What car to get after gt86 with 2-3x the budget

[jvincent]

I'd be looking for something diffferent.

Let's face it Porsches and BMW M-cars are not particularly unique. I see them all the time around here. Usually just puttering around in traffic.

It's very rare to see a Lotus or Maclaren. Not to mention that they are very sweet looking.

[TylerLieberman]

Originally Posted by jvincent

I'd be looking for something diffferent.

Let's face it Porsches and BMW M-cars are not particularly unique. I see them all the time around here. Usually just puttering around in traffic.

It's very rare to see a Lotus or Maclaren. Not to mention that they are very sweet looking.

BMWs and Porsches are also really common here in SoCal, almost as common as a Prius or Tesla.

Working for BMW, I've discovered a lot of things I really like about the brand, and a lot of things I dislike.

I drove the M2 at its release at Thermal last Spring and the car was fantastic. It's a shame that the manual transmission is so terrible. The clutch throw is a mile long and the gear stick feels like it's connected the the transmission with rubber bands. If I were to buy any BMW, it'd likely be an M2 though.

With Porsche, I would kill for a GT3, but that's a bit high on the price scale. No worries, as the Cayman GT4 is amazing too. My only grief is how heavy the clutch is, and my knees aren't exactly in the best shape after some time in active duty. The clutch on my STI can already be pretty exhausting if I get caught up in traffic, and the GT4 clutch is noticeably heavier than that.

[Cole]

I'd be looking at the BMW M5 with the V10 in it.

Since owning the FRS, I know that I want something powerful as hell with 4 doors.

[DarkSunrise]

Cayman GT4

If that wasn't in the budget, then C7 grandsport. Cheaper than that, GT350R.

This is assuming I could keep the FR-S as the main track car. If I couldn't, I'd probably go for a used Exige 260 S as an FR-S replacement.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by jvincent

I'd be looking for something diffferent.

Let's face it Porsches and BMW M-cars are not particularly unique. I see them all the time around here. Usually just puttering around in traffic.

It's very rare to see a Lotus or Maclaren. Not to mention that they are very sweet looking.

Bah humbug, a good car is a good car, giving a shit about being unique or not being a certain stereotype will just keep you from experiencing some of the best things out there.

There's a reason that well over a million Miata's have been built, but there's still a ton of people who 'wouldn't be caught dead in one'. Porsche and BMW earned their reputation, the fact that most get sold to posers doesn't diminish the underlying car.

Originally Posted by Cole

I'd be looking at the BMW M5 with the V10 in it.

Since owning the FRS, I know that I want something powerful as hell with 4 doors.

I've moved the same way after doing a bit of autocross, it can be just as fun managing all the weight of the bigger cars with a shit ton of power. I think that's my ideal garage, a lightweight momentum car and a powerful practical 4 (ideally 5) door.

[Cole]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

I've moved the same way after doing a bit of autocross, it can be just as fun managing all the weight of the bigger cars with a shit ton of power. I think that's my ideal garage, a lightweight momentum car and a powerful practical 4 (ideally 5) door.

I just like the idea of practicality at this point. My brother has a brand new corolla, and I'm blown away by the space in it, but the engine is gutless and the CVT is garbage.

I just really want a practical, comfy cruiser with gobs of power that has a functional backseat.

[Kiske]

Originally Posted by Cole

I just really want a practical, comfy cruiser with gobs of power that has a functional backseat.

My friend, let me introduce you to the GOD-like Chrysler Town and Country!

No that was not typed with a straight-face.

[00NissanNinja]

I'd go Cayman S and be satisfied. BRZ would return to being my daily driver.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Cole

I just really want a practical, comfy cruiser with gobs of power that has a functional backseat.

Easy, take the number in your head that you're willing to spend, now cut that in half and put one part away for maintenance, go to used car website of choice, put in half of your budget and search for 'amg'

There's a couple E55's for <$10k near me, ~350hp/390ft-lbs


This article is 8 years old so 80% of the cars on it got even cheaper, a few went up in price, still a fun read.
http://www.caranddriver.com/features...e55-amg-page-7

[Cole]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Easy, take the number in your head that you're willing to spend, now cut that in half and put one part away for maintenance, go to used car website of choice, put in half of your budget and search for 'amg'

There's a couple E55's for <$10k near me, ~350hp/390ft-lbs


This article is 8 years old so 80% of the cars on it got even cheaper, a few went up in price, still a fun read.
http://www.caranddriver.com/features...e55-amg-page-7

I know it'll cost me big in maintenance, but I only drive about 11k KM per year, so it's not terrible. I've looked every now and then, but not seriously, and everything is more than I want to spend. Realistically, I'll look for a slightly used WRX and call it a day.

[MarkR171]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

If you get an Evora or an Alfa, make sure you leave room in your budget for a second car while the first one's in the shop.

I have an Alfa and a FRS. Guess which one needed 3 visits to the dealer for warranty issues and a short block replacement? Hint: not the Alfa.


Cayman is the benchmark and is the obvious choice because they're genuinely good. I haven't driven an Evora but I'd imagine it would be good, but worse than a Cayman. It would be up to you to prefer one over a Cayman or not. The Alfa is not objectively better and not nearly as practical as a Cayman either, but for me, is much more special to drive. The Audi TTRS should be a decent car, again I don't have any experience with Audi other than the S5 I test drove years ago and hated the super light steering.

Try American. They've been improving quite a bit lately.

Camaro SS 1LE, C7 'Vette or Grand Sport, Shelby GT350, Cadillac ATS-V.

[MarkR171]

Originally Posted by Cole

I know it'll cost me big in maintenance, but I only drive about 11k KM per year, so it's not terrible. I've looked every now and then, but not seriously, and everything is more than I want to spend. Realistically, I'll look for a slightly used WRX and call it a day.

My '07 SLK55 that I owned for 5 years before the Alfa was the most reliable car I ever owned - despite being autocrossed and track driven for 5 years and daily driven for the first 2 of those 5 years. Same motor as the E55 from '96-'02 (pre-supercharger.) The dash display even showed "M113E55" in the maintenance menu, with M113 being the engine code.

[FR-Sky]

Lotus exige/R34/AE86 with 2JZ/

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by MarkR171

Cayman is the benchmark and is the obvious choice because they're genuinely good. I haven't driven an Evora but I'd imagine it would be good, but worse than a Cayman. It would be up to you to prefer one over a Cayman or not.

The reviews for the Evora were very positive and the journalists seemed to like it over the Cayman, as far as driving experience goes. However, you get less features and worse build quality, which I imagine leaves a bitter taste in the mouth for those who drop the big bucks on an Evora.