Sports car under $20,000

[IKnowAllOfNothing]

So I'm looking at getting a sports car and thought I'd ask what you guys would buy if you had 20,000 to spend.
Couple stipulations
No sedans, (I got one and it makes no sense to own 2 four door cars.)
No convertibles
Needs to be smog legal
Needs to be a reliable dd

Things I have been considering
Bmw e46 m3
Porsche 911 996
Acura NSX
Mazda Rx7 (ls1 swapped, yeah needs to be smog legal)

Your opinions?

[boobs13]

07-08 HR 350z

[xpertsnowcarver]

Damn, if you can find a NSX for $20k (without a ridiculous amount of miles or modified in some stupid way), please let me know.

The usual and cheapest I've seen is $30k. And that's only half way decent.

Honestly, your description sounds like an S2000, but with a hardtop.

[TravisSW]

Fork out another 5-6k and get a Genesis Coupe.
But since I'm now a Porsche/Euro guy. Get the 911/966.

What year btw?

[IKnowAllOfNothing]

The NSX I was looking at was a 1991 manual with 150k
Acura : NSX: eBay Motors (item 150467009549 end time Jul-19-10 20:27:10 PDT)
I kinda wish I bought it. NSX under 20,000 is slim pickings let me tell you.

The suggestion about the s2000 is a great one, but I'm 6'3 and 235lbs. I have tried very hard fit and there is no possible way. No tilt wheel and no head room.

The 911 I am looking is a 2000 911 with 50k at 20,000 exactly

I don't really want a 350z because well my friend at one and am looking for something different.

Good suggestions so far. Keep them coming.

[IKnowAllOfNothing]

Oh yeah if I could just get to 25,000 I'd own the Elise below
[ 2005 Lotus Elise ] Gray/Black w/Complete 3rd party inspection
its freaking sweetness!

[xpertsnowcarver]

Oh my gosh!! Nooo! What a great deal!

Damn you're tall... Hmm.... I would have suggested a used lotus elise next. Lol!

I agree with Travis' recommendations.

Lotus Esprit? Eh... probably in the $25-30k range too depending on the year.. Not sure about reliability.

Edit: You beat me to my response. Talk to guy down... Worst he'll say is no.

[meteorite_flo]

Could you really find a E46 M3 under 20k?

[sw20>>s14]

2001 ZO6 hands down...although not the LS6, still a beast no doubt...

[ayuaddict]

You can easily find an E46 M3 for under $20,000, It's not hard to find one for under $15,000.

My vote is definitely for the NSX.

[simmode1]

RX8. The 06+ models are much more reliable than the 04/05's. For around $14k or so, you get a car lighter than a Z33, that performs on par with the S2000, but has a back seat. Plus, ppl are starting to do LSx swaps on these too...

I mean, just look at how happy these asians look!

[Walperstyle]

I'd start with a crappier car, and put the money into the right places. I'd buy the porsche if the budget was $35000

[simmode1]

Originally Posted by ayuaddict

You can easily find an E46 M3 for under $20,000, It's not hard to find one for under $15,000.

Ooh ooh! Can I change my vote to this?! At about the same price, it stomps all over the RX8. I bet maintenance costs will be similar though...

[lucky7]

i'd get an M3. but keep in mind they are not the cheapest car to keep on the road. the same goes for a carrera. i like the NSX, but it's too damn old, IMO. i'd rather have an early viper for the same price.

[ayuaddict]

OH SNAP.

Totally forgot about Vipers.

Can you get a '96 GTS for $20,000 now??????

[TheWolf]

The Z06 beats all above. Easy to mod. Easy to fix. Fast and corners well.

The m3 is so capped from the factory and the HP is anemic. It's slow. once you drive a v8 bmw. you'll realize all that inline 6 jibba jabber was BS.

The NSX is just to old. Man that car is creeping up on being 20 years old. Alot of shit goes wrong with a 20 year old car that you don't realize. Every bit of rubber on that car is aged. Hoses. Door seals etc.

The porsche is a good idea if you are good at maintenance. If you can't diagnose it don't buy it. you'll die under repair bills.

