Daily sports car?

@crankcall I've looked at the 2 series with the MSPORT package, but unfortunately budget wise it's beyond. I'm trying to limit to 15k so that I can still buy another 'commuter/beater' for an extra 10k and spend a total of 25k.

Still looking at a 128i but can't find one in MSPORT, 6MT for the life of me. The ones that creep up are gone in hours unfortunately. Unless I buy a base, and then pick up the sport suspension/seats later on. Which is an option.

As far as Miata...ND is too expensive for sure, so the NC is the max I'd go.

@Relax If I could find a clean S2000 for that budget, without 200k+ on the odometer...I'd definitely look into it more heavily. The cheaper ones all seem to have rebuilt titles or some issues. As for the BRZ/FRS...definitely issues there, but so do a lot of cars. I've seen some specimens in the low teens, but I'm sure there's issues there. The Toyota 86 is starting to show up below 20k. Also an option.

@Chris-CJ Which generation is that? I'm not that familiar with the brand. If I go newer, I'm leaning towards the V6, as the GT is out of budget. And I'm still not convinced about the Ecoboost.
 
Relax said:
Wait, you expected the base model to be faster than a Z06?
Click to expand...
Me? I don't expect anything.
GM and whoever else tested the C8 say it is faster than any C7, 1/4mile, and or 0-100.
Me? I can't see the c8 beating a c7 Z06 100-200 (mph or kph).
But I really don't gaf, I'm keeping mine............for now with zero chance of getting a c8.
 
1 series with an MT will have been thrashed unless a Mom owned it. S2000 that hasn't been modified is a tough find. There are some deals on older M3's but fixing them is silly pricey. Same with the older Porche Miata (Boxster) , you can find them for 12-14k , but again if your putting many miles on its a Porche.
Older mustangs are still a deal, about 100,000 after market parts and can be fixed by nearly anybody.
 
Something to consider - if you’re not planning on driving the car regularly and you’re on the fence between a few choices, contact Hagerty to see if they will write a policy for it. They’re not just for classic cars, but also collectibles. I’m starting a new policy with them for my E46 M3 and it’s only $400/yr with 1M liability, $200 deductible, and up to 6000 kms (although they state no mileage limitations - I still have to sort that out, but it’s enough for now while I’m restoring it). But you can’t drive it for any regular use like going to work or as a backup for another car (and you do need another car insured with another company). You also can’t use it for running errands or going shopping. Basically you get to use it the way most use their bikes - going for a drive or to go to an automotive event (or Tim Horton’s if that’s your thing). Also, I believe the older the car, the more lenient they are on the restrictions since they figure the collector wouldn’t abuse a true classic/collectible whereas mine is new enough to be “nice but nothing special”.
 
Relax said:
Something to consider - if you’re not planning on driving the car regularly and you’re on the fence between a few choices, contact Hagerty
Click to expand...
I had no luck with them (will try again at the end of my policy).
I pay ~ $1100yr. (Z06/Z07) Haggerty wanted $2600 in May, when I got a quote.
 
Gary said:
I had no luck with them (will try again at the end of my policy).
I pay ~ $1100yr. (Z06/Z07) Haggerty wanted $2600 in May, when I got a quote.
Click to expand...

Their focus on classics and collectibles, meaning older cars, at least that’s what I understood from my conversation with them. I guess your Z06 is too new (it’s only a couple years old, right)?
 
Gary said:
I had no luck with them (will try again at the end of my policy).
I pay ~ $1100yr. (Z06/Z07) Haggerty wanted $2600 in May, when I got a quote.
Click to expand...
I know on classic cars, modified vs unmodified makes a big difference with Haggerty, make sure you are getting pricing for the correct one. For the mini, modified (you tell them what has been done, they don't seem to care they just want it documented) is double the rate of a stock car.
 
Mine is a '17, no mods.
Everyone else seems to be having luck at Haggerty, me excluded. I'll try them again in May.
 
GreyGhost said:
I know on classic cars, modified vs unmodified makes a big difference with Haggerty, make sure you are getting pricing for the correct one. For the mini, modified (you tell them what has been done, they don't seem to care they just want it documented) is double the rate of a stock car.
Click to expand...

Their online quoting system didn’t change the price for me no matter what I selected other than the value. When I spoke to them I asked about this and told them the suspension was being replaced with aftermarket components and they said they are more concerned about engine swaps, custom bodywork or paint, etc (I guess hotrod stuff). They consider mine to be stock and only care about the value I set it to. They also have an option in your premium to give you your car back in the event of a write-off so you can resurrect it. I think it was about $30 a year for that option.
 
