Best sports car under $15k?

[I.P. Freely]

"With age comes the cage" Screw cars, everybody can drive a cage but not everybody can ride a motorcycle, lol. But, if you must get a cage try not to drive like this ^^^ dirt bag!

 

[roundhouse]

The Miata Is a neat little sports car, but they definitely are 'chick cars'. Of course you could always follow Stacy David's example and drop a V8 crate motor into one...

https://www.staceydavid.com/episodes/banshee-2319

I have no idea how reliable they were or what their resale is, but for a traditional 'sports car' (which the Corvette definitely isn't) I was always interested in the RX-7 series.

I seem to remember they had a reputation for burning some oil, but a little engine you can rev up to 10K RPM in a light car you can toss around corners always sounded pretty fun to me.

The Saturn/Pontiacs looked fun, but I would worry about repair on them as well. If you can find a 'hot hatch' like an Escort GT that would be cool, and an older Golf GTI would be a good car as well.

I would definitely stay away from Porches and BMW's though, they may be fun but they are maintenance nightmares.

the corvette isnt a traditional sports car?????

2 seats
Convertible
Manual transmission
Great in the curves

 

[Lazarus]

the Mazda redlines about where the s-2000 starts actually making more power than your riding mower

Roommate used to have one
Like a 2 stroke racing bike

No power till super high rpm

Ok? It doesn't matter, you just have to drive them different but my point still stands that stock for stock the S2000 is a much better car. And if you have the money to spend you can turn the S2000 into a BEAST. MAD 3rd GEAR VTEC BRO!

That said dollar for dollar sure the Miata if you want to mod it out on a budget.

 

[Lazarus]

"With age comes the cage" Screw cars, everybody can drive a cage but not everybody can ride a motorcycle, lol. But, if you must get a cage try not to drive like this ^^^ dirt bag!

One of the reason I have YET to do the dragon.

 

[dougiemac]

My wife and I are in need of a 3rd car now because we are working in two different cities on a regular basis. I've always owned practical cars and trucks so I'm looking for some advice.

I plan to sell the car in about 1-2 years. Here are my current requirements:

• Fun to drive
• Not likely to need super expensive repairs soon
• Good resale value in 1-2 years
• Manual transmission
  
• Around $15k or cheaper

So what should I buy?

Those Mini Coopers are fun little cars... easy on gas, fast, peppy, fun to drive, like taking an adult go kart for a spin.

 

[Ghost941]

Ok? It doesn't matter, you just have to drive them different but my point still stands that stock for stock the S2000 is a much better car. And if you have the money to spend you can turn the S2000 into a BEAST. MAD 3rd GEAR VTEC BRO!

That said dollar for dollar sure the Miata if you want to mod it out on a budget.

I agree completely. My whole point was that the OP merely give them a try. Miata may be better suited for him.

Side note: my 01 S2K never had one issue with the top, other than that cheap crappy plastic rear window.

 

[Kyzrsoze]

the corvette isnt a traditional sports car?????

2 seats
Convertible
Manual transmission
Great in the curves

Not only is the Corvette a traditional sports car, it's one of the cars that helped to define the term.

 

[Lazarus]

I agree completely. My whole point was that the OP merely give them a try. Miata may be better suited for him.

Side note: my 01 S2K never had one issue with the top, other than that cheap crappy plastic rear window.

Exactly. I think the Miata is a great car. You see a lot of them at the auto-x track not only because they are cheap and easy but because they are capable. The S2000 is just as capable but more refined. It also runs in the same class as the M3 if I'm not mistaken while the Miata is in the class under that.

 

[Zeake]

I have to add something about the GTO. The suspensions are garbage.




I'm still laughing at the "escort GT"

 

[spencer60]

the corvette isnt a traditional sports car?????

2 seats
Convertible
Manual transmission
Great in the curves

Corvettes have always had too much engine to be real 'sports cars'. That nose-heaviness ruins what little handling they ever had. Even the modern 'vettes, with their Nurburgring handling, aren't 'sports cars'. They fit the Grand Touring (GT) category a lot better. Also, any 'vette you can pick up for the OP's $15K price tag is probably junk.

The very early 'vette's were close to being a sports car, but they still had crappy brakes and handling, and too much engine up front. I'm not sure what you would call those... probably the 'pony car' would be the best way to put it.