Let's start my "what car" discussion early.

Probably next year will be the trigger pull on a new (to me) car. I drive very little as I work from home and I have an alternate vehicle for bad weather. I like to autocross, but really only in street classes and if the car doesn't need much prep then I would also do DE days at the track.

I keep going back and forth on things, but these are some of the choices I'm mulling.

• Corvette Z06 C6
• BMW M3 E92
• 2015+ Mustang GT
• Porsche Cayman S

All of these tend to fall in that mid 30s range (everything other than the Mustang is assumed to be used in that price range) that is affordable for me, though obviously a new Mustang can be optioned up to $40k or more.

My first choice is the Corvette, because it does everything well, but it also cannot be driven in any bad New England weather. I suppose that is fine since it will get plenty of workout during the spring/fall/summer months. Can't put the kid in it so it will definitely get less use because of that. I'm also starting to wonder whether I actually like the look of the car or not. I definitely hate the chrome wheels that all of them seem to come with.

I read that Grassroots article on the E92 M3 and it got me thinking about those again. I've always liked BMWs. The fact that it has no real big problems with maintenance is appealing and a high winding V8 really appeals to me and as a bonus I could put my kid in the back and use it for just tooling around town if necessary. I am really unaware of whether it autocrosses well since no one brings them out, but I doubt it is competitive like the Z06 would be. I'm sure it would be fun even if not competitive, but I am enjoying driving a competitive car in street (GS Focus ST). I do really like the look of these as well and the interiors are really nice.

The Mustang is in here because it's basically like a new car version of the M3, especially now that it has an IRS. That said, I don't really need a warranty since I don't drive that much.

The Cayman I probably should drive at some point, but it ticks boxes for me in a different way than the Corvette and while I do find I want to get into a V8 car I would probably be okay with the flat six in the Cayman and the smaller car itself having been a Miata driver for a long time. IIRC someone mentioned they have some engine issues going on track for extended periods. It is probably in the same practicality category as the Corvette, though perhaps a little bit more usable in the cold.

What else in the low to mid 30s am I missing? I want power and handling in abundance.

If you actually care about the car, you'll never drive it in Connecticut winters.

Whatever this is probably would not get driven in snow, but if the roads are unsalted and clear I would drive it in the cold assuming the tires can deal with it.

nc Miata prht + ls

Nah, I don't want to go into some mod class for autocross and engine swaps don't get financing.

Mustang Ecoboost? Lotus Elise?

If it were me it would be a toss up between Cayman and Mustang. Ford improved the interior soooo much.

I'll probably need to check the Mustang out to see the interior upgrades, but if I get one I want that V8.

Elise is just too small, both in cargo and cabin and I don't want to do highway drives in one.

First, drive them all to see which one you like best, then buy that car. In my opinion, skip a brand new Mustang GT if you won't drive it a lot. IMO, the point of a brand new car is that you're going to DD it and you're tired of repairing old cars. I would also add a second generation Viper and a NSX to the list. Exotic is good if you have several cars to drive. Also, the E92 M3 is probably the second best F Stock car currently behind the 5th gen Camaro SS.

I drove a Cayman S last year and ever since, I have been converted. I was never a Porsche fan before, but I had some sort of "aha" moment that day. The throaty growl of the engine behind me was simply captivating. I've been watching prices like a hawk for the last few months; seems like if I get one, it will be in the next two years or thirty years from now. I fear that I will grow some sense in between these two periods.

To me, the sweet spot is '09 - '12 Cayman S. I like this design more than the current generation, and '09 brought a design change that eliminated the dreaded IMS issue. The market seems to know this, though: It is flooded with '08's in the mid-upper '30's, but there are not many '09-'12's to be found, and they're generally in the low 40's.

Plus, they have two trunks. Practical!

I would also add a second generation Viper and a NSX to the list. Exotic is good if you have several cars to drive. Also, the E92 M3 is probably the second best F Stock car currently behind the 5th gen Camaro SS.

I'm wondering how the 2015 Mustang will affect the FS group, but it wouldn't be bad to drive the M3 in FS from what I'm gathering, shocks and making sure to get the performance package with the wider wheels are all that you need I guess.

Viper is probably not going to happen. The tires alone will probably destroy my wallet if I autocross it and I've never heard of it being in any way competitive.

I drove a Cayman S last year and ever since, I have been converted. I was never a Porsche fan before, but I had some sort of "aha" moment that day.

I have yet to drive one, but I'm thinking this might happen to me.

You list two sport sedans and two sports cars. First question is which do you really want. Second is how old a car are you willing to buy.

If you don't mind 5 year old cars, you could add both the Solstice GXP and the BMW Z4M to your sports car list. Of the ones on there now, the Cayman attracts me while the Corvette does not. The C7 is a whole different ball game, while the C6 was just more of the same old.

