Just sharing some thoughts... on cars
02-07-2004 | 02:56 AM
#17
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From: Calgary, AB, Canada
I sold my 91' NSX last September. Great car, lacks abit of character though. I got very bored with mine. It is almost too refined for a pure blooded sportscar, that's Honda for you. They are extremely compliant cars, one of the best chassis's ever devised. Exhilarating intake howl !! Watch for early cars that may have the faulty "snapring" in the transmission housing, costly repair if it fails. Loved the ease of maintenance. Regards, Brady
02-07-2004 | 02:57 AM
#18
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From: Orlando, FL
Originally posted by JoeW
If you want a good reliable car and want to stay under $30k, the list is very short. I did the same search, just in reverse ... I'm at the drain end of my sedan years and wanted to get something for the soul and something for the road that I didn't have to keep in a garage. I drove 'em all, too, and felt everything was sterile until I came to Porsche. So that's what I'm looking for.
I figured out that to get my soul stirred up (
not sure if that's dirty or not 
) any of the contemporary (i.e., new) cars under $30k needed another $20k of upgrades in order to get rid of the antiseptic feel they carry from their liability attorneys. The only one I drove that was of interest was the new Mazda RX-8 -- that one offered fun, and I don't think you mentioned it. Worth a drive.
You'll never get a Vette in the 20s or, unless GM has managed to get rid of the UAW, one that is well-assembled. I also liked driving the Subaru WRX which is a hoot to ride, but about as interesting to look at as a cardboard box. The S2000, especially the new one, is great but, like you say, low on torque ... not a problem if you can learn to drive at 7000+ rpm. My prediction is that you'll want to hunt for a good used Boxster. Anyway, I'll be interested in hearing what you decide. Good luck. J
If you want a good reliable car and want to stay under $30k, the list is very short. I did the same search, just in reverse ... I'm at the drain end of my sedan years and wanted to get something for the soul and something for the road that I didn't have to keep in a garage. I drove 'em all, too, and felt everything was sterile until I came to Porsche. So that's what I'm looking for.
I figured out that to get my soul stirred up (
not sure if that's dirty or not ) any of the contemporary (i.e., new) cars under $30k needed another $20k of upgrades in order to get rid of the antiseptic feel they carry from their liability attorneys. The only one I drove that was of interest was the new Mazda RX-8 -- that one offered fun, and I don't think you mentioned it. Worth a drive. You'll never get a Vette in the 20s or, unless GM has managed to get rid of the UAW, one that is well-assembled. I also liked driving the Subaru WRX which is a hoot to ride, but about as interesting to look at as a cardboard box. The S2000, especially the new one, is great but, like you say, low on torque ... not a problem if you can learn to drive at 7000+ rpm. My prediction is that you'll want to hunt for a good used Boxster. Anyway, I'll be interested in hearing what you decide. Good luck. J
02-07-2004 | 02:59 AM
#19
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From: Orlando, FL
Originally posted by DaveK
Personally, I'd go for the NSX. .
Personally, I'd go for the NSX. .
02-07-2004 | 03:01 AM
#20
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From: Orlando, FL
Originally posted by joey bagadonuts
Something to stir the senses? Have you considered an E30 M3 (aka a real M3)? ...
Something to stir the senses? Have you considered an E30 M3 (aka a real M3)? ...
02-07-2004 | 03:39 AM
#21
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From: London, UK
Originally posted by Wachuko
Got to drive one... forgot about them... like them more than the model that followed it... Thanks, good choice...
Got to drive one... forgot about them... like them more than the model that followed it... Thanks, good choice...
Take a look at this site http://e30m3performance.com/
02-07-2004 | 10:25 AM
#23
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From: VA
My choices:
10-20K good '93 RX7 R1, hard to find a good one
20-30K 1987 911 Carrera, mint
30-40K 964 RSA, if I changed anything, I would have bought one w/ more mods.
40-50K Heavily modded RSA, or 9934S, S
50-60K 3.6 Turbo
I had two RX7 R1s, and they can't be beat for the performance you get per $. Great balance, stock skidpad near at .99. I know you are looking up to $60, and now that I am a full on P nut, I would go w/ a 3.6 Turbo. If you could streach another $5-10K I would go w/ a 993 Turbo.
10-20K good '93 RX7 R1, hard to find a good one
20-30K 1987 911 Carrera, mint
30-40K 964 RSA, if I changed anything, I would have bought one w/ more mods.
40-50K Heavily modded RSA, or 9934S, S
50-60K 3.6 Turbo
I had two RX7 R1s, and they can't be beat for the performance you get per $. Great balance, stock skidpad near at .99. I know you are looking up to $60, and now that I am a full on P nut, I would go w/ a 3.6 Turbo. If you could streach another $5-10K I would go w/ a 993 Turbo.
02-07-2004 | 01:18 PM
#24
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From: Sunny Californina
Little unclear on your budget, 20 to 30k or around 50 since you are considering the Corvette C6 and Boxster S? Also your choice should depend on whether you want true raw sportscar feel or a nice balance with comfort.
I've either owned or driven all the cars you mentioned (except the C6)
NSX-looks nice, but drives too soft, feels like you're driving an Acura legend, I had one and sold it in a week.
Boxster or Boxster S- fugethabout it, either too slow or too feminine, if you're going to spend that kind of money get the hp and hop back into a 993 or 996
Ferrari 348-true raw sportscar feel, great value for around or under 50k, you won't get hurt on resale, can drive it for a year and get your money back. I had one, the best sportscar I ever owned.
