A 2

At the Saratoga Auto Museum this past weekend, the local Porsche dealer had parked a Boxster out on the lawn. Looked at the window sticker on the car and it was around $69,000 IIRC.

The Porsche Bosxter GTS I just posted about has a base price that starts at $77K.

That got me thinking, maybe there is no car out there that I can afford. I certainly don't want to (can't) purchase an expensive car and make large monthly payments on it. If I were looking I'd be looking at cars ranging from $25000 to $35000. That could work as I would be able to make a down payment and pay off the car in a relatively short period.

With that said, I think my options are limited to:
- FWD Sporty Cars
- AWD Sporty Cars
- RWD Sports Cars & GT Cars

I would probably go with RWD and my options seem to be limited to
A) Nissan 370Z
B) Mazda Miata
C) Toyobaru Twins
D) Honda S2000
E) Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Of the above, I would probably go for one of the Toyobaru twins. Just enough power and decent gas mileage. I could drive it to work & back and also do autocross. If I did not need warranty and did not need the car to drive all year round, I would get a used S2000. In my opinion, no car or manufacturer has come as close to the build quality of this car. But if I had to buy only one car and could not exceed $35K, I think the Toyobaru would be a decent choice.

How about you? What Car would be your choice?
- New or used is fine
- Price must not exceed $35000
- Must be a street car, not a race car (although the obvious answer is spec Miata)

Manga_Spawn

Used S2000 is the best choice on there. More power than the Toyobaru's and I will bet better reliability in the long run. Examples can still be found with very low miles (and still well below $35k) and they are more than capable of being a daily driver. Another choice is a used Lotus. There are examples of Elises in the sub $35k price range.

Conedodger

NNY S2k

I suppose you could look at some of the American Muscle pony type cars...mustang, camero, challenger etc.
Levi

pgss2k

I think you can still get an NSX for that kind of dough?

A 2

The question is what would you buy. Imagine you had up to $35K to spend and only one car to purchase. Which one would it be?

I like the Lotus Elise suggestion and the NSX, even the Fiat and a Mustang Bullitt would be nice too. But what is it you would buy?

Think some, dig deep and imagine the possibilities. I believe I must do that too, as I just resigned myself to the obvious choices.

Lord09

Early E9X M3s are dropping to that price point. For $35K and something I'd DD, I'd be consider the new WRX STI or used M3.

Suspension

My 2009 Mazda RX-8 R3 is a lot like the s2000, but has the practicality of a DD. Except for the gas mileage. But I got mine for around $25k new and the build quality is up there with the s2000. The interior materials are not quite as nice, but it has it where it counts: in the chassis. It's built in Japan and was Mazda's flagship at the time. Steering feel is better, but the power is down as compared to the s2000. Still, it's a very fun car to drive every day and is fun at the autox and track, too. Now that I am moving back to California I can use the s2000 all the time and since we are moving to a small apartment with one garage, so I am regrettably getting rid of my RX-8 (selling it to my Mom, so I'll still get to drive it when I visit home). I don't want to, though.

I can't think of another car in that price range that compares. Though, I probably would have bought a FRS if they were available at that time since it has better gas mileage. But then again, the RX-8 can actually hold 4 full size adults comfortably, unlike what I've seen from the FRS/BRZ.

I've also heard good things about the new STI, that it can actually handle. I saw one the other day in the flesh, it looks nice and low and has good presence. I'd check one out if I were in the market.


Attachment 188779

pgss2k

911 SC

Conedodger

The Fiat is a collector car and not practical in this instance. If this were an only car, and I had to drive it year round, I would look at an Audi A5. If I lived in a better climate, or could have a winter vehicle, I'd stick with the S2000.