25K sports car?

Hey all,

I am fortunate enough to be able to spend somewhere in the neighborhood of 25k on a pure sports car (I know, not totally grassroots...) and would like something that is a blast to drive, exotic, reliable (ish), and does not require engine removal to change oil :)

2 seats is preferred, convertible is nice (Vegas), trackable is important, but I won't be converting it to a track car (yeah- right...)

What to do?

I have been thinking about an air cooled 911- but I know the value is very strong on those cars- so I will get less for my money, but likely a better investment (especially a 95 or 96).

Thoughts, advice?

BMW M roadster?

Corvette?

Lancer evolution? (too may seats?)

Exige?

NSX

Except for the exotic part I would go with the best z06 you can find or an elise.

Ok, you know you want it. You hinted that you want one that you don't have to take the engine out of for major service. You want the nicest Ferrari that you can find for $25K.

I hope to do the same in about two years.

Consider a Honda S2000. Alot of bang for the buck and dead reliable.

Elise fits the bill perfectly, it sounds like.

Or, scrapping exotic, a new Miata plus money left over for track-based mods and track time.

Datsun1500 wrote: NSX targa, Lotus Esprit, Viper.... I would think for the "you don't see those everyday" but still reliable enough to not be a pain factor, the NSX would win

I saw two Vipers today in our little city. Strange day.

NSX would definitely be cool.

What ? No one mentioned Miata.

Elise or a see what flyin Miata can do with a 25k check. LS7, coilovers, box flares, etc.

In reply to 2002maniac:

Yes, the turbo miata is fun- but been there done that (with BEGI, not FM)

1900 pounds and 247 RWHP is fun, but looking for a different level of automobile this time.

My choices would be the same as most have mentioned already.

Viper, Ferrari 308, Esprit. There are some good examples out there in the 25k range.

The practical side of me says S2000 or a Solstice GXP coupe.

Then the super fun side says call FM and see how close to a finished Westfield 25k buys.

Man, that's a tough one. $25k buys all kinds of cool cars. I'll go off the wall, since no one has suggested it.

Maserati? Ferrari V8 goodness:

Porsche Boxter S. Can still get an excellent example for that price and nothing else in that price range will be as good to drive. (Top down down the strip or at the track.)

New Miata is the right choice. C5 ZO6 is good. Elise is good. C6 std vette is good. 90's Esprit is good.

I guess the question is what qualifies as exotic? And what is that which you desire out of an exotic? Name recognition or ridiculous performance? If it's the name I'd go for Lotus or a good used Ferrari. If it's ridiculous performance, I'd go for an LS 376/480 Miata, which you should be able to do for $25k. Or a 'Vette- some mods will put you close to the performance of the LS Miata.

I'm not judging about the name. I think it would be great to have an F360, but for 1/4 the price I could have a 'vette with similar performance.

Exotic? We drove the Elise to dinner tonite and laughed thru dinner as we watched people stop to take a second look at the Lotus. It is a rock star!

If you are willing to do some work yourself, $25k will build a nice FFR Roadster. There are also a few companies that do turn key FFRs, but I'm not sure what they run. It will smoke a 25 year old Ferrari, and be BIBLICALLY cheaper to keep running.

OTOH, if a Cobra isn't on your list to begin with...

Viper or Aston Martin, that's what I'd do...

DB7 is my choice.

under the mask...

From a Miata owner: Nicest C5 Z-06 or S2000 would be my pick.

Miata can't be the answer, been there and done that. Love them, but clearly not exotic.

Elise- certainly interesting, seems a bit tough to get under 25k but maybe

Viper- Interesting

NSX- If I could get past the Honda thing, maybe. They seem to have a cult following

Ferrari- The only Ferrari in this range is likely a 308, possibly a 328, and my wifes TDI could out accelerate them- plus see engine removal for oil changes!!

Z06- Also interesting

M Roadster- I have considered this or a coupe with the big engine from 01 and 02

Nobody is sending any 911 love?