new sports cars under $30K

[IHateMyJob2004]

Want a muscle car. Audi S4 is like $40K unless I am missing something.

I used to want a Maxima a few years ago. Maybe... Not really a sports car or muscle car 9body styling wise) but i understand. It has a pretty strong engine.

 

[alkemyst]

most of the recommendations and the desired cars in the OP will all be more than $30k (original OP's cars equipped with V8's)

 

[madoka]

Sorry, didn't know that these are "muscle cars". I thought "sports cars" were the same thing.

You asked a simple question and whaddya get? A bunch of internet weenies arguing over the definition of a sports vs. muscle vs. pony car. Nevermind the fact that ford.com self-describes the Mustang as a "sports car" and chevrolet.com calls the Camaro a "sports car." What do the manufacturers know that net geeks don't.

 

[madoka]

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.

Your reading comprehension skills never fails to impress . . .

most of the recommendations and the desired cars in the OP will all be more than $30k (original OP's cars equipped with V8's)

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

I think right now, my first choice is Camaro (if the back seats are sufficient) and second choice is Challenger which should be big enough for the kids. For hte Challenger, that Hemi is tempting.

Sadly .... I need to get an automatic in case my wife needs to move it.

Whatever I get, I'd probably keep it 7+ years making my kids 11+ and 13+.

 

[HAL9000]

Want a muscle car. Audi S4 is like $40K unless I am missing something.

I used to want a Maxima a few years ago. Maybe... Not really a sports car or muscle car 9body styling wise) but i understand. It has a pretty strong engine.

I forget about exchange rates, over here an S4 is the same price as a Mustang so... In that case I'd say. a 325i.

Also why do you want a Muscle car with a small engine, surely the big engine is the whole point of a Muscle car...

 

[JulesMaximus]

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

Good luck fitting 2 kids in that.

 

[simonizor]

I think right now, my first choice is Camaro (if the back seats are sufficient) and second choice is Challenger which should be big enough for the kids. For hte Challenger, that Hemi is tempting.

Sadly .... I need to get an automatic in case my wife needs to move it.

Whatever I get, I'd probably keep it 7+ years making my kids 11+ and 13+.

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."

 

[HAL9000]

Good luck fitting 2 kids in a sports car.

Fixed.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I forget about exchange rates, over here an S4 is the same price as a Mustang so... In that case I'd say. a 325i.

Also why do you want a Muscle car with a small engine, surely the big engine is the whole point of a Muscle car...

Move it wth man? Teach her to drive it well enough to move it around the driveway if that is the problem. She has her own car tell her to leave yours alone. Might as well get a toyota camry if you go automatic.

 

[alkemyst]

Your reading comprehension skills never fails to impress . . .

As do your's as I was referring to others recommending cars that would exceed his $30k threshold. Curb your anger, child.

 

[GTaudiophile]

You'd have more fun in a Miata.

 

[Zargon]

I forget about exchange rates, over here an S4 is the same price as a Mustang so... In that case I'd say. a 325i.

Also why do you want a Muscle car with a small engine, surely the big engine is the whole point of a Muscle car...

325?

328 is the base now and they start at 34K

if you go with the mustang, get the Limited Slip. Will def make it more fun. can't believe you cant add nice stereo to a case model. or gt suspension to a v6

the packages are garbage

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

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."

Or it could mean, I got what is functional to my needs and I could care less what car snobs think.

 

[simonizor]

Or it could mean, I got what is functional to my needs and I could care less what car snobs think.

If you're looking for functional, you're looking at the complete wrong type of car, as the american muscle car is far from that.

American muscle cars are a status symbol. There is no usefulness to be had in them other than to show it off and drive fast. If you're looking for a functional car, you'd be look for a camry or something similar.

 

[MayorOfAmerica]

Or it could mean, I got what is functional to my needs and I could care less what car snobs think.

Functional and sports car don't go together. In my opinion, if it handles in the snow, it's not worth owning.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

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.

What? No.
I have a 2010 Mustang GT and the kids ride in it fine. If we are going to take a long drive somewhere we take the minivan.

There's another failing of the Challenger you didn't mention. It's a Dodge.

 

[JCH13]

OP, from that list I'd get the V6 Mustang.

You'd have more fun in a Miata.

This. You could get a new NC Miata and a Flyin' Miata Supercharger kit for $30k :awe:

Functional and sports car don't go together. In my opinion, if it handles in the snow, it's not worth owning.

That's why god gave us the hot-hatch and snow tires :awe:

 

[thedarkwolf]

I dumped my fox mustang for a miata and love it but I'm single and have a minivan as back up. Don't think the miata really works with two kids unless you can always take the wife's car when you need too or have a really friendly neighbor you can swap rides with 🙂.

BTW miatas are pretty good in the snow. 50/50 weight distribution ftw.

 

[KentState]

Of the cars listed, a co-worker has a 2010 Challenger R/T and another has a 2011 Mustang V6.

The back of the front seat of the Mustang touch the rear seat on the drivers side. There is no way in hell anyone but a child under 4 could sit behind the drive. The passenger side is almost doable if the person in the front seat has their legs pressed against the dash.

Now the Challenger is at least doable for short trips, but I would not want to be in the back seat beyond an hour.

From what I've seen at the dealership, the Camaro is closer to the Mustang in rear leg room. The one on the lot had the back of the front seat a mere inch or two from the back seat.

Personally, I don't see the value in any of these cars as a family vehicle. I would suggest something like an Accord V6. You will get 90% of the performance and 100% more practicality.

 

[exar333]

Challenger V6 will have OK back-seat space. Looks decent, although a heavy car.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Fixed.

M3 Coupe has a back seat so you could fit 2 kids in the back of one. Elise does not. I would consider the M3 a sports car.

I've actually driven a Lotus Elise, lived with one as my daily driver for 4 days in fact, and practical it is not...it is about as practical as a motorcycle. Still, I'd love to have one! 😉

 

[7window]

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

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.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

If you need the backseat utility and have your heart set on a coupe, I'd look at a used G35/G37 coupe or, yes, an E46 M3. The Infiniti is the smarter bet if you aren't prepared to pay for a fair amount of costly maintenance and repairs. The Genesis is also a pretty formidable car if you are OK with a Hyundai.

I also wouldn't rule out something like a GTI or a Mazdaspeed3 - they are damned sporty cars, even if they look boxy. If you want a truly fast car that is reliable, has real backseats, and don't care about being stylish, a used Evolution or STI is also hard to beat.

 

[SithSolo1]

Uhh what about a used STi/Evo?

Fast? Check
Four seats? Check
Four doors? Check
Cargo room? Check
Not entirely horrible mpg? Maybe check? Ok, it's not great but I've seen worse.

For a slight bump in mpg you could hop down to a New non-STi WRX or a Lancer Ralliart.

If you need the backseat utility and have your heart set on a coupe, I'd look at a used G35/G37 coupe or, yes, an E46 M3. The Infiniti is the smarter bet if you aren't prepared to pay for a fair amount of costly maintenance and repairs.

To add to this, Nissan dealerships will service Infiniti's for all non-warranty work. So you are basically looking at Nissan pricing vs BMW on repairs.