What to buy for up to $25K???

[Peterofdevon]

I'm starting my search for a sporty companion to the 94Q.

Considerations include: 350Z300ZX TurboPorsche 911 (I like the mid 70s/early 80s) all sorted out.

Prefer hardtopsWant lots of low end torquemust be a looker

what would you buy?

[Jesda]

2003 M45. You'll end up selling the Q.

But if you want a real "sports" car then the 350Z has the torque and the 300ZX has the twin turbo goodness. I'd lean toward a 98+ Corvette.

[Nismochick240]

stick with Nissan- I would go w/ the Z32 (300zx) or just get a 240 for like 2K and spend the other 23K on parts

[elwesso]

yeah if you want a reliable car with lots of low end power, youll want the corvette...

The Zs or porshe wont have a lot of low end power.

[Raxephon]

Lots of torqueHardtopDefinately a looker

[Peterofdevon]

I'm not a big Vette fan. Very lumbersome almost bulky feeling to me. I think they are great for the track through.

Peter

[Raxephon]

This is nice as well.(I don't think $25k will cover it though)

[Rex]

Wow, I'd be searching for either a modded 350/G35 or one for <$20k and put the other aside for upgrades .

[Jesda]

If youre looking for something lighter on its feet, the G35, RX-8, Mazdaspeed Turbo Miata, and AWD Mazdaspeed 6 come to mind. I have a Mazda bias though.

[elwesso]

if you go wiht the G35, then be sure you get the 6 speed, the G35 auto really doesnt feel THAT much faster.. It does feel faster, just not as much as youd hope.

[Peterofdevon]

Interesting idea: 03M45, there's one around the corner. I'll check it out. Here's a head turner of a different breed:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...%3AIT

I had a 96 Convert...it was a blast but this is way cooler.

Peter

[elwesso]

mustang=gross

You may have to revoke your membership from NICO if you got a mustang

[redmanfx]

The old mid 80's Supra's had lots of power, so I'd super charge one of those and puts lot's into eye candy and comfort as well. I used to love driving Supra's until I left the Toyota Dealer ship and Joined the Airforceright after high school.

Just a crazy idea that I could make fly.

red

[ceningolmo]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...wItem

To quote Wes... Doooo EEEETTTTTT!

[HashiriyaS14]

Buy a ZR-1.

You could probably get a decent lowish-mileage example for about $25k, and a ZR-1 will still blow the brakes off a non-Z06 C5 'vette, and will honestly run essentially dead even with the C5 Z06 or the normal C6.

And it'll be a ZR-1, nothing is cooler than a ZR-1.

[nchopp]

Buy a ZR-1.

You could probably get a decent lowish-mileage example for about $25k, and a ZR-1 will still blow the brakes off a non-Z06 C5 'vette, and will honestly run essentially dead even with the C5 Z06 or the normal C6.

And it'll be a ZR-1, nothing is cooler than a ZR-1.

Come on man, he already said he doesn't like Corvettes.

NSX, maybe? Everyone here knows my obsession, but a pretty nice '91-'95 can be had in the 23-30k range.

[Louis Cyphier]

if you get a porsche, go 84& up. For $25K you might be able to find a 911T, but more than likely it wont be the greatest.

For under $25K i'd stick NA 911. There are some nice ones out there. Honestly Supra's and 300/350Z's have ZERO personality, when compared to a good clean 911.

[Peterofdevon]

I had a (96) 993 cab and I remember the day it was in for one of its $400 oil changes...grrrr. There sat a 72 911 outside the shop for sale. I drove it and loved it--it had personality and a feel I'll never forget---it felt like a sled.

It was more around town fun than my 993.

Supra-nahhhhNSX-maybe, sexy but never caught my eye like a 6" brunette doesolder 911-hmmmmmCobra-hmmmmmm03 q45-hmmmmmmm, interesting idea300ZX-always turns my head

????????????

need more ideas

[ceningolmo]

What? No mention of the old skool Jag convertible... sure, it didn't meet any of the criteria you mentioned. But, still, you would look pimp daddy in it!

[MinisterofDOOM]

As far as Zs go...I'd take a Z32TT over a 350Z any day. And I'm a huge VQ advocate (but then...I'm also a huge VG advocate...).And G35? Why not just get a Z?

yeah if you want a reliable car with lots of low end power, youll want the corvette...

The Zs or porshe wont have a lot of low end power.

I could not disagree more with you about the Z not having low end power. The last TT Z32 I drove sure wasn't lacking on the low end (or the high end).

You're definitely right as far as the Porsches are concerned. In fact the older 911s are pretty much gutless wonders all around compared to todays cars. Turbos made quite good power for their time, but they were still low on torque across the board.They are damn good lookers though.

