i have been toying around the idea of getting a toy... looking online and getting an itch, i have a few picked out...

which would you pick based on styling, bang for your buck, and an occasional sprint or two with the go fast pedal down... obviously they would all be used and preferably $25k or under but can push 30k if i really needed to and found a nice low mileage one...

1.) 05 Elise - pushing the budget
2.) MR2 Spyder - cheapest and can be made fast with engine swap
3.) SLK32 AMG / or higher mileage 55 AMG - scared of potential future maintenance costs and also on higher side of the budget (i had bad experiences with MBs in past)

no whiskers option since this isn't Ramblings...

 

1. S2k CR
2. MX-5 (GREAT handling, and HP can be boosted)

 

my best friend is trying to convince me to give his new car a twin brother and get a C6, so i guess that is in the running too...

 

S2k or 95 NSX targa?

 

can i get the NSX for that price?

 

I would vote the Miata Mx-5 as well. Awesome cars for the money, one of the tightest handling convertibles on the road and is a constant winner of "funnest car to drive". Also come in a power hard top that doesn't sacrifice any trunk space compared to the non power soft top. Do the research, you'll be surprised...

 

can a MX5 be had brand new for 30?

 

You can find a 2010 Grand Touring which is top of the line with the exception of the Power retractable hard top in a 6spd for about $23-24K. That leaves plenty of $$$ to add the appearance package which is basically a lip kit but looks nice. The reason they're so much cheaper than the 2011's is because of the $3500 rebate. So if you can find 2010's I would jump on it.


Same version of the 2011's runs about $28K.

The reason I know so much about them is because I used to sell Mazda's. By saying that some might think my opinion is biased but it's just based on experience and pure facts. Test drive one and you'll love it. Dont know too many that haven't.

 

S2000

 

I'm surprised by this...

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

 

^ That looks like the mid level(Touring) model so that price is about right. Probably just a tad cheaper than what it would be new for 2010

 

I've never really investigated them before, so I'm not familiar with their trim levels and pricing. All models run the same engine, correct?

 

didn't you watch Top Gear? the clear choice is a Fiat Barchetta

 

S2k

 

Yeah all the engines are the same but if memory serves me right the lowest trim level(sport) is a 5speed manual and the others are a 6speed manual. Suspension setup also changes when u get to the higher trim levels.

 

x 3. Great car to start, and lots of mods are available for every generation if one is so inclined.
There are actually two engine outputs, one for the manual and one for the automatic trans. Fortunately, you can just get a manual trans MX5/Miata and it comes with the higher output; the auto comes with the lower-power engine.

 

I drive a '99 SLK 230 (R170)

nothing like the top up... very quiet for a vert...

nothing like the top down so you can hear the supercharger!

I bought mine from my FIL and have zero regrets... I have spent about $300 bucks on the car (mostly cosmetics) and I have owned it almost a year...

go to slkworld.com

I am a member there... surf around and see what you think... I cannot think of any major problems anyone has had with an AMG SLK and that gang is truly an international bunch...

 

^^ I didnt expect him to be considering auto's thats why I didnt mention the different output between the auto and manual's. LOL

 

2004 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
$25,999

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

2005 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
$25,995

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

 

Drew,

I got my 08 S2000 new last Dec for 26xxx.
S2k FTW and you have enought to go FI if you want it extra juicy

 

i would prefer the car to be a MT... and my wife will drive it to, so i would want it to be easy to drive...

i would only settle on an AT if there wasn't a MT option like in the AMGs...

rick - i am a member of mbworld and looked around there... ill check out slk site you mentioned...

 

S2000

 

why do you think the Z3 isn't on the list?!!?!!! lolz and wasnt Clarkson driving the miata???

 

doh...

This car is no longer listed for sale.

The seller has removed this ad from the site. Keep searching! We update our listings constantly, so we're sure you'll find similar cars.

i'd prefer the 05+ C6 as i like the ferrari style headlights... but this one is AT... the Z06 would be nice, but not sure how insurance may rape me in NJ i'm sure the lady would get a kick driving that car around and pulling up next to guys in a Z06...

 

Just throwing out some options you didn't list.

2006 BMW M3 Convertible

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

2005 Lotus Elise (you listed as your top pic, their not that badly priced)

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

2010 MINI Cooper S Convertible

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

 

+1 for S2000

You can grab a clean, low mileage one in the teens.

 

S2K. No one mentioned 350Z Roadster? 370 would be nice but not sure they're under 30.

 

Buy my S for well under $20k and then you have tons left over for go-fast parts.

 

S2000.

If you want torque, C5 or C6 Corvette.

Both are very reliable and the S2000 is super-easy to drive for your wife.

 

Seriously though, I cant believe noone voted for the MR2. Much more fun to drive than an S2000 or Miata. Sky Redline is also supposed to be pretty fast.

I would probably pick S2000 anyway because of the way it looks with the Spoon hardtop. Reminds me of a Z4 coupe

 

645 or z4?

 

G - you letting the S go?

+1 - no love for the yota.. the MR2 with bolt on body parts, it seems so easy to mod the body...

 

LOL... I am a mbworld member too....

the slk site is really nice b/c that is the emphasis... almost only r170 and r171's are discussed ( and of course the soon to be, r172).

 

How is a Boxster S not in the running? Amazing handling with considerable power. Best value for the money for a toy, IMO.

 

MX5 hands down.

You can get a brand new one for under $30k, with all the options....and there are a lot of options.

Im biased, but near 40mpg on the freeway and about $20 to fill up with ZERO issues from 65,000 miles of tracking and spirited drives...I can't preach more about it.

 

Agreed...Boxster S

 

06 Boxter S $29,850 47Kmiles
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

07 Vette $33,684 27K miles
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

 

6-sp Boxster S
/thread

 

Actually, OP are you going to AutoX? If so then I would go MX-5 all the way, very well balanced around the cones and easily modded.

 

I think the best thing to do would start with a good-handling car, then modify it for power. You get better bang-for-your-buck, and you get more intimate with the car, and make it truly yours.

For that reason, my bet would be AP1 S2k, Miata, or MR2 (mid 90s). Those cars can be had for quite cheap, are all great-handling cars, and they leave plenty of extra cash to go fast with either some form of boost or a swap.

If not any of those, I'd get an Elise just for the bling factor. I think you'd be pushing the budget with a Corvette, and wouldn't have as good a car as the previous cars modified. My

I like the Boxster S idea too, but I don't know how much time you're willing to spend with it in the shop.

Audi TT, Crossfire, Mustang GT, 1-series/E46 M3. I wouldn't recommend them, but just tossing it out there in case they're your kinda thing.

Two cars I think you should seriously consider are the Solstice GXP/Sky Redline. I don't know how much used ones go for, but they're relatively new, pretty rare, and look nice. Give them a test drive.