If you had $15 -$20k to spend - what classic sport coupe?

[twobone]

Hi

I’m selling my TVR v8. I’m looking for my next analog sport car. Let’s say I have $15-20k to spend

What would be your recommended top 3-5

Some thoughts to priorities:
1-handling. I want a responsive chassis..like a 944 or 911

2- grunt. I drove a 944s2 and found it a bit weak

3-prefer german/British and classic.....I tried turbo miata and a 370z. Not substantial or unique enough

4-refined and reliable. I want something solid. No more Lucas electrics and no more rattling suspension

5- looks in a coupe body. Of course that is subjective. Just not in love with the cayman looks

Thanks

[slow&rusty]

5 Speed 928 (especially a S4) OR a 944 Turbo would be at the top of my list.

I also recommend a Euro E24 635CSi and any turbo Japanese cars from the mid '80s to early '90s...think Supra Turbo (Mk. 3), RX7 Turbo, 300ZX Turbo etc

Nothing Italian or British comes close in that price range that is fun and fast.

[DWBOX2000]

What year miata? I drive my son's 2001 SE and just can't believe how much fun it is.
It's really tossable. 944 Turbo does sound nice. Don't see them around anymore. Love the 928 but the electrical stories whether true or not would leave be wanting my friend to have one, not me. A sorted one has to be just wonderful to drive.

Good luck.

[Noah930]

M3? Maybe a nice E36 or an E46 for that price range?

[sammyg2]

996

[RWebb]

Alfa GTV - dunno about price but they're beautiful

BMW also made a coupe version of the 2002 but it's rare

[thamlin000]

Late 90s Aston Martin DB7. Most I’ve seen are around $25k. Probably more of a comfy GT car instead of sports but you can get them in a manual.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1998-aston-martin-db7-3/

[onewhippedpuppy]

Unfortunately you will struggle to find a nice 951 or 928 S4 in the $20k range. Maybe a 944 S2. A 911? Try double that.

I agree with Yasin, lots of value in the 1980s and 1990s Japanese stuff. Also enough performance and reliability to use regularly. They are all creeping upwards in price so there could be an eventual ROI as well. RX7, 3000GT, Stealth, MR2, Eclipse GSX, 300ZX TT, $20k puts you in the range of all. Another future classic is the S2000, that might be worthy of consideration.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by Noah930

M3? Maybe a nice E36 or an E46 for that price range?

+1

Maybe track down one of the `94/`95 "Canada-only" E36 Euro-spec models.

[RWebb]

nothing British - if an old car is going to break down, it should look pretty sitting on the side of the road

therefore: Italian

[ledhedsymbols]

968? A bit more than a 944S2 in power, really cool and unique. I doubt you'd lose money on it. I loved mine... Wish I'd never sold it.

[ledhedsymbols]

Maybe a cherry 951 and some mods?

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by RWebb

nothing British - if an old car is going to break down, it should look pretty sitting on the side of the road

therefore: Italian

Yes... This looks horrible.

[Captain Ahab Jr]

A few mid-year air cooled 911 guys I know in the UK are moving over to Cayman's and Boxster's

3.4S seems to be the preferred flavor

[pwd72s]

$20K? I'd suggest parking it in a good no load mutual fund for a few years while mulling it over. Buy something better than your current budget would allow.

[BeyGon]

2000 or 2001 BMW Z3 COUP

[porsche930dude]

Originally Posted by BeyGon

2000 or 2001 BMW Z3 COUP

a z3 m would be even better. the later z3s all have the widebody look though. Im after a lotus esprit myself. Though that might not quite meet your credentials worth looking into. the values are on the rise aswell

[Tervuren]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

$20K? I'd suggest parking it in a good no load mutual fund for a few years while mulling it over. Buy something better than your current budget would allow.

With his specifications, I'd tend to agree.

If a 944 S2 is too slow, I'm a bit lost.

He could get faster in that budget by going modern, but then he loses the analog side of less traction control and other electronics.

The cars I would recommend that meet the criteria other than price, are desirable for the boxes they tick; this makes them worth a lot more. Every car I could think of is struck down by some other point in his list of points.

[pavulon]

These won't sit well with some but get a C5 Z06 or an LS swapped 944.

[Tervuren]

Originally Posted by pavulon

These won't sit well with some but get a C5 Z06 or an LS swapped 944.

Personally, unless tracking it, I recommend the C5 Coupe over the C5 Z06. I've gone into the reasons why in other threads.

I chose the Z06 because I liked the notchback styling. After I save up to build a car hanger I would love to get a 2nd C5 Corvette and it will be the Coupe.

Frankly, I want both. The Coupe is the better all around car than the Z06.