clearly looking for a modern performance car.

I spent $2100 on my toy car, I'm all about bang/buck. When I blew up the engine I had a complete replacement powertrain for $400 to drop in...

 

[Pantlegz]

Why are you guys so willing to spend so much for a toy? 30k wtf? You can find plenty of fun, rwd, high hp cars for a song and a dance. On top of that you'll have plenty cash left to make it your own. I have a foxbody mustang and half the fun is buying parts and seeing what improvements really work and how they work. I guarantee you I get just as many sh!t eating grins as the next guy and im not breaking the bank. Sorry having 30-40k sitting in a toy car isn't my idea of fun. My tires smoke just the same and when im done driving I just park it and there's no worries. No car payments and I don't lose any sleep wondering what I could of done with all that money.

upto 30k for a toy that I don't have to mess with right away. I've debated getting an old 240sx(which I love btw) and building it the way I want it but in the end it would cost me about the same and be at least 10 years older and be less reliable. Even though it's a toy I don't want to have to worry about it breaking down or when I'm going to have to rebuild the engine because I'm pushing too much hp, or worse deal with a swap (LS1 S13's are mean) But there goes AC/PS unless I want to pay for conversion kits and dealing with wiring and shit that's just a pain. I don't mind a little project here and there I was thinking if I get the 370z that I would eventually go with some sort of forced induction. But I want something that's comfortable and powerful... Something a little more modern and with that comes a higher price tag which I'm ok with, I think.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

It'd cost you 30k to build a 240sx? That'd be a hell of a 240.

Im also gonna say that I'll probably have less breakdowns in my fox than you will in your 370 if both are driven equally as hard. I have a c6 transmission (truck Trans), aftermarket axles, a built 3.73 rear end, etc.. My car is built for abuse. And if something does break its gonna be significantly cheaper for me vs what you'd pay. Hell if something breaks on my fox its cheaper for me to buy aftermarket upgrades vs factory stuff.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

If I could afford one, I'd love to but they're only about double my price range



SS is too expensive, it's too big/heavy with a V6



The bolded I would consider. The Porsche looks awful. Possibly the 335is if I could find one in my price range. The GTO/Corvette are questionable just because they'd be a little older and it's not uncommon they're abused and Chevy has quality issues in my experience.

Thanks guys!

I am biased as I own one, but my requirements were: 2 seater, 10:1 power/weight, exclusive, owner-maintainable and I picked a z4 m coupe.

It is beyond a beautiful car, it is a work of art. I have no regrets whatsoever about mine. I've had it for ~40k miles with no major problems. It was initially a weekend/fun car but I now drive it anytime it's not raining.

It's difficult to portray in pictures:

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Why are you guys so willing to spend so much for a toy? 30k wtf? You can find plenty of fun, rwd, high hp cars for a song and a dance. On top of that you'll have plenty cash left to make it your own. I have a foxbody mustang and half the fun is buying parts and seeing what improvements really work and how they work. I guarantee you I get just as many sh!t eating grins as the next guy and im not breaking the bank. Sorry having 30-40k sitting in a toy car isn't my idea of fun. My tires smoke just the same and when im done driving I just park it and there's no worries. No car payments and I don't lose any sleep wondering what I could of done with all that money.

No kidding, I can read your posts and guess the username before the end.

For someone who has a mediorcre amount of disposable income, $30k is perfectly fine for a hobby.

There are plenty of people with $30k in golf clubs/guns/arts/whatever

For a car enthusiast, $30k brings a ton of enjoyment, far far more than a f body (and I love fox body mustangs....)

In my opinion, if you're going to get a quality sports car you will have to spend at least $30k. Be it a mustang, vette, porsche whatever..

 

[draknon]

I'd look for a 300zx tt in pristine condition with very low miles.