[Cloud9...68]

A few others to consider:



According to Edmunds, an early 993 can be had in the mid teens. In my mind still the prettiest of the 911's, though its interior is pretty dated



An early Boxster. A modern classic. If I could have any new car, even if price were no object, I think I would choose a Boxster S, due to its relatively light weight, perfect balance, and flawless execution of its intended mission.



A C5 Corvette. I've never been a Corvette person, and the C6 is so much prettier and slicker than its predecessor, but for performance for the dollar, a C5 is hard to beat. Even C5 Z06's can now be had in the low 20's.



I totally agree that the 968 belongs on this list. I also had a 1993 RX-7 (bought it new), and I loved it. I had it for a little over 40,000 miles, and only had one problem with it, which was fixed under warrantee, but I know they had horrible reliability records, so I was just lucky.

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[rhudeboye]

Nice additions Cloud. I especially agree with the C5, which I still like, even the looks are OK w/ me. Ive driven a Z06 and a hard tuned Z06 pushing 550. When tuned right that car is brilliant. My biggest complaint on the C5 is comfort and aesthetics. The intr is bland and cheap and the seats feel like they were made for a high school stadium. Also, owning a car that you see 5 times a day makes it not so special to me.

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[94SilverCab]

I have one for the list...



Soft spot in my heart for a Lexus SC300, MUST have 5 Speed Manual



Jay

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[rhudeboye]

[quote name='94SilverCab' post='49508' date='Mar 20 2008, 09:09 AM']I have one for the list...



Soft spot in my heart for a Lexus SC300, MUST have 5 Speed Manual



Jay[/quote]



I think that uses the same 2JZ I6 as the Supra. Good strong engine and I liked it in its day. However I dont think it aged well. We all have our reasons for liking/ disliking a car.



Ill add another that still turns my head but I never drove one. 240Z I've driven a 280 but never a 240. Something about that cars lines and lights.

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[ds968]

all the additions are cool IMO, but are we still within the "bargain " category ?! not sure the C5 or Z06, and such fall within $ 15k criteria <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/rolleyes.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



I think the Infinity G35 ( before they f'd up the lines in the last two years <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/mad.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> ) is a spectacular car, but i doubt you can get a decent one for under $ 20k <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/huh.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[PorscheDude]

240Z is a cool car with lots of performance options.

My first car was an 82 280zx turbo. I blew it up in less than a year.

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[rhudeboye]

[quote name='ds968' post='49543' date='Mar 20 2008, 10:01 PM']all the additions are cool IMO, but are we still within the "bargain " category ?! not sure the C5 or Z06, and such fall within $ 15k criteria <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/rolleyes.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />[/quote]



Point taken. So if we all agree on the orig list minus the NSX (as it is a stretch for 15, a long stretch) What else is there thats on par with the RX7, E36 M3, and 968?



A 98 Boxster is pretty much a 17K car.

Vette C4- can be had for under 15 but the looks aren't there.

The Miata isn't really in the same category as the others now is it?



I think were done.. If your budget is 15K these are your best choices to work with.

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[Cloud9...68]

Uh, maybe not. How about a late 80s Lotus Esprit? An unspeakably cool car in its day, though admittedly pretty dated today. I love it's single-minded approach to ultimate handling. A neighbor up the street recently bought a beautiful '86, though I didn't ask him what he paid for it. It's a magnet for the guys in the neighborhood whenever he has his garage door open.



I think an early BMW M Roadster could also be had for around $15K. My staff manager paid about that for a very nice one a couple of years ago, so it's obviously possible.



And I'd be surprised if you couldn't find an early C5 Vette for around $15K, though it may be a pretty high mileage example. I would also be surprised if a 10-year-old Boxster wouldn't come in at the target price.



Ooh, just thought of another one. How about an early 90's Toyota Supra twin turbo. 320 hp, and I'm sure one could be had for the mid teens.

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[porsche]

I had an impossibly perfect 95 M3 with only 5,400 original miles when I bought it. Great car. My gripes were the lack of a 6th "overdrive" gear and the "sedan" type feeling (despite my care was a coupe).



I would have opted for one of the 80 or so 1995 LTW that made it to the States. However, I had to have air conditioning. Plus I liked the Dakar Yellow I paint and leather included on the M3 I bought.



I had the E36 M3 for about five years (put a whopping 1,800 miles on the car). During that time, I had several other 5-speed Porsches (e.g., late 80's and 964s). Difference being, in 5th gear on the freeway, I liked the sound of the Porsches; and felt the M3 was "buzzy" by comparison.



I was going to swap in a Genuine BMW 6-speed at a cost of nearly $5,000. However, modifying a 7,000 mile original example and spending that kind of coin didn't make any sense (I'd be spending money to make the car worth less when it was time to sell).



If I was a die-hard BMW'r, I'd buy a prisinte low mile 95 LTW, add air conditioning and the euro Genuine BMW 6-speed tranny. Of course, we're now broaching $40-50,000. At that amount, there are too many other cars I'd like to have.



Not at all in the $15k range, but my two favorite "modern" air-cooled 911s are the 964 RS America and 993 C2S. That said, my favorite 911s "period" are the 1989 3.2 examples naturally aspirated and 3.3 turbo models (such as the Speedster, Silver Anniversary Coupe and 930 Turbo with that-year-only 5-speed G50 tranny).



