Sure an NSX is doable for under $30K. It may have higher milage, but judging by Ahmet's 200K+ mile turbo, a 100K mile NSX won't be that bad.

here's one

and another

and another

and yet another

and another

Ahmet,

How about an S4 Esprit?

Jeff

well, i stand corrected on the NSX. i havent seen any that low in the local paper.
how did you like the C5? that would be my first choice if i were in your position. maintenence/mods are so cheap for the ls1 you wouldnt have to budget much for that. they are heavy though. why does it need to be light? i can only think of a few cars that weigh less than 3000 lb from the past 10 years. supras, skylines and nsx's all fall out of that category.

Yeah I was thinking the Talon as a second car, definitley towards the lower end of your price scale.

I too like distinctive cars, and like you I really like Targa tops as well.

Like Jeff I too was thinking from your "wish list" above a Lotus Esprit, but I'm sure they can be a lot worse than a 3rd gen RX-7. Parts must be expensive as hell too.

Hey how about a 2nd gen Mr2 Turbo?? A challenge to drive being turbo and mid-engine, not too small but definitley around the 2500 - 2700lbs range (my guess) fairly exotic (around here anyways). Parts should be reasonable, being a Toyota and it has T-tops (I know not a true targa, which I love too, but close...).

I have a '98 Impreza 2-door coupe with a JDM STI Version 5 engine. It is a Group N rally car we rent out. I just finished it, and I could probably answer any questions you may have.

Good Luck in your search, it will be interesting to see what you finally end up with.

The C5 was nice but they don't seem to be wearing all that well. Torque can be fun around town, traction control is pretty nice to have as well, I imagine it would be an even bigger + in the rain. I didn't find the vette too communicative (this isn't the first time I've driven one, I've driven several corvettes since the C5 came out, thanks to goodyear), and it's a little on the large side, both in driving dynamics, and physically. It is a great car, however despite it's large dimentions, it doesn't seem like a lot of car for the price, many people will disagree I'm sure. At the end of the day, it doesn't suit me. Certainly would be the logical choice I suppose but I just can't bring myself to like the darn things!

I would love to go with a Lotus Espirit. I will have to look into parts availability, and go test drive a couple if I get serious about this. Reliability may be a problem but I'm optimistic! I mean it's not like I drive a ford mustang now, just had a stone go through one of my fog lights, and I'm probably going to have to spend $100+ to replace it...

The 2nd gen MR-2 turbo is fun too but I still don't see myself driving that either, too small but the way they drive is rather nice. Steering feedback could be (should be!) better. This would also be a logical choice but it's not a car that excites me.
Ahmet

May be a Wiegert is enough exclusive for you :)

After all,i think nsx would be the best option.

Yep - sounds like from the feedback you've given, an NSX or an Esprit, and at teh end of the day I will bet the NSX is an easier car to live with...

I'm looking at a 95 S4S w/40K. It needs a little body work but at 20K it might be worth it. I'm still checking the maintenance history. I believe an Esprit will be my next car and keep me satisfied for a while.

What about a 993? The prices are finally coming down. I've never driven one but these seem to have that fine balance of brutishness and refinement. Best of the 911's they say. I've never driven one but I'd like to!

Alternatively why not 2 less expensive cars? Something clean and quiet and another loud, harsh and fast?

Hmm there's no substitute for my 951. but if you want something esle maybe a little more contemporary than my vote is on the STi. A little more that you plan on paying but you'll get something that won't need much else.

270 hp NSX, sad, sad, sad.

LOTUS all the way.

Or how about a mini cooper with a new vette engine in it (TT of course)

how much could it be to ship over a citroen or peugot, like they race in the wrc.

I vote Lotus esprit as well. I've been thinking about getting one for a while now. It really needs to be a turbo though, the non-turbo is really not all that fast (but it still looks really fast)

Mike

Lotus Esprit............ you guys are nuts. I would be ****ting bricks taking an Esprit on an autocross. The thought of something breaking and you all of a sudden have bought the car twice! I love the car but it may as well be a ferrari considering how much some of the parts cost. Thats out of my price range for swapping pads/rotors/worn suspension on a frequent basis!

If you have 7-10 K dump it into the 951. You have been around quite a long time ahmet and you know what 10K into a 951 will get you. A monster that will probably pull away from every single car everyone has listed here.

Thats my 2 cents.

Or like someone mentioned if money is not an issue.... get something you like to drive around town and keep the 951 to beat on at the autocross.....

Either way good luck!

It's hard, but I get tempted sometimes...
Ahmet

i say Lotus too! or maybe a 240 with all wheel drive and a TT engine swap... but i still think lotus! just my taste tho.

The 1995 e36 M3 has dropped DRAMATICALLY in price these days. You'll want to get an 95 because it is OBDI and you can do the Euro HFM mod. Responds better to chipping and intake too. You can get a FINE example for under $15k EASILY these days.

They are definitely priced at a steal these days - you get timeless styling, comfortable interior, very easy to mod (not as easy as FI), and tons of aftermarket support. Its not as "luxury" as you would htink - it still performs great in stock form at the track. I always thought the m3 was overrated - to an extent it is - but it is still a fine car.

The pragmatist in me has to agree with ae1969 -- first off its British, how reliable CAN it be! I was lurking on a Lotus board awhile back -- sure the car IS seductive, but what I read would make me think several times before buying one -- VERY expen$ive to maintain.

check this out -- just a little over $30K AND you should autocross it! Honda powertrain to boot! 1240 Lbs...240hp oooh baby!



http://www.worldclassmotorsports.com/main.html

else

for reliability and performance -- M3

or 350Z

I still feel that the e36 m3 is over priced, and over appreciated. I like the cars, but I wouldn't consider one a replacement for my 951. I'm looking for a sports car, not a sports sedan (which is why I'm not really inclined to go w/something like a subaru).

I've always liked lotus super 7s (/various kit versions obviously), but I like to drive my car daily, and I don't know if that's a good idea in a small roadster weighing less than 1200lbs. It'd be a pretty crappy way to go if a suburban didn't see you and try to park where you were... If it weren't for this I would probably own a beck 550 w/a custom suspension by now.

To be perfectly honest I feel like in the end I'll probably stick to my 951 until I can afford to build a 968 turbo, and have a garage to keep it in.
Ahmet

One thing about the Porsches and BMWs as compared to the Vette is maintenence if you are going to do any autocrossing or DE. My friend would really like to get rid of his C-5, and get a BMW. The guys that are Driving the Vettes and Comero/Firebirds are always going through brakes (cracking etc). According to him, the BMW's and P-cars are much more reliable on the track. Could be the M-3 is a little over-rated, but it is a tutonic tit-willow!

350Z and it new!

now just supercharge the s2000 engine, and do a few other mods for 350 rwhp and away you go