Can't offer much input on the sedans - sedans are for carrying stuff, sports cars are for fun. Own one of each (and ideally arrange for your significant other to drive the people and stuff mover) and you'll have a well rounded equipe.

My friend has a Cayman and that thing was both nightmare fuel to work on and nightmare fuel to your bank account if you took it to a mechanic. If you are willing to live with that get it it's the best car on the list.

The Solstice is ugly IMO, I could never drive one, even though I acknowledge it's a good performing car all around. The Z4M is an interesting thought, but if it uses the same drivetrain as the E46 M car then it likely has all the same issues. If I'm going to deal with the Germans at that level I think the Cayman beats it.

The reason there are sports cars and sport sedans on there is because I do have a kid and could end up using the car more if it can carry her in the back. Still debating whether these casual drives make a difference though. I started out thinking no and I have an SUV for hauling the kid and other stuff so I don't need a sport sedan.

One thing is for sure, the cars that don't drive well in the winter (Corvette for example) sell for quite a bit less in the winter up here in the north east. I was seeing C6 Z06s for mid to high 30s and now that the weather has changed they all range over $40k.

C5 Z06. It's fast, competitive, cheap enough that you won't go into too much debt, comfortable, and has pop-ups.

note; if you're concerned about rust (as every sane man should be), here's a hot tip; every september, get a can of Fluid Film and completely coat the undercarriage with it. dont worry about spraying bushings because its not petroleum based and wont harm them. also dont worry about overspray on exhaust components, it wont burn or anything.

it forms a heavily hydrophobic layer and will actually creep into crevasses and a little bit into threads in nuts or fasteners, and it basically makes your car rust proof for about 9 months. once its warmed up in spring it'll start washing off, and be totally gone by the summer.

its not quite as good as getting an undercarriage wash every other day in winter and garage parking it, but its close.

(also, first post i think?)

G_Body_Man wrote: C5 Z06. It's fast, competitive, cheap enough that you won't go into too much debt, comfortable, and has pop-ups.

I keep considering it, but the interior is horrible.

Harvey wrote:

G_Body_Man wrote: C5 Z06. It's fast, competitive, cheap enough that you won't go into too much debt, comfortable, and has pop-ups.

I keep considering it, but the interior is horrible.

Interiors lately are like Rhino Horn to asians.

Is it comfortable to sit in? Is it functional? Can you use/reach all controls easily and comfortably? Then it's a good interior. Last corvette I was in checked all those boxes. Do you want a car or a Monaco villa?

kanaric wrote:

Harvey wrote:

G_Body_Man wrote: C5 Z06. It's fast, competitive, cheap enough that you won't go into too much debt, comfortable, and has pop-ups.

I keep considering it, but the interior is horrible.

Interiors lately are like Rhino Horn to asians. Is it comfortable to sit in? Is it functional? Can you use/reach all controls easily and comfortably? Then it's a good interior. Last corvette I was in checked all those boxes. Do you want a car or a Monaco villa?

I would say some of those boxes do not get checked with the C5 Corvette. People still want $20k for a nice Z06 and IMO that interior is a deal breaker for me.

It's not like the C6 interior is fantastic. It just doesn't have acres of black plastic and a steering wheel, electronics and controls from a mid 90s Impala.

Wife and I were watching Roadkill last night where they demolish the various Chrysler super V8s. Wife declares that the Viper is a beautiful car and I should get one of those.

I'm like, "Can't I just get a C6 Z06?"

"Ehhh, the Viper is much nicer."

"But they are even less practical than the Corvette."

Even though I'm not buying anything yet, that I'm talking my wife down from a Viper to a Corvette was a bit odd. I'd get a Viper, but they are much more rare than the Vette and doubtless more expensive to maintain and I don't think they make a good autocross car. My wife's goal in all this is to have something she can take once in a while that goes fast and makes her look good. Her other suggestion was some sort of Aston Martin, I'm like while we're in dreamland how about a Ferrari?

If she wants a Viper have her test drive one first. If she still wants it then, then go get the damned Viper!!

I just don't know if I want that over a Z06. The Z06 is impractical enough then you look at the Viper and it's going to a whole new level. And I know nothing about the Viper.

I bet she hates the Viper seats because they are race buckets. That said, they are getting into approachable buying territory for the 2002+ years.

I have cars I can put my kids in, and cars I can't. The ones I can't are also the ones that I'd rather not park in crowded parking lots. It's almost shocking how little I drive the cars I can't put my kids in. Other than autocross or track days I pretty much have to invent reasons to drive them.
Personally I'd get something you can throw the wife and kid in and go get ice cream or run to soccer or whatever. Saying "let's go do this" is easier than saying "I'm going to go do this".