Sporty car under $20k that isn't on Takata list

[pauldun170]

Honestly even most performance car owners can't drive worth a damn, so whatever sportiness and associated price of a car tuned like that is lost on them.

Judging by some of the "sports car owners" who clog up the twisties in my area
Agree.

Most of "sports car enthusiast" people really just want a car that can out accelerate the car next to them. Probably why Tesla's creates mass boners among that crowd. Toss them on any sort of road with curves on it and they are all over the place constantly panic braking.

Occasionally you will come across someone who drives smoothly and can actually stay in their lane

 

[Bubbleawsome]

The Hyundai Genesis coupe (2013+) can be found under $20k if you're careful. The v6 model can be matched with a six speed manual or an eight speed auto and makes 348hp.

An Audi A4 (sedan) or A5 (coupe) will also fit in $20k while being fairly new, but then you're looking at a 2.0l turbo making about 210hp.

You might could find an Audi S4 within $20k with a v8 but then you're looking at more maintenance because of it being higher mileage and slightly older. At $20k you'd be looking more at an '08 rather than a '10+ A4.

 

[Zargon]

Caddy ATS 2.0T (276HP)with a 6 speed manual, a +40hp tune is about 600 bucks....

 

[pauldun170]

Caddy ATS 2.0T (276HP)with a 6 speed manual, a +40hp tune is about 600 bucks....

Under 20K?

 

[agent00f]

350z can be made fun but the interior tends to be rattle trap, I think it may have an appetite for clutches. I don't get the sense these are very well built at all. Seems once the miles accumulate there isn't one part of the car that seems to age well.

I think it's a problem with the platform in general. I really wanted a g coupe at one point in time largely due to the aesthetics, but after driving a couple used examples to see how they would age with time, gave up on it for that very reason. I also tried an FX later which is a raise FM and it had the same chassis rattle.

The genesis coupe might not have the same name/sex appeal, but it might well be a better car used.

 

[pimpin-tl]

Nissan 370z, VW GTI or Jetta (the GTI equivalent, forget the name)

 

[QueBert]

Love my Saturn Sky Redline, you could get a 2009 with low mileage for probably about $12k and with about 3k in upgrades could have a beast of a car. They're pretty quick stock, with a simple $200 Trifecta tune you can do yourself they become almost a whole new car.

Down side the ride is pretty jarring stock, but with add better shocks and it becomes noticeably smoother. Hell for $20k you could buy one and have the LS7 motor swap + supercharger done. With those 2 things added you'd have a fun to drive car that could blow most other cars out of the water. around 3.5 0-60, 11'ish quarter mile for $20k in a car you next to never see anyone else driving around in.

 

[_Rick_]

Do you get Caterhams? A 165 should be around 20k before tax.
I don't think those Caterhams have airbags at all, so you're safe from any problems regarding the Takata recall 😀

 

[XavierMace]

Do you get Caterhams? A 165 should be around 20k before tax.
I don't think those Caterhams have airbags at all, so you're safe from any problems regarding the Takata recall 😀

Technically, yes we can get them. Caterham lists 7 dealers in the entire country. Websites are down for 2 of them, 2 are just blogs. Only one actually shows any Caterhams in inventory. Cheapest one is a 2014 280 for 40k plus tax, etc.

Edit: A 2014 480 rolling chassis is $70k. WTF. $86k with a 180hp Ford Duratec I4.

 

[Bubbleawsome]

-I was wrong-

I guess since that was incorrect the Genesis is still my only recommendation, since I don't have any others.

 

[_Rick_]

Technically, yes we can get them. Caterham lists 7 dealers in the entire country. Websites are down for 2 of them, 2 are just blogs. Only one actually shows any Caterhams in inventory. Cheapest one is a 2014 280 for 40k plus tax, etc.

Edit: A 2014 480 rolling chassis is $70k. WTF. $86k with a 180hp Ford Duratec I4.

The little Suzuki kei engine probably doesn't pass emissions in the US then 🙁

 

[agent00f]

Technically, yes we can get them. Caterham lists 7 dealers in the entire country. Websites are down for 2 of them, 2 are just blogs. Only one actually shows any Caterhams in inventory. Cheapest one is a 2014 280 for 40k plus tax, etc.

Edit: A 2014 480 rolling chassis is $70k. WTF. $86k with a 180hp Ford Duratec I4.

