Topic: Does an interesting $10-15k Sports Car Still Exist?

[Blueprint]

Other kind of 4-wheel toy, no reserve and not much bidding so far:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2000-jaguar-vanden-plas-6/

[Blueprint]

Up the budget a bit and really impress the neighbours 

Fauxrarrri based on the improved, final year '87 chassis and turbo V6 manual.

https://www.autotrader.ca/a/pontiac/fiero/keswick/ontario/19_12610404_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=2_9_0&pc=J4B%200A3&sprx=100

Turn your phones people !!!!!!

[Blueprint]

Convertible and upbudget a bit, but ... Japanese Boxster!

https://www.autotrader.ca/a/toyota/mr2%20spyder/sackville/new%20brunswick/19_12276341_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=2_3_3&pc=J4B%200A3&sprx=-1&modalXS=1

[blur911]

You used to be able to get a pretty decent 928 for $10-15k.

I still like the 944 idea, they're fun at the track and autocrossing.

[HeliDriver]

Yeah, found a couple of 944s in Alberta in that price range. Didn’t really check to see what kind of shape they were in, but lowish miles and the pics looked decent.

Also C4 Vettes and a couple of 2005-ish Mustangs.

I’d probably go Mustang for a fun track toy with some power. 944 is tempting, but I expect nice ones are more than $15k?

[ArticSteve]

I've had 2 variants.  They are just too old now.  Anything goes wrong with the clutch, fork for example, the expense for 99.9% of owners would be too much to keep the car.  If the drive shaft bearings wear out and they do on all of them there is a place in California that rebuilds them.  The torque tube has to weigh 250 lbs.  What would the shipping costs be on that?       To get the TT out you've got to remove the rear torsion bar on 36 year old car.  I wanted to adjust my torsion bar on a southern mint 944S2 and the adjusting bolts needed a plasma cutter.

I am an expert on 944 series folding headlights.  Still have a box of parts that for some reason I can't throw out.  PTSD I think.    Seller knocked off $3K off my S2 purchase because of those lights.  He could not get them to operate properly.  Took the problem to Paff, all sorts of Indy's. Still no permanent fix.  He ended up driving around with them up and the lights on and that drove him mad and he sold it to me.

That's just the tip of the challenges.  911s are cheap and easy to repair in comparison.

[Blueprint]

I think I nailed it here. The Prelude was, at the time, the best-handling car on the market alongside the 944. And zero FGC issues.

Peak Honda, all manuals, all tin tops of course, and these are claimed stock:

'87 S, $9k : https://www.autohebdo.net/a/honda/prelude/mercier/qu%C3%A9bec/19_12575351_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=5_10_10&pc=J4B%200A3&sprx=-1&modalXS=1





'87 Si, rare, only needs stock wheels: https://www.autohebdo.net/a/honda/prelude/scarborough/ontario/19_12601696_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=7_10_10&pc=J4B%200A3&sprx=-1





'88 Si with 4-wheel steer, $12k : https://www.autohebdo.net/a/honda/prelude/guelph/ontario/19_10567731_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=9_10_10&pc=J4B%200A3&sprx=-1&modalXS=1



'95 Si repainted but otherwise stock, $12.9k : https://www.autohebdo.net/a/honda/prelude/chatham/ontario/19_12592423_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=8_10_10&pc=J4B%200A3&sprx=-1&modalXS=1

[Seafoam]

^^ Love that 87 SI. Brings back memories. I had an 86 SE in Midnight Blue. Agree needs the proper wheels to complete the look even if they were only 13 inchers. Mine was $16,200 new in 1986 . The most expensive Honda then.

[2JDM]

I love the red Si 4WS!

[blur911]

I've had 2 variants.  They are just too old now.  Anything goes wrong with the clutch, fork for example, the expense for 99.9% of owners would be too much to keep the car.  If the drive shaft bearings wear out and they do on all of them there is a place in California that rebuilds them.  The torque tube has to weigh 250 lbs.  What would the shipping costs be on that?       To get the TT out you've got to remove the rear torsion bar on 36 year old car.  I wanted to adjust my torsion bar on a southern mint 944S2 and the adjusting bolts needed a plasma cutter.

I am an expert on 944 series folding headlights.  Still have a box of parts that for some reason I can't throw out.  PTSD I think.    Seller knocked off $3K off my S2 purchase because of those lights.  He could not get them to operate properly.  Took the problem to Paff, all sorts of Indy's. Still no permanent fix.  He ended up driving around with them up and the lights on and that drove him mad and he sold it to me.

