10k budget car

Hey everyone! I'm new to the forum here, and would like to see if could get any suggestions on cars in the 10k range. I'm selling my one car and will still have my daly driver when I get this car, so it doesn't have to be the most practical car. I'm looking for something that is quick, handles well, has a good amount of aftermarket following, and also fits into my price range. My plan for the car would be to make it a weekend sorta car to have fun with. I've ofcoarse have been thinking about ideas, such as a miata with stuff done, etc. but just wanted to see if there was anything that I was forgetting that would be fun and also cool to own! Thanks!

E36 M3 and S2000 come to mind...

miata, p71, E36 M3

There. Now that all three have already been said, you can actually discuss the issue.

What are you into - roadsters? muscle cars? sports sedans? hot hatches? low slung coupes? something that seats 4/5?

I'm partial to the Honda S2000, Mazda Miata and BMW E36 M3 that were already mentioned. These days you can also find early Porsche Boxsters for under $10K.

If you're into FWD, maybe look at for Honda Civic SI, Ford Focus SVT, Neon SRT-4, VW GTIs and MINI Cooper S. Want AWD? It's hard to beat a used Subaru WRX.

If you're looking for a competitive autocross car, you can find turn-key cars online so you can step right into a well set-up, winning car.

Buy the nicest example in your price range. Always.

nderwater wrote: What are you into - roadsters? muscle cars? sports sedans? hot hatches? low slung coupes? something that seats 4/5? I'm partial to the Honda S2000, Mazda Miata and BMW E36 M3 that were already mentioned. These days you can also find early Porsche Boxsters for under $10K. If you're into FWD, maybe look at for Honda Civic SI, Ford Focus SVT, Neon SRT-4, VW GTIs and MINI Cooper S. Want AWD? It's hard to beat a used Subaru WRX. If you're looking for a competitive autocross car, you can find turn-key cars online so you can step right into a well set-up, winning car.

I'm sorta into anything I guess! I was thinking something along the lines of something RWD. I've looked at both the s2000 and the e36's: both I've found with either higher mileage for a fair price, and others with lower miles and a higher price. With those and other cars alike, I'm afraid that I'm going to get the car and then have to put in more money on top of the initial cost just to have a nice working car, and not having any money to do other little mods here and there

$5k Fox Mustang plus $2k for suspension/chassis stiffening, $1k for headers and exhaust and $2k in your pocket!

E36 m3 4 door manual, it's complete sex! This is my first and I just got one so I am biased.

Honestly, I liked the idea of s2000 since I am / was a Honda guy, but at 6'1" little Japanese engineers decided it wasn't fair to be tall and enjoy their s2000. So e36 m3/4/5 it is!

What purpose are you putting it to? Weekend back-road toy? Track days? Auto-X?

If I were looking for an open-track car, I'd be looking E36 M3. For general fun second car, nothing ticks boxes as well as a Miata in your price range. Buy a really really nice NB for <$6,000. Put $2,000 worth of rollbar, suspension, wheel and tire on it. Have $2k to go out and play. One of the great things about a Miata is that the pure act of simply driving it is fun.

$10k is 2-3 Miatas, 2-3 E30s, 1 E36 M3, 3-4 E36 325s, 1 E46 325, a C4 Vette, S2000, and possibly the entire remaining fleet of Triumph Stags.

What do you really want it to do for you?

10K will buy you a real nice modified TR8. Rear wheel drive, V8 convertible. DD it all Summer and put it away in the winter. There is a blue one on ebay right now in the 13K range that is one of the nicest on the planet, its fast enough to scare the crap out of you, and its reliable enough to jump in and drive cross country. Not mine, but I know the car. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1980-Triumph-TR8-roadster-4-6-liter-V8-5-speed-trans-/121138039020?ViewItem=&item=121138039020&lgeo=1&vectorid=229466&forcev4exp=true#ht_500wt_1182

Beer Baron wrote: What purpose are you putting it to? Weekend back-road toy? Track days? Auto-X? If I were looking for an open-track car, I'd be looking E36 M3. For general fun second car, nothing ticks boxes as well as a Miata in your price range. Buy a really really nice NB for <$6,000. Put $2,000 worth of rollbar, suspension, wheel and tire on it. Have $2k to go out and play. One of the great things about a Miata is that the pure act of simply driving it is fun.

I was going for more of a weekend toy, I've looked into both the E36 and alot into the whole miata idea! I know this wont be in issue, but I just feel like I would like something more then the miata platform, however my friend just got an NA and he said I could take it for a drive if I wanted so I'm gonna do that soon and see how I like it!

a high mileage C5 Corvette is in your price range.. maybe even a Z06 if you look hard enough...

A lot of cars can squeeze into the $10k price range. But you have to decide how much maintenance/repair you want to do. $10k will buy you the nicest NA Miata you can find, with plenty of change to spare. It may also buy you a car like the C5 'Vette, but be prepared to spend money on repairing it.

As mentioned above, $10k can also buy one seriously built Fox body Mustang.

thestig99 wrote: E36 M3 and S2000 come to mind...

S2000 for 10k budget? where?

In reply to kanaric:

ATLANTA! (I know not fair ). There were a handful of early AP1s available below 10K in the winter. Now that it's summer, either those have dried up or asking prices are higher. Last time I looked there was at least one around $9900 though.

I often miss my C4 Corvette... that would probably buy you the nicest example out there that isn't a ZR1 or Grand Sport. Or a decent C5.

E36s aren't bad either - at that price, you could find a decent M3, or a decent 325 or 328 on half your budget. The biggest thing to watch out (and budget to replace) is anything plastic in the cooling system, and anything rubber in the suspension.

thanks for all the input guys! definitely going to look into the E36 m3, the C4 and possibly C5 vetts, and also continue to think about the miata option!! I`ve also started to look in some AE86 corollas, just the cleaner ones that have shown up now and then but its hard to find a clean one, didnt know if anyone would have anything to say about them

ebonyandivory wrote: $5k Fox Mustang plus $2k for suspension/chassis stiffening, $1k for headers and exhaust and $2k in your pocket!

For tickets, lawyers, tires, track fees and such!

damn if they are getting below 10k it might be worth buying one now for me.

Honda Accord AND a Grand Cherokee.

I think after a good amount of time on the forums, at this point atleast I'm kinda set on the miata! As I said before, a buddy of mine offered for me to drive his na so I guess I'm gonna do that with in the next week or so and I'll keep indulging in forum reading and after market parts websites!!