Ok y'all, help me choose a sports car.
#1
Dysfunctional Veteran
Thread Starter
Ok y'all, help me choose a sports car.
I have a $50,000 budget. Must-haves:
-convertible w/power top.
-V8/V10/V12 either N/A or Forced Induction
-Reliable
-HID or LED Projector Headlamps (duh)
-Navigation
-heated/vented leather seats
-bluetooth and hands-free calling stereo system.
-RWD!!!
-0-60 under 5 seconds
Open to compromise:
-Manual Trans, or Sport Shift/Dual Clutch/Sequential.
-Targa top ok, but not preferred
-Hardtop convertible preferred, but not required
-Would be OK with a V6 engine if it felt sporty enough (Maybe an IS350C?)
-Would like woodgrain trim, or carbon fiber.
-0-60 under 4.5 seconds.
-Radar cruise would be nice.
don't care:
-keyless enter/go
-cd player (don't use them anymore)
-electronic nannies (as long as I can turn them off)
-sport-seats (don't care for crazy side bolsters, but I can deal)
-new/used doesn't matter, as I will be keeping it awhile.
So basically, what I am in the market for is a Touring/Sports car. One I can get in and drive around the country if I want and not be sick of being in it after an 8 hour stretch. One that is practical enough to drive over speed bumps at the mall. One that is reliable enough for road trips.
Considerations:
-Mercedes SL
-AMG SLC 43 Roadster
-Corvette (C6 or C7, C7 preferred)
-Mustang...i could be persuaded.
-Lexus SC430 (2007+) I have always been partial to this car, not sure why.
-Ferrari F355
-Ferrari 360 Spyder (if I can find one not thrashed, I may stretch the budget a bit).
-Jaguar F-type V8
-911 cabriolet, although the are EVERYWHERE here in TX.
-Lexus IS350C (because maybe...just maybe, I might like it if I drive it?)
-BMW M4
-Viper (drool)
Open to other suggestions of course!
-convertible w/power top.
-V8/V10/V12 either N/A or Forced Induction
-Reliable
-HID or LED Projector Headlamps (duh)
-Navigation
-heated/vented leather seats
-bluetooth and hands-free calling stereo system.
-RWD!!!
-0-60 under 5 seconds
Open to compromise:
-Manual Trans, or Sport Shift/Dual Clutch/Sequential.
-Targa top ok, but not preferred
-Hardtop convertible preferred, but not required
-Would be OK with a V6 engine if it felt sporty enough (Maybe an IS350C?)
-Would like woodgrain trim, or carbon fiber.
-0-60 under 4.5 seconds.
-Radar cruise would be nice.
don't care:
-keyless enter/go
-cd player (don't use them anymore)
-electronic nannies (as long as I can turn them off)
-sport-seats (don't care for crazy side bolsters, but I can deal)
-new/used doesn't matter, as I will be keeping it awhile.
So basically, what I am in the market for is a Touring/Sports car. One I can get in and drive around the country if I want and not be sick of being in it after an 8 hour stretch. One that is practical enough to drive over speed bumps at the mall. One that is reliable enough for road trips.
Considerations:
-Mercedes SL
-AMG SLC 43 Roadster
-Corvette (C6 or C7, C7 preferred)
-Mustang...i could be persuaded.
-Lexus SC430 (2007+) I have always been partial to this car, not sure why.
-Ferrari F355
-Ferrari 360 Spyder (if I can find one not thrashed, I may stretch the budget a bit).
-Jaguar F-type V8
-911 cabriolet, although the are EVERYWHERE here in TX.
-Lexus IS350C (because maybe...just maybe, I might like it if I drive it?)
-BMW M4
-Viper (drool)
Open to other suggestions of course!
Last edited by ArmyofOne; 10-30-18 at 10:22 AM.
#2
Pole Position
I'm not sure it checks every single box, but I personally wouldn't be able to resist an SL550. You could be in the 2014 or 2015 range given your budget. A timeless beauty IMO.
#3
Pole Position
How about leasing an LC500? $5k down and $1,100/month for 36 months comes out to about $40k. Invest the $50k making about 4 to 5 percent per year and you may not come out losing too much more than buying something at $50k and selling it for $30k in 3 years.
