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Quoted: Viper prices have gone way up in the last three years. 50k use to get you that GTS dream car, but I don’t think a good one is going to fit the budget. All those kids of the 80’s and 90’s are starting to get some coin and that’s got to be a highly sought after car for that demographic. View Quote Being out of production again isn’t helping. Gen 3 vipers are great cars and can be found at 50K. I have a gen 4 Viper and I love it. Had it for 10 years now. $53k (yes a hair over budget) Low mile gen 3 Appears to be a decent deal. |
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Quoted: If you can find a place to rent the cars you're considering, rent each one for a week. You're about to spend a lot of money on strangers' advice and a 30 minute test drive. Driving 200 miles in each car will tell you a lot about which you'll be happier in. View Quote this i bought a lexus in my mid life crisis mode. i did a test drive and liked it. then i bought it and foud out i hated the thing it was nice, strong, etc, but found too many oddities and such that drove me nuts. yeah, its my fault for not researching/driving it more. I did ask the lexus dealer if they had a 5/7 day return policy-- which i would have gotten a different lexus, byt they said hells to the naw ![]() "tHeY lOSt a CusTomer!!!!" |
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Check the Hemmings classifieds
https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/2014-chevrolet-corvette-sanborn-ia-2669386 https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/2014-chevrolet-corvette-reno-nv-2670338 https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/chevrolet/corvette/2617649.html https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/2013-factory-five-cobra-tampa-fl-2669338 https://www.hemmings.com/auction/1966-cobra-other-162018 https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1997-panoz-aiv-englewood-co-2665983 https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/shelby/gt500/2646322.html |
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Corvette all day long. Because baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet. Because they're just plain fun to own and drive. Because you're an American, and you'll be driving every red blooded little boys dream car. Because you're freshly divorced and can pull so much leg from sleazy single women who can see themselves in the passenger seat. Put on your cargo shorts and New Balance and live the dream.
Or you can buy a Porsche or something else European and drive in circles at the track with nerds. Your choice OP. ![]() |
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B8.5 Audi RS5 w/4.2 v8 available in coupe or cabriolet. I’d say manual 911 but think you’d need to up the budget.
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Mustang convertible and you can get a new one under that budget.
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You are too young for a Vett and too old for a Subaru. If you want domestic you get get a fine Mustang at that price point. If not then Porsche or BMW.
Regardless, unless you are buying a certified preowned with a warranty (you might get some BMW's in that ballpark) don't spend more than 40 on the car itself as when it breaks (and it will inevitably) you will be too poor to maintain and repair it. |
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Depends on how you're going to use it OP. For styling and profiling, there are many choices that will fit the bill.
If you plan on hitting the track, getting some instruction, exploring the limits of the car and yourself as a driver, the choices get tighter. You can get a new Camaro SS 1LE for that money, and it will perform very well at the track. Most importantly it will stay together while getting beat on. Older Vettes are usually good to go also, but if it's a few years old plan on upgrading a few things to live on track. Porsches typically do well and stay together, but can be expensive if repairs are needed. Performance Pack 2 Mustangs are similar to 1LE Camaros with respect to track worthiness, but are pretty rare and they stopped building them in 20 I think. Keep in mind, lots of stuff out there can make good power and handle decently, especially when modified. But track time is rough on a car, so find something designed from the outset to live in that environment. It'll save you lots of grief and downtime. |
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GD will explode over this. Go drive a dual motor 3 and then start shopping for other cars. Used e class can be had for 50k and get a lot there. Sport cars are not great for daily driving (I know there are exceptions) I would get something you like driving.
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Z06 Vette. My uncle was a race car driver and in his words “ you wont find a better deal on an honest to god track ready car than a high performance model Corvette.”
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Corvette is a good suggestion; they are common and can be had reasonably considering the performance. The Camaro is also no slouch.
As someone else said, you need to narrow this down. Do you want four seats, or are you okay with two? AWD, RWD? How much practicality do you need? Something like an Elise or 4C are going to be an incredible driving experience, but they don't even attempt to be practical. I went with a MkV Supra, myself, and am happy with my decision, but mine is also my daily driver. |
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BMW M5 AWD
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-BMW-M5-d391#listing=348004597/NONE |
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Porsche. Since you don’t have to lug the wife or kids around, a Boxster or Cayman of your liking. An older 911 is possible in the 50’s if that’s preferred.
