I think my blue NB Miata LS with ALL of the Nardi goodies would fit the bill. New and very nice Continental summer tires, nice sound system, and in very good mechanical shape. Ready to sell as soon as I replace a window regulator and get new spark plugs. It’s got some mileage at 134k, but the first owner maintained it very well and daily drove it to his job as an engineer. I’d sell it for $8500 OBO.
If that weren’t on C&B I’d almost say it goes for way more than 10k...but when that site started, there were a slew of sub-40k 997s so I don’t know that the sale values there track w the real world
It has a small dent on the hood where the previous owner’s daughter bumped a Jeep door into the hood. Otherwise it’s more or less perfect. It needs to go soon so I can get an E class or A6 or what have you.
One of those things where I *can* spend more if needed, I would just rather not. Trying to abide by a loose budget I'm allowing myself for fun as a reward for working 60-70 hours per week, every week since March.
My (anecdotal) experience is they are easily tunable, generally reliable, and fun to drive.
Seen a few at the track and a coworker has one with a larger turbo he’s been beating on at the track and strip for years. Looks like shit but mechanicals strong.
They were made like kit cars out of the GM parts bin, and boy, did it show. I knew several people who campaigned both the Z0K base and GXP models in SCCA national AX, and they broke every weekend. I had the door handle of one come off in my hand at the Peru tour once when I was codriving one---had to Bo Duke it in and out of the car the rest of the weekend.
Whenever I see a What Should I Buy thread, I generally refer those people to an ad for an LS4 swapped New Beetle that was for sale for a while.
I might have suggested a Solistice or Sky, but I can't seem to find one worth buying near 10k. Edit there are some GXPs out there in that range after all. I kinda want one.
"I have 10 ideas before lunch. Eight of them are bad." What I like about Lutz is that he's never taken himself too seriously.
I believe Lutz was channeling Henry Kaiser with the above quote. Kaiser said he had 99 new ideas an hour, all but one of them bad. Of course, if you can come up with 8 good ideas in a working day, you're probably ahead of the game.
"Guts", "Car Guys vs Bean Counters" and "Icons and Idiots" will be the first required reading for my kids when they are old enough to read and understand. 1 chapter at night then they can play Halo or Minecraft for an hour.
The world/industry will be worse off when he's gone
I sold a 2004 Pontiac GTO with 134xxx miles in 2017, but if a clean 2005-2006 one can be found it splits the corvette and the mustang and doesn't have any of either's shortcomings.
I second the bike, but suggest you go as small as you can go and while staying sporty. I'd probably choose one of the motards, a KTM Duke, a Suzuki DRZ400 or a TW200 Yamaha modded with street tires like the Japanese kids used to do. None of these are hyperbike fast but none of them are total slouches either - although I would keep the TW on the backroads and off the freeway.
Take the money you save and buy great gear and maybe a life insurance policy.
Third vote for motorcycle. Live near twisty roads, just a fair weather use/fun thing? No brainer. For well under HALF the $10k budget you can get into all sorts of crazy fun stuff, although if you're a total novice, staying well under the 100hp mark and under the 500lb curb weight mark is advisable. If you're 5'10" or below, a 83-86 Honda Nighthawk CB650SC. $2000-2500 low maintenance bike that you won't "outgrow" any time soon. Others that come to mind are Suzuki GS500E, Kawasaki Ninja EX250 or EX500, Yamaha XJ600 Seca II. Kawasaki KLR650 or Suzuki DR650 are great dual sport/utility bikes and you might open up the world of gravel forest road riding that you never knew you were missing, while still being very satisfying on paved twisty stuff even (especially) on knobby tires.
+1 on the EX500. I've got a good friend who has ridden for decades and spent quite a long time racing. before leaving street bikes for dirt, he was evangelical about small Japanese motorcycles, in particular the EX500. He routinely spanked guys on more sporting machines through skill, late braking, and the ease with which he could throw the EX into corners.
