Topic: What Toy Would You Pick for <$20k?

[DriverJeff]

I've been casually looking for another toy and while I had considered an E92 M3, keeping the toy budget below $20,000 seems sensible for me.  Firm's recent C4 Vette purchase got me thinking of Corvettes again.  Another Boxster is a possibility, and I've always had a soft spot for Z3s -- decent ones of each can be found.  Z4s have entered the conversation too. 

So many cars these days are good, but comparatively soulless.  The common ground for everything on my list seems to be something with hydraulic steering, a manual transmission and a normally-aspirated engine.

But enough about me... what would YOU pick for your less-than-20k toy? 

[Great_Big_Abyss]

I've been casually looking for another toy and while I had considered an E92 M3, keeping the toy budget below $20,000 seems sensible for me.  Firm's recent C4 Vette purchase got me thinking of Corvettes again.  Another Boxster is a possibility, and I've always had a soft spot for Z3s -- decent ones of each can be found.  Z4s have entered the conversation too. 

So many cars these days are good, but comparatively soulless.  The common ground for everything on my list seems to be something with hydraulic steering, a manual transmission and a normally-aspirated engine.

But enough about me... what would YOU pick for your less-than-20k toy?

A Miata, duh. 

No, but seriously. 

[Fobroader]

Under $20k, hmmm, well, a $5k TJ and $15k in offroad goodies, two nice quads and a trailer, a cheaper Miata and some help from Flyin Miata so that CUVs don't embarrass it on onramps, maybe a cheap C5 Vette, Toyobaru BR86, Suzuki SV650 and $17000 worth of suspension and brake upgrades  , 1st gen Tundra and throw as much overlanding stuff at it as I can. With $20k, the world is your oyster.

[DriverJeff]

Older 911, SLK55 like Gurgies, S2000, C5 Z06 or nice C4, Z3.

Probably more but that's off the top of my head.

Aha... so you haven't seen what the COVIDs have done to the collectible car market, eh? 

The only 911s you'll find for less than $20k are ones that need enough work to push it closer to $25k.  Good C5 Z06s are also pushing $30k.    

That said, if ya'll see either of those cars that look like a good deal less than $20k, do let me know.   

[DriverJeff]

Under $20k, hmmm, well, a $5k TJ and $15k in offroad goodies, two nice quads and a trailer, a cheaper Miata and some help from Flyin Miata so that CUVs don't embarrass it on onramps, maybe a cheap C5 Vette, Toyobaru BR86, Suzuki SV650 and $17000 worth of suspension and brake upgrades  , 1st gen Tundra and throw as much overlanding stuff at it as I can. With $20k, the world is your oyster.

Yeah!  I like the way you're thinking.  More toys = more fun.  The toy car budget is separate from the bike budget for me, and my g/f has a new Wrangler on order, so the off-roading is covered too.   

[DriverJeff]

I've been casually looking for another toy and while I had considered an E92 M3, keeping the toy budget below $20,000 seems sensible for me.  Firm's recent C4 Vette purchase got me thinking of Corvettes again.  Another Boxster is a possibility, and I've always had a soft spot for Z3s -- decent ones of each can be found.  Z4s have entered the conversation too. 

So many cars these days are good, but comparatively soulless.  The common ground for everything on my list seems to be something with hydraulic steering, a manual transmission and a normally-aspirated engine.

But enough about me... what would YOU pick for your less-than-20k toy?

A Miata, duh. 

No, but seriously.

Yeah...  a Miata has crossed my mind, too.  An older one that has been significantly modded (or would become so), isn't out of the question.  Monster Miata? 

[DriverJeff]

Older 911, SLK55 like Gurgies, S2000, C5 Z06 or nice C4, Z3.

Probably more but that's off the top of my head.

Aha... so you haven't seen what the COVIDs have done to the collectible car market, eh? 

The only 911s you'll find for less than $20k are ones that need enough work to push it closer to $25k.  Good C5 Z06s are also pushing $30k.    

That said, if ya'll see either of those cars that look like a good deal less than $20k, do let me know.   

No I haven't. But I wouldn't go buy a used toy right now while used toys are at an all time high. 18 months from now it'll all be back down.

Also, if none of those are under 20K then I change the question to 30K 

Edit, I'd throw in the 370Z

Ah, but waiting is no fun.  I drive a Jetta as my daily, fer chrissakes -- I won't make it through the summer, even with a motorcycle in the garage, ha ha.   

370Z is a good suggestion.

