Spending ~$25K on a roadster...

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: dmw16
So it is probably 6 months or so off, but once the warranty of my current car's transmission expires I will be in the market for a "new" car. I used to fancy myself an american muscle type guy, but after driving a few friend's german and japanese cars I see the fit and finish just doesnt hold a candle. Plus I want to do some weekend autocrossing. Anyway, I've narrowed down a few choices:

Porsche Boxster
Honda S2000
BMW M Roadster (Z3 based, not new Z4 based)

All of these can be had for 20-25k depending on mileage.

I'm a HUGE fan of the M roadsters. They drive so well. I'd pick that over the others.

 

[dmw16]

THe M roadster is the best balance. It has the classic roadster look of the S2000, but more low end power. That may take some searching or settling for one w/ a healthy # of miles. But a well maintained BMW still has a lot of life @ 50k.

 

[jlee]

1993-95 MR2 Turbo. :heart:

Difficult / almost impossible to find, though (depending on the year & condition) and probably a bit older than you're looking to buy..

You might want to just start testdriving -- stop by a few dealerships and try some cars out for yourself.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: dmw16
THe M roadster is the best balance. It has the classic roadster look of the S2000, but more low end power. That may take some searching or settling for one w/ a healthy # of miles. But a well maintained BMW still has a lot of life @ 50k.

Just drive one.

that's all I gotta say.

Drive them all and let us know what you think.

Here's mine...
s2000 - nice, a little small for my height, needs torque
porsche - nice, go-cart feel
M - nice, loads of power, go-cart feel, decent room

I just thought the M felt better. More confident and plenty of rubber/power to kick you.

 

[imported_KuJaX]

Go with the Porsche, or M roadster. Those M roadsters are fairly rare.

 

[tfinch2]

Wow I didn't know that S2000's were so reasonably priced...

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?c...art_year=1981&isp=y&lang=en&cardist=75

 

[bob4432]

why no impreza?

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: bob4432
why no impreza?

Roadster.

 

[InlineFour]

the word "roadster" automatically makes me think of the S2000. S2000 FTW.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: tfinch2
Wow I didn't know that S2000's were so reasonably priced...

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?c...art_year=1981&isp=y&lang=en&cardist=75

Not to mention that they will be as reliable and inexpensive to maintain as a Civic. BMW and Porsche can't compete in that respect (though I totally get their appeal).

 

[mb]

In 6 months the Saturn Sky Redline should/might be out.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: tfinch2
Wow I didn't know that S2000's were so reasonably priced...

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?c...art_year=1981&isp=y&lang=en&cardist=75

N/M...just looked at Edmunds. That's right in line. Remember though, that's a 7 year old car that cost around $35k. All in all it's held it's value fairly well. Over half it's value still remains. Most cars loose that within 3 years.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: tfinch2
Wow I didn't know that S2000's were so reasonably priced...

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?c...art_year=1981&isp=y&lang=en&cardist=75

I bet it's a salvage title.

It might not, I looked into this for a bit and the resale on s2ks are not particularly good. I asked sellers and they were mostly clean titles.

One thing though is there are a fair number of overreved s2ks out there, so a compression check is a must on these cars.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: tfinch2
Wow I didn't know that S2000's were so reasonably priced...

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?c...art_year=1981&isp=y&lang=en&cardist=75

I bet it's a salvage title.

It might not, I looked into this for a bit and the resale on s2ks are not particularly good. I asked sellers and they were mostly clean titles.

One thing though is there are a fair number of overreved s2ks out there, so a compression check is a must on these cars.

Yeh I just looked. You have to remember too, this is a 7 year old car.

 

[l Xes l]

dont get boxter unless u r a badge whore... screw bmw roadster.. i'd save up more for M3 if i had to..
get s2000 because it handles like no other... as all the s2000 owners would say.. "Happiness is not around the corner, IT IS the corner."
drive it. u will love it.. here's mine...
oh yea.. girls love it..

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: l Xes l
dont get boxter unless u r a badge whore... screw bmw roadster.. i'd save up more for M3 if i had to..
get s2000 because it handles like no other... as all the s2000 owners would say.. "Happiness is not around the corner, IT IS the corner."
drive it. u will love it.. here's mine...

Are you at the S2ki forums too? I think I've seen your car there.

 

[l Xes l]

Originally posted by: bR

Originally posted by: l Xes l
dont get boxter unless u r a badge whore... screw bmw roadster.. i'd save up more for M3 if i had to..
get s2000 because it handles like no other... as all the s2000 owners would say.. "Happiness is not around the corner, IT IS the corner."
drive it. u will love it.. here's mine...

Are you at the S2ki forums too? I think I've seen your car there.

yea.. i used to post there a lot and go to the meets when i first got my car.. but i rarely visit the site anymore...

 

[OS]

yeah also for s2ks, the 2002+ are more desirable, they have the 2.2L motors with fatter powerbands and glass rear window.

Something like 2001 and before also tend to rub the soft top and cause tears, and the cover is 700+.

The s2k is also a little slow in this day and age, evos and stis can walk them easy.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: MysticLlama

Originally posted by: Fritzo
That Porsche is going to have some SERIOUS miles on it to be in the $25 range.

I'm gonna get me a Solstice. Sex on wheels- that's what those are

I guess if you call 68k SERIOUS miles... and I only paid ~ $16k for my Boxster.

It's not a stripped model either, has almost every option, sport package, 17" wheels, CD changer, windstop, CF trim, full leather, traction control, etc.

$25k can buy quite a nice Boxster if you look around long enough. Either an S with higher miles (70k+) or a standard down in the 30k range.

Maintenance isn't too bad as long as you avoid the dealer.

how da fvck did you find a $16k boxster?!.

 

[sniperruff]

by the way now is not a good time to buy a drop top since summer will be here soon.

 

[Ramma2]

Ariel Atom

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: Ramma2
Ariel Atom

HELL YEAH!

but if you're looking for a touch more practicality, i'd go s2000 from your choices. but I'd rather have a 2nd gen miata (the new ones are nice too, but not too fond of the front).

 

[thomsbrain]

i'd probably go with the S2000. 50-75K miles isn't too much for a porsche, though. They are pretty reliable as far as those kinds of cars go. the boxster will be the slowest of those options, but they are still supposed to be very fun cars to drive.

 

[Trikat]

Go for the S2000 if you want something really fun to drive.
Boxter is a really close match though. Hard to decide between those two.

 

[imported_Stewy]

Old miata + supercharger + new suspension setup, tires, wheels, brakes, and tons of engine work FTW!!

Significantly faster than what you are considering, and in your price range.