I'd also suggest a Suzuki SV650 because V-twin. :-)
another vote for a motorcycle because nothing else comes close to the dollar to smile ratio - though I lean the other way and suggest a sport-tourer for the comfort and the ability to quickly and easily cover long distances for a weekend or three-day ride.
I never waste an opportunity to extol the many virtues of the Honda VFR800 - fast enough, excellent handling, and all-day comfortable provided you put a good seat on it and, if you're older or not terribly long in the torso, a set of Heli-Bars. I have a fifth-gen (pre-VTEC) which I bought a couple of years after selling my 6th-gen 25th anniversary model. I prefer the fifth-gen because to my mind it leans more toward the "sport" side of the sport-touring equation and has a better engine than the VTEC in the sixth-gen, which favors the "touring" side.
Invest in all the right gear and use the money you'll save on maintaining a car to, over time, upgrade the shock and fork internals and add high-mount exhaust to provide a clear view of that glorious single-sided swingarm. :-)
The big sport tourers are wonderful bikes, but I suggested small since he is new to bikes and has said he is looking for something to use close to home. Once you start getting into 800cc plus sport tourers you are crossing a threshold for most people and I think the truth is that most newer riders really won't use those capabilities unless they already come to riding with the idea that they want to tour.
For an experienced rider looking to get out of bikes with seating positions that put your ass higher than your elbows, tourers make good sense.
excellent points; I failed to consider experience level. you are right - smaller is better for a newcomer. another reader offered some excellent suggestions in that vein as well.
A thought or two on the C4. As a tall guy, at a hair under 6’4, it actually, and surprisingly, is the only hardtop Corvette that I comfortably fit in. C3? Let’s not go there, though I own one, shared with a friend. C5? Head hit the b pillar/hoop thing. C6? Knees dug into dashboard. C7? Worst of all. Just didn’t fit in any way.
If you can scrape up enough scratch for a C4 from the final years, the ride gets better and the squeaks get less. It turns into a pretty nice back road cruiser. Though I wonder how that (flexy) chassis would have felt with tires in the 225/60 range.
Jack, I’d love to hear your thoughts on why there are so few cars that accommodate tall drivers nowadays. First and second gen CRX’s were great. I could barely reach the pedals with the seat all the way back. My W116 Benz let me put the seat all the way back against the back seat. No one could sit behind me, but I would fit! Actually, I couldn’t drive it with the seat all the way back - couldn’t operate the pedals. My daily driver ended up being a 2019 Bullitt, as it was one of the very few cars that had a manual, and decent legroom and headroom. Damn few cars that will give me that.
You don't have to be unusually tall to have problems. Even a slightly long torso makes the roof in most cars uncomfortably close. The seats don't adjust low enough.
I'm only 6' but I'm annoyed by a lack of headroom in most sedans/coupes.
I hear ya. I had a Challenger before the Bullitt, and I had to search for a very rare solid roof car, as the sunroof cut out incredible amounts of headroom. It’s beyond me how Chrysler could make a car so big on the outside so small on the inside.
Most 4 doors are unusable for me, as when I put the seat far enough back to fit, my head ends up right beside the stupidly wide, airbag equipped B pillar. Yeah, but who needs to see what’s happening beside you.
I'm fully on board the NC is best miata train. Fits tall people the best, is slow but not the 'is something broken' slow that the NA/NB are, and is so much cheaper than NDs. I spent several years trying to beat STR NDs in one and while the ND was no question faster, the NC always was more fun to drive.
I'd fully intended to get one as a cheap fun car but then used car prices happened.
Funny enough, a sweet looking 2006 NC popped up right down the road from me. Going to look at it on Saturday. I've heard they are practically bulletproof, I'm 5'11 175 so I have no reservations about fitting in them, and obviously their reputation is at stalwart as it comes.
I am partial to Mustangs and Vettes because I am, at heart, a muscle car guy that likes loud shouty V8s and is nothing close to good enough a driver for eeking out that extra tenth to matter at all.