Relax said:
Their online quoting system didn’t change the price for me no matter what I selected other than the value. When I spoke to them I asked about this and told them the suspension was being replaced with aftermarket components and they said they are more concerned about engine swaps, custom bodywork or paint, etc (I guess hotrod stuff). They consider mine to be stock and only care about the value I set it to. They also have an option in your premium to give you your car back in the event of a write-off so you can resurrect it. I think it was about $30 a year for that option.
Click to expand...
The mini is ~100 hp instead of the stock 31 so that's probably why I got dinged on premium (still an A-series, I don't like engine swaps with engines that never came in the car). I still need to rebuild the previous engine that made a bunch more power than this one.
 
I grew up driving sports cars. Had all the typical 70s era sports cars starting with a 240z, MGBGT-(lumped), then a TR6 as a kid. Those put the 'sport' in driving -- you had small power, with too little brakes, steering & tires. The driver meant more than the the car.

Last year I was looking for a "sporty" car for my wife. The Miata & BRZ I drove were surprisingly blah -- 0-60 was a bit worse than my 4WD dodge pickup, braking and cornering comparable -- to me those are the Ninja 250s of the sports car world. Even with a few bushels of cash in upgrades they aren't going cheap roll with a cheap Mustang.

My favorite right now is the CTS-V - nice used specimens are available at less than $15K. They tear asphalt with all 4 wheels.
 
Mad Mike said:
My favorite right now is the CTS-V - nice used specimens are available at less than $15K. They tear asphalt with all 4 wheels.
Click to expand...
Cool cars. Did they ever get a differential to last in them? The last I heard, they tore through diffs at an alarming rate (quite likely not helped by the mentality of the people that bought them).
 
@Mad Mike I agree 100%. These cars are like the 250-300cc bikes. Fun to thrash, but overall slow, economic, and cheap thrills (if you can call it that). On paper the FRS/BRZ are fairly decent acceleration and numbers, but I've driven one a bunch of years ago and can remember it being a little less than expected. However, I know they're fun to drive.

Their forums are also very similar to the low cc bike forums in their member's defense of the power lacking. I'm actually considering buying a stock model, and then when time/funds allow to throw a turbo/supercharge into it down the line.

As for the CTS-V I've only seen 2 specimens for sub-17k right now.
 
GreyGhost said:
Cool cars. Did they ever get a differential to last in them? The last I heard, they tore through diffs at an alarming rate (quite likely not helped by the mentality of the people that bought them).
Click to expand...

If shopping for a CTS-V you want to go with the 2nd gen supercharged car. Better in everyway by a mile and you don't have the diff issues that the first gen cars had.
 
crankcall said:
1 series with an MT will have been thrashed unless a Mom owned it. S2000 that hasn't been modified is a tough find. There are some deals on older M3's but fixing them is silly pricey. Same with the older Porche Miata (Boxster) , you can find them for 12-14k , but again if your putting many miles on its a Porche.
Older mustangs are still a deal, about 100,000 after market parts and can be fixed by nearly anybody.
Click to expand...
Ya you’re right. The damn MT is hard to find, and finding a clean one....forget it. PFAFF had one a few months ago, right colour, options, price, km. I was a few days from coming home and it was gone before I landed. Islington Chrysler also had one...gone in a day.
If the weather permits I’ll go drive all specimens as I need to test them first before going forward at this stage.
 
MX-5 NC is a great little car, light maintenance, cheap insurance, very reliable (pretty much bulletproof), plenty of after market parts and accessories, and generally fun to drive. Top up or down.

Might be a little hard to find cheaper with the optional hard top but, patience will be rewarded.

Quite a few of the British car club owners in the area own them and love them for the trouble free motoring.

It’s not going to push you back into the seat with the thrust of a V6 or more but, the 6spd manual is nice to shift, it’s well balanced and can be tossed around with confidence.

Only a few knocks. Some folks don’t like the looks. Might be a little feminine to some. Others (or the same folks) expect more performance. And it’s not known for having the best storage space.

Cheap, reliable, fun. Not too many past and current owners report any complaints. Then again, most know what they are getting into.

Mustang will get you more power and a back seat but, can’t hide it’s weight.

The little beemers and other German machines get funky past their warrenty period. It’s not cheap to deal with the codes that start to occur. There is a reason why they depreciate so rapidly but, you have to pay to keep them road worthy.






Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
Thought I'd revive this thread, been looking over the 370z, Miata & V8 Mustangs somehow found something I didn't even consider before. Hyundai Genesis Coupe's.
They're reliable with their 3.8 V6's, Stick shift RWD and the rather low brand recognition has seen the prices drop more then their worth considering how much stuff they pack into the cabin and the car itself. Sat in one and there is plenty of space for being 6ft2 - only thing left now is to test drive a few and get a good deal setup, will take that part slowly. Like my Fz07, this thing is a lot of bang for your buck.
They come with 100K or 5 year warranties as well which is dam impressive, since 2016 was the last production year I reckon I'm getting in at a good time lol.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom