a recent (today) review of several on line resources for used cars reveals that a buyer with $5000-$6000 in his pocket might do pretty well in the sports car market. What do you think he/she should do?

 

I think you can figure how the voting will lean on this forum. I picked the car that won't rust away.

 

How about 2 Isuzu Impulse RS's for that? It will outrun the miata, toyota and porsche and outcorner the mustang while running almost as fast. If you are talking about the NA 300zx, it will run even and corner even with that car all while giving the driver all wheel drive..ahhhhh...of those cars listed though, definitely the 944 and maybe the Z...

 

I second the Impulse idea! Awesome in the corners, rare car.

 

All depends on the person, and what they want to do with it IMHO:

1996 Ford Mustang GT 75 k miles
Wants to visit the drag strip, street race, and do burnouts in the school parking lot. Could care less about cornering, except for an opportunity to swing the back end out, plus gives another chance to slam the gas after you come out of the corner so slow.

1990 Nissan 300 ZX 100K miles
Honestly haven't driven one, can't comment.

1990 Toyta Supra 100 k miles
For the person who wants a good amount of power (although a TT supra would be much better suited for that), but also loves to customize their car with all sorts of neon lights & EL wire.

1986 Porsche 944 100 k miles
For the person who is more concerned about quality than quantity. There are other options with more power, a few with more power, but none with the refinement. We all know all the other little perks of owning a Porsche, so I won't elaborate too much on this one.

1996 Mazda Miata 75 k miles
For either a female, or a guy very secure in his masculinity. Performs very well, has plenty of mods out there, but just doesn't have the refinement of the 944 (kinda 'cheep' feeling to it).

 

For $5k you get get the Mustang and mod the hell out of. I'm no fan of the car but serious hp can be had cheap. If you're not looking to roadrace (circuit) it may be the cheapest big fun on the list. Just look at all the inexpensive performance parts available. Just don't plan o keeping the body forever.

After that, I say the 944 and Miata.

 

I've driven a '94 Mustang GT quite a bit, the thing guzzles gas, has a cheap, loose, ugly interior and spins out in the slightest bit of rain. Not refined enough for me, and I'm not part of the huge Mustang following.
The 300ZX is pretty fast so I hear, especially the TT, but as far as I've heard it costs an arm and a leg to do the most basic maintenance.
Toyota Supra with 100k miles? I've never seen one with such low miles. And that doesn't have a rusted through underbody.
I do think that the Miata is a little too feminine for my tastes, the popup headlights look silly and oversized, and frankly I think they look boring and are a dime a dozen.
Looks like 944 takes it! Who would have thought?

 

Al let me race his 300ZX at a NASA AutoX.
He said other's with the same basic mods (intake, exhaust, chip) have been dynoed at 300+ hp.
He had Kuhmo racing slicks on.

I couldn't stand how the car handled, just like a front-wheel drive car.
Couldn't get the tail to push out, or even come around.
SOOOO much understeer
I did love the kick of the turbo in the back sweeper however, and I really did need to grab 3rd gear.

I chose the Miata because the recent discussion of tossability and the fun factor. Plus I love convertables (yet not all convertibles like the bug).
And if it's cheaper to maintain? Then def yes.
The only thing is, I only like the newer body styles, the old egg shape is formless and I don't find it attractive, especially next to a curvy sexy 944

-Chris

 

944 for $3k and a couple grand put into it is my vote.

I would have voted Mustang, except there was no fox body on the list. An 89 LX 5.0L would have done it for me. And for the record, they don't handle very badly. I used to have a '91 LX with a basic street/strip susp package (springs, bars and braces) and it was quite capable in the corners, as well as in a straight line. Steve Saleen made his name *road* racing, not drag racing. And nothing beats the feel of 300 lb/ft shoving you around. Except for maybe 500 lb/ft of course.

 

If we're talking just the entry fee and I could spend money on it afterwards, I'd get a mechanically-sound-but-ratty-951 and fix it up. There are 4 cars on Autotrader right now that fit under the cap.

Car One - $4850

Car Two - $5000

Car Three - $4995

Car Four - $4800

Emanuel
I'm not affiliated with any of these sales, btw, and I'd start with Car 3

 

ok im a mustanger......i say mustang. smooth *** engine is the 4.6. also whats that keeping time? OH ITS A DAMN CHAIN!!!!!! and yes the 4.6 would be good if you are a road racer because they have high horsepower peaks and not the low torque like a 5.0. the 94 mustang was a 5.0 yes bad on gas. mods come incredibly cheap for a mustang and let me tell you THEY ARE EASY AS SIN TO WORK ON! definitly no 944. it is hard to get used to the trucklike feel being up in the air. they make suspension parts that will make it handle as good as a 944. the "loose" rearend can be used to your advantage after you get used to it. brakes........meh! the big 13s from the cobra r are pretty cheap compared to big red porsches. and by mustangs being able to handle, i have an 85 svo mustang turbo 4 cyl intercooled, the top 2 handling cars for 85 were 944 and svo the 944 topped over the 911 and the svo topped out the 944. but it certainly has less weight than than the 5.0 gt's. http://www.karkraft.com/engines.htm look at what you can get for lots cheaper than porsche parts.....the cobra and mach engines are aluminum, except the 2003 and up supercharged cobra.

 

I notice it wasn't on the list above, but the only other car in the 6k or less range that I was considering (I bought a 1989 944) was the Toyota MR2 Turbo. I'd take it over virtually all the other cars on that list...

The 300ZX never really impressed me, even the twin-turbo. I'm not a Mustang fan, the Miata is too small to be even remotely practical for me, and the Supra is less appealing than a nice MR2 for me. That, however, is just my opinion.

I'd still get the 944 if you can. You might be able to find a decent S at that price, or get a 2.7L 1989 if you are willing to travel a bit for one.

 

how bout an early '90s 240sx (about $2k - $3k) swap an SR20DET motor (jdm sylvia motor, all parts included with labor install about $2.5k) and u have urself a VERY fast car with excellent cornering abilities for about $5k

 

and u also forgot to list a 2nd gen rx7, could be turbo or na, both are great cars

 

my choice.. keep saving my money and get a car in better condition. (not saying a better car.. a better version of the car.. s2) or a 912