new sports cars under $30K

[Elfear]

Teach your wife to drive stick. Getting a sports car with an automatic is just like saying "I bought this car because I have money and I want people to know it, but I don't really give a crap about cars."

Umm...no. What about the car enthusiasts with knee injuries who can't work a clutch in stop-n-go traffic. Are they just relegated to mundane cars for the rest of their lives?

I'm with you that manuals are generally more fun and desirable in a sports car but you can't make sweeping generalizations and expect to be taken seriously.


OP - Have you considered a used CTS-V? Plenty of room for kids, decent gas mileage for what it is, and lots of power. I've seen used ones with aftermarket superchargers go for under $30k.

 

[VinylxScratches]

V8 Charger.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

not true. A 6'1 person can fit in the back seat no problem in a stang convertible. There is plenty of room in a stang.

Something I've noticed with riends that ride in my car, they alway have to push the seat as far back as it will go. In doing so, their feet come nowhere near close to being on the firewall or being scrunched up with their knees in the dash.

If you can keep people from being dicks when riding in the passenger seat, you can fit 2 adults in the back of the mustang as long as the driver is under 6'3" or just has abnormally long legs.

 

[ponyo]

In the end. yes.

Curious about used car options mentioned above. Do any of the cars I ahve mentioend have a big price drop once they are 1-2 years old and have at most 25K miles on it?

General rule of thumb: New cars lose about 50% of its value in about 4 years. Figure 12k miles per year. 2 yr old car is probably worth 70% of new. Sweet spot to buy are 3-4 year old cars if you plan to keep.

 

[Zargon]

Umm...no. What about the car enthusiasts with knee injuries who can't work a clutch in stop-n-go traffic. Are they just relegated to mundane cars for the rest of their lives?

I'm with you that manuals are generally more fun and desirable in a sports car but you can't make sweeping generalizations and expect to be taken seriously.


OP - Have you considered a used CTS-V? Plenty of room for kids, decent gas mileage for what it is, and lots of power. I've seen used ones with aftermarket superchargers go for under $30k.

they are all manual. no auto CTS-V's that I know of

 

[HardcoreRobot]

gen coupe rear seat is very small. leg room is OK, but im 5'9" and my head is grazing the rear windshield. any bump and you are hitting it. fine for short distances, just crane the neck, but more than a couple miles Id say forget it. then again, im driving so everyone else can deal with it

 

[exdeath]

If you can fit behind me in the driver seat in a Mustang, we'll call you Peg Leg Lebowski

 

[alkemyst]

they are all manual. no auto CTS-V's that I know of

the <2007 variety anyway.

You can get an auto since 2009.

 

[exdeath]

Umm...no. What about the car enthusiasts with knee injuries who can't work a clutch in stop-n-go traffic. Are they just relegated to mundane cars for the rest of their lives?

I'm with you that manuals are generally more fun and desirable in a sports car but you can't make sweeping generalizations and expect to be taken seriously.


OP - Have you considered a used CTS-V? Plenty of room for kids, decent gas mileage for what it is, and lots of power. I've seen used ones with aftermarket superchargers go for under $30k.

Manual 4 life yo, can't "double clutch when you should" with an auto.

Seriously though if I get a M3 it will be SMG. I already have two manual cars to bang gears in, I can see the appeal of just comfy cruising in something reasonably fast and sporty and not having to deal with anything.

 

[alkemyst]

Manual 4 life yo, can't "double clutch when you should" with an auto.

Seriously though if I get a M3 it will be SMG. I already have two manual cars to bang gears in, I can see the appeal of just comfy cruising in something reasonably fast and sporty and not having to deal with anything.

in reality the clutch pedal (not clutch) will go the way of the dinosaur.

to get back to the other poster, sometimes you can't be the lead fry guy.

In time if you set a mark now, sure you could do "that", but in that same future people will be doing more.

 

[7window]

Something I've noticed with riends that ride in my car, they alway have to push the seat as far back as it will go. In doing so, their feet come nowhere near close to being on the firewall or being scrunched up with their knees in the dash.

