Philip writes:
As spring descends on Texas & a young man’s (OK, middle aged man’s) fancy turns to cars deficient in practicality but full in spirit, I bring to you the following dilemma for your consideration.
The parameters are simple, manual is a must, RWD is preferable, A/C is mandatory (this is Texas), price point should be less than $30K, pre-owned and pre-loved is fine.
The choices are narrowing down to classic marques and Japanese hot imports. In no particular order; Porsche 911, Lotus Elise, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Subaru WRX-STI. Each has unique advantages and drawbacks. Cachet versus all-out performance, specialized services versus the local franchise dealer, low-tech tradition versus hi-tech cutting edge.
This is my case for you to ponder. Or perhaps there’s even a car or two I have overlooked (I already have a BMW 325)? Your input, knowledge and experience would be greatly appreciated.
Steve answers:
You pretty much ignored one of the largest gaping holes in today’s new car market. The muscle car. Obviously you have some import leaning given your current choices which is perfectly fine. But I would consider broadening your horizons a bit.
There is a reason why the Ford Mustang outsells all of the cars you mentioned… combined. It’s an exceptional vehicle. If I were blowing $30k large on a ride it would be hard NOT to consider a late model Shelby GT500. A few weeks ago there was an ultra low-mileage one at a Carmax auction and everyone short of… well… me… went to see it. You will likely find that a 2007 model in the 20k to 30k odometer range will be in the $30k price range.
I won’t push you on a Corvette. Although that would definitely be on my list as well. I will say that a five year old Mercedes SLK 55 or a three to four year old Audi S4 would both be excellent possibilities. Yes they are as expensive to deal with as Elton John’s jewelry fetish, and the Corvette is an infinitely better ‘keeper’ vehicle than either of those two. But these models along with the BMW M3 and M5 should definitely be on the list.
Just make sure you are willing to invest in the high four figures after you buy any of these European models. You will need it.
Sajeev Answers:
Given your criteria, location and performance aspirations, you’re selling yourself short if you avoid a nicely-equipped (early) C6 Corvette. At least for a test drive. The Magna-Ride bits kill the competition, and LS2-FTW. The interior is more WRX than 911, but avoiding domestic brands on “cache” and “spirit” alone make me think North Dallas snob appeal. Which, even if I’m too young for a mid-life crisis, makes this Alief-bred Houstonian choke on his morning coffee.
But I get it: plenty of middle aged dudes go for GM’s plastic fantastic for ALL the wrong reasons. And that’s pretty lame.
You want a car with a soul, and the Corvette projects the wrong one. You can easily get a baseline 996 Porker, enjoy the $250+ repair bill for the failing headlight switch and a host of other service nightmares that aren’t so fiscally-challenging on a Corvette. But I would personally spend a couple grand over your budget for an SL55 AMG, sans warranty: expensive to care for and shockingly complex, but the best road burner for Texas highways. Both do not stop/steer/go like a Vette, but they come close enough and look like a million.
I say get over it. Buy a Vette, ditch the run-flat tires, put headers and a full exhaust, and be everyone’s boss.
Need help with a car buying conundrum? Email your particulars to mehta@ttac.com, and let TTAC’s collective wisdom make the decision easier… or possibly much, much harder. In a rush? Don’t be shy about asking to cut in line.
Cachet. A cache is someplace you hide things.
Ronnie,
I hide my insecurities in my Cachet. I hide my securities in my cache.
+1 for wordplay
You (S&S) may know better than Consumer Reports, but the latest anniual auto issue lists the Vette’s “owner cost” at “much worse than average.” (I’m guessing there are degrees of “much worse than average” when it comes to cost, and CR may not be distinguishing among them.) “Reliability” is average, which in this day and age is pretty good, although don’t buy a used ’05, according to CR. If I had money to burn, my first choice would probably be Cayman, but my gut reaction is that the Vette is often underrated by people like me (Boston area liberal) and I’d definitely test drive it.
If CR uses an overall average then yeah the Vette is going to be much worse than average. I suspect “average” is somewhere near Camcordionville and all of the cars he mentions are going to cost more to insure and feed than that average car to one degree or another. Heck you can probably get a set of 4 tires for the “average” car for the price of one of the rear run-flats on a Vette and you won’t have to replace them any where near as often. It’s just part of the price you have to pay if you want to play at that level. And yeah if it’s a car for play then the Vette deserves consideration.
