Best drivers car under 25k? - Page 1

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Best drivers car under 25k? (Page 1 of 4)

Posted: 5/11/2018 2:27:02 PM EDT

thinking outs a competition between the Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ and Mazda Miata, any other contenders at that price point?

Posted: 5/11/2018 2:31:24 PM EDT

[#1]

02-04' C5 ZO6

Posted: 5/11/2018 2:36:10 PM EDT

[#2]

New? Yes, 86/BRZ/Miata/Fiat 124, take your pick. All good choices.

Used opens up a lot more doors.

Posted: 5/11/2018 2:36:45 PM EDT

[#3]

E46 M3 isn’t a bad choice.

Posted: 5/11/2018 2:37:07 PM EDT

[#4]

Porsche 911 (996)

Posted: 5/11/2018 2:39:08 PM EDT

[#5]

996 911

No cup holders, no glove box, no buttons on the steering wheel. Just you and the car- no distractions , no bullshit.

Posted: 5/11/2018 2:41:19 PM EDT

[#6]

Meh, if you want to drive yourself reliably and have fun on the road for $25K, get an $11k Toyota Corolla and spend the rest on a bike...

Posted: 5/11/2018 2:42:34 PM EDT

[#7]

I'm open to used so long as I can still finance it, its low mileage and it's not a decade old.

Posted: 5/11/2018 2:48:13 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
Meh, if you want to drive yourself reliably and have fun on the road for $25K, get an $11k Toyota Corolla and spend the rest on a bike...

https://2yrh403fk8vd1hz9ro2n46dd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2017-Ducati-Monster-1200-Review-Specs-2.jpg

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No one wants me on a bike

...and with ththe retards and deer around here nah...I miss riding dirt bikes though, never ridden a street bike looks like fun, until something goes wrong.

Posted: 5/11/2018 2:50:16 PM EDT

[#9]

VW GTI.

Posted: 5/11/2018 2:50:29 PM EDT

[#10]

GTI, Focus ST, Abarth 500, Fiesta ST

Posted: 5/11/2018 2:51:24 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
02-04' C5 ZO6

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Posted: 5/11/2018 2:54:09 PM EDT

[#12]

I bought an 86 last year with 6-speed manual. It was fun with the stock exhaust but then I put the TRD exhaust on it and it makes me giddy every time I drive it.

It's got some quirks. I don't like how the window motors open and close the window a little when you open and close the doors. You have to actually leave the windows cracked open if you disconnect the battery because shutting the door without the window motors activated will supposedly damage the window seals.

It has a high door sill you have to kind of step over to get in and out. The sheet metal on the body seems kind of thin and easily dented.

It has a fair bit of road noise. When I test drove it, the first thing the salesman did was roll down the window, to mask the road noise I bet. It has a little bit of gear noise too, which is probably a good thing since it indicates heavy duty straight cut gears. If you're expecting luxury car ride, you'll be disappointed, but if you know how sports cars sound and ride, then it's par for the course.

I've yet to see another one like mine on the road.

Posted: 5/11/2018 2:58:35 PM EDT

[#13]

New- Ford Focus ST

Used- Honda S2000
(although sadly, they quit making them in 2009)

Posted: 5/11/2018 2:58:58 PM EDT

[#14]

Those 3 are really under-powered, not enough fun for me, would rather have a used 370z or even my wife's turbo Focus ST.

Posted: 5/11/2018 3:01:43 PM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
VW GTI.

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No! Fuck FWD!

Posted: 5/11/2018 3:03:35 PM EDT

[#16]

https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/cto/d/86-pontiac-fiero-gt-with-v8/6574881052.html

Posted: 5/11/2018 3:07:51 PM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
No! Fuck FWD!

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
VW GTI.

No! Fuck FWD!

With the limited slip differential it's a faster car than an under powered GT86/BRZ...

Posted: 5/11/2018 3:08:31 PM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:
Those 3 are really under-powered, not enough fun for me, would rather have a used 370z or even my wife's turbo Focus ST.

