~$30k for a fun car. What car?

[rammstein]

Criteria-
1. Must fit car seats in back. A 911 would work in this regard.
2. Must be relatively new. Something within the last 10 years, the newer the better.
3. Can't be FWD. RWD is ideal. AWD could work, especially if it's a good system. I want to have fun at DEs with this car. Car should have LSD or have a readily available upgrade to put one in.
4. Must not constantly break.

I think that's it for the big stuff. I've thought about waiting around for the Focus RS to come out next year- that sure sounds good, but it is going to be in the high 30s (but that is new so maybe I can justify it). Have been perusing E46 M3s- $30k would seem to buy a minty one. Have thought a bit about a 135, but it bothers me mentally not to have the best of a given car. Knowing that a 1M exists would annoy me. Maybe a lightly used Mustang GT could work. I rented the Hertz Penske Mustang last year and the whole family and a week of luggage fit in there. The engine was to die for, but the suspension really was not. I used to have an RX8. That would almost be the best car ever- I loved the suspension, brakes, interior, it would fit the kids great. But I tracked mine many times, and the lack of power got old. There are no real upgrades for the Renesis. Shame.

Any good ideas?

[rammstein]

I will pay him $30k and a kidney.

[TimT]

Subie WRX STi

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by TimT

Subie WRX STi

+1 Drove a students Subie WRX STi at Buttonwillow Raceway. It was a lot of fun.

[rammstein]

STi is on my list. I wish they still made the hatchback, but it seems like a good choice. Would NEED to be new though- people trash these. Clutch dumps from a dead stop cannot be good for the AWD hardware. I also totally dig the blue. My son would love it. I should go find one to drive. Pricing is in upper $30s, at least the advertised price. Curious if they wheel and deal these.

[JacobS911]

E46 M3. I've not owned one but would love the chance to have one. I think it fits what you're looking for and plus the engine in that is to die for!! At 30k you would easily find a CS with a manual which would be ideal and probably hold its value well.

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by rammstein

STi is on my list. I wish they still made the hatchback, but it seems like a good choice. Would NEED to be new though- people trash these. Clutch dumps from a dead stop cannot be good for the AWD hardware. I also totally dig the blue. My son would love it. I should go find one to drive. Pricing is in upper $30s, at least the advertised price. Curious if they wheel and deal these.

For sure. Six or seven years ago WRX's and EVO's were 50% of the participants in the local track events. My guess is most have been tracked hard or drag raced.

[bleucamaro]

Originally Posted by Craig T

+1 Drove a students Subie WRX STi at Buttonwillow Raceway. It was a lot of fun.

Plus another 1. I had an '05 that I put 150k miles on, and autocrossed the snot out of. It was fun showing up to the PCA auto-x and beating everything on street tires. Easy to drive fast. And practical too.

Only downside is that it is so forgiving that it makes you a lazy/bad driver when you hop into something that requires finesse and talent.

Other good options
E36 M3 + ton of spares / hop-up parts
E46 M3 + ton of spares / hop-up parts
Miata + truck + trailer + spares
'06 Pontiac GTO + money
Vintage Mustang
Newish Mustang
Audi S4 (not great track car)
Mitsu EVO (IMO more fragile than the subie)

... go to a track day and see what looks fun?

[Heel n Toe]

You might have some fun test driving a few of those V-Series Cadillacs. I hear they are rockets.

If you get one, strip all the badges off and have some classy-looking Rammstein stickers made to replace them all... say... black lettering.

[Seahawk]

My tastes have shifted in the past decade, but your question is compelling.

This link has some interesting options: Bang for Buck Cars Under $30,000 | Secret Entourage

I followed a Cayman in traffic on the beltway a few weeks ago.

If I was so inclined, strictly from a visual standpoint since I haven't needed to keep up with performance specs, that may be it.

[Slider79SC]

E90 M3 Sedan!!!

We just picked one up last month. 2008 for 30k+. It was a little over the 30k but incredibly worth it. Gas mileage isn't fantastic but that's not what we bought it for.

[Jim Richards]

Caddy CTS with a MT. I think the V busts your budget.

[cabmandone]

I know where there's a SWEET Dodge Challenger SRT with super charged 600 rwhp for 35K but I'm not sure about the rear seats.

[cashman]

Why is a 2006 Cayman not being recommended?

[Jim Richards]

OP's criteria #1 (accommodate rear car seats).

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

Caddy CTS with a MT. I think the V busts your budget.

Didn't mean new. I should have said "relatively new."

[onewhippedpuppy]

Lots of good stuff to choose from.....

996 - c'mon, had to see that coming. Your budget buys a C4S or 40thAE, or a minty C2
Mustang - your budget buys a mint 2011+ track pack/Brembo/performance pack GT with a 420 HP 5.0 V8 and six speed manual. Don't knock it until you try it.
GT500 - 2007-2009 can be had in your price range, one of my favorite cars.
G8 GXP - basically a four door Corvette
CTS-V - 1st gen with money to spare, see four door Corvette
Infiniti G37 Coupe - Z with a back seat, very capable with the track pack
Evo - already mentioned
STi - already mentioned
WRX - your budget buys a brand new one
C63 - one of my all time favorite cars
M3 - not sure about that reliable thing
S4/S6/S8 - reliability varies
RX8 R3 - 2009+, eliminates everything bad about the RX8

[onewhippedpuppy]

Focus ST/Fiesta ST - brand new under $30k, both epic cars
S5 - can had cheap, German muscle car
FRS/BRZ - fun but back seats are tiny
Lexus ISF - getting into that price range now

[porsche4life]

The Focus ST is a brilliant car. Must go drive one before you talk crap on it being FWD.

[widgeon13]

S4 for the northeast.