Sunday, June 15, 2008
Sports cars under $45k
Lots of people want to buy sports cars and there happens to be a lot available. I have found some very good sports cars for less than or close to $45,000. The Audi TT is now a great sports car and for almost $43,000 you can have the 250hp 3.2L V6 in the TT. The new TT has a magnetic suspension that gives it great handling in the sport setting or a comfortable and soft ride in the comfort setting. The BMW Z4 3.0si coupe is $40,400 or the roadster is $42,400 and they both have a 255hp 3.0L in line six cylinder engine. The Z4 is also rear wheel drive and is fun to drive. The base model Corvette LT1 has 430hp (2005-2007 cars had 400hp), costs just under $47,000 and is good to drive now unlike the old ones. Used Corvettes with 400hp are available with more features for less money. One of the best sports cars in the world is the 237hp Honda S2000 and $34,000 buys one new or for $36,000-$37,000 you can have the lightened S2000 CR (Club Racer). This car is more fun to drive than almost any other sports car. The Porsche Boxster is $46,000 for a new 245hp base model or for $42,000 you can have a 280hp 2006 Boxster S. The Boxster is mid engined and therefore is better to drive than all but the very very expensive supercars. For much less than $45,000 the $29,000 Saturn Sky Red Line/Pontiac Solstice GXP with 260hp beat the BMW Z4 roadster in a Motor Trend comparison. If you want a luxury sports car a 320hp, Corvette based 2005 Cadillac XLR is now worth $42,000 and a 302hp 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500 is under $45,000. A 355hp 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG is a great mix of luxury coupe/roadster and sports car for $41,000. The Lotus Elise, probably the best sports car in the world can be found for under $40,000 as a 2006 car with 190hp and it does 0-60 MPH in under 5 seconds. A 2003 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe (the convertible is terrible) with 315hp is a great car and now are worth about $44,000. These cars are all great, but I think the best one is the Honda S2000. You need to buy the S2000 before Honda kills it, like they did with the NSX.
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5 comments:
Motorstreet
If you had to choose between a used S200, Toyota MR2 Spyder or Miata which would it be? Any particular model years to look at or avoid?
Nice analysis, there are a ton of choices in this category. Good call on the Honda S2000, it truly is a diamond in the rough. Nice driving, great looks and you don't see them around every corner. I'm partial to the Boxster myself but I'm always worried that it's something more like my wife would drive.
Seriously, how can you post a blog on sportscars and not mention the Infiniti G37?? It's a great car at a great price. Not to mention the fact that Infiniti's are driven primarily by the suave and sophisticated of society!
The reason I didn't put the G37 on is that as a 4 seat, sedan based coupe it isn't really a sports car in the same way as something like a S2000. The G37 and BMW 135i are both cars that come very close to being sports cars.
To answer mosport70's question I think a used S2000 is the best of those, because the MR2 doesn't have enough power and the Miata isn't as funto drive, not to say the Miata is boring, it isn't. In 2004 Power went up from 220hp to 237hp and in 2006 stability control was added, so a 2004 or newer is going to be best.
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