Corvette ignore the “middle aged man wearing gold chains” stigma and enjoy the value. Heck you could get a dang nice one for $20K and spend the remainder on a set of decent bucket seats for the sucker. Get a coupe model with that removable middle roof section and enjoy the best of both worlds when you don’t feel like running the AC. Heck, be really unique and different and get a 1982 model for say $10K and speed the rest of the money on an LSX swap.
@David: Whenever you mention CR, Michael Karesh pops a capillary.
Sajeev, remind me to send Michael some nitrous oxide for those capillaries.
Having agonized over a similar choice recently, I’ll suggest the S52 M Coupe that I landed on. It’s a blast to drive, delightfully old-school, completely unique and surprisingly practical. You may have to look around for the right one, but the price should be well within your budget. I love mine more and more every time I drive it… I’m looking forward to growing old with it!
That thing really is surprisingly practical. There aren’t many of them around, either, so if you want to have something that no-one else does, here’s the opportunity.
I’d go further and suggest a Z4 M Coupe. Still within budget, and a much better platform and advanced in general over the Z3. Only 1815 of them sold in the USA, so quite rare. Drop-dead gorgeous in coupe form and draws compliments everywhere. I love mine and plan on keeping it forever.
Corvette, hands-down.
BUT…There are a few rules you MUST follow under pain of death:
NO greasy, slicked-back hair.
NO (exposed) gold chains (EDIT): like Dan said! – I need a ‘Vette to keep up with you!
NO sleeveless shirts (on women – O.K.)
NO skin-tight jeans or other trousers
NO short-shorts (from the 1970’s – to late 1980’s)
NO shorts too long, either.
Hopefully no tattoos or piercings, either. Men should be men. (in my opinion)
Happy motoring!
And no Ed Hardy clothing, either.
Thank you.
I vote for the Lotus. Exoticar looks, Toyota motor, killer handling(which may not be big deal if you’re in the flat-and-straight parts of Texas). Sure, the GT 500 will kill it in a straight line, but if you’re not going to drag race it, who cares? When it comes to cachet, to the great unwashed a GT500 is still a Mustang, but a Lotus is something they’ve probably never seen. Disclaimer: I’ve never driven one, I just think they’re gorgeous.
…speaking as a texas-based lotus elise daily driver: in the heat of summer, air conditioning is a polite suggestion at best, for the five minutes at a time it might operate before needing a ten-minute respite from its effots…if air conditioning is truly a must, the lotus elise is a mustn’t…
…that said, maintenance expenses are significantly less than anything else listed, including the domestic sportscars, muscle cars, and pony cars – a toyota drivetrain in a sub-two-thousand-pound car is tough to beat on operating costs…if you’re man enough to enjoy open-air driving in a cramped, inexpensive, rattly interior, i say go for it, because nothing else built in the past twenty years comes close to the experience…
…if you’re looking for something more civilised, though, majority opinion is correct: the C6 corvette is the gold standard for performance, comfort, utility, and maintenance in your price range…
If there are hills and curves where you drive, I’d say spend well under $30k, potentially just half that amount, and get a Mazda RX-8. Or a Miata. Both handle far better than anything else anywhere near what they cost.
The Elise will beat the crap out of you.
The Corvette finally received half-decent steering for 2008, and the system was supposedly further improved for 2009. Possible to get a 2008 for $30k? If so, sounds good to me.
With an S4, do not get earlier than a 2005.5, and newer is definitely better.
In my surveys Mercedes cars (but not its SUVs) turned a corner around 2008.
To check the reliability for various possibilities:
http://www.truedelta.com/car-reliability.php
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?position=top&systime=&doors=&model=CORV&search_lang=en&only_photo=1&start_year=1981&body_style=COUPE&body_style=HATCH&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&search_type=used&highlightFirstMakeModel=&distance=500&min_price=0&drive=&rdm=1302285795645&marketZipError=false&advanced=y&fuel=&keywords_display=&sownerid=69991&end_year=2012&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&showZipError=n&make2=&certified=&engine=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&only_price=1&body_code=6&transmission=Manual&default_sort=yearDESC&max_mileage=&color=&address=77001&sort_type=yearDESC&rdpage=100&awsp=false&max_price=30000&seller_type=b&num_records=100&make=CHEV
2006 is the newest I could find within 500 miles of Houston with manual trans, ops wait, there’s a 2008 in the “featured listings.”
