What fun car thread...

Hi all...another one of those what car thread here...sorry.. Here's the situation. I am selling my DD 2013 328i fully loaded with sport package and every single options available at that time (bought used about 6 months ago) and my fun car '96 Miata built close to STS rules and planning to consolidate both into just 1 fun car mainly for weekend drive, autocross and hopefully some track days. I will be driving my wife's old DD ('07 XC90) hopefully till the wheels fall off as I got her a new car (CPO '12 S60 T6 AWD R-design).

Budget is mid-high $20K to low $30K and I'd like to find one that is somewhat reliable and DIY-able. I've been spoiled by how reliable and easy to work on my Miata is and I hate paying mechanics. I am not super handy but I can do basic works like changing the break and suspension on my Miata. I will probably drive it for less than 5Kmiles/year as I've been driving my Miata for less than 2Kmiles/year so hopefully maintenance won't be too much of a concern.

Here are the candidates in no particular order:

1. C6 with Z51. A friend of mine who's been driving Vette for a while told me to stay away from '05. I heard the C6 with Z51 is somewhat competitive in AS autocross (if I'm not mistaken).

2. Slightly used BRZ/FRS twins and build it to STX spec although that class is very competitive around here.

3. A bit of a stretch from budget standpoint, Lotus Elise.

4. Another stretch budget, Mustang Boss 302.

5. I found locally an '06 STI built for STU that looks like a good candidate although I know nothing about STIs.

6. Mint and super low mileage Mustang Shelby GT for FS.

7. Hard to find and don't know how it will do in autocross but the NSX looks really good.

8. Anything from BMW?? May be E46M3, heard lots of good things about 128i but I can't stand the ugly headlight.

9. Anything I am missing??

Thanks guys.

NSX for low thirties that's worth having may be a stretch. Both the Elise and the NSX aren't that easy to work on, either.

ea_sport wrote: 5. I found locally an '06 STI built for STU that looks like a good candidate although I know nothing about STIs.

I'd probably guess the first rule of buying an STI is to NOT buy a modified one. I'd be hard pressed to even justify a used one.

Then again I don't know much about STIs. Maybe if I knew a lot more I'd be more confident?

new Miata of course!

In reply to rcutclif:

no, you'd be less confident if you knew more :)

Out of that list, the Twins are what piqued my interest the most. Or a new ND Miata.

I know vettes.

You can't lose on that.

The 128i with a sport package is definitely worth a drive, its an amazing dd and has quite a bit of poise on a track, issues are they have an open diff and for no real reason in FS with its big brother the 135i.

A fuzzy/bro-z are also good choices and you would have plenty of leftover money if you were to pick up a good used example.

Not a big fan but a new mustang is quite the machine now as well...

do S52 or S54 M Coupes (Clown Shoes) do anything for you?

Swank Force One wrote: Out of that list, the Twins are what piqued my interest the most. Or a new ND Miata.

This.

Or push the budget and M235i?

captdownshift wrote: do S52 or S54 M Coupes (Clown Shoes) do anything for you?

Which one is harder to get, fairly priced NSX or S54 clown shoe?

If it were me, I would be looking at a C-Stock BR-Z if I wanted new, and an S-2000 on the used side.

If I add maintain it's value well would it catapult the Elise to the top of my list?

What about a used Abarth?

Maintain its value well, s2000 would still be at the top of the list. Elise would maintain value, but is not really diy friendly. 350/370z is an option as is the rx8 r3. Boxster is as well. My money would still go s2000 or c6 vette. If you lose you mind, a db9 may be barely attainable at the high end of you budget and meets none of your needs, but look at it and tell me if you care.

Z4M fits the bill well. Fast, looks great, reliable (basically an end of the run e46M3 competition package with all the bugs worked out, in a smaller, lighter body), fairly easy to DIY with great online knowledge base. They can be locally competitive in AS, or move into whatever street tire modified class they fit in. The car is lots of fun on track too, and docile on the street when needed.

Here's mine for an example. If you're ever up near Philly you are welcome to take it for a drive (or maybe I'd consider selling it for the right price, though I have no plans to at all)

Sonic wrote: Z4M fits the bill well. Fast, looks great, reliable (basically an end of the run e46M3 competition package with all the bugs worked out, in a smaller, lighter body), fairly easy to DIY with great online knowledge base. They can be locally competitive in AS, or move into whatever street tire modified class they fit in. The car is lots of fun on track too, and docile on the street when needed. Here's mine for an example. If you're ever up near Philly you are welcome to take it for a drive (or maybe I'd consider selling it for the right price, though I have no plans to at all)

Didn't think of this one before..please tell me more if there is any specific year to avoid or look for and any peculiarities I need to look for.

G_Body_Man wrote: What about a used Abarth?

Oh the Abarth...it sounds like no 4 cylinder has any rights to..never driven one so not sure how it drives but the sound of an Abarth is so awesome...

NSX or C6 (seen a few ZO6 for 35k. I don't think NSX's ate going to be losing any value.

In reply to ea_sport:

Nothing strange really on these. Only built in 2006-2008, about 1800 coupes total, and about double that in roadsters. No real changes between the model years, though there were very few 08's made, and no year is known to be better than any other for any reason. For things to look out for, it's the same as an E46M3: has the engine had the right oil (10w60) and regular valve adjustments, and other than that it is just normal used car stuff.

Drive all of the suggestions to see which car you like the best. Plus, how many track days will you do a year, and, are you trying to win in autocross or just having fun?

Corvette for value, performance and competitiveness if you autocross. Get a 2008 C6 and you're at the bottom of the depreciation curve. The C6 Z06 is just about bottoming out with some nice ones coming in around $35k. AS national prep is tires, shocks, swaybars and an alignment. You have a car that is barely touched for competitive autocross.

The Lotus Elise is a great little car and they seem to have actually appreciated in value over the past few years, but I would make sure you fit into it. It's not bad ride quality wise, but it also is not a practical vehicle in almost any way at all. No storage space, no cabin space. Not sure I would want to take one on a long trip. Drives fantastic though.

The rest don't do much for me. I've driven a Boss 302 and it's a great handling Mustang with a fantastic motor, but the interior is garbage and for that kind of money I'd get the new one with the IRS.

BRZ/FRS? They are fun to drive and I love the cockpit layout and seating position. STX national level prep makes the car really uncomfortable and loud and costs bucks.

Used STI? No way. Too many engine blow up stories from my POV.

E46 M3 for autocross? Meh.

The E46 M3 is outmatched in F-Stock and STU, I'm fairly sure of it.

My vote goes for Vette or Frs/Brz twins..

Just a little biased, buy my vote is BRZ

I just went thru the very long drawn out "what car" process, and that ended up being my answer. I looked at a lot of the vehicles you mentioned. For me it will be primarily a DD/weekend coffee run car, with 3-4 track days 5-6 autocross weekends a year if time allows.

Drove the Boss 302, and really liked the motor and chassis, but like others have mentioned, the interior is just so-so, and without a telescoping wheel, with the seat far enough back for my 6'-4" frame, the reach was not comfortable.

I was very close to pulling the trigger on a Boss 302, but decided that I wanted a warranty and lower consumable costs, and just couldn't get comfortable. So far, I'm very happy with my choice, but any of the options you listed sound like fun!