But then again, I've never owned something actually light and nimble. Worthwhile to check it out at least for sure!
No shame in that. I love riding bikes, but I've gotten a little too used to people just merging into my lane when I'm riding. Lots of ways to die a horrible death, not least of which is me just plain running out of skill.
You can get past that. Better than getting wadded up in some little two seater.
On two wheels your best defense is a good offense - stay on the gas and maintain the initiative - and have enough power left over to squirt out of harm's way. Also, I learned in Japan that I can get a bike through damn near any gap I see. If my life is in danger I have no issues putting it between two cars, onto the sidewalk or even up the middle in the slot between my lane and oncoming traffic.
I am a short time rider and I've had enough people pull in front of me (including from an oncoming lane) that I blame absolutely no one if they choose not to ride.
It isn't a slight risk increase: it's enormous.
I pulled a brief and low stoppie my first day riding down to work because someone decided to cross the road I was on as a semi-truck and trailer blocked his view. I saw his tires start rolling underneath and moved to the brakes. He never so much as turned his head to look in either direction as I one wheeled at his passenger door (scrubbed enough speed to go around his back end when I came off the front some). The only reason I didn't plow into this car (aside from awareness) is because I had it hammered in my head that people don't know how to slow a motorcycle so you best get good at it.
If you go the light and nimble route you can get a really cheap and reliable older econobox and have tons of money to dump into brakes, suspension, and tires with some left over for the drivetrain. And if you do a trackday it won't break your wallet if someone puts you in a wall. Frankly I am shocked Jack didn't got with his usual recommendation of the glory that is the Plymouth Neon.
I have Nassau Blue C4, there are definitely fun things about it. I like driving it with the targa top off even though it makes the car feel less tight. Servicing can be an issue as the dealers don’t want to or are not capable of working on them so you’d want to be in reasonable proximity of a specialist. There’s a good C4 buyer’s guide book that gives the ins and outs, things to be aware of…worth studying before shopping. I hope Jack is right about resale value!
FWIW I had just as much fun in my ‘97 NA8 Miata as my 2017 GT350 (and I owned them at the same time). There’s a lot to be said for the light and nimble driving experience. Check out the YouTube video of Koenigsegegsgegsgedsgegs’s test driver driving his NC on the Nurburgring . Will probably sway you to a yes. I’d highly recommend you either find one with an LSD or put an LSD in the one you find. Really improves the driving experience imo
I was in a similar spot about a year ago. Seeing KORs other comments (he's partial to a V8) - might I suggest some German sausage?
With a budget of $10k - I ended up in a 2010 E550 Coupe. NA 5.5L V8, RWD. No stick though! A quick tune on 93 gas got it to 400hp/400tq.
But my requirements were a little different (room for passengers) and I wanted something that would be fun on weekend blasts as well on the commute to work.
I had a "peppy" stick shift convertible prior to the Mercedes (in a Saab 9-3, again passengers, I did test drive Miatas). I found it perfect when the weather was just right (I burn easy) and I wasn't stuck in traffic. Which is to say, it saw under 2k miles per year, and mostly sat.
So I decided for a V8 hardtop coupe, and I'm glad I did. I drive this car a lot more - and while a droptop stick on an autumn day is pretty "awesome" - I'll take more "great" drives over a handful of "awesome" ones. The extra power is pretty nice as well.
I looked at the following:
- Mustangs / Camaros / Challengers
- Jaaaaaag XKs
- BMW 1-series
- CTS Coupes
The Benz came outta left field. Didn't even know they made an E-Class coupe. It was the most comfortable, newest, (and oddly cheapest) outta the group. Had some decent features, and from what I can tell, is pretty reliable / sorted.
I think the early NA 2010-2012 E550s don't get much love and as a result prices are reasonable-ish.
Mine had 88k on it and was $9500 via a private sale.
I actually love the German muscle cars quite a bit. I am not quite the glutton for punishment that their repair bills would force me to be, nor do I really want another automatic. The Volvo does the luxury, highway cruiser thing pretty damn well. The Benz, while admittedly much cooler and better sounding, would be a bit redundant.