I just had a thought. For just a bit over $30k, you can get Flyin’ Miata to build you a 1st or 2nd generation MX-5 with an LSx crate engine. That’s with all-new drivetrain parts from the crank pulley to the axles, and professional build quality. Head over to their website and click the V8 configurator.
A friend of mine just built himself an ’02 with an LS1. It scales under 2500 lbs wet (sans driver) and has a cam and mild engine tune. He’s putting 332 hp to the wheels. It’s INCREDIBLE. The engine noise is intoxicating, the speed is hard to beat, and it still handles incredibly well — no nose-heavy beast, this.
Sure, the stigma of a Miata may make some turn up their noses, but when you fire it up and/or pop the hood, jaws drop to the floor. Even the most hardened muscle car hicks will say, “Whoa.”
pink – This idea wins all.
You can also get some LS-X in RX-7 or RX-8 form if you prefer something bigger then a Miata but with the magical Mazda handling DNA only slightly sullied. Hinson Super Cars in Alabama.
I think we all agree that it is difficult to beat the Corvette on paper. I, along with many others, wouldn’t buy it simply because of the image. Say what you will, this man asked for cachet. The abundance of Corvettes on the road simply does not afford any “wow” factor.
Here is my suggestion: Dodge Viper. Easily found for low $20s, though my dream is a ’96-’97 GTS coupe, blue with white stripes. This variety goes for high $20s – low $30s. They possess the head-turning capabilities of your other candidates, are relatively reliable, and not even that expensive to repair.
There are too few among CR subscribers for it to show up there. But given the big showing of Dodges in general on the CR list of used cars to avoid, I’d say steer clear.
The toaster testers at CR can’t figure out a Wrangler, hence its poor rating. What do you think they would do with a Viper. CR rewards good all around performers. hence their love fest with Camries. Narrow focus vehicles, like a Viper, confuse the toaster guys. When talking about vehicles the OP seems to be leaning towards, CR doesn’t rate a mention.
Everybody and their brother has a Corvette. I guarantee you would be the only one in town driving one of these:
2005 Chrysler Crossfire Convertible, classic yellow, black interior, 3.2 V6, 6 spd manual
14,964 miles – listed by a reputable Detroit area dealer for $18,991
Mercedes build quality + German refinement, uses the chassis and engine from the German’s SLK roadster. Quirky retro styling, more of a cruiser than a sports car. These were head-turners going down the road, rarely seen today. This would be an unusual choice.
Mercedes build quality
Mercedes quality was at historic lows when the Crossfire was designed/built. If you’re going to look at Germans used Boxsters are bargains usually with low miles. Stay away from pre-’07 Boxsters but IIRC they fixed the engine problems by incorporating the 997 motors for the ;07 model year.
I’ve seen many suitable Boxsters in the $30-35k range.
Actually if you spend time on the Crossfire forums you will find a few endemic problems but not anything catastrophic. (I’ve spent time there because I have seriously considered the car as a Vette alternative. I’ve decided I should do the “practical car + motorcycle” thing. YMMV.) The typical Crossfire problems are: 1. A manual trans with atrocious shift quality to the point where people think that it’s popping out of gear till they realize the problem was they were never actually fully in the gear they thought they were. 2. An auto trans that many mechanics mistakenly fill with the wrong fluid. 3. A crank position sensor that fails with startling regularity (some guys admit carrying one around in the glove box like old Chrysler owners used to do with ballast resistors.) 4. Seat heaters that almost always need to be replaced at some point. 5. Difficulty finding decent all-season tires. 6. Chrysler dealers and MB dealers that refuse to work on them. 7. Oh and for some the cost shock of buying 12 spark plugs for the V6 engine which has two spark plugs per cylinder.
For some guys it’s a deal breaker, for others… they love their Crossfires and you couldn’t pay them enough money to take it away. BTW they do seem to be easier to owner service than Porsches are.
