Sports car under $20,000

[atom]

That's mostly for convenience sake, coil springs are universal while transverse leafs have to get custom made so it's more expensive to keep the leafs on a race car if you're chaging the rates often.

[h2v7]

dump the 20,000 into ur 240sx and ur really be in the sweet spot

[TheWolf]

Originally Posted by Taniguchi_Is_#1

what about this guy?

Maserati : Coupe: eBay Motors (item 280549273208 end time Aug-22-10 11:34:51 PDT)

my accountant is into ferrari's so thus I've learned about them. He fixes my taxes. I work on his car every now and again... that is a beautiful car and when new sold for a fortune. In the world of supercars on the cheap it is hard to beat that car. I try not to talk about them because if word got out people would jump on them. It's basically a front engined ferrari 360 except heavier. The engine was tuned up to 4.2L for the weight and I love it. By far it's an awesome car. If you've ever driven one it's amazing. The driving experience is AMAZING!! The interior is so nice.. the dash is amazing.. you could pull pussy all day with one.. just sitting in it, I start to sport wood.. I love it... a true 2 door 100% amazing car.. it's sexier than a triple throw down bad ass hooker...

If you don't have metric shit tons of money to spend on service or you wouldn't call yourself a "master mechanic" DON"T BUY IT!!!

As noted in the ebay advertisement "the clutch was tested recently with under 20% wear". This is important. Because the F1 ferrari gearbox is absolute unadulterated SHIT!!. Imagine the most hamfisted 13 year old trying to learn how to drive stick. That is what the F1 system does to clutches. It will engage and disengage the clutch no less than 45 times backing up out of a parking space. Inside the car it feels like an automatic. Outside listening to the revs and the clutch it sounds like your a moron who can't drive stick. No a moron would be a compliment. ITS SHIT. This car will go through a very expensive $1000 twin plate clutch every 15k miles. No really 15k miles if your lucky. That's because the F1 system relies on three things. The F1 Pump. and the clutch position sensor. Shitty italians programming stupid computers.

When you open your door, an electro hydraulic pump begins to pressurize fluid in your transmission. This is special fluid. F1 Fluid $40/liter at the dealer. Can only be changed at the dealer. It's made of unicorn tears and crushed dreams of affordable sports cars. Rumor has it, it's also saab PS fluid, the above may still apply after GM dropped them like a prom dress.



That's what a F1 pump looks like for said Maserati. The electric motor spins the hydraulic system which actuates a lot of crap. Eventually the electric motor will quit spinning and like any italian hydraulic system they leak. I honestly don't believe you could buy a new one, drive it from california to florida without topping off some fluid or it just breaking down somewhere. It's that reliable. This hydraulic system uses computers to actuate a hydraulic throw out bearing on the clutch. If this fails, you will be unable to select a gear. Sometimes it will fail while you are in a gear, thus keeping you stuck in gear until you perform the cute ferrari dance using that center T handle and kick it into neutral.. so the tow truck driver can laugh at you. That stuck in gear part is awesome in traffic. Keep in mind. That pump goes out. You drive it till you stall it. No clutch pedal.

Clutch position sensor. It's this awesome device that was designed to operate in a sterile clean environment. So they shoved it into a bellhousing that eats clutches every 15k. Yeah no dust there. It tells the computer how thin the clutch is getting and how thin your wallet will be shortly. Occasionally it will get dusty. Then tell the computer "I don't know where the clutch went". Thus locking you into gear until you stall. This usually happens around less than 25% of clutch left. So what they mean when they say less than 20% wear. That means you've got 55-60% left because the last 20% is useless.

I don't know about you guys but sitting on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck every 10-15k just doesn't get me horny for one. Needless I'll buy one and drive it only on sunny days when I'm not required to be in the office just incase it breaks down. Think of it like a bad ass hooker. Once you get a taste, you can't wait to go back.. as long as your wallet holds up.

[sw20>>s14]

my brother has two maseratis...a gt coupe and quattroporte...with first hand experience, i would have to agree with everything thewolf said; both good and bad...still the most underrated upper echelon manufacturer if you ask me...

[Walperstyle]

Originally Posted by h2v7

dump the 20,000 into ur 240sx and ur really be in the sweet spot

Yeah thats exactly what I'm doing. You put that kind of money into any S-Chassis, and you have a car that destroys everything mentioned in this thread.

Why pay more for a stock sports car when you can have a safe tuned 450hp s chassis. Thats what I'm doing. $800 rods, $700 pistons, $500 cams...etc

[5pecialist]

Originally Posted by TheWolf

my accountant is into ferrari's so thus I've learned about them. He fixes my taxes. I work on his car every now and again... that is a beautiful car and when new sold for a fortune. In the world of supercars on the cheap it is hard to beat that car. I try not to talk about them because if word got out people would jump on them. It's basically a front engined ferrari 360 except heavier. The engine was tuned up to 4.2L for the weight and I love it. By far it's an awesome car. If you've ever driven one it's amazing. The driving experience is AMAZING!! The interior is so nice.. the dash is amazing.. you could pull pussy all day with one.. just sitting in it, I start to sport wood.. I love it... a true 2 door 100% amazing car.. it's sexier than a triple throw down bad ass hooker...

If you don't have metric shit tons of money to spend on service or you wouldn't call yourself a "master mechanic" DON"T BUY IT!!!

As noted in the ebay advertisement "the clutch was tested recently with under 20% wear". This is important. Because the F1 ferrari gearbox is absolute unadulterated SHIT!!. Imagine the most hamfisted 13 year old trying to learn how to drive stick. That is what the F1 system does to clutches. It will engage and disengage the clutch no less than 45 times backing up out of a parking space. Inside the car it feels like an automatic. Outside listening to the revs and the clutch it sounds like your a moron who can't drive stick. No a moron would be a compliment. ITS SHIT. This car will go through a very expensive $1000 twin plate clutch every 15k miles. No really 15k miles if your lucky. That's because the F1 system relies on three things. The F1 Pump. and the clutch position sensor. Shitty italians programming stupid computers.