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I have a 340whp all wheel drive 90 DSM with lots of suspension work for actually going fast. What I'm after is something that's reliable, fun, affordable with A/C. That I can take to track events that will still be fun to drive. My Talon has never left me stranded, it's reliable but I have done stuff to make it fast that makes it less comfortable and fun too. Still a street car, no solid mounts, still has the balance shafts etc. But it's hashish and getting pretty old so I try not to out to ma y miles on it.

Looking for something I can daily and track that's not boring as hell. If I really want to fast I'll too in the Talon, it will run high 12's and corner plenty well enough to stay well well well above any legal speed for any corner, anywhere.

Posted: 5/11/2018 3:09:09 PM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:
No! Fuck FWD!

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
VW GTI.

No! Fuck FWD!

Yeah I hear ya, hate the torque steer from the FWD on the wife's Focus ST when I get on it, I will never have a FWD for myself, prefer AWD/RWD like on my Infinity G37xs.

Posted: 5/11/2018 3:09:55 PM EDT

[#20]

2015 Infiniti Q60

Just over your budget.

Posted: 5/11/2018 3:10:41 PM EDT

[#21]

G35/37, 350z should be on the list

Posted: 5/11/2018 3:11:25 PM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:
https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/cto/d/86-pontiac-fiero-gt-with-v8/6574881052.html

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The masochist in me likes that.

Posted: 5/11/2018 3:15:09 PM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:
G35/37, 350z should be on the list

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Never really felt anything special about the 350z and only lukewarm to the 370z. I love the old Datsun Z cars though, but no, project sure, daily, not likely. If I had 30k in cash I'd buy a 240z and build what I want, but I don't so

Posted: 5/11/2018 3:17:39 PM EDT

[#24]

Of them all, I would only choose an 86 or Miata and buy new. Lean more towards the new Miata as it looks amazing.

Posted: 5/11/2018 3:18:30 PM EDT

[#25]

Nothing fancy but a new Ford Fusion Titanium would be right around that price has the Ecoboost turbo and is AWD

I love mine

Posted: 5/11/2018 3:18:48 PM EDT

[#26]

I'll echo the C5 Z06 call out but they're getting more and more expensive. E46 M3 or a BMW clown shoe like in my avatar.

Posted: 5/11/2018 3:21:37 PM EDT

[#27]

Quote History

Quoted:
With the limited slip differential it's a faster car than an under powered GT86/BRZ...

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
VW GTI.

No! Fuck FWD!

With the limited slip differential it's a faster car than an under powered GT86/BRZ...

I never said anything about fast. I said best drivers car, I have a fast car, and it's a good fun car. But no where near stock. If I wanted to use it in any type of event in the future I'd be in some crazy class more than likely.

Posted: 5/11/2018 3:21:37 PM EDT

[#28]

Here you go.

Posted: 5/11/2018 3:21:40 PM EDT

[#29]

New?

Civic Si. A good tune alone will get you well over 300wtq.

Posted: 5/11/2018 3:22:09 PM EDT

[#30]

I would like to drive a Toyota 86

anyone got one of those?

Posted: 5/11/2018 3:26:20 PM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:

I never said anything about fast. I said best drivers car, I have a fast car.

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You’d understand what the 86 is about then. It delivers a zen like driving experience.

I ride a liter bike when I’m not driving my 86 and the power doesn’t disappoint me. You can carry a lot more corner speed.

Posted: 5/11/2018 3:27:56 PM EDT

[#32]

Quote History

Quoted:
New?

Civic Si. A good tune alone will get you well over 300wtq.

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after 250 you have to upgrade the clutch. I wouldn't run one past 235-240 for a daily.

Posted: 5/11/2018 3:32:07 PM EDT

[#33]

Quote History

Quoted:

I never said anything about fast. I said best drivers car, I have a fast car.

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Are we talking about lap times on a road track? Speed, handling and braking? Than yes; a properly configured GTI is a better drivers car than a GT86/BRZ.

Posted: 5/11/2018 3:35:45 PM EDT

[#34]

Quote History

Quoted:

Are we talking about lap times on a road track? Speed, handling and braking? Than yes; a properly configured GTI is a better drivers car than a GT86/BRZ.

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A GTI is front wheel drive.

The 86 is rear wheel drive and has a flat engine that sits really low in the engine bay. Real low center of gravity plus the ability to drift the rear end around.

