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I like both of your choices. I have owned an Elise and Exige. I'm 6 foot and fit easily with a helmet on. You will have to take yoga to get in and out but once you are in the are comfortable cars imo. They are the last car of that type to be built imo. Fun factor is 10+.
Absolutely. If I go the BRZ/FRS route, you can get a used one for low teens and new one all in for 30K ( I'll soon have 20K in mods on my 991). I'm thinking used since the mods will negate 90% of the updates to a 17. Plus the subaru stuck an LED screen on the dash similar to porsche.... the old ones and new toyota are all analog. Even the radio only controls the radio!
I had a 2007 WRX STI that was loads of fun and had superb handling. You could probably pick up a low mileage one for under $20k. 300HP stock, and can easily go mid to high 400's with bolt-on's and a tune. It was loads of fun on the track and very reliable.
I had a 2007 WRX STI that was loads of fun and had superb handling. You could probably pick up a low mileage one for under $20k. 300HP stock, and can easily go mid to high 400's with bolt-on's and a tune. It was loads of fun on the track and very reliable.
I had an 04 with a built engine and GT35R! Great car but so heavy.
OP, I'd go with the perhaps not so obvious choice...the 911's little brother. a 987.2 (2009-2012) boxster or cayman S. get a no option manual car. they have hydraulic steering and are very analog and weigh under 3,000 pounds wet. cars are bulletproof and can be had in the high $20K low $30K range for cars with some miles. Can't go wrong, but I don't have to tell you that....
I'm right there with you and like your choices... Elise is too track focused for big usage for me, very spartan, and still modern. Toyobaru is cool in principle but sounds agricultural and lacks severely in torque...I drove both...
Because we seem to have similar tastes, have you considered going classic ? Cheap insurance (peanuts), fun at lower speeds, style, full involvement...
For example I have an orange 73 BMW 2002 with limited slip diff and EFI, it's a go kart and people can't help but smile at it... So much fun to toss around and as a bonus it's quite practical ! Also got a 74 Alfa GTV: it's sexy as F#$# and again, total fun <80 mph... I used to have a SWB 912, same deal, prices have gone up but fun at low speeds, zero depreciation on all of the above, mega tinkering opportunities.
If I had the space for it, I'd go with a fun vintage roadster/cab/targa with a manual. Something fun to toss around, but more peppy than actually fast.
If I had the space for it, I'd go with a fun vintage roadster/cab/targa with a manual. Something fun to toss around, but more peppy than actually fast.
I'm right there with you and like your choices... Elise is too track focused for big usage for me, very spartan, and still modern. Toyobaru is cool in principle but sounds agricultural and lacks severely in torque...I drove both...
Because we seem to have similar tastes, have you considered going classic ? Cheap insurance (peanuts), fun at lower speeds, style, full involvement...
For example I have an orange 73 BMW 2002 with limited slip diff and EFI, it's a go kart and people can't help but smile at it... So much fun to toss around and as a bonus it's quite practical ! Also got a 74 Alfa GTV: it's sexy as F#$# and again, total fun <80 mph... I used to have a SWB 912, same deal, prices have gone up but fun at low speeds, zero depreciation on all of the above, mega tinkering opportunities.
That cosworth Twinscrew stage 2.0 fixes the sounds and more than rectifies the power.
Other cars are bikes for me. Currently got a new KTM 1290 Super Adventure R on order. Hope to see it late April or early May. Fun for exploring forest service roads up in the mountains.
Same here, I have a 2016 KTM 1190 Adventure R sharing a space with my 991 C4. I have a 2012 Touareg TDI that is in storage until VW buys it back, but the 991 replaced that.
... which I'm going to keep even after my Targa 4 GTS arrives as it's PDK and the S2K has the best manual shifter I've ever driven (slicker shift and easier clutch than the 7MT 911 I test drove). I also fancy it as a bit of a modern classic, and definitely at the end of the era where there was less sophisticated computer involvement in drive/handling. It's much lower power, but really rewards you for flogging it.
... which I'm going to keep even after my Targa 4 GTS arrives as it's PDK and the S2K has the best manual shifter I've ever driven (slicker shift and easier clutch than the 7MT 911 I test drove). I also fancy it as a bit of a modern classic, and definitely at the end of the era where there was less sophisticated computer involvement in drive/handling. It's much lower power, but really rewards you for flogging it.
The only thing I'm short on now is garage space.
How tall are you? I love those but I'm 6'3" and 220 p0unds...
please...no Miatas or Pontiac Solstices...I like the Subaru route if that rear wing could be abandoned...
I have much respect for the Miata - but none for the Solstice. Miata just isn't for me. Really leaning to a BRZ but that Cosworth stage 2 with a twinscrew is a huge part of the equation. Relative to Porsche, it's such a piece of junk in terms of material, rattles and build quality... but a lot of fun and cheap to tinker with(or else a used cayman would be an easy choice)