I have put entirely too much thought into a Jaaaaaag XK though. The coupes especially are incredibly pretty cars. I’ve never driven one and couldn’t speak to the ownership experience however.
An MB with a coil suspension and an engine that's been in production for over 10 years has paid dividends to reliability, a good Indy has been helpful for reasonable costs when needed.
The right German car, out of warranty, doesn't have to be a punishment of repairs.
That said... the Jag. I've wanted one of those XKs since I was like 15. I test drove a 2004 XKR. Ya know what they say about meeting your hero? They still look amazing, but everything else about them is luke warm at best. The chassis is warmed over from the 80s and flexes even more than my 9-3 Saab Convertible did - it's crammed - and the interior is so-so. Performance in the XKR was good though, but middling in the XK8. And reliability / repair costs - don't get started there!
Whatever you decide, spend some time lurking in Facebook groups / forums. You'll get a good idea of the car from owners. On the Jag the internet loves to talk about the Nikasil cylinder lining, but it's not much of an issue now. Later XKs aren't a lucas electronics mess. The convertible is prone to green showers from the hydraulic hoses. Overall they just don't seem terribly durable - but they aren't unreliable either (if taken care of). If not, the "lifetime" transmission goes well before 100k.
The nice thing about XKs is that they seem to be favored by the retired crowd, and most are creampuffs w/no rust and low miles. It's another "less loved" car and certainly could be had for under 10k for a non-XKR.
Me and the wife were in a similar situation a few years ago. We wanted a sporty coupe. I wanted a Mustang, she wanted a Challenger. Looked at all the usual suspects, European and Asian. Then we saw a CTS coupe at the local Ford dealer and were sold. I still get a thrill when I see it sitting in the parking lot. Doesn't look great in pictures, but in person it's just a stunning looking car. Granted some people are very put off by the styling. The Bose stereo is still outstanding, and the interior is a very nice place to be.
It's the only vehicle I have ever owned (most were shitboxes) that I haven't confirmed top speed. Got to 140 once and chickened out. I really wanted a V, but they are twice as expensive.
I owned a second-gen CTS with a stick shift for a brief, wonderful moment in time before someone decided to smash their Kia Soul into it. I would absolutely buy one -- has to be manual for novelty factor -- again in a heartbeat. Loved that thing enough that I was planning on selling my other car at the time and doing a little restomodding before it was torn asunder.
I'd vote NA (or the NB posted below), for the feel of the MGB without the gremlins, or an ND if you'd be willing to stretch the budget. The cost difference is worthwhile given the current values of decent NAs. The NA is much more fun to thrash, though.
I'd suggest a 1st gen Mister 2, but they're creeping up there.
Or “too much of nothing” a Bob Dylan and The Band reference…
Just a quick one, while everyone's away.
Tell me about the bicycle in the background. please
If you’re not worried about impressing people or a junkie interior an old F body with a little bit of work is pretty great on a twisty road
It is a 2017 Haro Master 24" reissue. I have four of the 2017 reissues: the green Master in both wheel sizes, the red 20" FST, and a blue 20" Sport.
I think my blue NB Miata LS with ALL of the Nardi goodies would fit the bill. New and very nice Continental summer tires, nice sound system, and in very good mechanical shape. Ready to sell as soon as I replace a window regulator and get new spark plugs. It’s got some mileage at 134k, but the first owner maintained it very well and daily drove it to his job as an engineer. I’d sell it for $8500 OBO.
Hmm without prying too much, what state would that car happen to reside in?
West Virginia but right along the Ohio border
@KoR - https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rjYJv2YK/2001-mazda-mx-5-miata
Came across my feed this morning.
If that weren’t on C&B I’d almost say it goes for way more than 10k...but when that site started, there were a slew of sub-40k 997s so I don’t know that the sale values there track w the real world
if I wasn't on the opposite coast I would be VERY tempted by that car...