Posted: 5/11/2018 3:35:59 PM EDT

[#35]

My dad has a 2014 BMW 328 sport wagon (F31). It's an incredibly fun car to drive. It's been reliable so far. He got it from carmax and got their warranty out to 125k miles. The sedans are significantly cheaper than the wagons. You could easily get one with the carmax warranty in your price range.

Posted: 5/11/2018 3:37:41 PM EDT

[#36]

Ecoboost Mustang with performance package (black wheels, Brembo style brakes, GT suspension).

320hp rear wheel drive manual, the wife has one and it is very fun to drive.

One in my AO for $23k

https://www.wadeford.com/vehicle-details/2018-ford-mustang-ecoboost-smyrna-ga-id-22179088

Posted: 5/11/2018 3:39:30 PM EDT

[#37]

Quote History

Quoted:
https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/cto/d/86-pontiac-fiero-gt-with-v8/6574881052.html

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I had an 84 2M4 that was actually a good car..... wish I had kept it

Posted: 5/11/2018 3:40:37 PM EDT

[#38]

Quote History

Quoted:

I had an 84 2M4 that was actually a good car..... wish I had kept it

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the 84 2m4s where the ones that started on fire lol.

Posted: 5/11/2018 3:44:45 PM EDT

[#39]

Quote History

Quoted:
VW GTI.

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yep.

does everything well.. wicked fun, software makes them so much better.

Posted: 5/11/2018 3:46:00 PM EDT

[#40]

Quote History

Quoted:

Yeah I hear ya, hate the torque steer from the FWD on the wife's Focus ST when I get on it, I will never have a FWD for myself, prefer AWD/RWD like on my Infinity G37xs.

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VW knows how to make differentials, front suspension and engine mounts, the e-diff makes it a whole different machine.

Drive one and see.

Posted: 5/11/2018 3:46:52 PM EDT

[#41]

Quote History

Quoted:
after 250 you have to upgrade the clutch. I wouldn't run one past 235-240 for a daily.

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True statement is true. First thing I did.

You a fan? [/thread-derailment]

Posted: 5/11/2018 6:13:29 PM EDT

[#42]

Quote History

Quoted:
Ecoboost Mustang with performance package (black wheels, Brembo style brakes, GT suspension).

320hp rear wheel drive manual, the wife has one and it is very fun to drive.

One in my AO for $23k

https://www.wadeford.com/vehicle-details/2018-ford-mustang-ecoboost-smyrna-ga-id-22179088

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This. The Ecoboost is a much better balanced car than the 5.0 Coyote. Building an engine for one right now going in an scca/road course car.

Posted: 5/11/2018 7:38:46 PM EDT

[#43]

2014 Mustang GT with Shelby GT 500 axel back exhaust, SCT tune and Airraid CAI. Now have 460 hp and 424 pound feet of torque, equal to the new 2018 GTs for about $5-6 grand less.

Bought it new and added bolt on hp upgrades for less than the cost of an anemic, under performing, current production Miata. Zoom zoom indeed.

Posted: 5/11/2018 7:45:00 PM EDT

[#44]

I think OP is looking for a lightweight car that responds quickly and effortlessly to steering, braking and acceleration inputs.

2,500 lbs slings around much differently than 3,500 lbs.

Posted: 5/11/2018 7:49:56 PM EDT

[#45]

C5/C6 Corvette

Posted: 5/11/2018 8:03:39 PM EDT

[#46]

Lotus exige?

Posted: 5/11/2018 8:04:43 PM EDT

[#47]

Quote History

Quoted:
I think OP is looking for a lightweight car that responds quickly and effortlessly to steering, braking and acceleration inputs.

2,500 lbs slings around much differently than 3,500 lbs.

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S2000 is what he seeks than.

Posted: 5/11/2018 8:07:30 PM EDT

[#48]

Quote History

Quoted:
I think OP is looking for a lightweight car that responds quickly and effortlessly to steering, braking and acceleration inputs.

2,500 lbs slings around much differently than 3,500 lbs.

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If he want's something light to sling hard in the corners then how about a Ford P71 Interceptor.....that
will keep his blood pressure up.......and he'll have $20k for the upgrades.....