Dan,
“Practical car + motorcycle” is nice, but a bit too conservative. I highly recommend “practical car + sports car + (multiple, if possible) motorcycle”. Much better way to go. Between my Ranger, Porsche 924S, Harley Springer, Triumph Trident (Hinckley) and Triumph Bonneville (Meriden) cafe racer, I’ve yet to find many times when something in the garage doesn’t take care of my travel needs at the moment.
And in that rare moment: There’s 14 racing bicycles hanging on the wall, vintage thru fairly modern.
I don’t like walking.
lol, the only hitch in that plan is while I’m doing quite well for myself I’m planning on having 4 to 6 children. (Opps did we vere into the “hyrbid minivan” thread all of the sudden?)
Color me:
1) thrilled that my conundrum made it onto TTAC
2) embarrassed that Sajeev nailed my location with cruise missile accuracy (just off Hillcrest FYI)
Sweet! You are SL55 bait, my friend. Good luck with that.
HaHa, amazing gift Sajeev, is it terrible Phil if I remember your name from being one of my first comments on my site? http://theignitionblog.com/2009/12/08/wott_buick_brand/
Don’t take that static from Sajeev sitting down. North Dallas snob appeal is far more Lexus than something of interest. Take it from me, growing up in Far North Dallas (in the old days, referred to as “southern Oklahoma” – although that’s when we would go to Plano fields for keg parties – and get chased by a farmer with a shotgun – story for another time), between Hillcrest and Preston.
That being said, if you are concerned about snob appeal, SL55 wouldn’t provide enough to offset the Park Cities-types, who won’t notice it is anything different. Porsche too cliche. Roads are good enough for the Lotus, and that would grant you plenty of attention – especially at shift change on Hillcrest.
You didn’t say what you would use this car for vs. your 325 – commuting, long distance drives (crawling on I-35 or barreling across I-20/30), when you are bored, autocrossing, dragstrip, etc. That also would make a big difference in opining on suggestions.
I’m sorry but the WRX and Evo aren’t that deficient in practicality, so clearly they must be removed from the list and replaced with the Vette and Shelby.
Miata PRHT and the other $15k in the retirement account?
Sorry, having owned 40 cars in my lifetime who’s sum total cost was under $30k, I can’t even fathom the question.
I’m curious, you say a SL55 without the warranty – what do you have against the warranty?
If it’s the price of cars eligible for the warranty, I would agree, since they way exceed his price range.
But I had a Certified Pre-Owned S500 and my experience with the warranty was very good – I thought it was well worth having, and it took almost all the hassle out of ownership until it expired.
If you look hard enough, you can get SLs with very low use, at least here in South Florida. A lot of rich people buy SLs to share the garage with their Porsches, Bentleys and Aston Martins, only driving them during sunny days when they feel like that specific car. I’ve seen 2007/2008 models with ridiculously low miles on them for that reason. Adding my driving only about 10k miles a year, and an up to five year extension of the CPO warranty, and you can drive hassle-free with one of those cars for quite some time. Seems like it might be the way to go for the enthusiast.
Unfortunately cars that fit those criteria are more like $60-70k than $30k. Last time I checked I found a really nice one for $60k that had less than 8k miles on it. When I looked today, I wasn’t so lucky, so it’s obviously a bit of a luck of the draw situation – but definitely worth looking for.
D
What dealer do you use? Here in Tampa Bay, used MBs are pretty iffy.
David: SL55s, from my brief searches, are a little tough to buy at 30k. The warranty is an even tougher hit to the OP’s intended budget, but yes, I agree that a warranty on this car is money well spent.
Sorry for the confusion.
William, this is my future, not present, strategy, so I don’t have a specific dealer in mind. I live in Palm Beach County, which I suspect would be one of the better places to buy a pampered car of pretty much any make. (I have seen more exotic and unique cars here than I’ve seen anywhere else, even Los Angeles). If the Best and Brightest happen to have information on good and/or bad MB dealers in this area I’d be delighted to hear about them.
Sajeev, by my own admission I was ignoring price – I was just wondering if there was a flaw in the car-buying strategy I intend to follow if and when I ever get $50-60k to spend on a car.
