What would you buy for $25,000.00?

Alfa Spider, and spruce it up a bit.

 

Pbug 996 coupe.
Corvette C5


If you want an exotic, look at the Lotus Esprit, but your maintenance might be a problem


Thinking outside the box, a Turbo Lancia Scorpion would run hard, ditto a turbo Fiat X1/9

edit: I've seen Jaguar XK8 coupes and verts cheap around here. Maybe something to think about?

 

Porsche 993 C2 coupe - very good car, maintenance isn't cheap but nowhere close to Ferrari-land. For $25K, you're looking at a car with some miles on it. But that's OK. I can't stand the 996s, but you could get a newer car for the same money.

Lotus Elise, used, is a fabulous car if you have something else to drive as a daily. Those get some respect because it's a hardcore driver's car. Toyota engine should hold up well, but with British assembly plan on more service visits than you'd have with a Toyota engine in a Toyota.

 

Good question.

First, it seems you've never owned a Ferrari (from what your profile says). So, you might be overstating the actual costs of keeping one on the road. I had this exact same concern until I bought my first one which was a 1988 328 GTS.

You would not believe how low the costs were when I owned that car for 2 years about 5 years ago. I prepared myself for $5k - $10k in ongoing costs but ended up only doing oil changes and I put a new battery in it. I think my total maintenance costs for 2 years was under $500! YMMV.

If you buy a 328 GTS that has service records, has just had the major engine work done to it, and everything checks out in a PPI, you are very likely to have a great Ferrari ownership experience. Plus, if you buy the car halfway between top retail price and trade-in wholesale price, you could probably keep the car for 3 years and possibly make a little money on it.

5 years ago, my 328 cost around $45k. Now the same car, in similar condition, goes for about $55k.

Give some thought to "taking the plunge" and buy yourself a 328. I like the 88 and 89 model years but the 86 and 87 ones are slightly cheaper in the marketplace and also have a great reputation for reliablility and holding their value. It will cost more than $25,000 but it will be worth it.

 

Mini cooper Maybe a WRX STI, though you could catch some flak for that one.

 

Porsche 993. Check out rennlist. Lots to choose from.


Darrell.

 

Porsche 993
Viper (early model w miles)
Lotus Espirt (maintenance may be brutal)

Havent seen an Elise under $30k that hasnt been run into the ground or that would be good.

 

good choices, I totally agree...

 

I would also thrown in a used honda s2000 or a used porche boxster

 

I agree with the 993, but you also might want to look at the 964 style of 911's (1989-90 to 1993-4?) and save some money. This was the first sports car I owned, 1991 C4 coupe, Red/Linen. I would own that car again today.

 

Boxster S or nicest 911 I could buy on that budget. 911 in that range would most likely be done depreciating, unless it's a 996. And a $25k 996 has a very good chance of being just as big a hassle as a Ferrari.

 

Maybe a support vehicle? With one of these they'll all want to buy you lunch, dinner, gas, etc for carrying their gear. Don't forget a couple of fire extinguishers for that rare and unthinkable moment. And a jumper cable for the embarrassing times as well.

Unfortunately the gas mileage is about on par with the group but on the plus side your fuel tank will have almost twice the capacity.

Excellent 2004 and 2005 EXTs can easily be had for $25K in most large metropolitan areas.

This one has a supercharger

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CADILLAC-ESCALADE-EXT-SUPERCHARGED-BLACK_W0QQitemZ160194867595QQihZ006QQcategoryZ6148QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
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1997 or 1996 BMW E31

 

Forget about a Lotus Esprit. Maintenance could make a 308/328 seem cheap.

 

Drive your 66' Mustang and enjoy the ride.

Save the 25K and add to it, till you've saved enough to afford what you want!

 

if you still want to go high end, i'd say a bentley turbo r...otherwise vette/mustang would be good.

 

lotus 7 replica

 

If your looking for style i think something like this should do good, but you may need to pay a bit extra for those 30" rimz.
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$25K, fun to drive, low-cost maintenance... maybe a second-hand Caterham Seven?

 

Try to find one off these for 25 000, if your ridin you'll be ridin in StYle
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Another voice for the 993 Porsche, though I would throw in that finding a very clean Mazda RX7 with service history could make a very interesting alternative. At least with either of these, you might keep up with the faster (better?) Ferrari drivers . . . after some practice.

If you want something a little rare, and Italian, try finding a late 1960s ALFA GTA coupe. Quite an interesting car, nice sound, and fairly nimble. A clean example, with some slight restoration/rebuild work would fit within your budget. Remember, even Enzo drove an ALFA at one point in his life.

Another interesting old car would be an early 1970s Porsche 911. You might be able to find a clean example, and convert it to more of an RS specification (or at least that look), and stay under your budget. Surprisingly fast cars, even compared to more modern cars, because they are quite light. You can see something like this idea here:

http://www.gordonmoat.com/automotive_10.html

Ciao!

Gordon Moat Photography
http://www.gordonmoat.com

 

Here's my suggestion, but you cannot be tall (you'll never fit):

mid-60's TVR Griffith.

A Lotus Elan of the same vintage would rock.
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Acura NSX manual transmission
Mini Cooper S JCW edition
BMW e24 M6

 

I'd have to agree w/ this.

For ~$25,000.00, you should be able to acquire a '91 NSX 5spd. w/ average to high(er) miles. No worries though, the NSX is engineered and built to be driven.

If it is up to date on it's maint'/service history (major service is the timing-belt/water-pump replacement which is part of the 6yr/90k service-interval), you won't have to worry about anything else. It is a very reliable, high-performance sportscar.

With modest weight-reduction (ie. remove engine-cover, spare-tire/bracket) and aftermarket air-induction scoop/filter + lightweight performance exhaust + stainless-steel headers (ala' I/H/E)... the performance is very comparable to a Ferrari 355.

And the best part? An early model-year NSX is pretty much done depreciating. You'll be more-or-less driving an exceptional sportscar for free if you decide to sell it down the road (for a Ferrari that you desire), you will get back more than likely what you initially paid for it!

Good-luck in your pursuit.