What early to mid 2000's sports cars will age the best?

[RGN]

E39 M5

It just did everything right. Though I also think that the 540i with the Sport Package is an underrated car (poor thing was just overshadowed by the M5).

ZV

My brother in law has an E39 540 M-Sport. His is low miles and in great shape. It really is a nice car, fast, smooth and consistent.

 

[Harrod]

NSX and 911, while the NSX does look dated for a mid 2000's car, it looks fantastic for something that was developed in the late 80's.

 

[Ferzerp]

I'm surprised the GT isn't getting more discussion here....

 

[vshah]

I'm surprised the GT isn't getting more discussion here....

it definitely meets the criteria, but it's in another league from all the cars mentioned so far. those mentioned thus far are much more attainable vs the GT.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

OK I'll bite. Why the Viper hate? Particularly with the Corvette ranked high (no glaring anti big motor in front bias).

Viper GTS

Completely arbitrary and dependent on caffeine intake for the day. Less "hate" and more "meh". It strikes me as a one trick pony : track day WMD

 

[uOpt]

There is little question that the better Mercedes and BMWs still age better. A quick scan for ebay photos for 10 year old cars leaves little question. The SL in particular will probably excel here, especially if you are willing to do leather work and have leather covered dashboards. Same for any Porsche including the Boxters.

The Lotus? Come on the whole car is held together by ziplock ties and velcro.

Audi I don't know, I usually stay away. But you can get upscale leather and a couple other options that bump up interior quality quite a bit, and I have seen 10 year old ones that still looked really good inside.

 

[Midwayman]

OK I'll bite. Why the Viper hate? Particularly with the Corvette ranked high (no glaring anti big motor in front bias).

Viper GTS

Brutal one trick pony with not nearly the brand recognition of Corvette. Vipers are neat cars, but if I were buying one car I'd get the Corvette first now, and especially 20 years from now.

 

[SSSnail]

Eh... with the BMWs' vanos problems, just either buy a rebuilt vanos and replace it, or change the O-rings. Neither option is expensive, nor laborious. The oil problem is probably due to the oil separator, changing that is a PITA.

I forgot another option that most people don't remember - the Mitsu GTO. Wait, what about Supra? (Am I dating myself? For some reasons I'm thinking early 90's...)

 

[uOpt]

Specifically driving wise, the Japanese cars will win big time at age 10 with no parts replaced. Suspensions in them are a lot simpler and they use a lot more steel instead of lighter metals, even less ball joints that wear out.

Audi is particularly bad since they have a lot more parts in the front suspension than even BMW (to keep the car upright with all the engine and transmission cramped at the front axle).

If you want a sportish ride in a 10 year old German car you need to pony up for some suspension parts. Even just front control arms are $1000 in a e46.

Compare to the Miata which is lighter, simpler and uses cruder materials. It will change much less over time and even if you need to change things you look at 1/2 the price.

 

[pauldun170]

Viper - Every Viper is a a piece of junk...until you ignore the garbage and just flog it. Will age well for the pure savagery of it. They offer memorable driving experiences.

Vette - Unfortunately for Vettes, every new gen Vette puts a huge crimp in the previous Vettes style. Except for the z06. z06 will age very well in the same manner as the Viper.

Solstice/Sky - Will age well in the way that fiero's aged well. Take that for what you think it is.

Ford GT - Yes
GTO - Yes. A grown mans muscle car for the grown man who isn't hung up on carbed garbage produce half a century ago.

Elise - Yes. Absolutely

350Z - No. absolutely
RX-8 - Only because of it uniqueness
S2000 - Yes
EVO/STI - No
Miata - Yes
NSX (unfortunately this was made till 2005) - Yes Uniqueness

911 - Same problem as Corvette BUT generally yes
Boxster/Cayman - No to Boxter, yes to Cayman
M3/M5/M Roadster/Coupes - No
Audi RS's - No
SL's - No

If I had to pick a winner.
Elise
Don't see that level of purity ever happening again.

 

[Ferzerp]

it definitely meets the criteria, but it's in another league from all the cars mentioned so far. those mentioned thus far are much more attainable vs the GT.

It was in the OP's list is why I bring it up.

Of all of them in the list, from the mid 2000's that's the one I'd take.

 

[Lonyo]

Viper - Every Viper is a a piece of junk...until you ignore the garbage and just flog it. Will age well for the pure savagery of it. They offer memorable driving experiences.

Vette - Unfortunately for Vettes, every new gen Vette puts a huge crimp in the previous Vettes style. Except for the z06. z06 will age very well in the same manner as the Viper.

Solstice/Sky - Will age well in the way that fiero's aged well. Take that for what you think it is.

Ford GT - Yes
GTO - Yes. A grown mans muscle car for the grown man who isn't hung up on carbed garbage produce half a century ago.

Elise - Yes. Absolutely

350Z - No. absolutely
RX-8 - Only because of it uniqueness
S2000 - Yes
EVO/STI - No
Miata - Yes
NSX (unfortunately this was made till 2005) - Yes Uniqueness

911 - Same problem as Corvette BUT generally yes
Boxster/Cayman - No to Boxter, yes to Cayman
M3/M5/M Roadster/Coupes - No
Audi RS's - No
SL's - No

If I had to pick a winner.
Elise
Don't see that level of purity ever happening again.

Import an Opel Speedster. Same chassis as the Lotus but with added uniqueness, and pretty much equal performance.

 

[uOpt]

I just spotted that you have the s2000 in the list.

Honestly, just get one. They aren't making them anymore. Won't be able to do that later. if you really don't like it - it has awesome resell value.

 

[ballmode]

I honestly should have not put the Ford GT in the list, it's almost like supercar.

Viper is borderline as well just due to the price. However it has a more recent history so I included it. Everything else hot rodded just either to me hasn't held up like a Prowler, or was a FWD wonder car Cobalt SS/SRT-4/ITR but stopped being sold in 2001

Feel free to add whatever to the list. I still need to get that S2000 but I can't find the right one lol. I want a 2004-2008 White/Silver/Grey 1 owner no accidents.