Suggestions of a sporty ride at or less than $53K???

Porsche Boxster S



It has speed. Incredible handling and braking. Fine ergonomics. Great looks. Lots of storage for a 2 seater convertible. An absolute blast to drive.
 
I'm quite curious to see what you pick. Please let us know what you go with and what your impressions are as you test drive all of these great cars.
 
ExplorerXLT95 said:
Also, a question for thevolvoguy... Do they have a C70R?? I loved the C70 that Val Kilmer drove in "The Saint."
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Currently there is no C70 R avalible, but dont put it past Volvo in '05 when they re design the C70. There is, however an '03 t-5 model which is a 2.3 Turbo 5-cylinder that produces about 240hp. 0-60 stock is 5.8 secconds, with a 14.1 sec. 1/4 at 105mph.



However, a C70 t-5 coupe with all the options only runs about $37k and with a $400 chip, intake and cat-back exhaust (my mods) you will have 300+ whp... and easily be getting in the 13's for the 1/4.



Just my $.02.... but you know im biased. :p



**edit**

Also, I might add that, unlike most people think... Volvo's are VERY easy to mod. I have barley spent $1k on my car and I have gained almost 100hp with all the stock internals from '94. I can comment on reliability as well, the only things I have replaced on my car after 155,000 miles is a thermostat and battery. Volvo service and warranty programs are supossedly very good too, and if saftey is a concearn for you, Volvo is the clear choice.



Good Luck and let us know when you decide. :wavey
 
Currently there is no C70 R avalible



Just to add to what thevolvoguy said, Volvo also stopped making the C70 coupe in 2002 as an '03 Model. Only the convertible is available now, and this is the last year ('04 model).
 
$53,000 gives you quite a few options. Personally I'd go with:



M3

Porsche Boxster S

Infinity G35

Nissan 350Z

With a little research you could find a quality used 911

'Vette Z06

MB CLK



'bout all I can think of now.. Good luck with your choice!:xyxthumbs
 
Not the prettiest, but a lot of bang for the buck:



0302scc_neon01_zoom.jpg




You could almost buy two for $53K.
 
bretfraz said:
I'd buy a used Taurus or Mitsu Galant for $13000 and invest the remaining $40000 in a new house with all the fixin's.
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????????? What ??????????



$40k will get you a remodeled kitchen and maybe chuck in a bathroom for good measure. Yeah, go for this if you're name is Martha Stewart. I thought this was Autopia!



GO FOR THE WHEELS! :cool:
 
The new additions...



2003/4 BMW M3

2004 Audi S4 (the new one that's not out yet)

2003/4 SVT Cobra

2003/4 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (not a big bowtie fan though)

2003/4 WRX STi

2003/4 Infiniti G35 Sport Coupe

2003/4 Nissan 350Z

2003/4 Volvo S60R

2003/4 Maxda RX-8

2003/4 Honda S2000

2003 Porsche Boxter S (I'd prefer a 911, but... :))

2003/4 Mercedes-Benz CLK

2003/4 Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG



[opinion]No Neon SXT for me... No thanks... It's the American version of a Civic... Not too appealing. [/opinion]



One quick question before I let you guys continue to make some more good suggestions... Do all these last 3 additions make it under the $53K ceiling?



PLEASE keep the suggestions coming...
 
Looks like it so far. Bimmer, Boxster, Audi, Z06 and MBs will most likely be the most expensive. Don't know about the Volvo. CLK 320 with 215hp goes for 40k-43k and the CLK500 with 302 hp goes for 48k-52k. C32 47k-51k. You really can't lose with the selection you've been given.:up



**edit**

...The Boxster S has 258hp and around 45k-52k.
 
I dont think your going to find any new car (unmodified) faster/quicker than a Z06 for $53k. The Z06 will dust an M3 (well just about anything): acceleration, braking, and handling. Here is a link to an article 350Z vs. M3 SMG II vs. Z06 vs. 911. Interesting read.



http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=469&page_number=6&preview=



Im not a huge bowtie fan either, well except for trucks and Corvette's. Do you have a preference for a 2 seater or 4 seater? The Cobra is really powerfull, but Im not sure I would buy the first or second model year. How important is refinement to you?
 
Why does it have to be new? Let someone else eat the depreciation and get a 1996 or 1997 Porsche 911 C4S or C2S.



The 911 is better looking than anything else on the list (the M3 is close) and while it won't be the quickest in a straight line, at some point you have to turn and then you'll leave everything else in the dust. The M3 will hold its own as will the Vette, but the M3 doesn't have the realiability of the 911 and the Vette has the infamous GM rattles and cheap plastic interior that will fall apart in about a year. Besides, Vettes are a dime a dozen.