Lotus Esprit- I just bought one, will tell you more in a few weeks after I sort it out.
993- still have one, very refined compare to the 964, maybe too refined
964-had one, still love it and am currently looking for one to create into 73 RS replica
Maserati ghibili- piece of crap, stay away
Maserati 3200- stay away, major cowl shake, major depreciation hit
Corvette-nice and competent, too american
Nissan 350z/ Infiniti- too japanese, after you play with germans there's no way you can go back.
My only recommendation is:
Ferrari 348- you will not regret it, everyone should own once in their lifetime
I've either owned or driven all the cars you mentioned (except the C6)
NSX-looks nice, but drives too soft, feels like you're driving an Acura legend, I had one and sold it in a week.
Boxster or Boxster S- fugethabout it, either too slow or too feminine, if you're going to spend that kind of money get the hp and hop back into a 993 or 996
Ferrari 348-true raw sportscar feel, great value for around or under 50k, you won't get hurt on resale, can drive it for a year and get your money back. I had one, the best sportscar I ever owned.
Lotus Esprit- I just bought one, will tell you more in a few weeks after I sort it out.
993- still have one, very refined compare to the 964, maybe too refined
964-had one, still love it and am currently looking for one to create into 73 RS replica
Maserati ghibili- piece of crap, stay away
Maserati 3200- stay away, major cowl shake, major depreciation hit
Corvette-nice and competent, too american
Nissan 350z/ Infiniti- too japanese, after you play with germans there's no way you can go back.
My only recommendation is:
Ferrari 348- you will not regret it, everyone should own once in their lifetime
02-08-2004 | 05:04 PM
#25
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From: Orlando, FL
Originally posted by AsianBond
Little unclear on your budget, 20 to 30k or around 50 since you are considering the Corvette C6 and Boxster S? ...
Little unclear on your budget, 20 to 30k or around 50 since you are considering the Corvette C6 and Boxster S? ...
Thank you for your suggestions... I always loved Ferraris... (who has not! ). But I like to drive my cars and Ferrari, although work of art, seem to require a more expensive maintenance budget...
BTW... I was unable to go out to look at the NSX... since I got the 964 back on the road (see other thread), I washed it, waxed and spend the day with the kids (took them for a ride in the vroom vroom as they call it).
02-08-2004 | 05:34 PM
#26
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From: Destin, Nashville, In a 458 Challenge
A real clean 3.6 tubro. Sloancars.com has two that I have been salivating over for a while. Something different, what about Lambo Jalpa. NSXs are pretty cool. I had one before the kids came along, but I like Porsches better.
02-08-2004 | 11:00 PM
#27
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From: Sunny Californina
Expensive maintenance on a Ferrari is a myth. It all depends on whether you find the right car and sometimes it's most luck. Servicing one is not much different from any other cars, just some of the parts price are higher.
I'll tell you a secret, any "extra" money you spend servicing a ferrari is recoup when you sell the car due to the minimal depreciatio hit. A 348 will not depreciate much lower from the 40's for the next few years, unlike a new boxster, BMW M, corvette, Maserati or even porsche 993 or 996, those will continue to drop at a higher rate than a 10 year old ferrari.
I had one for over a year and the only service cost was a new clucth (about USD2,000), otherwise the other service cost was average.
Besides, there is no comparison when you're talking about owning a ferrari, it is the holy grail of sportscar. Btw, did I mentioned that the 348 kicks serious butt over the porsches, bmw, nsx.....
I'll tell you a secret, any "extra" money you spend servicing a ferrari is recoup when you sell the car due to the minimal depreciatio hit. A 348 will not depreciate much lower from the 40's for the next few years, unlike a new boxster, BMW M, corvette, Maserati or even porsche 993 or 996, those will continue to drop at a higher rate than a 10 year old ferrari.
I had one for over a year and the only service cost was a new clucth (about USD2,000), otherwise the other service cost was average.
Besides, there is no comparison when you're talking about owning a ferrari, it is the holy grail of sportscar. Btw, did I mentioned that the 348 kicks serious butt over the porsches, bmw, nsx.....
02-10-2004 | 03:27 AM
#29
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From: Calgary, AB, Canada
AsianBond, Thats funny, most Ferrari enthusiasts I know reckon the 348 to be one of Ferrari's lowliest efforts over the past 25 years (308 GT4 excluded). It has been plagued by poor reliability and tempermental handling amongst other things. I previously owned a 91' NSX and did a trip to Banff last June with the exotic car club here ( included the following cars: 92' F40, 01' Diablo, 4-355's, an 80' BB512, 03' Murcielago, 84' 308 QV, 87' Jalpa, 84' Countach, 88' Mondial Cabriolet, 87' 911 Turbo, 93' 348 Spyder, 2 M3's, 00' Audi S4, 02' 360 Spyder and my 91' NSX. I can assure you after this trip, the 348 is no match for the NSX. A new M3, 996, even a 993 would humiliate a 348. Sorry to rain on your parade, this is the truth. I would take a slower 89' 328 GTS (classic good looks) over any 348, better yet, give me the fantastic 355. I have some great photos of all these cars if anyones interested. 
02-10-2004 | 06:50 AM
#30
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From: VA
I do remember a Car and Driver comparison years ago where the 348 came in last or next to last out of four or five cars. It lost in a number of places, including being unpredictable at the limit (cornering). I have also "heard" the 348 is the worst Ferrari ever built, and the 355 perhaps the best.
I pick the 3.6 Turbo for 60K.
I pick the 3.6 Turbo for 60K.