That's just the tip of the challenges.  911s are cheap and easy to repair in comparison.

I've run into that with my 911SC, everything with rubber needs to be replaced at some point.  Some parts are getting hard to find and expensive too.   40 year old Porsches should be bought by people who either work on their own vehicles, or who have a few suitcases full of cash.   That said, you can still get a 944 for a reasonable purchase price, how you want to keep it on the road is another matter.

[DriverJeff]

Some great (and a few not-so-great) suggestions here.

I was going to should a bit "NO FWD" caveat, and then saw those classic Preludes and got all nostalgic.  That black Si is quite compelling isn't it? 


Firm, the V6 SLK could be had with a stick shift? The folding hard top may make me just rethink the "no convertibles" a bit.. 

C4s were on the 'watching for..' list, but good ones seem to be closer to $20k.  I always liked the 350Z and G35, but the Infinitis especially, these days seem to be the de facto choice for jackasses straight-piping and driving like arse-hats all over the place these days. 


The Mister 2 Spyder in Sackville does look pretty neat, too -- and with Toyota reliability, that's a plus. 


Lastly, I appreciate the Porsche insights.  There have been a few 944s that caught my eye, but I drove an S before I got the M Roadster and came away pretty lukewarm. Those big four-bangers feel like such slow-revving lumps. 

[Firm]

Yes, both the SLK230 and the SLK320 could be had with a 5-speed manual. Not common, especially with the V6, but they're out there. Here's one, little over budget, but IMO he's way over priced and won't move it at price. The SLK32 AMG was automatic only.
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/city-of-toronto/2002-mercedes-benz-slk320-hard-top-convertible-low-km/1664735087

[Firm]

Here's a 230 manual for a much more reasonable price...Probably needs a little TLC, but it's $7500. Pre-face lift car, I really prefer the post-face lift models as they made big improvements in refinement (ride quality, seats, smoother tuning on the supercharger and tweaks to the exhaust for a better sound). That said, the earlier cars feel more like a raw sports car than the later ones, so it might work for you.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/631910532188074/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3Ad468de76-7288-4ea7-909b-2c8c9a785476

[TheHire]

Here's a 230 manual for a much more reasonable price...Probably needs a little TLC, but it's $7500. Pre-face lift car, I really prefer the post-face lift models as they made big improvements in refinement (ride quality, seats, smoother tuning on the supercharger and tweaks to the exhaust for a better sound). That said, the earlier cars feel more like a raw sports car than the later ones, so it might work for you.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/631910532188074/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3Ad468de76-7288-4ea7-909b-2c8c9a785476

I mean, Geoff is pushing 50 with a hairline to reflect it, despite his chiseled handsomeness. A Connecticut-daughter-spec SLK would be perfect for him! 

[ArticSteve]

I've run into that with my 911SC, everything with rubber needs to be replaced at some point.  Some parts are getting hard to find and expensive too.   40 year old Porsches should be bought by people who either work on their own vehicles, or who have a few suitcases full of cash.   That said, you can still get a 944 for a reasonable purchase price, how you want to keep it on the road is another matter.

Exactly.  Rubber anything on a 35-40 year old Porsche and any German car I suppose for that matter is the death blow.  The 944 transaxle is suspended by rubber bushings.  Who knew until you get under it.   I survived 2 944 variants which I owned at the same time because when one's down the other is running and vise versa.  The S2, being the 16V 3 liter, was a fantastic car for street use.  Huge torque and very fast.  But I tired keeping it A1 (8 years).  When the AC went for the third time I knew it was time.  I sold it to some 944 cup racers who primarily raced at Shannonville.  Came in a double length enclosed trailer with tie downs especially meant for 2 944s in tandem.  Porsche Racing written right across the trailer.   Best private sale I ever experienced.  Obviously they were very happy with the car as a few weeks later they UPS'd my remote garage opener that I had left clipped to the visor.

     

[2JDM]

Some great (and a few not-so-great) suggestions here.

I was going to should a bit "NO FWD" caveat, and then saw those classic Preludes and got all nostalgic.  That black Si is quite compelling isn't it? 


Firm, the V6 SLK could be had with a stick shift? The folding hard top may make me just rethink the "no convertibles" a bit.. 

C4s were on the 'watching for..' list, but good ones seem to be closer to $20k.  I always liked the 350Z and G35, but the Infinitis especially, these days seem to be the de facto choice for jackasses straight-piping and driving like arse-hats all over the place these days. 