Recently considered a NSX. However, the owners are WAY too proud. Pricing is absolutely ludicrous. Exceptionally nice late model examples are in Ferrari 355 territory.



my 2 cents,

Porsche

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[rhudeboye]

[quote name='Cloud9...68' post='49569' date='Mar 21 2008, 04:11 PM']Uh, maybe not. How about a late 80s Lotus Esprit? An unspeakably cool car in its day, though admittedly pretty dated today. A neighbor up the street recently bought a beautiful '86,



And I'd be surprised if you couldn't find an early C5 Vette for around $15K, though it may be a pretty high mileage example.



How about an early 90's Toyota Supra twin turbo. 320 hp, and I'm sure one could be had for the mid teens.[/quote]



Lotus- Nice addition. but they seem go for over 15K

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1986-Lotus-...tem260221124986



Supra TT for $15K <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/laugh.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/laugh.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/laugh.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> only w/ 200,000+ miles. These things are still demanding a premium. note the example below, this thing doesnt even have leather!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUPRA-TWIN-...tem160221017959



C5's are also generally in the low 20's and if you can find a manual then add another 3 grand.

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[Cloud9...68]

Wow, I'm amazed at these prices. I was too lazy to check; I just assumed a 22-year-old Lotus or a 16-18 year-old Supra would be closer to $10K than $20K+. I guess I'm looking at the tragically low prices 968's seem to fetch, and am extrapolating that to other cars. A mistake, I guess...



Edit: Wait a minute... I just checked on Edmunds, and they list dealer retail on a 1997 C5 Vette at $13,606, and private party at $11,436. Maybe it depends a lot what part of the country you're in.

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[rhudeboye]

[quote name='Cloud9...68' post='49577' date='Mar 21 2008, 07:11 PM']Edit: Wait a minute... I just checked on Edmunds, and they list dealer retail on a 1997 C5 Vette at $13,606, and private party at $11,436. Maybe it depends a lot what part of the country you're in.[/quote]



Perhaps. But keep in mind that Edmund's and KBB doesn't account for supply and demand. KBB keeps freezing up on me but I bet there suggested price for a 94 Supra TT is under 15. But much like MSRP that not what it should actually sell for.

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[Cloud9...68]

Maybe you're right, but I thought Edmunds went to great pains to assess the true market value (TMV) of used cars, not just a theoretical selling price. My experience has always been that decent cars can be had for amazingly low prices (though usually not by me!) if you're patient enough. This tends to be especially true of sports cars, whcih have such a narrow market niche.

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[kodomokid]

I'm surprised that Edmunds priced a 95 993 in the mid teens. I have yet to find any 993 under $25K. I have been searching too.



I would avoid the early Boxster's due to the engine problems with the cylinder casings.



Can I add the Audi Ur S cars? Most can be found for under 15K. So much tuning potential with OEM parts. My Ur S6 Avant puts down about 280 - 290 at the crank and is just a blast to drive. When I get into the boost the car just sling shots. I sometimes catch little rice burners off guard when they try to cut me off when the light turns green.

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[Cloud9...68]

I had thought about the Audi S cars as well. You're right about the early Boxsters - I had forgotten about all the engine troubles in the early one. On the other had, I heard that Porsche has replaced many of these early engines under warrantee, so one of these might make for a good used car bargain.



This one may not be quite in the class of some of the others discussed here, but how about a late 80's/early 90's Toyota MR2 turbo? A poor man's Ferrari 328, as I recall. I test drove one when they were new (the Toyota, not the Ferrari), and I remember being impressed.

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[rhudeboye]

[quote name='Cloud9...68' post='49654' date='Mar 23 2008, 04:22 PM']This one may not be quite in the class of some of the others discussed here, but how about a late 80's/early 90's Toyota MR2 turbo? A poor man's Ferrari 328, as I recall. I test drove one when they were new (the Toyota, not the Ferrari), and I remember being impressed.[/quote]



Oh the memories. This is my MR2 Turbo













It was a rocket but fell flat right around 90MPH, very disappointing. but a few grand would get you a larger turbo and in turn produce better boost and bigger grins. i was heading in that direction when I got bit by the Porsche bug. Also, every clown w/ a fart can on their car would try in this. It just wasnt as mature as the 968.

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[kodomokid]

[quote name='Cloud9...68' post='49654' date='Mar 23 2008, 04:22 PM']I had thought about the Audi S cars as well. You're right about the early Boxsters - I had forgotten about all the engine troubles in the early one. On the other had, I heard that Porsche has replaced many of these early engines under warrantee, so one of these might make for a good used car bargain.



This one may not be quite in the class of some of the others discussed here, but how about a late 80's/early 90's Toyota MR2 turbo? A poor man's Ferrari 328, as I recall. I test drove one when they were new (the Toyota, not the Ferrari), and I remember being impressed.[/quote]





I love the MR2 or "Mister 2." They were one of the first sports cars that I really dreamed of driving. Yes I am that young. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/tongue.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



About some of the early Boxster engines, I read that Porsche put in a sleeve into the cyinder as a fix for the leaks. Can you imagine the frustration of some of these owners having oil leaks but can't see which gasket is leaking? Only to find out it is seeping through the block itself? With the sleeve they would machine a groove in the top of the block to fit the lip of the cylinder sleeve to hold it place. Then the lip would sometimes fail sending the sleeve down into the rods...you can imagine what came next. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/blink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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