Replace a CTS-V with...... What?

[elwesso]

I think what you would pay for gas in a viper would offset the maintenance on a ferrari, making it a net wash.

I looked at the 348 and really the performance isn't impressive, but really it's not about the performance it's about the sex appeal, and it's got more than Jessica Alba.



The GTO is something I've looked at and it's a sweet car for sure... Really going through all this with you guys enforces how great of a car the CTS-V is for the money, it's simply unbeatable. Maybe I'll just get another one, LOL.

[gwoods]

If your considering a GTO might as well buy a G8 its lighter and faster and handles a little better.

Yeah the 348 was fast... in1990 LOL

I remember when I bought my 07 G35 and my plate said "306 HP". Back in 2007 306 was a lot of power now every front wheel drive sedan is 280+

[Bubba1]

I think what you would pay for gas in a viper would offset the maintenance on a ferrari, making it a net wash.

I looked at the 348 and really the performance isn't impressive, but really it's not about the performance it's about the sex appeal, and it's got more than Jessica Alba.

I'd like to have some of what you're smoking if you think the difference in gas mileage between a Viper and Ferrari will offset Ferrari maintenance. There's a reason you see so many low mileage Ferrari's.

Personally I'd rather "test drive" Alba than a 30 yr old V8 Ferrari. Make it a 50 yr Ferrari V12, and I'd have to think twice.

[frapjap]

Whats your opinion of the Viper, Joel?

Also, what about a rare classic supercar?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lotus-Es ... 232301dae0

You'd be a complete BADASS cruising in that thing.

This one just had a HUGE tuneup done so it'll save you some major $$.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Free-Shi ... 2c6890b6d0


Have you considered an Elise or an Extige? They're Go-Karts on steroids!

[RicerX]

DeTomaso Pantera. /Thread.

(I'm too lazy to find a picture at work.)

[Kompresshun]

I wouldn't recommend any of the above personally. While very interesting to own and drive, I wouldn't want to deal with the upkeep of an older exotic. The Elise is awesome, but they're TINY inside - i've heard they're more cramped than a Miata. A Pantera would be amazing, but good luck finding one of those cheap.

If you want something practical and fun, with reasonable repair bills - G8, GTO, or CTS-V.

I'd still vote for the Cayman personally. I haven't driven a Cayman personally, but the '07 911 Turbo I drove was quite an experience. The owner told me it is his third and every one has been dead nuts reliable, with fairly low maintenance cost. He daily drives his and he's in his mid 50's. When I drove it, I expected brute force power when I laid on it, but it really surprised me how refined it was. Power delivery was smooth and it was just like driving a normal car. A Porsche 911 or Cayman is on my Top 10 list of cars I must own before i'm too old to enjoy them. My ideal Porsche is a 75-89 911(930) - to me they were one of the best looking Porsches and i've always loved them.

I'd still consider a C5 Vette too, especially if I were considering GTO's. You really can't go wrong with the C5.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

What about a BMW 8 series?


They came in manual trans, didn't they?

[Bubba1]

Whats your opinion of the Viper, Joel?

Also, what about a rare classic supercar?

Viper: Brutal, primitive, fun. good choice for a seasoned driver's track day car, but a poor choice as a street car, especially the first gen, which is the one in Wes' price range.

Lotus Esprit: sleek looking though dated design. Was a fun car to drive, very nimble, but very fragile and notoriously unreliable.

[MinisterofDOOM]

What about a BMW 8 series?


They came in manual trans, didn't they?

I LOVE the 8 series!

V8s were auto-only, but the V12s offered a 6MT.
Like the 7 series, though, the only proper way to have an 8 was with the 12.

[Bubba1]

I love the 8 series too...to drive, not to own. Gorgeous, comfortable cruisers. You can get them cheaply now but they are about as economical to fix as a Ferrari.

[Rex]

For those watching SNL in the late 70's early 80's ...

Land Shark

[gwoods]

KIT CAR imo

The 308/328 except quattrovalve are reliable the 348 probably less so but who on Nico can't fix 1990 automobile tech? The PRICE of the parts is probably the killer.

For me it goes like this and you are looking for a 2nd car not a daily driver. The Ferrari has potential to increase in value if you can keep the miles low.

#1> ANY Ferrari
#2> ANY Lamborghini
#3> 2007+ 911 Turbo

[gwoods]

Why not an Aston Martin?? little over budget but.. Bond... Wes Bond

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1997-AST ... 5aea1d9bf3

[gwoods]

OR Maserati Sypder?

385 hp V8 + F1 paddle shift transmission.... perhaps cooler then the Ferrari? Same basic albeit lower output engine as the F430 :-) AND..... under budget!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2005-Cam ... 4d04ec9dc6

[elwesso]

I do also love the 8 series... It's like the pinnacle of BMW.. Problem is again, I really don't want something that old however if I could find a 6MT 850i I'd consider it. How many other cars can you get into for under 30k that have a 6-speed and a V12? Really the BMW V12's don't scare me, they're a PITA to work on but they're overall very solid engines... I looked at 750iL's back in the day and they're sweet cars too..

gwoods you're probably right, any of the ferrari's are probably reasonably solid cars the parts costs are just what's killer... One of my criteria was that I want to be able to daily drive it if I had to... Like if I needed to fix something on the Q or something like that, or I just wanted to drive it more during the summer. I have a 40 mile commute one-way so it has to be tolerable for that on a daily basis, and I would like taking it on road trips as well...

