My NEXT sports car --- C7 Vette? Boxster?

[Wade Nelson]

Hey, I'm looking for some advice (imagine that!)

Trying to figure out what to get for my next sports car. My 91 turbo MR2 is getting a little tired. it's always been lousy coming off the line. I love it from 40-90 and
it gets fabulous mileage, great looks, aerodynamics, but I can't find anyone qualified to rebuild the tranny, put in new synchros, etc. Lots of backlash too when I let off the gas. Bottom line is I really have to feather the transmission no matter what I'm doing. d

My 1980 280ZX is a lot better off the line, nice on the highway, but it's an endless project. Two things fail before I get the last thing fixed. Synchros are shot in it as well I have to shift slowly and carefully. Since it's a rust bucket there's no point sinking any real $ in it.

I've looked heavily at Boxsters, driven 'em, tried to buy two of them (couldn't reach agreement on $) but I'm actually not all that partial to ragtops.

The new C7 Vette actually looks beautiful , and I'm sure it's deadly coming off the line with a big throaty V8. Downsides: Gas mileage, crawling down INTO it, every ddckwad seems to own one.

What else should I be looking at, driving?

[SportBikeMike]

370z?

[Stanley]

Heard nice things about the Subaru BRZ - under your price range if you're looking at new corvettes but you could get all the performance options and go wild from there with engine and suspension mods, make it one of a kind.

[black gold man]

Here is my pick for you. click 1965 Volvo 1800s

[Wade Nelson]

I always kinda liked the Saab Sonnet (sp?)

[black gold man]

Click on link

[bartsscooterservice]

You want American, Euro of Japanese?

[Bonzi Lon]

I test drove a new Saab Sonnett in 73, just out of High School, looked cool but only had 85hp, very small inside & out. Four years later I ran across my 73Z.

Bonzi Lon

[Wade Nelson]

My current thinking is one of those never-crashed, hyper-low mileage cars on Ebay. A'94 Acura NSX. A reliable exotic.

[black gold man]

I always kinda liked the Saab Sonnet (sp?)

Three available here detroit metro cars & trucks - by owner classifieds "saab sonett" - craigslist

[Blue]

S2000 over boxster

Lotus Esprit's under $20k abound

[jfa.series1]

OK, we understand you don't care for a ragtop, so... how about the Boxster's hardtop brother - the Cayman? Tons of performance and a really sweet ride. I pedaled a 2000 Boxster as my DD for 9 years, over 100k miles and never lost the grin.

On the C7, I don't care for the back end. I think they sold out to the Camaro guys. Oh... mama said to never buy release 1.0 of anything!

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Yes but lotus parts do not buddy!

I second the BRZ advice.
It is an exceptional handling car.

[Travel'n Man]

I just purchased a BMW X6 for my daily work driver - if I did not drive so many miles per year it would have been a Nissan GT-R without a doubt. Huge bang for the buck and all wheel drive performance!

[LeonV]

S2000 over boxster

Seconded, although the Boxster is a very fun car. I've had thoughts of getting a Cayman, but the S2000 really feels like plenty already. With a hardtop, the S is even kind-of civil on the freeway. I wouldn't mind driving a Cayman, but I'm scared it'll make me want one!

The only other car I really drool over is the first-gen BMW M Coupe. I almost got one instead of the S2000, but reliability concerns drove me away. I love the ride, performance, and looks though!

Well, also maybe a 911 GT3 at some (financially doable) point.

[Wade Nelson]

Wow, great input. I'll take a look at the S2000. They're a whole lot cheaper than the other choices. I actually haven't gotten to drive one yet.

[Taz0162]

370Z Nismo edition.

[Wade Nelson]

I just realized that the S2000 is another 4 cylinder. I"m sure it's a wild ride but I'm sick of getting run over at stoplights by people in Altima's with automatic transmissions. I want at least a six cylinder for better take-off performance. I want them looking at MY taillights when the light turns green.

Does anyone else face this annoyance? A 4 cylinder that just doesn't leave the line fast enough for your taste?

[Wade Nelson]

[QUOTE=jfa.series1;424306] I pedaled a 2000 Boxster as my DD for 9 years, over 100k miles and never lost the grin.

Tell me more. Can I call you? I want to hear about this car. I seriously think it's my next car. Why aren't you still driving one?

[jfa.series1]

Wade - pm sent with my contact info.

Briefly, I drank the P-car kool-aid for 23 years, going thru 2 944's and the Boxster - all as DD's. The brand is addictive! The reason for change was lifestyle change - I retired in 2008 and spent that year realizing the Boxster was not a good fit for my new activities. My '09 Xterra is my first SUV and a great fit for retirement. Also, getting back to work on the resto of my 240Z made me realize I only needed one sports car in my life and this was going to be the one.

Jim

[LeonV]

I just realized that the S2000 is another 4 cylinder. I"m sure it's a wild ride but I'm sick of getting run over at stoplights by people in Altima's with automatic transmissions. I want at least a six cylinder for better take-off performance. I want them looking at MY taillights when the light turns green.

Does anyone else face this annoyance? A 4 cylinder that just doesn't leave the line fast enough for your taste?

Nope. It's geared just right (amazing gearbox BTW) and I didn't buy the car to drag race.

[Mikes Z car]

My DD is a 4 cyl. I don't notice how slow it is until I hop into my 240Z and step on the gas. Seems a tornado compared to the DD.

[Wade Nelson]

As far as stoplight acceleration (aka drag racing...) a couple of interesting tidbits.

The hybrid Honda CRZ, 2013 model, has a "S" button that gives you maximum ELECTRICAL MOTOR boost during take-off for best possible launch performance. A neat way to bring a modestly powered car up to reasonable take-off performance, imho.

BMW's, of course, have "launch" controls but I'm told after you use them more than "X" number of times your warranty (at least on the tranny) is voided. Sounds like B.S., but my BMW aficionado buddy swears its so.

Using a battery + electric motor, flywheel, or a big rubber band for improved launch performance on underpowered cars seems like a no brainer. Getting tailgated by an SUV or big truck pulling away from lights is highly annoying.

[bartsscooterservice]

the older bmw m series with straight 6 engines are beast though, although I believed they are less hp in us?
my brother got a 325 e36 with 200 hp, that's not an m3, but it was pretty fast ( topped almost 250 km/h gps ) and ****loads of torque.

or get a japanse straight 6 engine car like a skykine or supra and make it twin turbo

[Oiluj]

I'll second both the Cayman, BRZ/FRS and S2000. Cayman is the "most" car, but also most expensive. The BRZ/FRS is just plain fun, very much like our S30's, and the S2000 has very good overall performance in a very civilized package.

[Carl Beck]

A Daily Driver? A well cared for USED 370Z. You can pick one up with less than 25K miles for around $24K or less. You don't have to crawl into it - it has useful cargo area - is fast enough and reliable enough. Want a Convertible? - 2010 370Z Touring - 17K miles asking $26K.. You could most likely buy it for $23K .. Put another $23K in GOLD and five years from now you'll be happy with both purchases.
2010 Nissan 370Z for sale in Miami, Florida >> 38797704 | GetAuto.com

Hard to beat for a DD..
FWIW,
Carl B.