Ok so I've got a bunch of cars and a couple of bikes. I like them all for different reasons, but it is expensive to keep 8 vehicles running, insured, housed, etc. and I've been thinking of selling off the herd to have basically an SUV and a fun car. If you had 25k (ish) for a fun car - what's on your list?
I'm thinking lotus elise, but that's also in range of a ferrari 308 gt/4, merak...
Lotus
C5 Z-06
Dodge Vipers are getting down there, but hard to live with day to day
Caterham would be awesome
Monster Miata
Acura NSX
Numerous Porsche's
E30 M3
Weird one, but the 190E with the Cosworth
E28 or E34 M5
My dad just emailed this guy: http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/cto/1890158451.html
Dedicated track toy or fun street car? Somewhere in-between?
The Elise is going to have lower running costs as long as you don't ding that front clamshell and undoubtedly be better and easier to run in a competition environment. Kinda hard to argue with the pure sehxy of the 308 though. I think I'd be more prone to tiptoeing around in that one however.
I second mtn's list (like you read my mind).
mtn wrote: My dad just emailed this guy: http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/cto/1890158451.html
I love the 500E's 
...have you/your dad checked out the 500ecstasy site?
As for 25K for a car, probably NSX.
JFX001 wrote:mtn wrote: My dad just emailed this guy: http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/cto/1890158451.htmlI love the 500E's
No, I'll have to. He had 1993 300E with the 3.2 engine. He sold it probably 8 years ago now, and to this very day its the only car he regrets getting rid of.
I'm thinking more street with a casual auto-x. I think If I go for a track car I'd go with a spec car - miata, 944, e30. I'm pretty much set for a DD. The elise is the first thing that popped into my head, but this group is always good for some other interesting and entertaining perspectives.
+1 on the cosworth 190E
Also:
Mean as hell turbo IS300
06 STI
G8 GXP
Cobalt SS Sedan
RX8
Genesis coupe
Basically good performers with serious potential that arent ZOMGCOPMAGNETS like a NSX or Elise...not that those wouldnt be fun, but practicality comes to mind for me when I make big dollar lists.
For a DD-able toy, I think I'd go with some sort of roadster: Elise, Caterham, MX-5, Sky Redline, S2000, Z4.
Although, I did absolutely adore my M Coupe. Maybe a Z3 M Coupe with the S54. Or spend <$15k on a nice S52, and have $10k to eventually spend on a spec racer.
What I like about having more less expensive cars is the ability to lose one in action, and not having it be a crushing blow financially. I have a tough time running a $20k+ car at some of the events I do. I'd either have to ratchet my enthusiam back, or avoid the event all together. Never race a car payment...blah blah blah. I think I have more invested in safety equipment for my "race" car, than I have invested in the purchase price. Heck just the tubing and welding wire come close to the purchase price.
Salanis wrote: For a DD-able toy, I think I'd go with some sort of roadster: Elise, Caterham, MX-5, Sky Redline, S2000, Z4. Although, I did absolutely adore my M Coupe. Maybe a Z3 M Coupe with the S54. Or spend <$15k on a nice S52, and have $10k to eventually spend on a spec racer.
Didn't think of that one, but I love that Z-coupe, both generations. Can't go wrong with either M on that one, if they are in the price range.
The Elise would be a the very top of my list, but if you need some praticality then I think it is hard to beat a 911.
sachilles wrote: What I like about having more less expensive cars is the ability to lose one in action, and not having it be a crushing blow financially. I have a tough time running a $20k+ car at some of the events I do. I'd either have to ratchet my enthusiam back, or avoid the event all together. Never race a car payment...blah blah blah. I think I have more invested in safety equipment for my "race" car, than I have invested in the purchase price. Heck just the tubing and welding wire come close to the purchase price.
^^^ This. While I'm trying to keep the fleet reasonably small after the move gave me a chance to get rid of some vehicles, I still like a < $5k car for track duty. Fully paid for, of course.
full disclosure - here's the managerie: 1985 911 targa, 1972 mgb gt (with ford 5.0), 1973 ford bronco - trail/rock crawler, 2005 jeep wrangler, 2007 4-runner, 1986 bmw 535i, 2002 triumph daytona 955i, 2002 kawasaki ex250r. If I cash out the porsche, bronco and bikes - should provide the source for the new ride. the mgb could stay as a track toy with a few more mods.
How much for the P-car? My dad still hasn't had one yet, and he's at the age where he needs one.
if I had 25k for a fun car Id bargain shop/sell blood, semen, etc until I found the right deal on a DeThomaso Pantera. You are within striking range at that point
Viper? too soon? Are they over $25K?
C6 Corvette, or lotus, or new(er) porsche.
Those are my votes, in no particular order.
EricM wrote: Viper? too soon? Are they over $25K?
A quick search within 25 miles of Oldtin brings up this: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=281548397&dealer_id=65397437&car_year=1994&rdm=1282073386072&lastStartYear=1981&model=VIPER&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=75&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&sownerid=732092&showZipError=y&make=DODGE&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar::ispsearchform&min_price=2&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=60048&advanced=&end_year=2011&doors=&transmission=&max_price=30000&cardist=10&standard=false
So, yes, but not very far out of reach. And this one has less than 15k miles. Good and bad.
oldtin wrote: full disclosure - here's the managerie: 1985 911 targa, 1972 mgb gt (with ford 5.0), 1973 ford bronco - trail/rock crawler, 2005 jeep wrangler, 2007 4-runner, 1986 bmw 535i, 2002 triumph daytona 955i, 2002 kawasaki ex250r. If I cash out the porsche, bronco and bikes - should provide the source for the new ride. the mgb could stay as a track toy with a few more mods.
With a couple of exceptions, I'd hold on to these. Sounds like a lot more diverse ways to have fun.
The only real overlap that you have in your collection is the Jeep and 4runner. I could argue that each of the remaining vehicles satisfy particular urges that a true car freak would have. You should keep one of the two SUV type things just because you always need a multi-purpose vehicle and then forget about it. If you are feeling compelled to lessen your burden, you need to have at least one dependable DD and a toy.
I would probably have 3: Corvette C-5 or GTO, Suburban and LS miata.
C5 ZO6. I think they're cheap enough...?
Twin_Cam wrote: C5 ZO6. I think they're cheap enough...?
Yes, especially if they've got a few miles on them. My neighbor just sold his 2001 (first year of the Z-06, down on hp from the later ones) with 9,878 miles on it for 25,000 even.
mtn wrote: Didn't think of that one, but I love that Z-coupe, both generations. Can't go wrong with either M on that one, if they are in the price range.
I know for certain that the S52 M Coupes will be in your price range. I believe I sold mine for $14k in the SF Bay Area.
To do it again, I'd hunt for a lower mileage S52 Z3 M Coupe. I love the looks, ergonomics, and storage space of the Z3 coupes so much more. The S52 also seems to be the more reliable engine. It's just a bit simpler and stouter. Sure, you get less overall power, but your low to mid torque is nearly the same, so it doesn't drive around town any differently.
Are you bored as easily as I am?
Don't talk to these people, they're enablers. 
Dan
^ that's how I ended up with 8 at once. As far as enablers - guess that's why I feel at home around here.
Since you're talking Elise and 308, I'll throw in 'Esprit'. Or even Elan, if you didn't mind something quite old.
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