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It may be a bit over budget and more of a sport sedan but I really like the Cadillac CT5-V (non-Blackwing version). Twin turbo V6, electronically adjustable suspension, steering, brakes, etc. It starts out smooth and quiet, then hit the V-button on the steering wheel and it turns into a wild animal.
I do think they should have stuck with V-Sport for the lower-end models and V for the top tier instead of doing V / V-Blackwing. |
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C6 or C7 Corvette of whatever flavor you want is going to give you a lot of performance for the money and have decent reliability and maintenance bills. Alternatively an ND Miata or a BRZ/86 and use the extra money saved to go on more road trips and go to some racing schools and actually enjoy the hell out of the car.
Other things to look at: Toyota Supra (2019+), Jaguar F-Type, BMW 2 Series of some sort with the I6, S2000, Mustang GT of some sort (GT350, GT500, Mach1, Bullitt, GT w/Track Pack), Porsche Cayman/Boxster. Here's my two main recommendations having owned or at least driven/reviewed everything I've listed: 1) C6/C7 Corvette. They look great and can be driven daily and are great on road trips. If you don't plan on racing it then you can skip the higher end models and just look for a regular Stingray. In fact if you want to use it more for road trips/cruising then racing look at a 2LT C7 (C6 as well but they only had heated seats and no A/C seats if that matters). It will have heated/cooled leather seats and some other amenities so it will be very comfortable while still hauling ass and looking cool. If you think you'll be hitting up the autox and/or road courses then definitely step up and look at the Grand Sports or Z06 models or at least a stingray with the Z51 package. 2) If you don't think you'll be doing a lot of road trips and want something a bit more frugal that still looks great, has great performance, a big aftermarket, and still will kick ass on the autox or road course then an ND Miata 2018+ (they got a nice engine boost this model year) will be a solid choice. |
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Quoted: C6 or C7 Corvette of whatever flavor you want is going to give you a lot of performance for the money and have decent reliability and maintenance bills. Alternatively an ND Miata or a BRZ/86 and use the extra money saved to go on more road trips and go to some racing schools and actually enjoy the hell out of the car. Other things to look at: Toyota Supra (2019+), Jaguar F-Type, BMW 2 Series of some sort with the I6, S2000, Mustang GT of some sort (GT350, GT500, Mach1, Bullitt, GT w/Track Pack), Porsche Cayman/Boxster. Here's my two main recommendations having owned or at least driven/reviewed everything I've listed: 1) C6/C7 Corvette. They look great and can be driven daily and are great on road trips. If you don't plan on racing it then you can skip the higher end models and just look for a regular Stingray. In fact if you want to use it more for road trips/cruising then racing look at a 2LT C7 (C6 as well but they only had heated seats and no A/C seats if that matters). It will have heated/cooled leather seats and some other amenities so it will be very comfortable while still hauling ass and looking cool. If you think you'll be hitting up the autox and/or road courses then definitely step up and look at the Grand Sports or Z06 models or at least a stingray with the Z51 package. 2) If you don't think you'll be doing a lot of road trips and want something a bit more frugal that still looks great, has great performance, a big aftermarket, and still will kick ass on the autox or road course then an ND Miata 2018+ (they got a nice engine boost this model year) will be a solid choice. View Quote But the C6/C7 Grandsports are just so much sexier than the base models... ![]() |
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Are Porsche reliable?
Im looking for a car but everything I ask about or post about everyone is like not reliable.....and its some of the same stuff you all are posting |
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Quoted: Are Porsche reliable? Im looking for a car but everything I ask about or post about everyone is like not reliable.....and its some of the same stuff you all are posting View Quote Yes, broadly speaking. That said, like most German cars they are not very forgiving of delayed maintenance, and OEM parts are not cheap. You can bring costs down a bit by doing the work yourself or finding a reasonable independent Euro shop, but the Porsche tax is real and you do need to account for it. As long as you keep up with maintenance they aren't going to leave you stranded. |
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Quoted: I sold a 2017 Zo6 M7 with 100,000 miles for $51,000 but it was on it's original clutch and supercharger. Took the funds and bought a very lightly used C6 Zo6 for $44,000. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/109231/20220424_140144-2402748.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/109231/20230210_150904-2725348.jpg Lots of these cars nearly new all over. They come up all the time. You really can't beat a Corvette if you want to have fun on a budget. View Quote Yep, to get a C7Z in the 50's, it would have a lot of miles and need some work. |
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The best '69 - '71 Corvette you can find. A convertible with a removable hard top.
