new sports cars under $30K

[IHateMyJob2004]

I am debating a sports car for my next ride (past threads of mine were typically hybrid type cars).

Anyways. I have 2 kids, ages 4 and 6. So I need a 4 seat car.

I am considering:
Ford Mustang
Chevy Camaro
Dodge Challenger
Dodge Charger


Will my kids as they get older (14, 15, etc) not be able to fit in the back seat of any othese? I figure that a Mustang and Charger will be fine. What about the Camaro and Challenger?

I intend on getting the smallest engine available for these cars in part due to fuel eceonomy. In part due to the sticker prices that come with those cars when they have bigger engines.

Thoughts?

EDIT (CLARIFICATION):
Maybe I should clarify. I have a full size extended cab Silverado. Even adults can get in the back of that thing for shorter trips. My wife has a van.

This is all about a 3rd car where the primary purpose is to move me around to and from work. However, I also want to be able to take my kids out for ice cream in it and make little special trips with them in it. Nothing more than an hour away.

Maybe I should be targeting a removable hard top (don't like convertibles).

 

[SpatiallyAware]

None of those are sports cars.

 

[DivideBYZero]

None of those are sports cars.

Mustang V6 w/300hp?

 

[ponyo]

None of those are sports cars.

This.

Also, v8 or go home in the above cars. Sure v6 Stangs are pretty good now but so are v6 Accord and Camry.

I would look used and I would look at sport sedans like CTS-V and official forum car M3.

 

[Zargon]

4 seats for adults and sports car rarely go together well


the challenger IS a charger, but w 2 doors AFAIK


a used G8 GT would fit the bill very nicely if you can find one


I a thinking next year or so a used cts-v will be in my garage as the wife wants a baby, and my jeep is a POS.

that or a newer hemi jeep grand cherokee, that might be sporty enough

 

[thedarkwolf]

None of those are sports cars.

Yes lets start that fight.

2 seaters convertibles are sports cars. Those are pony cars .


Anyway I'd get the v6 mustang with a stick and the sport or whatever they call the upgraded GT suspension. Plenty of power and handles great. I doubt your 15 year olds will want to take 8 hours car trips in the back seat but for shorter rides it won't be a big deal. Take the wife's car on long trips.

 

[MasterAndCommander]

Bang for the buck and MPG wise - stang is the king. The other 3 are overweight pigs.

 

[Kabob]

Of the choices the Mustang for sure.

 

[Viper GTS]

Don't plan on putting teenagers in the back of a pony car. That's just cruel. The back seat in a Mustang is only useful for kids under ~10 or adults with no legs. Do you know any double amputees?

Plus do you really expect to have this car in 10 years?

Viper GTS

 

[Mike Gayner]

404 Sports Cars not found.

 

[thedarkwolf]

bahhhh I rode around in the back seat of a fox body mustang in my teen years. It wasn't that bad again for shorter rides. I doubt these new ones are smaller.

 

[HAL9000]

None of those are sports cars.

This. They are all Muscle cars.

If you actually want a sports car, don't buy brand new, waste of money, get a second hand Lotus elise save yourself $5/$10k

 

[Kadarin]

I have a '12 Mustang... Honestly, there's not a hell of a lot of room in the back seat.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Dodge Challenger is quite comfy in the rear - its the largest car of the bunch and the 3.6L Pentastar engine is quite capable. At issue is its massive weight.

Camaro rear seats are atrocious - I speak from first hand knowledge - and getting back there is a feat of contortion.


With 2-kids, its time to forget about the sporty car and settle for a 4dr grocery getter.

 

[Toastedlightly]

bahhhh I rode around in the back seat of a fox body mustang in my teen years. It wasn't that bad again for shorter rides. I doubt these new ones are smaller.

Try sitting in one!

I am 5'6" tall and MY head hit the glass on the fastback (of the new one)!

 

[Christobevii3]

4 door vw gti would be as fun as any of those in v6's and get better gas mileage. There is more passenger room but not so much rear hatch room

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Sorry, didn't know that these are "muscle cars". I thought "sports cars" were the same thing. I guess a car with a big engine that has lesser handling is a muscle car. Atlest in my head.

I think I'll just have to sit in the backseats of them to see if they are comfortable as an adult. And yes, a 40 minute drive is probably the max distance with kids. This is going to primarily become my commuter. Might even do a sound package upgrade.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

I'd like to do the Camaro (MPG is not that bad).

In terms of looks, I love the Challenger. Fuel economy could be better.

VW is not an option.

There is a small chance that I would be willing to do a bigger engine in whatever make/model I choose but it would be the lowest end trim if I do so.

 

[MayorOfAmerica]

bahhhh I rode around in the back seat of a fox body mustang in my teen years. It wasn't that bad again for shorter rides. I doubt these new ones are smaller.

D: hmmmm.....

 

[videogames101]

Genesis Coupe?

 

[simonizor]

You should look more into imports rather than the muscle cars that you have picked out. Imports will offer more space in the rear seats while also giving awesome performance out of smaller engines with great gas mileage. Domestics have been catching up lately, but they've still got a long ways to go.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

You should look more into imports rather than the muscle cars that you have picked out. Imports will offer more space in the rear seats while also giving awesome performance out of smaller engines with great gas mileage. Domestics have been catching up lately, but they've still got a long ways to go.

Any suggestions?

 

[HAL9000]

Any suggestions?

Audi S4?

 

[simonizor]

I really like the way the Nissan Maxima looks, but that may be a bit out of your price range. Perhaps you could find a used one.

 

[punjabiplaya]

hot hatches (GTI, MS3, etc...) or genesis coupe (no idea on what the rear seat room is like on that - but there are people with them on here, so they can chime in)

or go used m3