If youre looking for something lighter on its feet, the G35, RX-8, Mazdaspeed Turbo Miata, and AWD Mazdaspeed 6 come to mind. I have a Mazda bias though.

You know I love Mazda, too--But the RX-8 is anything but torquey on the low end, and the Miata is not torquey anywhere--and also not a hardtop.A Mazdaspeed 6 would rock, for sure.

The old mid 80's Supra's had lots of power, so I'd super charge one of those and puts lot's into eye candy and comfort as well. I used to love driving Supra's until I left the Toyota Dealer ship and Joined the Airforceright after high school.

Assuming you're referring to the MKIII and not the MKII:Best suggestion so far! 7MGTE Meets all requirements stated, and has TONS of potential. Check out 7MPower.com and your mind will be made up.

I also like the NSX Idea...but personally, I'd rather have a MKIII Supra.

[DuDro]

Go for the NSX!

Best car that I've owned! Reliable as an Accord and fun to drive everyday!

If you want the targa top, then you will need to look for 1995 or newer. The targa top is easy to remove and store away. I was always able to do it by myself in under 30 seconds.

Older models are all hard top coupes. The first year or so had problems with the snap ring in the transmission.

Other things to consider are the AC system on the older cars, but that's about it for these cars. Check out http://www.nsxprime.com for more information and good luck!

[INFINITI Q45]

The new Corvette hands down, the highest horse power/tourqe weight ratio out their. 500 plus horse power at 3120 pounds, bulky big I think not. It will cost more than 25 g's, but thats less than a new porce 911!

[Jesda]

The best reason to get a Mustang is the insane aftermarket. Tons and tons and tons of stuff you can do. Support for the 350Z is good too. I guess it depends on your plans.

I wonder how much 97ish Jaguar XK8s are going for these days?

[mcrews]

you can pick up 98-01 jag convertables for that price. very nice

[Jeff Williams]

I agree, stick with NISSAN or INFINITI. That way you don't have to keep up with what is happening on 2 different forums. It is a pain in the but!

Most people I know that buy Mustangs and 350z's talk about when they are going to get their first Corvette.

For $25 big ones, you can get a stock G35 coupe, a nice COBRA or Rousch Mustang, a sick 300zxtt, an abused Prosche, maybe an Audi TT, or a nicely modded early model C5 Corvette.

I think you should buy a nicd 03 M45 for a daily driver and play with the Q.

[gloucester Q]

well, i know it doesn't meet the 'low end torque' requirement, and when you say hardtop, i'm not sure if you mean a fixed top or not, but i'll throw out the s2000 for consideration. i bought a second hand '00 s2000 in '01, kept it for a little less than 2 years when i sold it to buy a second house. i thought it was a great car--fast, good looking, great handling, and though it didn't have a ton of low end, the kick when the vtec kicked in at 6k and the run to 9k more than made up for it. when i owned it, definitely a head turner, and i didn't have a single problem with it. i know they made some 'refinements' in 02 or 03, and i'm not totally sure if they were for the better or not--slightly biger engine, more torque, i think less rpms at the high end, and the tuned the suspension a bit differently, for a little less oversteer. anyway, if you're shopping, it surely couldn't hurt to add it to your 'must go drive today' list.

[elwesso]

I think Jeff is onto something..... Get you a nice reliable F50 Q or M45, and put a supercharger on the G50 Q.. And youll still have plenty of money to take the wife out to a nice seafood dinner

MOD, i agree with you, they are not LACKING in the low end department, but they also simply arent like a corvette at low end... Thats hte point i was trying ot make.

[Q451990]

I'd love to find a mid 90's low mileage Z in some old guy's garage collecting dust... IPQ or Black, M/T...

They have always been one of my other dream cars.

Heath

[96Qowner]

I'm with DuDro - find an NSX and test drive it!
Modified by 96Qowner at 8:52 AM 1/23/2006

[nchopp]

Go for the NSX!

Best car that I've owned! Reliable as an Accord and fun to drive everyday!

If you want the targa top, then you will need to look for 1995 or newer. The targa top is easy to remove and store away. I was always able to do it by myself in under 30 seconds.

Older models are all hard top coupes. The first year or so had problems with the snap ring in the transmission.

Other things to consider are the AC system on the older cars, but that's about it for these cars. Check out http://www.nsxprime.com for more information and good luck!

Some quick NSX things to keep in mind, if you're thinking about that.

'91 to '93 were the years that had snap-ring problems with the 5 speed manual transmission. Many have had the required service done, but not all. About $2,200. Timing belt, clutch, and water pump are the other three big issues to keep an eye out for.