Help Me Buy an Interesting Car

With my grandfather passing away recently , I'll be coming into a bit of money. I'm thinking I'll use a portion of it to replace my Miata with a fun, unique car that will take over the role that serves now: small, fair weather DD that makes me smile, good to take to the occasional auto-x type event (I still have the 944Spec for track days). I'd like to spend around $15k, but could see spending up to $30k for something truly special. I have a van as a practical workhorse and backup. I think this is an opportunity to tick another car off my ownership "bucket list". I'm looking for input or suggestions. So far my top thoughts are:

Classic Mini: Cool, fun, unique. My biggest concerns are, what do I do if something needs to be repaired? I know they don't have the best top speed, but are they going to be hazardously slow to take on a CA freeway? Or maybe I hunt for one with a Honda/Acura motor swap.

Caterham or Super 7: Stupid fun. Completely impractical and more pricey. Maybe if I find a well put-together kit car?

C5 Z06: Corvette goodness. Not so unique.

E30 M3: Fun and iconic. A bit tough to find.

M Coupe: I loved the one I used to have. It was darn near the perfect car for me. A modern classic that manages to be unique, comfortable, and practical. But I've already owned one and this could be an opportunity for something new.

Sorry to hear of your loss.

S2000 seems to be an obvious omission off of your list - unless Hondas aren't your thing. I was about to suggest a GTO, but then I seem to recall that you looked at one of those recently and didn't like it so much.

Dark horses: BMW 2002. Would an early NSX be special enough to go up to about $25k for?

Better Miata?

Seriously though, a Lotus Elise/Exige should be very high on your list. I would say Caterham 7, but that's really something you should try out first before you buy and they are certainly not for everyone.

There's a lot of interesting Porsche options @ $15K...

• Early Boxster / Boxster S
• 911 SC / Carrera
• 996 911 Carrera (I even found convertibles!)

TR6.

Beer Baron wrote: E30 M3: Fun and iconic. A bit tough to find.

They are out there. I owned an '88 and it was a fun car. $15k buys a decent example these days. $20k buys a very nice example. Low mileage garage queens are getting close to $30k. One of the few cars produced in our lifetime that are appreciating presently.

szeis4cookie wrote: Sorry to hear of your loss. S2000 seems to be an obvious omission off of your list - unless Hondas aren't your thing. I was about to suggest a GTO, but then I seem to recall that you looked at one of those recently and didn't like it so much. Dark horses: BMW 2002. Would an early NSX be special enough to go up to about $25k for?

You're reading my mind here. I did think about the S2000. That's a very good car. I'd need to drive one again for a better answer to that, but I edged it off the list with the Z06, figuring they're similar enough in function with the Z06 taking the edge for fun and "cool" factor. I imagine the S2000 would be less expensive and make for a nice more "grown up" version of the Miata I currently have.

GTO gets solids edged out by the Z06. If I needed a back seat, I'd be looking harder at the GTO (the fiancee was less impressed than I was). As is, the Z06 does everything I want better.

NSX is another special dream car. That's one I need to test drive and see if it fits my needs and interests better than a M Coupe or Z06 would. Not sure what prices those go for.

2002 (or maybe Datsun 510) is a cool thought that might be just the ticket of a fun unique classic with decent manners and performance.

I really want the opportunity to test drive a classic Mini and a Caterham to see how well I could live with one day to day. I just don't know where to do that. Maybe look up owner clubs and see if I can finagle a ride.

Lotus seven all the way. That's on my list for sure.

Caterhams are amazing but I can't imagine living one day to day.

93EXCivic wrote: Caterhams are amazing but I can't imagine living one day to day.

I can't imagine having one as an only car. But since I already have the van, I would have another vehicle. Question is, would it be something I could live with as my primary around-town runabout, or would I go insane. If I did go insane, would I care?

Viper...

Lotus Elise or Esprit

OK, unique.. you can really do something here...

Howsabout a Panoz AIV roadster? http://www.wirewheel.com/1996-Panoz-AIV-Roadster-chassis-002-due-in-soon.html

Basically, look through the wirewheel site and all kinds of neat stuff will pop out at you.