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$39k (That leaves enough to get it repainted)
https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/pontiac/firebird/2618740.html ![]() |
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Grand Cherokee SRT
Fuck climbing in and out of these sedans at 46 ![]() |
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Quoted: Are Porsche reliable? Im looking for a car but everything I ask about or post about everyone is like not reliable.....and its some of the same stuff you all are posting View Quote For what it is, very much so. The 992’s (current Gen) has a few known thing but not major, same goes for the 991’s. Even the dreaded IMS baring issue on 996/997 cars were overblown. |
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Quoted: Corvette shold come with free white New Balance shoes as a stereotype. Get a classic car or motorcycle of somekind. View Quote About every Porsche should come with a roll of pigmat and a 50% discount coupon for common, yet exceedingly expensive repair bills, even if you DIY. About every BMW should come with a turn signal upgrade and the disclaimer that you'll never get that platform-fatal recall approved. About every Mustang should come with a tool that permanently removes the stability control button (or extracts light poles from the front bumper). We could do this all day! |
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Quoted: Yes, broadly speaking. That said, like most German cars they are not very forgiving of delayed maintenance, and OEM parts are not cheap. You can bring costs down a bit by doing the work yourself or finding a reasonable independent Euro shop, but the Porsche tax is real and you do need to account for it. As long as you keep up with maintenance they aren't going to leave you stranded. View Quote A flat tire can be a bad fucking day if the provided ‘slime’ and pump fail you due to a rip in the tire. Of course this isn’t isolated to Porsches, with most sports cars there’s very little room for even a donut. Several options: 1: Buy a donut spare, you have to inflate them after you put them on and it’s only to get you to a tire shop. Downside is, no frunk (storage,) and of course more weight. 2: Buy a patch kit and/or slime kit. A patch kit will be more effective but also more troublesome. The included pump would be needed for either and you’re still headed to the tire shop. 3: Roadside assistance and/or a flatbed to take your car to the nearest shop. Again this applies to must sports and sporty cars. Run-flats in my experience aren’t worth it because they don’t work as advertised, you’re still going to chew up your wheel. |
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https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1965-backdraft-cobra-6/
![]() You probably won't find a Backdraft for $50K right now. But there are other alternatives. They can be quite fun. |
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Highest smiles-per-mile would likely be a trackable Miata. Cheap enough that if you put it into the wall you're not going to cry.
Highest performance-to-dollar will be a Corvette owned by someone who already put a bunch of money and time into it and is moving on. Something that may appreciate over the years, that will get you a thumbs up on the road? A 4th gen NA Supra. Or you could buy a solid example of just about any 1960s-1970s muscle car for that budget. Maybe get a convertible model for weekend cruising. But you're going to be underwhelmed with the power and drievability. |
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Quoted: A flat tire can be a bad fucking day if the provided 'slime' and pump fail you due to a rip in the tire. Of course this isn't isolated to Porsches, with most sports cars there's very little room for even a donut. Several options: 1: Buy a donut spare, you have to inflate them after you put them on and it's only to get you to a tire shop. Downside is, no frunk (storage,) and of course more weight. 2: Buy a patch kit and/or slime kit. A patch kit will be more effective but also more troublesome. The included pump would be needed for either and you're still headed to the tire shop. 3: Roadside assistance and/or a flatbed to take your car to the nearest shop. Again this applies to must sports and sporty cars. Run-flats in my experience aren't worth it because they don't work as advertised, you're still going to chew up your wheel. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: Yes, broadly speaking. That said, like most German cars they are not very forgiving of delayed maintenance, and OEM parts are not cheap. You can bring costs down a bit by doing the work yourself or finding a reasonable independent Euro shop, but the Porsche tax is real and you do need to account for it. As long as you keep up with maintenance they aren't going to leave you stranded. A flat tire can be a bad fucking day if the provided 'slime' and pump fail you due to a rip in the tire. Of course this isn't isolated to Porsches, with most sports cars there's very little room for even a donut. Several options: 1: Buy a donut spare, you have to inflate them after you put them on and it's only to get you to a tire shop. Downside is, no frunk (storage,) and of course more weight. 2: Buy a patch kit and/or slime kit. A patch kit will be more effective but also more troublesome. The included pump would be needed for either and you're still headed to the tire shop. 3: Roadside assistance and/or a flatbed to take your car to the nearest shop. Again this applies to must sports and sporty cars. Run-flats in my experience aren't worth it because they don't work as advertised, you're still going to chew up your wheel. Seriously fuck runflats. |
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