When you open your door, an electro hydraulic pump begins to pressurize fluid in your transmission. This is special fluid. F1 Fluid $40/liter at the dealer. Can only be changed at the dealer. It's made of unicorn tears and crushed dreams of affordable sports cars. Rumor has it, it's also saab PS fluid, the above may still apply after GM dropped them like a prom dress.



That's what a F1 pump looks like for said Maserati. The electric motor spins the hydraulic system which actuates a lot of crap. Eventually the electric motor will quit spinning and like any italian hydraulic system they leak. I honestly don't believe you could buy a new one, drive it from california to florida without topping off some fluid or it just breaking down somewhere. It's that reliable. This hydraulic system uses computers to actuate a hydraulic throw out bearing on the clutch. If this fails, you will be unable to select a gear. Sometimes it will fail while you are in a gear, thus keeping you stuck in gear until you perform the cute ferrari dance using that center T handle and kick it into neutral.. so the tow truck driver can laugh at you. That stuck in gear part is awesome in traffic. Keep in mind. That pump goes out. You drive it till you stall it. No clutch pedal.

Clutch position sensor. It's this awesome device that was designed to operate in a sterile clean environment. So they shoved it into a bellhousing that eats clutches every 15k. Yeah no dust there. It tells the computer how thin the clutch is getting and how thin your wallet will be shortly. Occasionally it will get dusty. Then tell the computer "I don't know where the clutch went". Thus locking you into gear until you stall. This usually happens around less than 25% of clutch left. So what they mean when they say less than 20% wear. That means you've got 55-60% left because the last 20% is useless.

I don't know about you guys but sitting on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck every 10-15k just doesn't get me horny for one. Needless I'll buy one and drive it only on sunny days when I'm not required to be in the office just incase it breaks down. Think of it like a bad ass hooker. Once you get a taste, you can't wait to go back.. as long as your wallet holds up.

What the heck are you talking about? Ferrari kicks ass & do not need anywhere near the repairs you make it sound like they need.

[Mi Beardo es Loco]

why do I have to be the only one to say:

[Walperstyle]

...or an Evo for that matter^

[mrflip69]

Originally Posted by IKnowAllOfNothing

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

Reading FTL

[raz0rbladez909]

Originally Posted by boobs13

Your still gonna miss your Z after you sell it man lol?

Hah i will miss everything except the stupid continuous problem with the clutch and that stupid giant strut bar in the back, otherwise i loved that damn hr

[Silverbullet]

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.

20k NSX isn't common, but do come around. Condition will defently not be new, but NSX owners tend to not let their cars become shit boxes.

I had a friend who picked one up for 15k. Had its little quirks here and there, but was a good buy IMO.

[Bubbles]

If reliability was a concern I'd buy a used NSX or a S2k over the other options.


It's still a Honda.


Bmw, Porsche, Maserati are a whole different league.

[CrOW]

350z would be nice

[usafdarkhorse]

Good luck finding a truly decent NSX for under $20K. Expect to spend $5K once you have it. Just chalk up a little more cash and you can find a very nice one.

Superb vehicle though. And this "Honda" was the reason Ferrari developed the 355 and the 360 and was the benchmark for the McLaren F1.

[5pecialist]

Originally Posted by usafdarkhorse

And this "Honda" was the reason Ferrari developed the 355 and the 360 and was the benchmark for the McLaren F1.

Sorry but that's not true. The F355 was an evolution of the 348, not an attempt to recreate an NSX. The 360 was an evolution of the 355. About every 5 years they evolve their entry level street car.

[usafdarkhorse]

Originally Posted by 5pecialist

Sorry but that's not true. The F355 was an evolution of the 348, not an attempt to recreate an NSX. The 360 was an evolution of the 355. About every 5 years they evolve their entry level street car.

No, not an attempt to recreate an NSX ( in fact some assert the NSX was based off a 348, which is also untrue ), but Ferrari was genuinely anxious about the NSX on its release (Not like they should have been. People buy F cars regardless). Their entire quality control methods changed.

The 348 was one of the poorest made Ferraris.

[superbike81]

I vote the 996 911, and then start saving some money for maintaining it, and doing a 997 front end conversion, because the 996 front looks terrible. If you get one with good service records and that has been genuinely cared for, you can expect one of the most reliable true sports cars you can get. I know cars like the Z06 will be faster and probably more reliable, but it's just a car with RWD and a big ass engine, with the 911 you get the total package. Try to get an S model, as they have the 3.6L which is a little more responsive to bolt on mods. All you really need to do with it though is add a rear spoiler, as I think they look strange without one) and a decent exhaust to really show off the beautiful sound 911's make. Or you can add a turbo from TPC and get about 500hp for $10k. Then you will outrun, outhandle, AND OUTCLASS, all of those super awesome $20k 240's.

Don't waste your money building a $20k 240sx, because even though you'll have something that might outperform some of these cars, you are still stuck in 240sx. Speed and handling are great things, but they aren't everything.

[Mangudai]

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 mean, just look at how happy these asians look!

Are they reliable?

Originally Posted by 5pecialist

What the heck are you talking about? Ferrari kicks ass & do not need anywhere near the repairs you make it sound like they need.

He's referring to Maserati.

[BustedS13]

Originally Posted by 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.)

yeah, nothing gets 'em wet like a 30 year old non-911 Porsche hoopty.