Unfortunately, the only SL that I think would meet his budget is the circa 2003 SL500, which is about $25k nowadays but is generally ineligible for the warranty.
Perhaps a SL55 is a bit too optimistic and a SL500/550 would accomodate his price range a bit better. It would also be likely to be in better condition since it would be driven less hard. Unfortunately CPO cars seem to be 2007 and later, which is $45k+.
How much better is the SL55 than the base SL500/550? You guys seem to enormously prefer the AMG, but the performance of the SL500/550 still strikes me as pretty darn good, and is more likely to have realistic maintenance costs (i.e. no absurd custom brake pads, etc).
D
The most expensive repair for our 1999 C43 was caused by the family of rats that moved in one winter. It still goes, and everything works.
Is this a serious question? For the love of pete, Ford Mustang GT 5.0. End of story.
The big question is are you going to leave it stock or mod it? If so, it changes answers quite a bit, from me at least. The biggest problem is you are from Dallas. 817>972, just saying.
Honestly at 30k overall to spend…is it 30K to actually spend or finance? If I had 30k to blow, I’d go with E46 M3 and save up just a bit more scratch for the Stage 2 HPF kit, or call up Ross at Dynosaur and see what he could do for me on a Poopra. Both of those would get you pretty darn close to the Dallas Racing “C” team, and some looks at Classic when they host Cars and Coffee.
I wouldn’t want a ‘Vette, but thats just me. I like the motor, just don’t like the car, but 30k could get you a non Z06 and get you bolt ons and the bottle. That’s also more than some breathing room to pick up a 03/04 Cobra.
Then again, I seem to be out of the norm here. I just can’t get to swooning over Miatas and Loti like everyone else can.
817 > 972, love it!
However, 817 < 214. We won’t toss in the overlays…
Not an Evo or WRX. Those are just factory built boy-racers, with no sense of class for anyone over 30. Lotus is most unique, Mustang most practical. Can you get a nice 911 or Lotus at this price? In online searches, it doesn’t look like it.
No love for the 370Z or Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track version ? Two cars in that price range I would definitely put on the list along with the Mustang GT . The Vette ? An old man’s car and that is mostly who I see driving them .
Your better off aiming for the Gene. 30k might get you a lightly used base 370. When I was looking last year, they hadn’t come down in price at all, and for the cost of the Nismo 370, or even the track pack, you could get a stripper 335i or loaded 5.0 GT ‘Stang, both better options in my book.
If getting a Gene, I’d stick witht he 2.0 Turbo, much much more room to work on the motor in the engine bay, and the tubo is set up perfectly for a quick swap to a bigger snail.
Thank you… I was just about to say the same thing. I’m looking for a used 350Z myself. If the Mustang came in a hatchback I’d consider it, but I owned a ‘Stang back in ’88 never got the thrill. Granted it wasn’t the 5.0 but still the car wasn’t anything special. I perfer a slightly smaller car, thus the Z is in the lead. The Genesis is a close second, but once again the trunk is killing it for me, I prefer the hatchback look and practicality. Wife’s car is a Volvo C30 and its so easy to just throw things (like long fishing poles) in the back and take off for the weekend.
Having spent a week with a 2010 Corvette thanks to Hertz (it’s GOOD to be in the President’s Circle), I cannot imagine a fellow BMW owner wanting one. It is the ultimate blunt instrument – posts huge numbers for acceleration in every direction. Go-stop-corner. But all the refinement of a 10lb sledgehammer. Kind of like a Vegas whore – all sorts of fun for a weekend, but you would never bring her home to Mama.
The Mustang is similarly just too crude to live with long-term. Had plenty of those too.
No the answer is most certainly a 911, preferably a very nice, low mileage coupe from the 80’s. One old enough to FEEL really fast, but not actually be all that fast. Best not to get your license shredded too quickly. Though I do like the idea of an M Coupe too – very much a good alternative, and just as much character.
Well, if that’s really the case, forget what I said about the considering the Vette, above. I’ve never driven a Vette.
Some guy outside my office just drove by in a new Mustang 5.0. It sounded like sex.
So does the exhaust moan, scream, or whimper?
Depends on RPM. I will discuss this no further.
Corvette. Maybe a GM big block A-body, but you will need a little more money.
