Help a mod to pick a mid-life crisis car around $20k

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Old 03-24-2008, 07:41 AM
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C5 or S2k... depends what you're looking for.. If you just want a gocart type experience, then the S2k is the way to go, but there is something to be said about having V8 torque to play with...
Old 03-24-2008, 07:44 AM
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Originally Posted by 03silvertypeS
S2000 gets my vote.

It gets better gas mileage and is MUCH more reliable than the vette. I know these aren't your top priority when looking for a fun weekend car. However, gas prices that are consistently increasing and the ability to to drive it without having to worry about any problems might be a couple items to consider.

I would consider them to be equally reliable.
Old 03-24-2008, 08:06 AM
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Definitely a Corvette and if your going to get a MT get a Z06 for a little extra money. I think the 2001 Z06's were 385hp and the '02's and up were 405 hp.

2001 Corvette Z06
23,000 miles
$25,500

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e=&cardist=100
Old 03-24-2008, 08:39 AM
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find a first year used Z4M it will beat a Nismo or Track 350Z and even a new S2KCR.
Old 03-24-2008, 08:59 AM
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Originally Posted by Bdog
Definitely a Corvette and if your going to get a MT get a Z06 for a little extra money. I think the 2001 Z06's were 385hp and the '02's and up were 405 hp.

2001 Corvette Z06
23,000 miles
$25,500

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e=&cardist=100
Didn't the 01 Z06 have engine issues ?? Altho' those should be resolved by now...
Old 03-24-2008, 09:29 AM
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S2000 or Boxster.
Old 03-24-2008, 09:31 AM
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Originally Posted by GreenMonster
Didn't the 01 Z06 have engine issues ?? Altho' those should be resolved by now...
This was the first year for the new Z06 and there were some issues, but it looks like they recognize them and are working to fix the problems. I'd perfer an '02, but would still drive an '01 if I found a good deal on one.

http://www.motortrend.com/buyersguid...z06/index.html

While the Z06 has been recall-free, online owners' forums have multiple threads regarding sticking clutches (caused by clutch hydraulic lines routed too close to the exhaust manifold, which cooks the fluid), high oil consumption/piston ring blow-by (supposedly not enough oil ring tension), and oil pump relief valves that can stick open bringing a large percentage of the oil back to the oil pan (probably caused by too much thread sealant applied during engine assembly). These issues are just now being resolved--check with a dealer for the latest on any TSB campaigns.
Old 03-24-2008, 09:35 AM
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S2000 ... C5s are garbage. They are obnoxiously loud and often fast but everything else about them (build quality, materials, etc) would ruin the experience.

Get a S2000 and have a shitload of fun owning a car worth driving AND owning.
Old 03-24-2008, 09:39 AM
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So is $20K your total, or are you going to put 5 or 10 down and willing to finance 20K?

my vote is for S2000 as well. Or, an exige if you want to put 20K down and finance the rest
Old 03-24-2008, 10:18 AM
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used lotus elise
Old 03-24-2008, 10:21 AM
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Originally Posted by CCColtsicehockey
used lotus elise
For $20k?

Sign me up!
Old 03-24-2008, 10:26 AM
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Originally Posted by CCColtsicehockey
used lotus elise
For $20K ??

edit: Jesal bet me to it... but I was busy checking the lotustalk used car forum

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=94
Old 03-24-2008, 10:29 AM
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C5 Vette.
Old 03-24-2008, 10:50 AM
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Originally Posted by neuronbob
is300eater....LOL at the tribal tattoo comment! That is so 90's, though. And no bikes, I like to have my fun enclosed by metal.
I was kiddin' when I said that... but a lot of guys around here in South Orange County think by runnin' out, buying a Harley and gettin' a tattoo... that makes them an instant badass
Old 03-24-2008, 11:01 AM
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S2000s are beautiful, and while the vtec whoop does give me a funny feeling in my pants, who wants to have to rev to 8K every time you need power?

TQ > * Buy my Monaro.
Old 03-24-2008, 11:25 AM
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http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lotus...em230233294025
Old 03-24-2008, 11:27 AM
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Without a doubt, S2000!!!!
Old 03-24-2008, 11:37 AM
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S2000.
Old 03-24-2008, 11:44 AM
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last time i checked, $20k is not $35k
Old 03-24-2008, 11:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Crazy Sellout
For $20k?

Sign me up!
Where? Certainly not on that eBay listing. If I found one, I sure as hell wouldn't tell you guys about it until it was in my garage!

To the poster who asked, the total price of the car should be around $20k at max. I plan to make a large down payment (30-40%) and finance the rest....just a small monthly payment for a little toy while keeping up with my retirement and child education responsibilities.

Edit: When I started looking, I was SURE I was going to get a C5 'vette. However, I started noticing used S2ks well under 20k and I love the way they look.....I'm going to try to test-drive the one I linked to earlier.....they are less expensive and Consumer Reports likes their reliability.

As far as the 'vette....CR thinks they're not so reliable, but if there was a C5 year to avoid, it was 2002....they had tranny issues..... ....but the car's only for sunny weather, weekend driving anyway.

My decision is now pretty much...low end torque + hot looks or overall driving experience + hot looks.