#4
Lexus Fanatic
Used would get you much more car for the money so all my suggestions are used. Doing only a convertible limits your selection and in most cases effects rigidity and acceleration. Is a convertible really that important?
Corvette convertible.
8 cylinder Mustang or Camaro convertible.
911 convertible.
Viper
M3/M4
M6
RS5
Ferrari 355
Corvette convertible.
8 cylinder Mustang or Camaro convertible.
911 convertible.
Viper
M3/M4
M6
RS5
Ferrari 355
#5
Pole Position
You may be able to find a 2014/2015 Jaguar F Type V8S for that kind of budget. It checks most of your boxes. Had no reliability issues with mine, but that's not always the case.
The V6 is nice too, but you want the V8...
The exhaust noise will shock you. It is sublime. And so loud under WOT you'll be surprised it's legal. It's a FANTASTIC sports/tourer.
The V6 is nice too, but you want the V8...
The exhaust noise will shock you. It is sublime. And so loud under WOT you'll be surprised it's legal. It's a FANTASTIC sports/tourer.
Last edited by swajames; 10-30-18 at 09:33 AM.
#6
Dysfunctional Veteran
Thread Starter
Used would get you much more car for the money so all my suggestions are used. Doing only a convertible limits your selection and in most cases effects rigidity and acceleration. Is a convertible really that important?
Corvette convertible.
8 cylinder Mustang or Camaro convertible.
911 convertible.
Viper
M3/M4
M6
RS5
Ferrari 355
Corvette convertible.
8 cylinder Mustang or Camaro convertible.
911 convertible.
Viper
M3/M4
M6
RS5
Ferrari 355
You may be able to find a 2014/2015 Jaguar F Type V8S for that kind of budget. It checks most of your boxes. Had no reliability issues with mine, but that's not always the case.
The V6 is nice too, but you want the V8...
The exhaust noise will shock you. It is sublime. And so loud under WOT you'll be surprised it's legal. It's a FANTASTIC sports/tourer.
The V6 is nice too, but you want the V8...
The exhaust noise will shock you. It is sublime. And so loud under WOT you'll be surprised it's legal. It's a FANTASTIC sports/tourer.
#7
Lexus Test Driver
Get a used 2011-2013 E93 M3 - hardtop convertible.
You will need to do 2 things:
1) replace rod bearing - about $2,500
2) get an exhaust system
Best value available right now....these things will go up in value due to the NA V8.
A decent Ferrari 360 will be way over $50k.
Stay away from 355.
911 Vert will be tough to find in decent shape around $50k unless you are ok with 996.
Corvette is another good choice, they are doing epic discounts on new ones.
You will need to do 2 things:
1) replace rod bearing - about $2,500
2) get an exhaust system
Best value available right now....these things will go up in value due to the NA V8.
A decent Ferrari 360 will be way over $50k.
Stay away from 355.
911 Vert will be tough to find in decent shape around $50k unless you are ok with 996.
Corvette is another good choice, they are doing epic discounts on new ones.
Last edited by RNM GS3; 10-30-18 at 11:31 AM.
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#9
Dysfunctional Veteran
Thread Starter
My dad and I share that exact car bagwell. Im honestly ok with a regular vette vert, but i think i want something different since i can literally drive the pace car whenever i want.
#10
You may be able to find a 2014/2015 Jaguar F Type V8S for that kind of budget. It checks most of your boxes. Had no reliability issues with mine, but that's not always the case.
The V6 is nice too, but you want the V8...
The exhaust noise will shock you. It is sublime. And so loud under WOT you'll be surprised it's legal. It's a FANTASTIC sports/tourer.
The V6 is nice too, but you want the V8...
The exhaust noise will shock you. It is sublime. And so loud under WOT you'll be surprised it's legal. It's a FANTASTIC sports/tourer.
#11
Lexus Champion
#13
Dysfunctional Veteran
Thread Starter
No, but they look awesome.
the SLC 43 AMG I drove yesterday i did not have that problem though.
perhaps my biggest issue with the C6 is that it just beats me to death on the road. Not comfortable at all for longer trips.