Another excellent unusual choice:
2006 BMW M Z4 Roadster dressed in Titanium Silver with Black Leather
3.2L DOHC I6, 6 spd manual , 57,164 mi, – Texas dealership, $32,900
These were limited production, and are fairly rare. About 3,000 sold in North America in 2006-2008, about 350 in Titanium silver. If you have the means, I suggest you pick one up.
CPO 335i- awesome handling and a great sleeper…easy to tune to make massive power
S2000- great handling car and reliable. Not many twisties where you live though. I see this as a more sensible alternative to an elise…although not nearly as cool or uncompromised.
Or, if you want a nice comfy LS-X powered straight-line ass hauler, CTS-V…GTO or G8.
Between the ‘Bahn and Classic BMW, this is a pretty decent option, should be plenty available. Not many twisties out these parts, but the DNT and GW toll roads, at proper times of the day, are pretty close to a Texas Autobahn. 335i also responds beautifully to bolt ons.
And thanks for bringing up the Goat, should have thought about that. With what they are going for, 30k to spend would give you plenty for some go fast, stop fast, and turn fast bits with a decent condition GTO.
2005+ SLK 350 is available with manual and is an outstanding car. Extremely rare, too.
You should be able to find one with very low miles.
No manual-swapped panther love?
The cars you’ve listed are exhilarating and exciting to drive, even at normal speeds but with the caveat of high insurance. The ‘vette’s should be lower (for it’s performance level, anyway) since they’re generally weekend cars of mid-life crisis men. Aside from M3s, M Coupes/Roadsters, CTSVs, G8s GTOs, 350/70Zs Genesis-sees and Mustangs, what about Boxster/Caymans, or on left field, the S60R, Mazdaspeed 6, VW R32 (old and new)?
As a former Speed3 owner, I’d shy from the Speed6, but I do like the S60R.
Acura NSX. For $30K, you will probably be limited to an older car, but they are absolutely wonderful cars. Save up another $8-10K and slap on a Comptech or SOS supercharger. That will give you the power that the car should have come with.
+! on the NSX… and from what I can see, for $30k you should be able to pick up a really nice one, low mileage, flawless, before they put those godawful non-popup headlights on em…
Super reliable, great performance, killer looks…
+1 for the NSX. You can get one from a cherry always-garaged doctor’s car to a track rat. Stock, it’s a genuine supercar with Honda reliability – a NA car that was able to dice with the TT 300ZX and Turbo Supras. $30K will get you your pick of the first-gen cars, which I think are the prettier ones. Check nsxprime.com.
Want upgrades? LoveFab makes turbokits; $11K will get you a stock motor kit good for 400WHP. They are active on nsxprime’s forums and several members have installed them.
Then tell me how come they werent sold like hot cakes, flew of the shelf?
My fnd had one Dakota with a 4.7 Merc engine, he said the trans werent exactly as advertised. Plus it has to use some very exp ATF, the synthetic type. The oel change costs a few bills.
I guarantee you would be the only one in town driving one of these:
2005 Chrysler Crossfire Convertible, classic yellow, black interior, 3.2 V6, 6 spd manual
14,964 miles – listed by a reputable Detroit area dealer for $18,991
Mercedes build quality + German refinement, uses the chassis and engine from the German’s SLK roadster. Quirky retro styling, more of a cruiser than a sports car. These were head-turners going down the road, rarely seen today. This would be an unusual choice.
I don’t think anyone mentioned the Honda S2000. Very nice car and I believe it would be unique on the road. Maybe a 2002 to 2004 model.
Our 2007 is a fun car, but not a Corvette. I grew up with GM V8 engines, and I miss them.
Is that Corvette picture photoshopped onto a backdrop of the Stanford foothills up near the dish? Sure looks it to me.
Anyway, if you are considering a 911, you should also put the Cayman on your list–you’ll save some money, get a mid-engined car, and will be driving something much more unique. If you were looking at a 911 convertible, then the Boxter will save you loads of money while delivering the advantages of the Cayman. I find the Cayman a somewhat practical daily driver (and in my case my only driver). Other than the number of people, you would be surprised what can fit in a small hatchback: 8 foot lumber stretching from windshield to hatch; full sized luggage or ice chest in the front trunk; quite large boxes with the rear hatch tied with bungee and rope; the roof rack can take a few boxes too.
