Toying with an idea of a 'toy' car....for the weekend

[The Stigenator]

So late 2011 I started my second company and this one has taken off at a pace that kind of took all of us by surprise and there is more to come.

Anyway my business partner does not have a car, so we plan to use some funds to buy him a 'company' car, that way he does not have to use public transit. His last car died and was sold off the charity. We have both been super busy with this new company so neither of us had time to shop for a new car.

Anyway we went car browsing / shopping. He has a few options (Optima, CX5, Sonata etc) in his price range, decent gas mileage as his criteria.

While we were there, there was an 2011 Mazda Miata Grand Touring 6M PRHT CPO with 5K on the clock for about 24000. He has been telling me that I should get a toy car for the weekend for all the work I've put in. I already have my 2009 TSX.

That being said, I like the idea of a toy car. However I am getting flack for a Miata from some of my friends. I like the car, I had a huge smile on my face when I got back from the test drive. I think the miata is a good compromise for power and fun to drive factor. However I'd agree it has a bit of a girl car feel to it. I am quite secure about myself, so frankly I am not bothered by the 'girl / gay man' car associated with it.

Ordinarily I'd get a miata or something and another 'green' car (hybrid), the TSX is almost paid off. However I just need a toy car for now, the green car can come later.

So question, under 20-25K what other fun to drive, convertible type cars should I get. Or should I just get a genesis coupe and call it a day.

 

[hans007]

The miata is an awesome drivers car. A real man is fine with driving one. The haters are just insecure. I rented a miata for a weekend and it might be the funnest one I've ever driven.... when I have the space for a toy like you its what I'm getting. A 3rd Gen soft top 6 speed . I'm behind you 100%

 

[Doppel]

It won't get you pussy because it IS a girl's car and virtually everybody on the street knows this, just like virtually everybody "knows" that Prius drivers are gay and only half-men (at best). If you can live with this stereotype, then go for it. It's a fun vehicle that handles well and I've never heard of a person who was in one and didn't say it was a blast.

 

[jlee]

Miata + LS7?

Genesis isn't convertible, but if you're open to other options..Mini Cooper S, Mazdaspeed3, Focus ST, '12 Mustang, 03-04 Cobra, first gen CTS-V, Solstice GXP / Sky Redline, or of course a very clean MR2 Turbo with built 2.3l ATS Racing stroker or MR2 Spyder with 2grfe V6 swap.

 

[nerp]

Why the hell do you worry about what anyone thinks about the car? This is not a pink Beetle.

 

[Zivic]

It won't get you pussy because it IS a girl's car and virtually everybody on the street knows this, just like virtually everybody "knows" that Prius drivers are gay and only half-men (at best). If you can live with this stereotype, then go for it. It's a fun vehicle that handles well and I've never heard of a person who was in one and didn't say it was a blast.

yet the miata is the most raced car in the world .... women must love to race cars????

I would look at an S2000 if you want a convertible.

otherwise, some fun cars that I am always on the lookout for -> RX7, NSX, Evo

 

[Railgun]

I'm biased towards an RX-7...


...but they can be temperamental. NOT unreliable as some would suggest. If it's taken care of, it will be fine...

That said, a toy could be a lot of things. E36/E46 M3, TT, E39 M5, 996 911...you can even squeeze in an early 2000s MB SL class.

What is your definition of a toy? Hatch? Coupe? Lux sedan? Vert? Hell, you can find tons of Vettes for that. And some Vipers on the top end of your range too.

However, being in CA, all your wonderful smog regulations may limit you to how much fun you want to have. Would you leave it as is or want to squeeze more power out of it?

 

[manimal]

It won't get you pussy because it IS a girl's car and virtually everybody on the street knows this, just like virtually everybody "knows" that Prius drivers are gay and only half-men (at best). If you can live with this stereotype, then go for it. It's a fun vehicle that handles well and I've never heard of a person who was in one and didn't say it was a blast.

To be fair those stereotypes lives in minds of most 20 somethings and 30ish bronys....

To the rest of us its a great car with the ability to put the top down.



I am personally pretty annoyed with this idea of girls cars......Its time it goes with the inflate to sidewall crap....

 

[vi edit]

Mini Cooper S?

 

[JCH13]

A PRHT Miata would be awesome. The Miata community is awesome. I wouldn't give it a second thought.

 

[DigDog]

Porsche boxter, used. Porsche has the harshest maintenance schedule of all brands, and they force you to maintain the car to top specs if you want all the stamps. Buying one within the engine's allowed mileage means you get a nearly new car. They are cheap and really, really nice.

