Most fun car to drive at around $15-18k?

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S

Shyatic

Platinum Member
Apr 5, 2004
2,164
34
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I have the A4 3.0 right now, and it's a great daily driver... quiet, comfy, smooth. It's almost zero fun to drive. I figure I can afford a car in the 15k-18k range (though I'd like to stay around 15k) to have some fun on the weekends without breaking the bank.

I honestly was thinking to get a used RX-8... the chassis on the car is amazing and it was always a pleasure to drive. I am not a big fan of convertibles, and so I would write off the Miata or S2000.

Any other ideas? With spring time rapidly approaching, I'm weighing my options. Either that, or I'll dump a bit of money into my A4 to make it more fun, but at 3700lbs, it's hard to 'add' anything to make it more fun :)

As a side note, my last car before the A4 was an E46 M3, and before that a 2004 RX-8. Of all the cars I've owned thus far, the RX-8 has been the most fun to drive. It's why I have a bias towards it... the interior is very comfy too, so give me some other options! Reliability is kind of a big deal too since it's going to be mostly a weekend car :)
 
K

kalster

Diamond Member
Jul 23, 2002
7,355
6
81
mini copper, i have a 99 miata myself, but I have heard the mini is a really fun car to drive as well
 
S

Shyatic

Platinum Member
Apr 5, 2004
2,164
34
91
Originally posted by: Juno
'00-'03 nissan maxima
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Yea right -- front wheel drive is not allowed in these discussions :D And I'm writing off the Evo too, because it's a Mitsubishi and their cars are horrendous :(
 
C

Chrono

Diamond Member
Jan 2, 2001
4,959
0
71
I say..... RX-8!
do it. I was going to get one but got an STI instead.
 
halik

halik

Lifer
Oct 10, 2000
25,696
1
0
Originally posted by: Scribe
I have the A4 3.0 right now, and it's a great daily driver... quiet, comfy, smooth. It's almost zero fun to drive. I figure I can afford a car in the 15k-18k range (though I'd like to stay around 15k) to have some fun on the weekends without breaking the bank.

I honestly was thinking to get a used RX-8... the chassis on the car is amazing and it was always a pleasure to drive. I am not a big fan of convertibles, and so I would write off the Miata or S2000.

Any other ideas? With spring time rapidly approaching, I'm weighing my options. Either that, or I'll dump a bit of money into my A4 to make it more fun, but at 3700lbs, it's hard to 'add' anything to make it more fun :)

As a side note, my last car before the A4 was an E46 M3, and before that a 2004 RX-8. Of all the cars I've owned thus far, the RX-8 has been the most fun to drive. It's why I have a bias towards it... the interior is very comfy too, so give me some other options! Reliability is kind of a big deal too since it's going to be mostly a weekend car :)
Click to expand...

'02-'03 996 Carrera if you're willing to drop around ~30
 
iamwiz82

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
Originally posted by: kalster
mini copper, i have a 99 miata myself, but I have heard the mini is a really fun car to drive as well
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My 99 Miata is more fun than the MINIs we had.
 
Gooberlx2

Gooberlx2

Lifer
May 4, 2001
15,381
6
91
Originally posted by: kalster
mini copper, i have a 99 miata myself, but I have heard the mini is a really fun car to drive as well
Click to expand...

The mini cooper is an inredibly fun car to drive. Even just the regular cooper is fun, much less the 'S'. But OP doesn't seem to want FWD, and I don't think you're gonna find too many 'S' coopers with low miles around $15K...at least not ones without problems.
 
L

Lola

Originally posted by: kalster
mini copper, i have a 99 miata myself, but I have heard the mini is a really fun car to drive as well
Click to expand...

we had two minis and now have a 99 miata... we both personally think the miata is a LOT more fun to drive!! :)
GAH... i was beat to the post. :eek:
 
vi edit

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
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You could probably get into a thoroughly abused 350Z for that price.
 
S

Shyatic

Platinum Member
Apr 5, 2004
2,164
34
91
Originally posted by: vi_edit
You could probably get into a thoroughly abused 350Z for that price.
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I've autocrossed the 350Z. It's a boat -- it understeers badly :(
 
AgaBoogaBoo

AgaBoogaBoo

Lifer
Feb 16, 2003
26,108
5
81
How much are used STi's and Evo's going for? Those are beyond fun... insane handling and plenty of room for performance upgrades if you choose to go that route. These are cars that make you say things like, "No turbo, no care."
 
T

thegimp03

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2004
7,420
2
81
Mid-90s RX-7 can be had for about 10-15k. They're extremely fun to drive and ride around in.
 
S

Shyatic

Platinum Member
Apr 5, 2004
2,164
34
91
Originally posted by: thegimp03
Mid-90s RX-7 can be had for about 10-15k. They're extremely fun to drive and ride around in.
Click to expand...

Goes to the question of reliability then :)

I prefer naturally aspirated though -- I love the RX-7, but I don't want to invest a lot of time into it. I just want to drive and enjoy :)
 
S

scorp00

Senior member
Mar 21, 2001
994
0
71
Check out a 98-02 firebird or camaro. 300+ hp corvette engine. The t-top option is a nice medium between a hardtop and a vert, and the 6 speed manual is fun. Make sure to get a V8 version though, the v6's aren't anything special.
 
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