The Mister 2 Spyder in Sackville does look pretty neat, too -- and with Toyota reliability, that's a plus. 


Lastly, I appreciate the Porsche insights.  There have been a few 944s that caught my eye, but I drove an S before I got the M Roadster and came away pretty lukewarm. Those big four-bangers feel like such slow-revving lumps. 

Well you could get a power hard-top NC Miata (2007-2014). GS models have LSDs. I was browsing some today. 

[rrocket]

Some great (and a few not-so-great) suggestions here.

I was going to should a bit "NO FWD" caveat, and then saw those classic Preludes and got all nostalgic.  That black Si is quite compelling isn't it? 


Firm, the V6 SLK could be had with a stick shift? The folding hard top may make me just rethink the "no convertibles" a bit.. 

C4s were on the 'watching for..' list, but good ones seem to be closer to $20k.  I always liked the 350Z and G35, but the Infinitis especially, these days seem to be the de facto choice for jackasses straight-piping and driving like arse-hats all over the place these days. 


The Mister 2 Spyder in Sackville does look pretty neat, too -- and with Toyota reliability, that's a plus. 


Lastly, I appreciate the Porsche insights.  There have been a few 944s that caught my eye, but I drove an S before I got the M Roadster and came away pretty lukewarm. Those big four-bangers feel like such slow-revving lumps. 

Well you could get a power hard-top NC Miata (2007-2014). GS models have LSDs. I was browsing some today. 

He had an NC Miata in his life already IIRC....

It's what he owned when I first met him so many years ago.

[ArticSteve]

Regrettably Fantasy Land has past us all by. Subaru BRZ Tech, according to Subaru Canada, is going out the door at $581. a mth for 36 mths lease tax in.  Call it $600.  The buy out is $21K plus tax.  In 3 years from now that will be cheap because the standard of living this country is in for a mega sh*t kicking.

Essentially, moving forward it can be considered an appreciating asset.  It is a low price point sports car in a sea of NONE.  I don't see a downside on the fiscal side.  In 3 years it will worth the original sale price.   

[DriverJeff]

Regrettably Fantasy Land has past us all by. Subaru BRZ Tech, according to Subaru Canada, is going out the door at $581. a mth for 36 mths lease tax in.  Call it $600.  The buy out is $21K plus tax.  In 3 years from now that will be cheap because the standard of living this country is in for a mega sh*t kicking.

Essentially, moving forward it can be considered an appreciating asset.  It is a low price point sports car in a sea of NONE.  I don't see a downside on the fiscal side.  In 3 years it will worth the original sale price.   

That's an interesting one.

Someone earlier had mentioned a new WRX too, since they're incredibly cheap to lease and as much as I love the new WRX, I've had pretty good luck the past several years buying cheap-ish interesting toys (cars and bikes), that I play with for a short while, then sell off for at least what I paid.  The lease model doesn't really allow for that, but you make an interesting case there, Steve. 

I'm driving a new Z4 this week in the heat wave and just as I was starting to come around again to considering another Miata, the sheer unpleasantness of top-down driving in anything but ideal conditions is abundantly clear again.  (Foreshadowing a convertible purchase now, just because I've said that.. LOL)

[rrocket]

Regrettably Fantasy Land has past us all by. Subaru BRZ Tech, according to Subaru Canada, is going out the door at $581. a mth for 36 mths lease tax in.  Call it $600.  The buy out is $21K plus tax.  In 3 years from now that will be cheap because the standard of living this country is in for a mega sh*t kicking.

Essentially, moving forward it can be considered an appreciating asset.  It is a low price point sports car in a sea of NONE.  I don't see a downside on the fiscal side.  In 3 years it will worth the original sale price.   

That's an interesting one.

Someone earlier had mentioned a new WRX too, since they're incredibly cheap to lease and as much as I love the new WRX, I've had pretty good luck the past several years buying cheap-ish interesting toys (cars and bikes), that I play with for a short while, then sell off for at least what I paid.  The lease model doesn't really allow for that, but you make an interesting case there, Steve. 

I'm driving a new Z4 this week in the heat wave and just as I was starting to come around again to considering another Miata, the sheer unpleasantness of top-down driving in anything but ideal conditions is abundantly clear again.  (Foreshadowing a convertible purchase now, just because I've said that.. LOL)

So does that mean no more motorcycles for you? Since the same thing applies re: fully geared up in the heat.