The RX7 ls1 meh. To each their own. Some people like it. Some don't. I don't. To me the FD is beyond played out. If you've ever worked on a mazda it's like everything is engineered backwards. It annoys me.

You should really give up on this sports car BS and just get a bike and live with the 4 door.. I've got my 540i with a 6spd for hauling people and my k1200gt for myself.

[5pecialist]

Originally Posted by IKnowAllOfNothing

Your opinions?

Excellent NEWER daily drivers with affordable maintenance (& maybe still have a warranty):

1. Nissan 350Z
2. Infiniti G35 coupe

Do eeeeet!

[aznpoopy]

Originally Posted by simmode1

RX8. The 06+ models are much more reliable than the 04/05's. For around $14k or so, you get a car lighter than a Z33, that performs on par with the S2000, but has a back seat. Plus, ppl are starting to do LSx swaps on these too...

i agree.

you can get a really mint rx8 with 14k. like 20k miles or less mint. they just do not hold their value well.

they are pretty damn reliable, contrary to popular opinion. and the engine warranty goes up to 8-year / 100k.

in other words, for 14k you'd have a almost 4 door FR car with another 3-4 years / 80,000 miles of warranty left on it.

really hard to beat if you're looking for something semi practical, used, sporty and not a project.

[GeneStarWindGSW]

you can always try gettin a mkiv supra.
2jz-gte has proved reliable and its got its pluses.
lots of aftermarket & cheap parts compared to your euro counterparts.

if your lookin for class higher then that, you can always try those nice audis or 1 series bmw.

maybe an evo?

[240sx123$]

SC300 2jzgte.

With 20k, you could potentially have 12k+ to spend on parts after buying a clean SC. Obeewon has one with like 55k on it for sale for 7,500.

But Im also partial to the e46.

What about an e39?

[jonnybonds84]

Porsche 944 Turbo or Turbo S.

This is a car that I've been looking to get. If you like to keep it a lil' old school you'll like this. Very responsive to mods and it's a Porsche (panty dropper.)

Cars for Sale: 1989 Porsche 944 Turbo S in Arlington Hts., IL 60005: Coupe Details - 282621515 - AutoTrader.com

[5pecialist]

Guys, he's in California. Crazy engine swaps are no go.

[ronmcdon]

You could probably get a higher mileage, around 80k, for C5 Z06 Corvette for 20k.
(25k would get a low 20-30k mileage model, which is the sweet spot imo).

It'd be reliable, save the interior falling apart.
Also don't think anything would have the overall stock performance of a Z06.
No need for LS swaps here.

I can't think of a better performance car value.
Probably be easier to get the bank to finance, vs. that of some 15+ yr old enthusiast car.

[shift_jin]

M3 ftw sir

[chris_240sx]

Originally Posted by meteorite_flo

Could you really find a E46 M3 under 20k?

My friend recently picked up a nice one for 19,000. I've ridden in it several times and driven it twice, it's a really nice car. I like it alot. I wouldn't call it "slow", but then I drive a na ka s14 haha.

[240sx123$]

Originally Posted by chris_240sx

My friend recently picked up a nice one for 19,000. I've ridden in it several times and driven it twice, it's a really nice car. I like it alot. I wouldn't call it "slow", but then I drive a na ka s14 haha.

Its not slow, but definitely not "fast." I consider it "quick." Perfect for a DD. Id daily the shit out of an M3. An all around well rounded car. Perfect balance of luxury and performance.

[slideslidegnarslide]

^^^^^agreeed

[dtfdanyo]

I'd build a na-t or gte sc300 if I had 20k to spend.

[Rogue]

Originally Posted by xpertsnowcarver

Damn, if you can find a NSX for $20k (without a ridiculous amount of miles or modified in some stupid way), please let me know.

The usual and cheapest I've seen is $30k. And that's only half way decent.

Honestly, your description sounds like an S2000, but with a hardtop.

I just searched for some today on autotrader. Some of them were very cheap.

[Taniguchi_Is_#1]

i'd say an e46 m3 or s2k. rx8 would probably be the worst decision ever if you aren't planning on doing some weird swap in it.