TVR

Maxton rollerskate?

Might be able to find a used FFR cobra for that money (high side)

Beer Baron wrote:

93EXCivic wrote: Caterhams are amazing but I can't imagine living one day to day.

I can't imagine having one as an only car. But since I already have the van, I would have another vehicle. Question is, would it be something I could live with as my primary around-town runabout, or would I go insane. If I did go insane, would I care?

I haven't been in a normal Caterham but the R500 I have been around in was a blast but I don't think I could live with it as a primary.

Are you back in the States?
If not, how about something from Germany that is 25 years old but not typically here in the US?

Beer Baron wrote:

93EXCivic wrote: Caterhams are amazing but I can't imagine living one day to day.

I can't imagine having one as an only car. But since I already have the van, I would have another vehicle. Question is, would it be something I could live with as my primary around-town runabout, or would I go insane. If I did go insane, would I care?

Keep in mind they have abysmal weather protection and no storage. Brilliant cars otherwise.

If you want one I'd go for a "real" Caterham as these things keep their value extremely well. When you get bored of being beaten up by the car, have every Yahoo deposit their exhaust fumes right into your nose and getting roasted to a crisp in hot weather, you can usually sell them very close to what you paid for them. They also make superb track cars.

Buy something cheaper, buy your own bottling/labelling equipment.

If you want to be a brewer, you'll always be paying to bottle, the sooner you can offset those costs, the sooner you can hit the big time.

How about a shark-nose BMW 635csi/M6? I've wanted one of those forever...

A classic mini is fine on any surface street but I avoid the highways with mine. But, that's Michigan where the speed is 75+ or you're getting run over by crappy cars with missing lug nuts and bad shocks. I don't know what my engine is spinning at when I'm doing 70, but I don't like doing that to my baby. BTW, it's a 1974 998cc, 4-speed car.

I agree with PHeller, something a little cheaper. You like the E30 M3. I will go out on a limb and suggest a Mercedes 190e 2.3 16v. It is a very similar car for a lot less money.

pilotbraden wrote: I agree with PHeller, something a little cheaper. You like the E30 M3. I will go out on a limb and suggest a Mercedes 190e 2.3 16v. It is a very similar car for a lot less money.

One of these is on ebay in the Atlanta area for around $6k, I think.

If you were in a state other than Cali, I'd suggest a TR8. Modified they are great. Bone stock not so great.

1rst gen CTS-V 400hp 4 doors under $20k

IIRC you just got engaged, which means you will be getting married. And when you get back (if you aren't already) you will be inaugerating every piece of furniture in the house. There is no way to impregnate a woman faster than by buying a really nice two seat sporty car. Buyer Beware

Thinking about auto-x prowess. Came up with these:

MR2 Turbo

FD RX7

DrBoost wrote: A classic mini is fine on any surface street but I avoid the highways with mine. But, that's Michigan where the speed is 75+ or you're getting run over by crappy cars with missing lug nuts and bad shocks. I don't know what my engine is spinning at when I'm doing 70, but I don't like doing that to my baby. BTW, it's a 1974 998cc, 4-speed car.

I've seen a few 5-speed cars. From the looks of them 90's ones that have been tagged here as something like a '70. I imagine that might be nice and livable.

As for "spending a bit less", the money is not insignificant. Enough in just cash for a sizable down payment on a house, "new" car, and chunk of change that I could live on for a couple years waiting for a brewery to become profitable. If I sell some property holdings I'll be getting too, that buys a house outright or gets me a decent bottling filling line.

If I was thinking <$10k, pretty sure I'd just pick up an E36 M3. Can't go wrong with that.

Edit: and I am back in the States. In Cali at the moment. Will be in Minnesota in a couple weeks. By next year... I don't know where I'll be, but probably back in Cali.

In reply to ST_ZX2:

Thought of those two. the FD is a tempting thought, but I keep thinking of apex seals. The Z06 seems like the better all-around value.