It has a small dent on the hood where the previous owner’s daughter bumped a Jeep door into the hood. Otherwise it’s more or less perfect. It needs to go soon so I can get an E class or A6 or what have you.
People who ask “what xxxx should I buy” seem to already know the answer and want validation of that choice.
Jack’s opinion is worth reading, but a second, third, or fourth car does not have to be rational.
KoR should buy something that is beautiful and special to him within reason (a 6 owner 170,000 mile Maserati Quattroporte is probably off the table).
Indeed. Despite my recommendation below I think what he should really do is stretch for a cosmetically impaired but mechanically sound C5
Don't be so quick to take the Quattroporte off the table, what color is it and how does it run?......
Sky/Solstice, Z3, TY, E30.
If you can scrape up another $5k your options get much better (e.g. E36 M3, etc.)
Agree with Jack on the motorcycle. Best fun/$.
One of those things where I *can* spend more if needed, I would just rather not. Trying to abide by a loose budget I'm allowing myself for fun as a reward for working 60-70 hours per week, every week since March.
Nice! Hurry up and buy something before you (or someone else) change your mind and regret it later.
That’s the idea! I’ve been talking myself out of it for a while. But, ultimately, I’m young, money isn’t real, who cares, etc.
Solsky is a raging piece of shit.
My (anecdotal) experience is they are easily tunable, generally reliable, and fun to drive.
Seen a few at the track and a coworker has one with a larger turbo he’s been beating on at the track and strip for years. Looks like shit but mechanicals strong.
They were made like kit cars out of the GM parts bin, and boy, did it show. I knew several people who campaigned both the Z0K base and GXP models in SCCA national AX, and they broke every weekend. I had the door handle of one come off in my hand at the Peru tour once when I was codriving one---had to Bo Duke it in and out of the car the rest of the weekend.
It should have been great. It was not.
Whenever I see a What Should I Buy thread, I generally refer those people to an ad for an LS4 swapped New Beetle that was for sale for a while.
I might have suggested a Solistice or Sky, but I can't seem to find one worth buying near 10k. Edit there are some GXPs out there in that range after all. I kinda want one.
Your beginning reminds be of someone's email signature from a person we both admire - "Often wrong, Seldom in Doubt". Max Bob
"I have 10 ideas before lunch. Eight of them are bad." What I like about Lutz is that he's never taken himself too seriously.
I believe Lutz was channeling Henry Kaiser with the above quote. Kaiser said he had 99 new ideas an hour, all but one of them bad. Of course, if you can come up with 8 good ideas in a working day, you're probably ahead of the game.
"Guts", "Car Guys vs Bean Counters" and "Icons and Idiots" will be the first required reading for my kids when they are old enough to read and understand. 1 chapter at night then they can play Halo or Minecraft for an hour.
The world/industry will be worse off when he's gone
I sold a 2004 Pontiac GTO with 134xxx miles in 2017, but if a clean 2005-2006 one can be found it splits the corvette and the mustang and doesn't have any of either's shortcomings.
I second the bike, but suggest you go as small as you can go and while staying sporty. I'd probably choose one of the motards, a KTM Duke, a Suzuki DRZ400 or a TW200 Yamaha modded with street tires like the Japanese kids used to do. None of these are hyperbike fast but none of them are total slouches either - although I would keep the TW on the backroads and off the freeway.
Take the money you save and buy great gear and maybe a life insurance policy.
Third vote for motorcycle. Live near twisty roads, just a fair weather use/fun thing? No brainer. For well under HALF the $10k budget you can get into all sorts of crazy fun stuff, although if you're a total novice, staying well under the 100hp mark and under the 500lb curb weight mark is advisable. If you're 5'10" or below, a 83-86 Honda Nighthawk CB650SC. $2000-2500 low maintenance bike that you won't "outgrow" any time soon. Others that come to mind are Suzuki GS500E, Kawasaki Ninja EX250 or EX500, Yamaha XJ600 Seca II. Kawasaki KLR650 or Suzuki DR650 are great dual sport/utility bikes and you might open up the world of gravel forest road riding that you never knew you were missing, while still being very satisfying on paved twisty stuff even (especially) on knobby tires.