You can probably find a nice 2008 for a decent price.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

At 20-25k you should be out of miata range, in my opinion.

They're fantastic budget 10-$15k sports cars, but you are square in cayman/boxster/z4 m territory, all of which are miles above a miata in power, driver feel, and enjoyment.

 

[manimal]

At 20-25k you should be out of miata range, in my opinion.

They're fantastic budget 10-$15k sports cars, but you are square in cayman/boxster/z4 m territory, all of which are miles above a miata in power, driver feel, and enjoyment.

very good point. Now 20-25k does put you into a ls1miata territory!


I miss my boxster dearly. Would recommend one to ANYONE who wants a fairly close to stock car. If you want to mod power go elsewhere unless you do a 3.4 liter swap on a 986

 

[The Stigenator]

I did consider the Porsche Boxster / Cayman, Corvette and the Z4m, however I am yet to find one in that range that is not over 10 years old.

I found a 2004 Boxster S for about 19K the other day, disappeared really fast. I am a bit weary of the porsche maintenance costs, especially on an older vehicle. However I am not opposed to it.
I'd love a corvette, but it has to be a stick shift and in my range. I am yet to find one locally.

As for the image, I am really not giving a damn about the image issue. I had a blast in that PRHT, I had a very vivid dream with it last night. Though I'll admit a porsche boxster or chevy corvette may have more women pulling power.....

I'd love an SL500 or Lotus Elise if I can find one.

 

[Throckmorton]

Can you even get an SL500 with a manual?

 

[The Stigenator]

MMMMM - car max has a 2003 boxster s for about 21K..

http://www.carmax.com/enus/view-car...8+15+9&Q=7af316c5-75a0-4269-8927-0da281558e0f

 

[The Stigenator]

I think the SL500 is an auto

 

[thedarkwolf]

I got over the whole girly car thing really quick after buying my miata. Never really catch any crap from people for it either and live in a redneck state. That being said if I was spending $24k and could find an elise for that I'd be very tempted. The nice thing about the miata is everything is cheap, at least with the older ones. I can buy a whole set of performance tires for the cost of one tire for a vette lol.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I did consider the Porsche Boxster / Cayman, Corvette and the Z4m, however I am yet to find one in that range that is not over 10 years old.

I found a 2004 Boxster S for about 19K the other day, disappeared really fast. I am a bit weary of the porsche maintenance costs, especially on an older vehicle. However I am not opposed to it.
I'd love a corvette, but it has to be a stick shift and in my range. I am yet to find one locally.

As for the image, I am really not giving a damn about the image issue. I had a blast in that PRHT, I had a very vivid dream with it last night. Though I'll admit a porsche boxster or chevy corvette may have more women pulling power.....

I'd love an SL500 or Lotus Elise if I can find one.

You should have no problem finding a z4m or cayman s for $25k. You might have to search for awhile to find a good one (all records, 'owned' and no previously leases) but they are definitely out there.

For a car like this, you'd be surprised at the haggling you can do with cash (IE check cashed at the bank) versus some kid trying to finance it, and I would not even consider a dealer car.. Look for private party.

 

[hans007]

a earlier than 09 cayman or boxster will be at risk of IMS bearing failure. friend told me that when he went looking for a 2nd car and he ended up being scared off by it enough and got an S2000.

 

[JackBurton]

I'm not big on the Miata. I don't even consider it a "girl car," I just think it's goofy looking. Looks like a real life Mario Kart when someone's driving it.

Other suggestions like an S2000 are great.

 

[JackBurton]

MMMMM - car max has a 2003 boxster s for about 21K..

http://www.carmax.com/enus/view-car...8+15+9&Q=7af316c5-75a0-4269-8927-0da281558e0f

That driver's side door looks jacked up. It's not flush with the body.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

a earlier than 09 cayman or boxster will be at risk of IMS bearing failure. friend told me that when he went looking for a 2nd car and he ended up being scared off by it enough and got an S2000.

I thought there was some kit developed that fixed this, which could be installed during a clutch change? Not saying it's an irrelevant problem, but if you're looking at a 40-50k mile cayman I would use this as a bargaining tool then do a clutch change and IMS retrofit.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

That driver's side door looks jacked up. It's not flush with the body.

The door is slightly open. I would never buy a sports car from carmax... Guaranteed it's off-lease, was never warmed up before driven and had 20k mile oil change intervals.

IMO you're better off buying from an original owner for something like this, and use carmax for minivans and sedans.

 

[JackBurton]

The door is slightly open. I would never buy a sports car from carmax... Guaranteed it's off-lease, was never warmed up before driven and had 20k mile oil change intervals.

Hopefully that's all that is.