If you can keep people from being dicks when riding in the passenger seat, you can fit 2 adults in the back of the mustang as long as the driver is under 6'3" or just has abnormally long legs.

Yup exactly my point. How much room do you need in the back seat? What can you really do even with extra room in the back seat? I wouldn't want my passenger to put their leg up while in my car. Do passenger need to get up and walk around? If so, they need a van. Basically nowadays if you have passenger all they do is look at their phone and text.

 

[alkemyst]

sadly you guys own the wrong cars and possibly friends for your lifestyles.

 

[Zargon]

the <2007 variety anyway.

You can get an auto since 2009.

figures!

I havent looked at those much, since they are a total pipedream

 

[alkemyst]

figures!

I havent looked at those much, since they are a total pipedream

and this is how car stuff falls apart.

I mean, fuck...we have people saying Mustangs have GREAT leg room in back...IF only those in front would suck it up.

 

[7window]

What great leg room are you looking for? I just said there is enoug room for 2 adults And 3 middle school kids

 

[alkemyst]

What great leg room are you looking for? I just said there is enoug room for 2 adults And 3 middle school kids

wasn't directly replying to just you.

Great leg room is usually based on adults, pedobear.

 

[Elfear]

they are all manual. no auto CTS-V's that I know of

I was referring to simonizor's life philosophy about autos having no place in performance cars for real enthusiaists. I was trying to expand his/her mind a little. The comment to the OP was outside that issue and just a suggestion for a sweet ride.

 

[JCH13]

I was referring to simonizor's life philosophy about autos having no place in performance cars for real enthusiaists. I was trying to expand his/her mind a little. The comment to the OP was outside that issue and just a suggestion for a sweet ride.

As an automotive enthusiast I am dreading the day when my years of ski racing and soccer catch up with me and I need to get an automatic/paddle type setup, but it may be a necessary evil.

 

[Elfear]

As an automotive enthusiast I am dreading the day when my years of ski racing and soccer catch up with me and I need to get an automatic/paddle type setup, but it may be a necessary evil.

I'm with you. I much prefer manuals but if the body doesn't cooperate you have to make do without a third pedal.

 

[Arkaign]

The '11+ V6 Mustang is about as fast as the base V8 options on the Challenger and Camaro, at least manual to manual, unsure about automatic times.

Practicality, these are best suited to weekender cars, or for singles or couples. Unless the children are very young or born without legs, I wouldn't consider this a practical dd.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

The '11+ V6 Mustang is about as fast as the base V8 options on the Challenger and Camaro, at least manual to manual, unsure about automatic times.

Practicality, these are best suited to weekender cars, or for singles or couples. Unless the children are very young or born without legs, I wouldn't consider this a practical dd.

As someone whose considering a 11+ mustang soon, I don't think I could ever live with the V6, I would rather have a GTI + chip if I wasnt able to spring for the 5.0

 

[JackBurton]

As someone whose considering a 11+ mustang soon, I don't think I could ever live with the V6, I would rather have a GTI + chip if I wasnt able to spring for the 5.0

The '11+ V6 Mustang is good for a V6, but it's still a V6. :thumbsdown:

And yes, the backseat on the Mustang is awful. Small kids can sit back there, but it is a pain in the ass getting in an out. These cars (Mustang, Challenger, Camaro) are really meant for 2 people, max.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

The '11+ V6 Mustang is good for a V6, but it's still a V6. :thumbsdown:

And yes, the backseat on the Mustang is awful. Small kids can sit back there, but it is a pain in the ass getting in an out. These cars (Mustang, Challenger, Camaro) are really meant for 2 people, max.

Regarding this, are there any easy ways to get more power out of these for under $1000? Better air intakes, exhausts, etc? Maybe just to bump horsepower 10-20%? That on a V6 would be cool and save a few bucks.

 

[Zargon]

maybe a 10&#37; bump from the easy bolt ons, but 20% is unlikely

and this is how car stuff falls apart.

what does that mean exactly?

 

[alkemyst]

what does that mean exactly?

when people comment on something they have no experience or clue with.