Yes I am steeling the idea from the VINwiki series of videos on YouTube (again). Since the last thread seemed to get a good bit of interest and some fantastic ideas I figure we could try it again but with a arguably harder price point
So what car would you get for 20K. It can be new or used. It can be a truck or a bike. Ok it can also be a boat if you want. It can be a responsible choice like a loaded up mini van or the not so responsible choice of say a really clapped out M series BMW with no service history that you intend to DD. It can even be a race car. There is no wrong answer it is strictly your choice.
Photos of your choice are encouraged and sale adds are also a bonus.
So my choice for 20k? This is a tough one. The obvious one is a c5zo6 as 20k gets you a darn nice example that is not so nice that you won't take it to the track. However that is to easy. Other thing that I would look at would be a really nice CJ 7.
But I have to pick my current DD. A 2012 CLS 550 4matic that has some tasteful upgrades and a tune. Black on black with the black burl wood and full service records from new being the cherry on top for me. I paid exactly 20k for it. You can get higher millage or lower optioned ones for less and fully badged AMG Versions for a bit more. For me this was the sweet spot.
Oh and with the tune I am over 700 hp. 60 comes up in under 4 seconds. It is super car fast with out the super car attention. It really does fly under the radar. To those that are not car people it is just a another Merc in the sea of E350 that you see everywhere. .
This is tempting
(Cayman S that's tastefully modded)
dps214
Reader
6/16/20 11:20 p.m.
captdownshift (Forum Supporter) said:
This is tempting
(Cayman S that's tastefully modded)
My immediate thought was 'the newest cayman you can find for that price". For that budget, either a nice-ish 987.1 S like that one or a higher mileage 987.2 base, depending on your IMS failure risk tolerance and if you think the interior and exterior facelifts are worth giving up 30hp which honestly would be a tough choice for me.
6MT SRT10 Shorty. Because my inner 12 year old redneck has always wanted one. I can probably find a way to tow a Miata with it without killing the T56, maybe...
A high-mileage but well-maintained E39 M5. One car for everything I really need.
The truth is I'd probably buy 10 Challenge cars, and they would all ultimately wind up being unfinished projects rotting in my back yard!
Lowest mileage 2017 and newer Hyundai Elantra GT N-Line with a 6-speed. Good DD and fun at the same time, and throw some money at it to be a faux i30-N.
In reply to Mndsm :
I did not realize those had come down that much.
I've been lusting over the idea of a HUGE pickup. Lots of guys around here have 3" lifts and muds on their GMT400/800s. There's two cop brothers in brodozer 3/4 Ton trucks. I want to look down on all of them. Bobbed M35A2 would do that perfectly.
In reply to dean1484 :
It's hard to believe you are "over 700hp with a tune" on a 402hp car
Since I happen to be looking for a daily driver - it looks like I could snag a decent example of a Porsche Cayenne S at that price.
Of course.
"bUt BrINg a TrAilEr SoLd OuT"
1985 Mercedes Benz 190e-16v, mostly out of personal nostalgia. Had one as teen, drove it everywhere, including a couple cross country trips. Had to park it when my wallet couldn't keep up, never got back to it.
https://bringatrailer.com/2018/02/01/why-we-love-them-mercedes-benz-190e-2-3-16/
Miata
Because I'm boring and want an easy and reliable want to bond with my children with cars.
AaronT
New Reader
6/17/20 9:25 a.m.
Well I just bought an NB Miata so I think I'd go with a garaged, papered Lexus LS 400 or 430 and spend the leftover money to refresh the car.
Alternatively I could get an Abarth Fiata or I could get a base Fiata and spend the leftover cash on suspension, LSD (both kinds), and a tune. I do really like the Abarth Recaro though.
Edit: I should probably also consider something that could pull the Miata on a tow dolly.
Patrick (Forum Supporter) said:
R32 GTR that needs paint
Do the legwork importing it yourself, and you can probably have decent factory paint, too. This is the answer.
Impulse answer? Lightly used ecoboost Mustang, manual obviously, orange with black stripes or Kona blue with white stripes.
Actually gonna do it answer, requiring thought and responsibility? Used transit connect, as many seats as possible, in a real color, with the panoramic sunroof if I could find one. Give it to the wife, and I'd drive the 5 and sell my current mudstain.
Patrick (Forum Supporter) said:
In reply to dean1484 :
It's hard to believe you are "over 700hp with a tune" on a 402hp car
What I was told by the local Benz specialist that went looking around the computers in my car. I have nothing to back it up other than the car scares me it is so fast. So ya I kind of am with you on this.