+1 on the EX500. I've got a good friend who has ridden for decades and spent quite a long time racing. before leaving street bikes for dirt, he was evangelical about small Japanese motorcycles, in particular the EX500. He routinely spanked guys on more sporting machines through skill, late braking, and the ease with which he could throw the EX into corners.
I'd also suggest a Suzuki SV650 because V-twin. :-)
another vote for a motorcycle because nothing else comes close to the dollar to smile ratio - though I lean the other way and suggest a sport-tourer for the comfort and the ability to quickly and easily cover long distances for a weekend or three-day ride.
I never waste an opportunity to extol the many virtues of the Honda VFR800 - fast enough, excellent handling, and all-day comfortable provided you put a good seat on it and, if you're older or not terribly long in the torso, a set of Heli-Bars. I have a fifth-gen (pre-VTEC) which I bought a couple of years after selling my 6th-gen 25th anniversary model. I prefer the fifth-gen because to my mind it leans more toward the "sport" side of the sport-touring equation and has a better engine than the VTEC in the sixth-gen, which favors the "touring" side.
Invest in all the right gear and use the money you'll save on maintaining a car to, over time, upgrade the shock and fork internals and add high-mount exhaust to provide a clear view of that glorious single-sided swingarm. :-)
The big sport tourers are wonderful bikes, but I suggested small since he is new to bikes and has said he is looking for something to use close to home. Once you start getting into 800cc plus sport tourers you are crossing a threshold for most people and I think the truth is that most newer riders really won't use those capabilities unless they already come to riding with the idea that they want to tour.
For an experienced rider looking to get out of bikes with seating positions that put your ass higher than your elbows, tourers make good sense.
excellent points; I failed to consider experience level. you are right - smaller is better for a newcomer. another reader offered some excellent suggestions in that vein as well.
A thought or two on the C4. As a tall guy, at a hair under 6’4, it actually, and surprisingly, is the only hardtop Corvette that I comfortably fit in. C3? Let’s not go there, though I own one, shared with a friend. C5? Head hit the b pillar/hoop thing. C6? Knees dug into dashboard. C7? Worst of all. Just didn’t fit in any way.
If you can scrape up enough scratch for a C4 from the final years, the ride gets better and the squeaks get less. It turns into a pretty nice back road cruiser. Though I wonder how that (flexy) chassis would have felt with tires in the 225/60 range.
Jack, I’d love to hear your thoughts on why there are so few cars that accommodate tall drivers nowadays. First and second gen CRX’s were great. I could barely reach the pedals with the seat all the way back. My W116 Benz let me put the seat all the way back against the back seat. No one could sit behind me, but I would fit! Actually, I couldn’t drive it with the seat all the way back - couldn’t operate the pedals. My daily driver ended up being a 2019 Bullitt, as it was one of the very few cars that had a manual, and decent legroom and headroom. Damn few cars that will give me that.
You don't have to be unusually tall to have problems. Even a slightly long torso makes the roof in most cars uncomfortably close. The seats don't adjust low enough.
I'm only 6' but I'm annoyed by a lack of headroom in most sedans/coupes.
I hear ya. I had a Challenger before the Bullitt, and I had to search for a very rare solid roof car, as the sunroof cut out incredible amounts of headroom. It’s beyond me how Chrysler could make a car so big on the outside so small on the inside.
Most 4 doors are unusable for me, as when I put the seat far enough back to fit, my head ends up right beside the stupidly wide, airbag equipped B pillar. Yeah, but who needs to see what’s happening beside you.
Miata Is Always The Answer
i don't know sh*t. i just always wanted to write that.
ah, but you do know shit because Miata IS Always The Answer.
