Your Top Three "Weekend Toy" Vehicles for $20-25k
08-02-2009, 01:43 PM
#82
GEEZER
You fail to see the point, enough with the grasping for straws. That particular M3 is a 2004 and it has 75,xxx miles but that's average considering its a 5-6 year old car. The maintenance on it would be more important anyway, I would rather take a 2002 with 80,000 highway miles on it with all service records than a 2006 with 15,000 miles on it, abused to shit on the track.
2002 C5 Z06 - 24,xxx miles
2004 E46 M3 - 49,xxx miles
Do your research
2002 C5 Z06 - 24,xxx miles
2004 E46 M3 - 49,xxx miles
Do your research
08-02-2009, 02:16 PM
#84
Your Friendly Canadian
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Age: 31
Posts: 17,427
Received 1,484 Likes
on
1,048 Posts
You could always get an older car and then modify it to suit your needs...
S and Z Nissans come to mind very quickly...
S and Z Nissans come to mind very quickly...
08-02-2009, 02:34 PM
#85
Team Owner
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Leesburg, Virginia
Age: 41
Posts: 36,474
Received 249 Likes
on
175 Posts
Mods? Likely. I've modded every car I've owned with the exception of the current grocery getter.
I think my list is:
AP2 S2000
S54 M Coupe
E46 M3
C5
If I decided I wanted a 4-door
CTS-V
B6 S4
08-02-2009, 06:46 PM
#86
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
I may need to add a forth to my list:
-S2000
-K swapped Mini or CRX
-Daytona 675
-Lotus Elise (You can find a "few" around $25k)
-S2000
-K swapped Mini or CRX
-Daytona 675
-Lotus Elise (You can find a "few" around $25k)
08-02-2009, 06:58 PM
#87
One on the right for me
I can't comment on cars that I haven't driven. I've driven Boxters and S2000s but never had a chance to really get them out above in town speeds.
60's Mustang
Mid-90's Supra
WRX
60's Mustang
Mid-90's Supra
WRX
08-03-2009, 07:51 AM
#90
Senior Moderator
Porsche 911 (early 70's, late 80's or high mileage 993)
S2000
C5 Vette
I've got a list of cheaper cars... and then there's always some muscle cars that could make the list too... It's tough to just pick 3
S2000
C5 Vette
I've got a list of cheaper cars... and then there's always some muscle cars that could make the list too... It's tough to just pick 3
Last edited by GreenMonster; 08-03-2009 at 08:01 AM.
08-03-2009, 07:53 AM
#91
Senior Moderator
08-03-2009, 08:54 AM
#92
or 
or 
to replies like this... especially killer b/c you'd think he'd know better.I know several people who buy Certified German cars not b/c they can't afford it... but b/c cars are a depreciating asset, and they are smart by letting someone else take the early depreciation, then they scoop it up for a sick deal. And these guys make north of $200k... and that does not even factor in any income from their wife... so that's not household income, just their income. They have sick houses, sick cars, sick toys, and yes, one or two of their cars were not purchased brand new. Big deal. Yet if some of the people in this topic saw them out they'd think they were 30k millionaires b/c they're in a CPO? Please.
Just goes to show you that the quote about assuming is so true...
08-03-2009, 09:28 AM
#93
Suzuka Master
I know several people who buy Certified German cars not b/c they can't afford it... but b/c cars are a depreciating asset, and they are smart by letting someone else take the early depreciation, then they scoop it up for a sick deal. And these guys make north of $200k... and that does not even factor in any income from their wife... so that's not household income, just their income. They have sick houses, sick cars, sick toys, and yes, one or two of their cars were not purchased brand new. Big deal. Yet if some of the people in this topic saw them out they'd think they were 30k millionaires b/c they're in a CPO? Please.
Just goes to show you that the quote about assuming is so true...
Just goes to show you that the quote about assuming is so true...
08-04-2009, 04:56 AM
#94
GEEZER
I think what it is juinior is my days of being a total car nut are coming to an end. Or at least spending that much for a high milege car are over for sure.
That is all it means...like you said about the assume thing.....
That is all it means...like you said about the assume thing.....
08-04-2009, 08:48 AM
#97
registered pw
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: south central pa
Age: 49
Posts: 38,821
Received 354 Likes
on
252 Posts
Am i a 15k millionaire b/c i purchased a used boxster with decent mileage?
no, i spotted a great deal and a car that i always wanted. 2 or 3 years ago i would have paid double.
It is nice knowing that a new vehicle has been serviced properly, that would be an advantage to buying new.
08-04-2009, 10:21 AM
#98
Registered but harmless
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Age: 59
Posts: 14,841
Received 1,102 Likes
on
763 Posts
It depends on what you want to do with the weekend car.
The GTO may be better for drag strips and straight cruising than an S2000 or MX-5, but I prefer a small sports car for twisties, coast runs and autocrosses.
The GTO is more of a daily driver to me, and they were going out the door barely over $25K when new.
The GTO may be better for drag strips and straight cruising than an S2000 or MX-5, but I prefer a small sports car for twisties, coast runs and autocrosses.
The GTO is more of a daily driver to me, and they were going out the door barely over $25K when new.
08-04-2009, 04:32 PM
#101
Your Friendly Canadian
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Age: 31
Posts: 17,427
Received 1,484 Likes
on
1,048 Posts
V8 Ariel Atom 
08-06-2009, 09:01 AM
#105
Banned
I think when I get a little better at welding, I'm going to build (from scratch) my own weekend warrior. Tube frame chassis, light aluminum I-4/I-6 or V-6 engine, and 'glass body. Should be fairly cheap, if I source the parts cheap enough.
