Best sports cars for $30k

I would buy the Twin Turbo Subaru Justy (preferably a 1991) you only have to maintain 3 cylinders, its AWD, and you'll have $28,500 left over.

 

I would be inclined to say a 996 Porsche all things considered.

 

Any other criteria except price?

Because there is a boat load of amazing sports cars of all different stripes available at or below that price point...from early MGBs to E36 BMW M3's.


May want to narrow it a little bit...

 

I'd put BMW E36 and E46 M3's on the list for sure (I'm biased, I have a low milage E36 M3). But a ton of choices if you include vintage, etc.

 

996tt
Maserati gransport
1st Gen rx7
BMW m coupe (both the z3 and the z4)

You can pick up a nice z4m coupe for mid 20s, and a nicely modded one for 30ish. Super fun and engaging cars, and fairly rare to boot.

 

With the 996, IMO is the most value, reliability and fun for the buck. There is the IMS issue which can be entirely solved for around $2k or less if the issue has not already been addressed by the current owner. Never owned BMW so no idea of the curveballs with m3s.

 

Lotus Elise would be my pick - great drivers car!!

 

2006' C6 Z06 or if you want to spend less, buy a 2005' or 2006" base C6 between $20K - $25K.

 

Jag XK or XKR

/thread

 

Too many variables...

But with price already set, and adding location (FL for example), I say a late model Camaro Convertible. Personally, I prefer the front end from a few years ago.
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Anything fun for $30k?

E39 M5 or 1st gen CTS-V
Porsche Boxster or 996 911 (and some older 911s)
Loads of C5 Corvettes or a higher mileage C6
Tons of WRXs or STi Subies or Evos
Loads of Mustangs, the most interesting to me would be the new 5.0s or the 03/04 Cobra
Loads of Camaros/Firebirds/GTOs if muscle is your thing
SVT Lightning always looked fun to me
A sick part of me wants a GMC Typhoon or Syclone
I'm sure there are more good options I havent thought of

 

Not to my knowledge unless you make your own with a swap.

Jaguar Specialties

 

I tend to agree. expand your search to include one of the sexiest (gt) cars on the road and you may get to a flawless example of a 2007-09 xk (r) coupe or convert.

lovely to drive and look at.

 

no but the zf box in paddle mode is pretty darn good and even engaging.

 

Nick won't buy a non-manual "for fun" car

I back him 100% on this.

Dude, just wait two more years and you can buy the Vantage V8 you want.

 

Lots of good options already listed. I would add:

Aston Martin DB7
Maserati Spyder

Both are underloved exotics that may have future upside potential. Maintenance is not cheap like the domestic V8 cars offer, but rarer and more satisfying IMHO

 

Bought new for $35k and it'll melt the tires all day.






Mark
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Except when you park in a lot, it's hard to find among the 85 others ;-). Just buy an S2000 or the 1st Gen Miata (plenty left for mods and it will be more than enough).

 

Great pick . I had one and I loved it.

Best

Lee