I’ve owned a 1999 C5 Corvette for a year now.
Five things that I haven’t seen so far in the comments.
1) It is immensely reliable and cheap to run. I have spent under $250 on maintenance and repairs so far and haven’t neglected anything. Flush the coolant every five years, change the synthetic oil when the car tells you to, drain the clutch and brake fluid reservoirs with a turkey baster and refill every oil change, change the sparkplugs when you get a misfire. That’s about it. Wait; I had to replace two $4 aftermarket exhaust hangers. It has spent every day in service.
2) A Corvette is a very big car. The nose is miles in front of you, the tail miles behind, and it is over six feet wide. Fortunately, this also goes for the cabin. Anyone shorter than Hakeem Olajuwon will fit before the tracks are all the way back. The cargo area is very large as well.
3) The 346-CID engine plays in a different league from the lesser machinery in this discussion. The throttle travel is long, the power is progressive, and you are still always aware that you have fewer than ten pounds per horsepower. 25 to 75 in second gear takes four seconds – and that is useful on the road. The powerband starts at 2500 and runs to the 6250 rev limiter – and that is useful on the road. It will pull the brutal third gear to 108 MPH – and THAT is useful when somebody tries to block you from overtaking. It sounds right, too, with any decent aftermarket exhaust.
4) For highway cruising it is difficult to beat a car this slick and relaxed, with the twelve-CD changer, the ice-cold GM A/C, and the relaxed engine. It really is only turning 1500 at 70, and I have gotten 35 MPG tank-average once. On the back roads, it is difficult to beat a very well balanced car with a center of gravity that low and tires that wide. Then ye olde boat motor decides it wants to be a part of the show and you get an adjustment – yaw angle – that other cars simply don’t have on the road. It’s friendly, it’s responsive, it’s relaxed, it just happens to be going… well, the statute of limitations in New York State still hasn’t expired on that particular run yet.
5) The instrumentation is the best in any road car by miles and miles. It will take you a week to get used to the HUD and about thirty seconds in another car to wonder why all of them don’t have it. The digital display is also quite useful. You can improve your driving watching your instant and average fuel mileage, and then check your tire pressures. Porsche’s Sport Chrono timer costs $900 and they advertise it as part of their connection to motorsport. The Elapsed Time feature on the Corvette is the fifth menu item on the “Trip” button and merits two lines in the owner’s manual.
They do the same thing, and that I think sums up this car very well. It does things very few other cars can, intimidates novice drivers into driving it safely, rewards expert driving, and is relaxed and unassuming about all of it.
It’s subtle if you’re subtle with the controls. Be smooth. They have to all eventually deliver sledgehammer force but you can get smooth response and small changes from small changes.
Budget $1000 right now for a pair of Sparco Sprint V seats and brackets; turn the stock seats into living room furniture where they belong.
It will take you a week to get used to the HUD and about thirty seconds in another car to wonder why all of them don’t have it.
+1. I’m hardly a Corvette or GM fan, but the Corvette HUD is so well done you’d think it was a BMW design.
You left out something. If I choose, I can usually fix what might need to be fixed, myself. Of course I started in 1965.
Ferrari 308.
My attainable dream car has always been a late 80s 911… no turbo, no slope nose, just a regular 911 coupe. You should be able to buy the nicest one in the country for your budget. Or a lesser one with lots of money left over for maintenance should anything scatter. But its likely it wont, these are known as the last reliable Porsches (reliable being a relative term here, we arent taking Honda LOL).
Classic looks without the classic car driving feel, everyone loves them, you get the snob appeal with the true car guy approval, and it might even appreciate in value someday!
Porsche Cayman S.
Why all the hating on Dallas? Being from the uncouth oil pit down south I don’t understand. I can remember when the nice folks in Dallas wouldn’t put the word Houston on highway signs on highways passing through Dallas. They obviously did this to help people out by not pointing the way to the redneck hellhole down south. I am sure many lives were saved. See? They are nice people.
Jaguar XKR. The Corvette for grown ups.
