Yes, Mike has a what car thread, largely non-speculative edition.

I know I just did the auto ADD thread.

Yeah.

So, I'm faced with a little dilemma, and you lot are usually pretty good at surfacing options I hadn't seen before.

One, I usually don't have interesting cars here, at least, not cheaply. I like the Nissan Juke NISMO RS, and for once, the cheapest one on Autotrader is across town. I drove it. It's nice. Really nice. It beats my CR-Z badly in every performance number and space, and was recently moved from banned for reasons of stability to STX by the SCCA.

I could jump right now.

Or, and this is what the missus offered, I could wait until early next year.

At that time, her truck will be paid off, and she's fine with it for the long term. Those funds (after she gets some new factory floormats and an Android Auto head unit added) can go to my car. Considering value in the Honda, available funds and my credit situation, that suggests a ~$30k car.

So, if I get that kind of a budget, I want something better than just a newer Juke. I'd like something that meets the following:

• A sense of occasion. I don't want a sleeper for a change, and I don't want an underdog. You can say you don't care what others think - I've been doing that for a long time, and would like to see the other side and drive something flashy. At the bottom of the market, a Lotus Elise or Dodge Viper would fit and lead the pack, except:
• Enough room to fit my wife and, in an emergency, at least one 40lb dog. It wouldn't be the primary dog hauler, but sometimes, it really helps out that the back of the CR-Z is about the same dimensions as a dog kennel. An SL55 AMG might work with the large cargo platform, but I'm not sure. Maybe the admittedly somewhat dowdy CLK63 AMG would work, except:
• A manual is second best to a double clutch, but most automatics are out. My wife can't drive my current vehicle, and she couldn't drive the Juke. I understand there are some hybrid autos like the M-B MCT that are about as good as a double clutch, and those are fine. I can't abide a paddle that results in a one-second delay before blindly dumping the transmission into a lower gear without blipping the throttle.

So, there is a DSG GTI, but those are mild looking. There is the Viper and Elise, but those lack room. There is the GLA45 AMG, but that's way the hell over budget.

Maybe an SMG BMW?

Your not getting a dog in a SL or a Viper or an Elise.

GT500 convertible?

How about a Corvette?

C6 Z06 with a hatchback?

One of the smaller Lexus sporty cars? Sorry don't know the Lexus nomenclature and to tired to go look it up.

540 sport.
Charger.
Mustang.
Camaro.
330ci.
M3
C5 or C6.
WRX Sti.
Lancer Evo.
Jaguar F type

Infinity Q or M?

Thanks all. The M3 might just be a contender. It looks like an M3 SMG coupe can be had in my price range.

I know i'm not a mainstream thinker when it comes to cars but i actually think a Juke NISMO RS does have a small sense of occasion to it. I'm not sure i'd spring for the more expensive rides if you like the Juke that much.

All my most noticeable or head-turning cars have been cheap and most have been slow. It's the older stuff you don't see much of. So far, the most expensive cars i've owned have been the least noticeable on the road. I'm working on buying something that breaks that mold, but i just want to put out there that there are endless options for cheap, unique, flashy cars that don't need a loan and won't in any way interfere with you DD'ing a practical, fast, sporty, reliable little tall hatch that you already seem to like and can afford right now.

I feel that if you want a viper or a lotus, and have the means to a aquire a viper or a lotus, you should get one. Your dog will get where it needs to go one way or another. Another thing to remember is your dog wants you to have a viper or a lotus, because he loves you and wants you to be happy. Those are special cars and I really think you should do it. I believe an m3 is probably better, but they tend to fade into background morethan draw attention.

Supra

I would look at the F type. Good used ones ate well with in your budget and you don't see the like you do Mercedes and BMWs. I see an M BMW and it is really not that special anymore. Same with Mercedes. There is a market saturation around here.

Cts-v would be a solid option

Vigo wrote: All my most noticeable or head-turning cars have been cheap and most have been slow. It's the older stuff you don't see much of. So far, the most expensive cars i've owned have been the least noticeable on the road.

The car that I've owned that got by far the most looks/comments per mile was the Locost that I had for a year or so (and only put about 200 miles on -- it needed a bunch of stuff). Second is my FD.

The Audis I've owned (two S4s and an S6) have been practically invisible.

dean1484 wrote: I would look at the F type. Good used ones ate well with in your budget and you don't see the like you do Mercedes and BMWs. I see an M BMW and it is really not that special anymore. Same with Mercedes. There is a market saturation around here.

I totally want the F-Type, but the cheapest one I could find was $15k over budget, and it was a convertible, so no interior space behind the seats. An Aston Martin V8 Vantage coupe is a little cheaper, but still over budget. A Jaguar XKR like this one might be a contender, however.

gearheadmb wrote: I feel that if you want a viper or a lotus, and have the means to a aquire a viper or a lotus, you should get one. Your dog will get where it needs to go one way or another. Another thing to remember is your dog wants you to have a viper or a lotus, because he loves you and wants you to be happy. Those are special cars and I really think you should do it. I believe an m3 is probably better, but they tend to fade into background morethan draw attention.

I really need more parking room, and this would be a great option. I just double down on the Mopar, and buy a Craigslist PT Cruiser automatic and a Viper.

gearheadmb wrote: Cts-v would be a solid option

I seldom see a CTS Coupe around, and it looks like a CTS Coupe is within reasonable distance of my budget, so I'm putting that in. I'd mostly been looking at the XLR-V and lamenting the limited space. The CTS is a good contender. Thanks!

What about a Maserati GranTurismo? Not sure what your top end price is. They have the manumatic transmissions and I would think it would be a car which would bring a bit of occasion to any driving duties you may have. Being a 2+2 you would also be able to fit a 40# dog in the back I would think.

I found a couple getting close to the 35k mark.

or to go a completely different direction...

SRT8 Challenger in Plum Crazy.