Best sports cars for $30k

I own one

Buy one, you wont regret it !

 

They are getting there. I believe this one just sold:

2007 Aston Martin Vantage Base Hatchback 2-Door | eBay

 

I would really like to drive one of these.

 

Man, thats a bad ass car.

 

You could always pick up this bad boy:

2006 Z4M Coupe SilverGray/Red---fantastic shape --trades considered

 

Maserati GranSport Spyder. They only made 472 of them total.

In fact 4200 Spyders are rarer than 360 and 430 Spyders. The rarest is the 6 speed GT manual with only 574 built!!

 

Maserati GranSport. A true exotic.
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You would want the manual IMHO. I've seen good ones for low to mid $20s. Service is nosebleed expensive though...

 

A gran sport looks like a lot of great car for the doh. I drove one with an automatic and didn't like it much. With a manual I'm sure it's great.

 

This is an important distinction. If the OP is looking to spend $30k on a toy but not a lot more on maintenance and upkeep, a late model Mustang, or Camaro or something newish in that vein might fit the bill. If upkeep cost is no object, then a Jag or Maserati makes more sense.

 

Tons of options out there. A few that haven't been mentioned already.

1st Gen Viper (I think 2nd gen are over $30K)
Lotus Esprit
M Roadster/coupe
Mustang Boss 302

 

1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S or 1989 944 Turbo would be my choice. These cars are becoming collectible as evidenced by the '88 Turbo S in the upcoming Amelia Island sale (est 40-50k). Also, the best balance of performance, economy, reliability that I know of. Superbly balanced cars.

 

Came here to post Honda S2000 as well.......

 

2006-07 Cayman S

 

High mileage 996TT or gen2 Viper

 

It would be nice to find a car with lower maintenance demands. But it's not all that important. I like working on cars so it's not too big of a deal. I'd prefer to have a car that's more seldomly seen and uncommon. Usually those cars have higher bills attached to them. That makes an Elise pretty great. Finding one with a Toyota drivetrain ( damn that sounds terrible) but in a cool looking and driving car makes them almost ideal on paper. I'd really like to drive one.

 

They are great cars! I had one for ten years (daily driver for 7 of them) and the biggest expense was R compound tires - but they were worth every cent!!! I only sold it because I wasn't driving it at all. I should have just kept it - I'll get another one in a year or so.

All Elises in the US are Toyota powered so no risk there when you are looking. Have a browse on LotusTalk.com or read through the comments in the British section here.

 

+111

 

Surprised no one has mentioned Nissan 350/370Z


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The GranSport came only with the F1. Somewhat similar but not the same car as a 4200.

Scott

 

Cayman 09 or newer. Would avoid 06-08 unless the engine has been addressed-oil starvation on turn 1 a Mid-Ohio and my 06 engine was in 3 pieces.

Vette
S2000
Scoobies
996 non turbo but watch for engine issues in addition to IMS
Good luck finding a 996 tt
If lucky, might find a salvage title NSX.
Lotus Elise
E46 M3
Miata

 

Just picked this little beauty up (my first Porsche!)
997 C2 (2005)
43K miles
Less than $30K

I love the "class" of under $30-40K awesome cars. Next up for me, in no particular order, are hopefully 500 Abarth, Elise, ND Miata, and Aston Vantage (hence the necessary stretch to 40K). S2000 and E46 would be fun too. Jag XK also in this range, but not sure if may R's are dipping that low yet? Later model XKR is a very nice ride.
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That is a damn good price for a 997. Congrats!

 

It's not a sportscar, that's why. It's built off the murano platform and drives like a truck compared to its two closest price rivals, S2000 and RX-8.

 

Very nice. Congrats.