I'm fully on board the NC is best miata train. Fits tall people the best, is slow but not the 'is something broken' slow that the NA/NB are, and is so much cheaper than NDs. I spent several years trying to beat STR NDs in one and while the ND was no question faster, the NC always was more fun to drive.
I'd fully intended to get one as a cheap fun car but then used car prices happened.
Saying no to a bike only
Funny enough, a sweet looking 2006 NC popped up right down the road from me. Going to look at it on Saturday. I've heard they are practically bulletproof, I'm 5'11 175 so I have no reservations about fitting in them, and obviously their reputation is at stalwart as it comes.
I am partial to Mustangs and Vettes because I am, at heart, a muscle car guy that likes loud shouty V8s and is nothing close to good enough a driver for eeking out that extra tenth to matter at all.
But then again, I've never owned something actually light and nimble. Worthwhile to check it out at least for sure!
Saying no to a bike only because I'm a bit too much of a coward, that is.
No shame in that. I love riding bikes, but I've gotten a little too used to people just merging into my lane when I'm riding. Lots of ways to die a horrible death, not least of which is me just plain running out of skill.
You can get past that. Better than getting wadded up in some little two seater.
On two wheels your best defense is a good offense - stay on the gas and maintain the initiative - and have enough power left over to squirt out of harm's way. Also, I learned in Japan that I can get a bike through damn near any gap I see. If my life is in danger I have no issues putting it between two cars, onto the sidewalk or even up the middle in the slot between my lane and oncoming traffic.
Not sure I could do that in a Miata.
I am a short time rider and I've had enough people pull in front of me (including from an oncoming lane) that I blame absolutely no one if they choose not to ride.
It isn't a slight risk increase: it's enormous.
I pulled a brief and low stoppie my first day riding down to work because someone decided to cross the road I was on as a semi-truck and trailer blocked his view. I saw his tires start rolling underneath and moved to the brakes. He never so much as turned his head to look in either direction as I one wheeled at his passenger door (scrubbed enough speed to go around his back end when I came off the front some). The only reason I didn't plow into this car (aside from awareness) is because I had it hammered in my head that people don't know how to slow a motorcycle so you best get good at it.
If you go the light and nimble route you can get a really cheap and reliable older econobox and have tons of money to dump into brakes, suspension, and tires with some left over for the drivetrain. And if you do a trackday it won't break your wallet if someone puts you in a wall. Frankly I am shocked Jack didn't got with his usual recommendation of the glory that is the Plymouth Neon.
he probably didn't mention the Neon because he wants to ensure he can snap up any remaining runners that come up for sale...
I have Nassau Blue C4, there are definitely fun things about it. I like driving it with the targa top off even though it makes the car feel less tight. Servicing can be an issue as the dealers don’t want to or are not capable of working on them so you’d want to be in reasonable proximity of a specialist. There’s a good C4 buyer’s guide book that gives the ins and outs, things to be aware of…worth studying before shopping. I hope Jack is right about resale value!
FWIW I had just as much fun in my ‘97 NA8 Miata as my 2017 GT350 (and I owned them at the same time). There’s a lot to be said for the light and nimble driving experience. Check out the YouTube video of Koenigsegegsgegsgedsgegs’s test driver driving his NC on the Nurburgring . Will probably sway you to a yes. I’d highly recommend you either find one with an LSD or put an LSD in the one you find. Really improves the driving experience imo
I was in a similar spot about a year ago. Seeing KORs other comments (he's partial to a V8) - might I suggest some German sausage?
With a budget of $10k - I ended up in a 2010 E550 Coupe. NA 5.5L V8, RWD. No stick though! A quick tune on 93 gas got it to 400hp/400tq.
But my requirements were a little different (room for passengers) and I wanted something that would be fun on weekend blasts as well on the commute to work.
I had a "peppy" stick shift convertible prior to the Mercedes (in a Saab 9-3, again passengers, I did test drive Miatas). I found it perfect when the weather was just right (I burn easy) and I wasn't stuck in traffic. Which is to say, it saw under 2k miles per year, and mostly sat.