Surprised no one is defending the GTO. I thought that was the best bang for the buck in a muscle car.
Old 03-24-2008, 12:00 PM
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Originally Posted by TSX Wisc Badger
last time i checked, $20k is not $35k
last I checked, the auction price was $25K, and I was just throwing out another option for him to consider.

If he is able to spend a little more and get a nicer car, why not throw him an idea. I mean he did come here looking for ideas after all.
Old 03-24-2008, 12:12 PM
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True that. That auction is not far from me (Chicago), so it's worth asking the seller a little about the car.
Old 03-24-2008, 12:13 PM
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Originally Posted by neuronbob
Surprised no one is defending the GTO. I thought that was the best bang for the buck in a muscle car.
You already said you didn't like it...
Old 03-24-2008, 12:17 PM
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Originally Posted by neuronbob
My decision is now pretty much...low end torque + hot looks or overall driving experience + hot looks.

Surprised no one is defending the GTO. I thought that was the best bang for the buck in a muscle car.
You killed the GTO right there.
Old 03-24-2008, 12:19 PM
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I didnt know you could get a C5 for $20k. When i was looking the only ones for 20k had over 50k miles.

Maybe i was looking at the C6. Hmm.

Ill give you my s2k for 21k
Old 03-24-2008, 12:51 PM
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Originally Posted by hemhaw
You already said you didn't like it...
Well, actually, I said that I didn't like the look but that it was a great sleeper because it was so fast. They are SO cheap on the used market right now that it would be tempting to pick one up. I plan to at least test drive a couple.

As a modded 2G RL owner, I have the market on sleepers pretty well cornered.

neuronbob's "Sleeping Beauty" RL

at chill_dog's post!
Old 03-24-2008, 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Crazy Sellout
I didnt know you could get a C5 for $20k. When i was looking the only ones for 20k had over 50k miles.
Yup, there are two early C5s in my immediate area with around 40k miles for barely over $20k. One was $21k and another was $22k, just at the high end of my budget (I said "around $20k"). Saw a late 1997 C5 with only 50k miles ( ) offered for $18k. Missed out on that one. Scheduled the others for test drives.....

But the more I stay in this thread, populated with Hondaphiles, the more I am being seduced by the S2k.....I had a dream about the S2k last night (not a joke), that it was yellow, and that I was revving it to 8k rpm in second gear......and it felt really, really good....
Old 03-24-2008, 01:08 PM
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Yes, morning wood will do that to ya.
Old 03-24-2008, 01:27 PM
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What about a chipped Audi TT quattro??? those have come down in price alot and the chip is like 600 bucks.

AWD > *
Old 03-24-2008, 01:31 PM
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C5 all the way
Old 03-24-2008, 02:15 PM
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Originally Posted by BubbaMarkTL
What about a chipped Audi TT quattro??? those have come down in price alot and the chip is like 600 bucks.

AWD > *

RWD>AWD and TT is too heavy for its size. and the old TT is :gheylaugh:
Old 03-24-2008, 02:20 PM
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Vette...no question.
Old 03-24-2008, 02:45 PM
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Originally Posted by neuronbob
Well, actually, I said that I didn't like the look but that it was a great sleeper because it was so fast.
Yeah, I didn't like the look either....




400 hp - $23,000
ADM urban camo - $2000
"WTF is that?" looks - Priceless...
Old 03-24-2008, 02:52 PM
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+1 for the Vette. Save/spend a little more for a 405HP Z06.
Old 03-24-2008, 02:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Crazy Sellout
For $20k?

Sign me up!
not all the time but if you are in no rush it does happen.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/05-LO...em220212883982

You can only search back to the beginning of may on Ebay Motors so that the only one I could find but since the start of 2008 I have seen 4 including that one go under 25k.
Old 03-24-2008, 02:57 PM
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Originally Posted by stright-(paint)balling
find a first year used Z4M it will beat a Nismo or Track 350Z and even a new S2KCR.

That's a lot more than 20k...

Get the S2k...sigh...I miss mine. Stupid house downpayment...
Old 03-24-2008, 02:58 PM
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Originally Posted by CCColtsicehockey
not all the time but if you are in no rush it does happen.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/05-LO...em220212883982

You can only search back to the beginning of may on Ebay Motors so that the only one I could find but since the start of 2008 I have seen 4 including that one go under 25k.

Vehicle title: Other

IT WAS IN A REAR COLLISION AND THE REAR CLAMSHELL WAS REPAIRED AND PAINTED... THERE IS A BLEMISH OR TWO BUT NOTHING THAT GRABS YOU.... IT HAS A GEORGIA REBUILT TITLE
Ill pass.

Last edited by Crazy Bimmer; 03-24-2008 at 03:02 PM.
Old 03-24-2008, 03:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Sly Raskal
last I checked, the auction price was $25K, and I was just throwing out another option for him to consider.

If he is able to spend a little more and get a nicer car, why not throw him an idea. I mean he did come here looking for ideas after all.

"reserve price not met"

usually the reserve is like $4-5k less than the BIN price. They proabably want $30k"ish" for this one.
Old 03-24-2008, 03:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Crazy Sellout
Vehicle title: Other



Ill pass.
note that I did miss that.
Old 03-24-2008, 03:33 PM
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Sly...
Don't get me wrong, I do agree that it would be a sweet purchase... probably just a bit too high of a price for him.


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