if you had $30k and an empty parking spot what would you be in the market for? what would you do with the car (i.e. what fun activities do you day dream of using the car for)
if you had $30k and an empty parking spot what would you be in the market for? what would you do with the car (i.e. what fun activities do you day dream of using the car for)
Manual swapped Infini M56. Maybe with some turbos. I'd love it and hug it in all it's sleeperness.
The nicest, newest Boxster S I can find.
I'd like something a little more adult than the Manic Miata for autocrossing. Something more comfortable for DW to ride in on nice days would be a huge plus, too.
No kids - Elise
Kids - Evo
While I want to say a gently use Elantra N manual.... I know it would actually be something for the wife. Probably a Kona/Tucson/Sportage thingy.
A few years ago my answer was "FD", but that might be stretching the $30K budget now.
1968 Firebird and a Route 66 road trip.
1984 or 1985 RX-7 GSL-SE 5 speed that's clean and unmolested.
yupididit said:The most rust-free best condition Mercedes w111 coupe that $30k can get me.
at a car show in my local town a guy had one of these with a full Lincoln Mark VIII swap done, he put in the 32v ford engine and air ride suspension (all though I don't think that was the Lincoln one i think it was after market) easily the coolest car at the show.
mr2s2000elise said:No kids - Elise
Kids - Evo
interesting, surprised that Elise's are still available for $30k thought they were higher these days.
Jag with a folding top. Something like this; would really like to find one with a manual trans but they're not common.
If I didn't already have one: FD RX-7. To me, there is no better combination of collectibility, relative affordability, performance, appearance, and increasing value. You can buy one that needs a bit of sorting for around $30k (or less, depending on how much you're willing to do), and end up with a beautiful and capable investment car that you can actually use. Mine is a fairweather weekend car. I'll throw a car seat in it and take it to cars and coffee with the kid, take my wife out to dinner, or cruise backroads and just... enjoy it. I've put 2500 miles or so on it doing just that since '20.
Since I do already have the FD, I'd be looking at an early Viper (might have to stretch to $35-40k) for similar uses, or a driver-condition tri-5 Chevrolet wagon or sedan with some money leftover. I'd love to have one of those to take on the Power Tour and cruise on the weekends with the family in tow.
Possibly a JDM Type R or, more likely at that price, EG Civic SiR.
Depending on the situation...
A convertible with a kid-usable back seat. Maybe a Mustang GT. Maybe something classic like the Olds up there.
@yupididit: you are a man of refined tastes. That's a beautiful car.
Jaguar F Type or maybe an X150 XK. I'd love a coupe with a manual, which will likely price me out of the F Type, hence the inclusion of the older car. I love the looks of the F Type, but I'd rather have an XK coupe than an automatic convertible F Type.
I'd use it for what I currently do with my FR-S: commuting in style, road trips, and an occasional track day and autocross.
Since I am already buried in more 2-door "fun" cars than I have time for, the nicest Transit 350 extended hi-roof van I could find for $30K. Then I'd spend 2x that much converting it into a cycling camper.
C6 Z06.
I think I've reached the "Corvette is the grown up answer" phase of my life.
beaten to the punch by KyAllroad. C6Z06 pushes so many buttons.
Make that three in a row for the C6 Z06.
Since that's taken, I'd go for a C10 not unlike the Muscle Truck.
The more I think about it, a $30k ITR isn't going to be the one I want.
Hopefully we're negotiating lower and throw in a Rand McNally 50 states map book.
Wyoming, Montana, Utah, Nevada, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado. What else do you need to know?
I'd be looking for a super original and not molested 88 CRX si.
Since that's a rare car these days, I'd probably go with a Lotus Elise.
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