The thing that really stinks about the 348 is that my Q45 as fast as a 348... 348 does the 1/4 in 14.2 seconds, and my Q should be right in that range... Same story with the 850i, it was fast in 1990 but now I could get spanked by a newer V6 Altima or Accord.

I did look at the maserati's those are surprisingly cheap and pretty cool too..

I really wish the 911 turbos weren't so expensive, that seems like the best of everything...

At this point, I'm going to be keeping my eye out for either a 2006-2007 Porsche Cayman S, similar year 911, 2008-ish 350Z, possibly a base model C6... I really think with the porsche's it's better to try and find one that's been driven but well cared for, you have a better chance of having a recent clutch replacement and other maintenance items...

The more I look at the cayman the more I like the idea of it.

[WDRacing]

I like the E39 M5. Will need all the suspension changed out if it has more then 60k on it.

[Bubba1]

The more I look at the cayman the more I like the idea of it.

If you look at the Cayman, I recommend going for the S version. the extra hp is noticeable, plus slightly better brakes over the non-S.

Another affordable porsche you might want to consider is the 993. The last of the aircooled 911's, which Porsche purists covet. It's in your price range, less technological terror stuff, quick/agile and makes the real porsche sound.

Kinda fun seeing all sorts of old exotics being mentioned.

[WDRacing]

That dude IS sexy Joel.

[gwoods]

Can't argue against the Caymen it won best drivers car a few years ago in a car magazine I read on the potty.

The Maserati's are a bargin. Most Maserati owners have 4+ cars so they all have very low miles, every single car is bespoke interior/exterior by the original owner so almost no two cars are the same. They use Ferrari running gear 4.2L V8 and F1 paddle shift transmission. The knock on them is they are not as fast as you would expect. 0-60 is around 5 seconds across the board, my G did 0-60 in 5 seconds. The exhaust sound of the 4.2 V8 almost makes up for the pedestrian performance.

[dasoupdude]

Can't go wrong with a C6, even the slowest model has got some decent balls.

-aerodynamic
-fast
-incredible mpg for a sports car
-sexy

For the Z's and Cayman, if your plan on boostin it you can have about as much fun with the c6. Especially the Cayman..

[gwoods]

C6=midlife crisis IMO.... join hair club for men and get an 18 yo girlfriend some testosterone gel

[dasoupdude]

I'm to the point at where I think almost any sports car is a midlife crisis car. Good thing I couldn't give two sh*ts about what people think about me.

[Jesda]

I like this entire thread.

[elwesso]

Well the car is officially gone.. I think my plan is to look out for a really good deal as I'm not really in a hurry to replace it, especially if it's gonna sit most of the winter.

[skydragoness]

My vote goes into the Z06 box.
Or a Porsche 911 but definitely the former...just way more fun for the money.

[nissangirl74]

I know I'm late to the party but the Vette is the way to go IMO. You can buy a C5 for well under $20K and they are a blast to drive. Corvette has fantastic forum support and parts are plentiful. You find a lot of entitled ***holes in the enthusiast community but hell, you can find that in the 240sx forum too.

[rwlesher]

extreme-sportscars.com
two options depends on which is bigger your pockets or your fabrication skills
i like the merci but if i had that kinda cash id prolly jus build up a rb26 for my hatch

[nissangirl74]

I'm to the point at where I think almost any sports car is a midlife crisis car. Good thing I couldn't give two sh*ts about what people think about me.

QFMFT. I want a Z and another C5 some day.

[gwoods]

I'm to the point at where I think almost any sports car is a midlife crisis car. Good thing I couldn't give two sh*ts about what people think about me.

I agree with the not worrying about what other people think but its how the car would feel for me driving it...
I want something I would love to drive. I want a car that I can feel like I have a relationship with. I loved LOVED my G35 Sedan. I Love LOVE my Jag. Vette doesn't do anything for me unless its older then 1970. Even the ZR1 .... which has the same Eaton R1900 supercharger as my Jaguar, does nothing for me.

For me any Ferrari, that is a wow I love this car car. The Maserati Spyders and coupes same way, even a horrible Aston Martin would be an amazing car to look at sitting in your garage broken. The Vette bla

What gives me this feeling is a combination of beauty, speed and luxury. The Vette although some are fast has the same knobs and switches as the Malibu Jesda just reviewed. The seats could just as easily be from a Cobalt SS. Every modern Vette looks like a DI** with wheels to me. Maybe its cause I was molested by a Vette?

[Jesda]

For those watching SNL in the late 70's early 80's ...

Land Shark