Caterhams are honestly pretty miserable cars for most of the reasons you would buy a car for.

For people who want to learn to drive well, the best option is usually karts on as nice of an outside track you can find, plus some HPDE or at least autox events to apply those skills to real roads. But be forewarned at that point the magazine-racing type of auto enthusiasm loses much of its appeal.

 

[JulesMaximus]

You could get a motorcycle.

 

[Sabrewings]

Technically, yes we can get them. Caterham lists 7 dealers in the entire country. Websites are down for 2 of them, 2 are just blogs. Only one actually shows any Caterhams in inventory. Cheapest one is a 2014 280 for 40k plus tax, etc.

Edit: A 2014 480 rolling chassis is $70k. WTF. $86k with a 180hp Ford Duratec I4.

I'd rather build mine anyway. I wish that was an option in the US. 🙁

 

[HitAnyKey]

2012 Infiniti G37x Sedan are fun, fast and practical

2012 Subaru WRX - might be doable at 20K for bare bones model

 

[Elfear]

I'll throw this out there. A late 2000's Chrysler LX/LC platform can be a hoot and parts are cheap. You can pick up an SRT8 Challenger, Magnum, or Challenger for <$20k with some tasteful mods. 425hp, easy ingress/egress for passengers, and did I mention cheap repairs. 🙂

After driving about the most boring car on earth for three years, I bought a 2006 Charger SRT8 and it has been SO much fun. I get excited to drive it every day unlike my Prius which actually caused my pleasure center to atrophy from under usage.

 

[pauldun170]

Very timely jalopnik entry on the Genesis coupe
Specifically this comment
http://jalopnik.com/this-car-seriously-had-all-the-makings-of-a-nissan-370z-1784764024

 

[JulesMaximus]

Very timely jalopnik entry on the Genesis coupe
Specifically this comment
http://jalopnik.com/this-car-seriously-had-all-the-makings-of-a-nissan-370z-1784764024

:biggrin::thumbsup:

I've pretty much eliminated all guys like "Marcus" from my life.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

:biggrin::thumbsup:

I've pretty much eliminated all guys like "Marcus" from my life.

Agreed.

 

[agent00f]

Very timely jalopnik entry on the Genesis coupe
Specifically this comment
http://jalopnik.com/this-car-seriously-had-all-the-makings-of-a-nissan-370z-1784764024

Funny post, but a bit exaggerated. The genesis coupe is no sports car, but neither are most of its competitors.

Personally I'd probably get the cheapest sample of the latest model mustang, but that's likely over 20k though.

 

[msi1337]

I test drove an older Miata a friend had. I know it was an NA, but not sure which year exactly. It seemed like what I am looking for. I also really like the S2000. Which year Miata would be good for putting upgrades into? Also, in the S2000 vs. Miata, who wins? I know S2000 is probably more expensive.

 

[SithSolo1]

Also, in the S2000 vs. Miata, who wins? I know S2000 is probably more expensive.

Wins what? Also I guarantee you that S2000s will be more expensive as they are harder to find.

 

[msi1337]

I mean, which is the better vehicle

 

[pauldun170]

I mean, which is the better vehicle

When it comes to S2000 vs Miata, it really comes down to what you plan to do with it. what type of driving you will do.
If you are a seasoned Track Day warrior, S2000.
If you are surrounded by tight, twisty 30MPH-40MPH roads...Miata

A S2000 is a faster car and probably a better platform if you want to go fast. It was sold at a higher price point than the Miata for a reason.

All the bullshit about specs and numbers are meaningless with both of these cars.
Take an early year S2000 up to redline and you'll forget how utterly gutless it is in traffic through a majority of the rev range.
By the time you notice the body roll on a Miata and you'll realize you spent the past 30 minutes beating the piss out of it, having a great time on a local road without having to drive at insane speeds.

I would argue that a Miata is a better street car, a better buy on the used car market and a better platform for trying out stuff.

If you are only concerned with out accelerating other cars on the street then I'd skip both the S2000 and the Miata.

 

[agent00f]

S2k's are ridiculously priced because nobody bought them new which led it to being discontinued, and now the cheapstate enthusiasts all want what they can't have. Same reason why older elise's never really drop in value either. Either constitute perhaps the best late model car "investment" out there in terms of low depreciation if you got one off-lease or so.

If you want a legit driving car that didn't happen to, get an rx-8.