Have fun and be safe in whatever you choose.
 
Great advise so far!



I love 993 Porsches, those being the 1995-1998 air-cooled cars, but you said no used cars, so...



Are you looking for any particular quality? If you're looking for great materials and high build quality, you'll be able to narrow this list down a bit. If you're looking for a weekend trackable car, the same can be said. If you're looking for all out sportiness, only a few really stand out. They're all great cars, you really have a nice list going. If you want a comporomise of lots of nice things, an M3 is a great deal, if you want a fun track car, the Boxster S is superb, and the Z06 is really in another performance category from all of the others, we won't talk about the interior!



More than anything, try to figure out a general group of qualities that you value and narrow this list down and then drive all of the cars left. If possible, find a lightly used model to drive, that way the engine and brakes will be broken in and you'll get a more accurate feel for rattles, etc. Of course, the RX-8 and S4 won't be available to test, at least yet. Good luck with your search!



Ben
 
Jake11375 said:
Looks like it so far. Bimmer, Boxster, Audi, Z06 and MBs will most likely be the most expensive. Don't know about the Volvo. CLK 320 with 215hp goes for 40k-43k and the CLK500 with 302 hp goes for 48k-52k. C32 47k-51k. You really can't lose with the selection you've been given.:up
Click to expand...



Actually, The CLK320 Starts At 45k

C32 Starts At 51k

CLK500 Starts At 53k



What Do You Want For Under This Ceiling?



xenons?

navi?

auto?
 
QUOTE]Actually, The CLK320 Starts At 45k ..[/QUOTE]



Got my figures off of Yahoo auto, sorry if they weren't accurate.:nixweiss
 
2003 Porsche Boxter S (I'd prefer a 911, but... :))
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If you like the 911 go for it. Personally I will never buy another new car. I am done. The depreciation hit you take on any of these cars in the first couple years is incredible (even on Porsche). You can find an incredible example (very low miles) of the 993 bodied 911 for well under your cap and you could even find a 993 c2s or 4s within this price range (wide bodies). The prices have dropped so quickly on the 996 style (newer water cooled) that you could probably find a 99 or 00 coupe within your price range.



If you get a ppi don't be afraid of 20-30k miles on one of these cars.



Like suggested in another post you really need to narrow your scope and tell us what you are really after to better give suggestions. What characteristics do you want? If 0-60 times are what you are after then don't look at anything other than the American muscle in the Z06 and Mustang Cobra (Saleens, etc.) and used Vipers. However, if over-all performance, handling and ergonomics are more what you are after their may be better choices. Are you going to be a tweaker? If so the WRX and Evo Lancer would be great cars with unbelievable potential for the money. It really all depends on what you want. Will the car see track duty? If so factor in whether the car is realiable in its factory form or whether you will have to upgrade things to make is track worthy.
 
The Boxster S (spelling is not Boxter), CLK, and C32 will only come under $53k if you do not get may options or find an used one. My C32 was $60k out the door. Even the S4 will be a tight squeeze. A standard Boxster (non-S) would fit your budget better.



Honestly, you should probably not look for a car by picking a car off a list that satisfies your budget requirement. Some of these cars are not comparable at all. You're best bet is to evaluate what you want/need in car and go from there. For example, you are considering a Mazda RX-8 and a Volvo S60R.



Also, if you end up getting any of these cars, go to driving school as well. They're a bit different from a Ford Explorer ;) Most of all, have fun.
 
JustinTRW said:
The Boxster S (spelling is not Boxter), CLK, and C32 will only come under $53k if you do not get may options or find an used one. My C32 was $60k out the door. Even the S4 will be a tight squeeze. A standard Boxster (non-S) would fit your budget better.
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Not true anymore with the economy. You can up to $6K off invoice on a Porsche these days. $53K should get you an awesome Boxster S with full leather, special wheels, etc. But you will have to grab something off the lot, you can't deal as well on special orders.



I never considered the Corvette either. But I will tip my hat to them that they have set a new standard in performance/value.



The M3 is a strong recommendation, probably your best practical pick.



Only buy a Boxster if you have to, this is a special car which will pick you as much as you will pick it! I was only looking when I walked in the showroom. I didn't want a convertible and couldn't afford it anyway. I had to order it and eat ramen noodles for the next nine months. Three years later, no regrets. :xyxthumbs
 
Oops, yes Charlie you are right. They need to move their inventory right now (besides, they have insane markup). Late 2002 Boxsters were getting even larger discounts. I was mostly referencing the MB's, which you still cannot get for much more than a few thousand off MSRP in So Cal.
 
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