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Fun 2nd car with stick?

senseless

senseless

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Apr 23, 2008
1,890
260
Pennsylvania, USA
What would be a good choice in a manual transmission, sporty car for under $17K, 2002 or newer? Something compact that handles great, with a good gearbox that is fun to drive. Not a muscle car and not necessarily a convertible, but it should be a guy's kind of car.
 
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I love my Honda Fit.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b340/SidewaysTakumi/Adele/IMG_4925.jpg[/]
 
Bro, i recently sold my 03 Infiniti G35 coupe. I put a turbo, exhaust, sound system, 20" wheels, double din deck, lowered it...etc. I sold it for 16k. That was BY FAR the most fun car i've ever had/drove... if i can sway your decision at all...i would say get one of them...you can get an 06 coupe for under 20k now. (06 and newer don't have toe camber problems that plagued the 03-04).

Good luck
 
Rather than an everyday car, I was thinking more in terms of a used Honda S-2000, RX-8, Nissan 350-Z, Boxter, Ford Mustang GT or maybe a performance version of a BMW 3 series coupe or convertible.
 
senseless said:
What would be a good choice in a manual transmission, sporty car for under $17K, 2002 or newer? Something compact that handles great, with a good gearbox that is fun to drive. Not a muscle car and not necessarily a convertible, but it should be a guy's kind of car.
Click to expand...

Acura Integra...a 1996 or 1997...the new CRZ from Honda looks very promising at 19K:

http://automobiles.honda.com/cr-z/

-J.-
 
Nothing front-wheel drive can be considered a fun 2nd car. I'd get a MX-5 (Miata in the US). I've had one at 90º to the direction of travel on a track (and recovered the slide). They are amazing fun :)
 
Nissan Juke!:D

Under $20K

It has a turbo for it's lack of cylinders....but it's a 6.8 sec car

*it's not manual, might be semi-automatic
 
2nd the S2000, or if you want something a bit more practical, an e36 M3. A 'fun 2nd car with a stick' should definitely be RWD.
 
iJohnHenry said:
OK, excellent car, but the power-band is 6,000 rpm and up.

That might be fun, for a while, but to each his/her own.
Click to expand...

truth. this is the case with most honda engines...torqueless! Daily driving in my rsx (with a less powerful motor than the s2k) isn't exactly torture but you do have to rev it out a bit for decent pull (may get a little old but it isn't a reason for me to get rid of it)...however, its still alot of fun to wind the hell out of that thing on an open road w/ some twistys. Personally I'd say s2k but test drive one to see if you can deal w/ the low end (or lack of :D )
 
Loved the Honda S2000, but a good friend in the car business says he can get me a Porsche Boxter at a wholesale price. But, he said beware of the repair costs. Still, a 2002-2004 can be had under $15K. Is it worth considering?
 
S2000 or, better, one of these:

06.mx-5.7_(400x300).jpg
 
2003 BMW 540. What I am actively looking for now. Only a couple thousand at most were made each year, but this car is what does it for me.
1.jpg
 
Just got the insurance quotes and my fantasy is dissolving. Adding the 2nd car will more than double my current bill, which is high enough. Insurance companies aren't wild about 2 seater sports cars, apparently.
 
senseless said:
Rather than an everyday car, I was thinking more in terms of a used Honda S-2000, RX-8, Nissan 350-Z, Boxter, Ford Mustang GT or maybe a performance version of a BMW 3 series coupe or convertible.
Click to expand...

Thought you said no muscle car?

Well if you're considering that, pick up a 2002 Camaro Z28/SS with the LS1 and wipe the floor with everything else on the road.

EDIT: Insurance will likely not be cheap at all.
 
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