Outside-of-box-suggestion: $30k will buy a CPO 2007 CTS-V. Lot nicer inside than a Vette (low bar, yes, but still), almost as much fun, and your significant other won’t hate riding in it.
For new or nearly new cars, it is hard to beat the mustang gt or corvette for the money. The E46 M3 is bargain priced right now as well. Looking back a bit the NSX is a great choice, but i love the late 80’s air cooled 911 or the 993. That is where my money would go. If you prefer Japanese tin, I would suggest a mkiv supra if you can find one that hasn’t been fiddled with or maybe a 300zx. The RD rx7 is gorgeous, but troublesome. Maybe with a v8 swap.
Last year I turned 40 and bought myself a 1991 Porsche 911 Coupe (964 model) with 90k miles and I paid $18K. It is the car I wanted as a kid and the one I had to own. It is relatively simple and I can work on it myself.
It has the classic looks and I get the thumbs up from other drivers and pedestrians often.
What about a 1st gen Z4M coupe
Fast, beautiful, unique, only downer is that the hardtops are rare and thus incredibly expensive. I think you can get nearly any of the cars mentioned (C6 Vette, 996 C2S, even the SL55) for less money… though w/Texas heat I’m not sure a convertible is worth it. Maybe at night?
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How about an 850ci from the mid 90’s. A 12 cylinder with a manual transmission!!!!
What a thread! Thank you one and all for your musings on my dilemma. It seemed as if the ‘Vette was the strongest recommendation but how about that NSX? Now there’s a car that had NOT crossed my mind!
Regrettably though, the Corvette does not light my fire. Honestly, I’m never going to get beyond it’s status as a mid-life crisis car (and I’m going to put any of the hot Mustangs & Camaros in the same bracket I’m afraid). There’s a “who cares what it looks like” ethos that I do understand, but to me looks are too much a part of the spirit I am seeking.
I did drive some Lancers & STis (and in doing so remembered all the reasons I hate car dealers). Pretty much everything I saw in my price range was “not as described” and I realized, these are models to buy new and probably deal through the internet at that. Similarly, Porsche dealers (including my local Ruff) are fairly disinterested in oiks like me with thin wallets although I did find a gorgeous 993 but it was a convertible and when I need to go topless my wife’s Wrangler offers about as much fun and the 911’s doors were much more difficult to detatch.
The BMWs were all great choices, I tested a stick 530i and the punch from 30mph was intoxicating except I already own a 3 series which I have always planned to keep. More on that later.
So, based on the initial criteria above and being under 5’9″ it has to be the Lotus. Drop dead looks, fantastic handling and Toyota mechanicals. Hard on the kidneys? Sure, but as Frankenfurter said “I didn’t make him for you.” A lack of understanding or appreciation by the local muscle car orientated community here means that the ones on dealer lots languish and deals can be had.
Except I didn’t buy the Lotus.
Sheryl Crowe once sang “it’s not getting what you want, it’s wanting what you’ve got” and like the prodigal son I returned home to my BMW 325iT (wagon) and realized that it has almost everything I’m looking for. Although no longer a fraulein in my eyes, like any good women a little pampering could surely bring back some of the youth in her. After nearly a decade of ferrying children and equipment without complaint doesn’t she deserve a little attention herself?
I must say she’s now quite a looker again, what with some bodywork, her full Bilstein suspension, Euro lights, alloy wheels and low profiles. And beautiful on the inside too; an aFE intake, Borla exhaust, chip upgrade, pulleys and a tint to protect her from the harsh Texas elements has worked a pleasant spring back into her step and sideways glances from guys who should know better than to disobey the 10th Commandment. All for less than a down payment on the Elise.
It’s been a fun ride.
I’m glad your happy with what ya got but dang you could have gotten a Miata cheap! Especially since you’re under 5’9″ and didn’t have to worry about the lack of room.
I actually I fell hard for a yellow (dirty little secret of mine) Miata but the guy selling it had a pretty inflated view of what #FFFF00 is actually worth.
I’m lucky living here in the land of convertibles (New Mexico, once upon a time we had the highest percentage of registered convertible in the country.) I just checked autotrader and there are literally dozens of old Miatas with less than 60,000 miles for less than $8,000 within 500 miles of me. Enjoy your purchase.