[Fobroader]

Under $20k, hmmm, well, a $5k TJ and $15k in offroad goodies, two nice quads and a trailer, a cheaper Miata and some help from Flyin Miata so that CUVs don't embarrass it on onramps, maybe a cheap C5 Vette, Toyobaru BR86, Suzuki SV650 and $17000 worth of suspension and brake upgrades  , 1st gen Tundra and throw as much overlanding stuff at it as I can. With $20k, the world is your oyster.

Yeah!  I like the way you're thinking.  More toys = more fun.  The toy car budget is separate from the bike budget for me, and my g/f has a new Wrangler on order, so the off-roading is covered too.   

Huh, I have a toy slushfund that kind of envelops any and all extracurricular activities....I like the thought of that.

[blur911]

I've been casually looking for another toy and while I had considered an E92 M3, keeping the toy budget below $20,000 seems sensible for me.  Firm's recent C4 Vette purchase got me thinking of Corvettes again.  Another Boxster is a possibility, and I've always had a soft spot for Z3s -- decent ones of each can be found.  Z4s have entered the conversation too. 

So many cars these days are good, but comparatively soulless.  The common ground for everything on my list seems to be something with hydraulic steering, a manual transmission and a normally-aspirated engine.

But enough about me... what would YOU pick for your less-than-20k toy?

A Miata, duh. 

No, but seriously.

Yeah...  a Miata has crossed my mind, too.  An older one that has been significantly modded (or would become so), isn't out of the question.  Monster Miata?

I saw a 10AE like mine for sale in Quebec recently for a good price.  If you wanted to pick one that wouldn't depreciate much, if any.

[Arthur Dent]

Under $20K?

I'd be tempted by:

A decent driver quality Ford Model A.
Chevrolet Corvair with a 4spd manual.
Fiat 128 Spider
Triumph TR8
Toyota MR2

A careful shopper could probably pickup two of them in the budget.

[tortoise]

A toy car would have to be a convertible.

So, 370Z Convertible, Miata, C5 Convertible,   Saturn Sky with the turbo could be interesting too.   

[Railton]

It's you...and it won't break.
Railton
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/mississauga-peel-region/1989-corvette-black-on-black/1547723324
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/barrie/1988-convertible-corvette-one-owner-12000-cash-nothing-less/1553296171

[tortoise]

https://www.autotrader.ca/a/mercedes-benz/sl-class/toronto/ontario/5_50136627_20160401114447468/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&ursrc=hl&orup=5_15_117&pc=M9C%205J1&sprx=-1

Whoa.  Lotta car for the money.  Lotta upkeep though.

Infiniti G37 convertible with a manual is interesting.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/city-of-toronto/2009-infiniti-g37-convertible-sport-manual-transmission/m77429

[PJungnitsch]

Fun money, spend it or lose it type of thing?

Fiesta ST with an Evolve Carbon GTR in the back would be fun

Also have a weird compulsion to buy an old GX460/470, put on a free flow exhaust and kit it up for off road

[JohnnyMac]

I like newer vehicles that you can mod but still have all the safety features, so my vote would be 370Z, Miata, and FRS/BRZ. 

[Fobroader]

I like newer vehicles that you can mod but still have all the safety features, so my vote would be 370Z, Miata, and FRS/BRZ.

Safety features....isn't that what driving skill is for 

[JohnnyMac]

I like newer vehicles that you can mod but still have all the safety features, so my vote would be 370Z, Miata, and FRS/BRZ.

Safety features....isn't that what driving skill is for 

I'm man enough to know my limitations in driving.  Nothing wrong with wanting a vehicle that is both fun and safe.

[Fobroader]

I like newer vehicles that you can mod but still have all the safety features, so my vote would be 370Z, Miata, and FRS/BRZ.

Safety features....isn't that what driving skill is for 

I'm man enough to know my limitations in driving.  Nothing wrong with wanting a vehicle that is both fun and safe.

So no Miatas, no convertibles, nothing over 10 yrs old, no motorbikes, nothing with too much hp....that really puts a damper on things especially for a toy.

[ltruong]

Is350.  Z370,

[JohnnyMac]

I like newer vehicles that you can mod but still have all the safety features, so my vote would be 370Z, Miata, and FRS/BRZ.

Safety features....isn't that what driving skill is for 

I'm man enough to know my limitations in driving.  Nothing wrong with wanting a vehicle that is both fun and safe.

So no Miatas, no convertibles, nothing over 10 yrs old, no motorbikes, nothing with too much hp....that really puts a damper on things especially for a toy.

Fine, you only live once so might as well get first gen Viper and go out in a ball of flames.