08-06-2009, 11:53 AM
#106
socialism= the suck
Join Date: Aug 2007
Age: 42
Posts: 3,023
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
previous gen Z06 Vette
used S2000
most bikes.(my last bike was 20 grand with pipes, hypercharger intake and aftermarket seat including they install it with tax,title and everything)
used S2000
most bikes.(my last bike was 20 grand with pipes, hypercharger intake and aftermarket seat including they install it with tax,title and everything)
08-06-2009, 11:55 AM
#107
socialism= the suck
Join Date: Aug 2007
Age: 42
Posts: 3,023
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
08-06-2009, 12:04 PM
#109
I haven't assumed anything. I quoted and replied to actual comments you yourself made.I'll admit that I am not as into cars as I was when I was younger either... but that doesn't mean I make stupid financial decisions regarding cars. I just means I do not modify them as much. My wife's A6 was a CPO and we got it for more then 50% off list price new. It was basically in new shape and is warrantied for 3yrs/100k miles with full maintenance included and I have over $26k more in my pocket then my neighbor who has a very similar car but bought it new.
Whatever weekend car I end up with will most certainly be purchased used... and that has no bearing on how much money we make or don't make.
08-09-2009, 09:50 AM
#112
Not just a smell
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
...My wife's A6 was a CPO and we got it for more then 50% off list price new. It was basically in new shape and is warrantied for 3yrs/100k miles with full maintenance included and I have over $26k more in my pocket then my neighbor who has a very similar car but bought it new...
A friend who's pretty smart and relatively understated went the CPO way on a Q7 to replace his Toyota 4Runner. Essentially, he's renting it for the duration of the waranty.
08-09-2009, 10:00 AM
#113
dɐɹɔ ǝɥʇ ʇɐɥʍ
If you are the average car buyer shopping in the sub-$25k weekend toy range you have no business with a car like this, even modest miles will cost a fortune in maintenance and the performance/driving experience is not close to being worth the cost of admission.
Answering the question at hand I won't name specific models but break my suggestion into three categories.
1. Roadster- 2 seats, convertible, rear-wheel drive, manual transmission with minimal storage space. That's the sort of car no one regrets owning!
2. Off road vehicle- a Jeep or something of the same ilk, very fun even on the road, fairly cheap all around, unlimited modding potential and a lot of fun off road.
3. Muscle car cruiser- could be old could be newer, bottom line, V8 with lots of horsepower and torque, manual transmission optional. Rear wheel drive boulevard cruiser, great for running lights or just cruising around town, fun in a very primitive way.
There is no wrong choice, it just depends what purpose you want the car for, I would personally lean towards a roadster but that's me.
08-10-2009, 12:51 AM
#114
I'm still going to get bashed because its domestic, but I think they are a great value. Also got a "Much Better Than Average" prediction for a new car, because of outstanding reliability. Sporty and pretty quick, but still is able to serve as daily driver.
---------------------------------------
$19,000, 8,000 miles. Supercharged Mercedes 3.2L V6, 5A/T, RWD, Coupe, HTD, PWR Leather Seats, 6-CD Changer.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e&rdpage=thumb
$15,800, 15,000 miles. 3.2L Mercedes V6, 6M/T, RWD, Coupe, HTD PWR Leather Seats, 6-Cd Changer.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e&rdpage=thumb
$16,000, 15,000 miles. 3.2L Mercedes V6, 6M/T, RWD, Convertible, HTD PWR Leather Seats, 6-Cd Changer.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e&rdpage=thumb
There are alot of combinations out there, and the price drops of greatly as the mileage goes up. If you are okay with higher mileage, (50K or higher) there are plenty of them out there for less than 15K.
Don't underestimate because its a Chrysler.
---------------------------------------
$19,000, 8,000 miles. Supercharged Mercedes 3.2L V6, 5A/T, RWD, Coupe, HTD, PWR Leather Seats, 6-CD Changer.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e&rdpage=thumb
$15,800, 15,000 miles. 3.2L Mercedes V6, 6M/T, RWD, Coupe, HTD PWR Leather Seats, 6-Cd Changer.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e&rdpage=thumb
$16,000, 15,000 miles. 3.2L Mercedes V6, 6M/T, RWD, Convertible, HTD PWR Leather Seats, 6-Cd Changer.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e&rdpage=thumb
There are alot of combinations out there, and the price drops of greatly as the mileage goes up. If you are okay with higher mileage, (50K or higher) there are plenty of them out there for less than 15K.
Don't underestimate because its a Chrysler.
08-10-2009, 01:52 AM
#115
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
The 675 is an amazing bike, but its not recognized as one because of all the squids flocking to R1s, CBR1ks, and Gixxers.
08-10-2009, 12:01 PM
#117
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
08-11-2009, 10:03 AM
#119
Suzuka Master
If it's stritcly a weekend car, a Lotus Elise is another nice reliable, low-cost fun car that doesn't break the bank.
This one is at a little higher than your budget but I'm sure if you looked long enough you could find one. However not everyone likes the styling.
05 Elise in Arlington, VA
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
This one is at a little higher than your budget but I'm sure if you looked long enough you could find one. However not everyone likes the styling.
05 Elise in Arlington, VA
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
08-11-2009, 10:18 AM
#120
I would be very concerned about the maintenance costs on that vehicle. Obviously suffering from huge depreciation, I'm sure the relatively low purchase price would soon be eclipsed by the maintenance and repair charges over the next few years.
Terry