So I decided for a V8 hardtop coupe, and I'm glad I did. I drive this car a lot more - and while a droptop stick on an autumn day is pretty "awesome" - I'll take more "great" drives over a handful of "awesome" ones. The extra power is pretty nice as well.
I looked at the following:
- Mustangs / Camaros / Challengers
- Jaaaaaag XKs
- BMW 1-series
- CTS Coupes
The Benz came outta left field. Didn't even know they made an E-Class coupe. It was the most comfortable, newest, (and oddly cheapest) outta the group. Had some decent features, and from what I can tell, is pretty reliable / sorted.
I think the early NA 2010-2012 E550s don't get much love and as a result prices are reasonable-ish.
Mine had 88k on it and was $9500 via a private sale.
I actually love the German muscle cars quite a bit. I am not quite the glutton for punishment that their repair bills would force me to be, nor do I really want another automatic. The Volvo does the luxury, highway cruiser thing pretty damn well. The Benz, while admittedly much cooler and better sounding, would be a bit redundant.
I have put entirely too much thought into a Jaaaaaag XK though. The coupes especially are incredibly pretty cars. I’ve never driven one and couldn’t speak to the ownership experience however.
An MB with a coil suspension and an engine that's been in production for over 10 years has paid dividends to reliability, a good Indy has been helpful for reasonable costs when needed.
The right German car, out of warranty, doesn't have to be a punishment of repairs.
That said... the Jag. I've wanted one of those XKs since I was like 15. I test drove a 2004 XKR. Ya know what they say about meeting your hero? They still look amazing, but everything else about them is luke warm at best. The chassis is warmed over from the 80s and flexes even more than my 9-3 Saab Convertible did - it's crammed - and the interior is so-so. Performance in the XKR was good though, but middling in the XK8. And reliability / repair costs - don't get started there!
Whatever you decide, spend some time lurking in Facebook groups / forums. You'll get a good idea of the car from owners. On the Jag the internet loves to talk about the Nikasil cylinder lining, but it's not much of an issue now. Later XKs aren't a lucas electronics mess. The convertible is prone to green showers from the hydraulic hoses. Overall they just don't seem terribly durable - but they aren't unreliable either (if taken care of). If not, the "lifetime" transmission goes well before 100k.
The nice thing about XKs is that they seem to be favored by the retired crowd, and most are creampuffs w/no rust and low miles. It's another "less loved" car and certainly could be had for under 10k for a non-XKR.
Me and the wife were in a similar situation a few years ago. We wanted a sporty coupe. I wanted a Mustang, she wanted a Challenger. Looked at all the usual suspects, European and Asian. Then we saw a CTS coupe at the local Ford dealer and were sold. I still get a thrill when I see it sitting in the parking lot. Doesn't look great in pictures, but in person it's just a stunning looking car. Granted some people are very put off by the styling. The Bose stereo is still outstanding, and the interior is a very nice place to be.
It's the only vehicle I have ever owned (most were shitboxes) that I haven't confirmed top speed. Got to 140 once and chickened out. I really wanted a V, but they are twice as expensive.
I owned a second-gen CTS with a stick shift for a brief, wonderful moment in time before someone decided to smash their Kia Soul into it. I would absolutely buy one -- has to be manual for novelty factor -- again in a heartbeat. Loved that thing enough that I was planning on selling my other car at the time and doing a little restomodding before it was torn asunder.
Faced with a similar pocket fire, I picked up a clean, high-ish miles e36 M3. Unfortunately It seems like last year’s $10k is now $15k.
I don’t think these exist anymore. Even branded title high mileage runners seem to be over 10k now.
I'd vote NA (or the NB posted below), for the feel of the MGB without the gremlins, or an ND if you'd be willing to stretch the budget. The cost difference is worthwhile given the current values of decent NAs. The NA is much more fun to thrash, though.
I'd suggest a 1st gen Mister 2, but they're creeping up there.