[kolosy]

I'm looking to get a weekend toy. The current daily is an X3 M Comp, which makes a lot of potential fun weekend cars feel slow, even when they aren't.

What would you get that fits these criteria:
- Under $35K, stretch to 40 for something worthwhile
- I do my own work, and that's half the value in a toy for me
- Needs to not feel slow next to the beast
- Stick

These two are conflicting, I know, but still:
- I prefer a convertible
- BUT ALSO, would be nice to get something I could occasionally take to an HPDE

A V8 would be fun as I've always had FI cars, and never a V8.

So... the things that I can think of are either an E93 M3, or, an older Aston ('06-'08 vintage, these seem to end up in the high 30s on BAT)

Other ideas?

[W///]

Originally Posted by kolosy

I'm looking to get a weekend toy. The current daily is an X3 M Comp, which makes a lot of potential fun weekend cars feel slow, even when they aren't.

What would you get that fits these criteria:
- Under $35K, stretch to 40 for something worthwhile
- I do my own work, and that's half the value in a toy for me
- Needs to not feel slow next to the beast
- Stick

These two are conflicting, I know, but still:
- I prefer a convertible
- BUT ALSO, would be nice to get something I could occasionally take to an HPDE

A V8 would be fun as I've always had FI cars, and never a V8.

So... the things that I can think of are either an E93 M3, or, an older Aston ('06-'08 vintage, these seem to end up in the high 30s on BAT)

Other ideas?

An NA V8 has the potential to feel slow next to the F97's hp and torque, so be forewarned. I happen to have an E92 M3 with a 6MT and it feels plenty fast for me though. In your case, I might even look for something even smaller than that since you already have an SUV. For what it's worth, I absolutely love my Z4M Roadster for this purpose.

[detroitm2]

Depending on the organizer, a lot of HPDE's do not allow convertibles without a roll cage. Something to keep in mind.

Generally speaking, Roll cage + Daily Driver = No Bueno.

[kolosy]

Originally Posted by W///

An NA V8 has the potential to feel slow next to the F97's hp and torque, so be forewarned. I happen to have an E92 M3 with a 6MT and it feels plenty fast for me though. In your case, I might even look for something even smaller than that since you already have an SUV. For what it's worth, I absolutely love my Z4M Roadster for this purpose.

yeah, i'm worried about that.

i actually have an S54 M Roadster that I'm selling because I live in the middle of the city, and it would take an hour and a half minimum to get to a fun twisty road. Need a touch more of a cruiser.

[P1]

I'd get a nice muscle car. But that's just me.

[ntg44]

Jaguar XKR vert. Supercharged 500hp V8. My parents have one. They're dirt cheap now, and pull like hell. Infotainment is outdated but whatever. Gets the job done.

Since you're in Chicago, I can meet up with you and show you if you're interested

[Alfisti]

Mustang with PP1, done. Hassle free 460hp, likes a few revs.... what else is there at that price point bang for buck? The GM cars are all torque no revs.

[kolosy]

Originally Posted by ntg44

Jaguar XKR vert. Supercharged 500hp V8. My parents have one. They're dirt cheap now, and pull like hell. Infotainment is outdated but whatever. Gets the job done.

Since you're in Chicago, I can meet up with you and show you if you're interested

Ooh.. interesting. Might take you up on that!

How's wrenchability on the jags?

[Penguino]

[ntg44]

Originally Posted by kolosy

Ooh.. interesting. Might take you up on that!

How's wrenchability on the jags?

It's more or less fine, but it's a little annoying.

The hood hinges are on the front like Vettes, and the battery is in the trunk and kind of a PITA to get to. Otherwise it's classic big engine in a small car clearance.

But really, the car is a riot. I'm actually going to buy ours from my parents once they don't want it. It's way too cheap and too good of a convertible GT to get rid of, and it's a gorgeous car on top of it. Roars like hell and hooks very well too. My wife loves it and it'll be her car since she don't touch my R8

[detroitm2]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Mustang with PP1, done. Hassle free 460hp, likes a few revs.... what else is there at that price point bang for buck? The GM cars are all torque no revs.

Have to agree here. The smiles per gallon on a mustang are pretty good.

The only downside is the cheapo interior. But honestly, for the price, I cant say its *that* bad.

Cheap maintenance, parts, aftermarket. very trackable and plenty of power.

[Penguino]

How about Mustang GT Convertible, V8 5.0 Coyote, 6Speed?

[Penguino]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Mustang with PP1, done. Hassle free 460hp, likes a few revs.... what else is there at that price point bang for buck? The GM cars are all torque no revs.

[kolosy]

Not a huge american muscle fan tbh... May be a bad stereotype, but everything I've experienced has been crappy interiors and poor handling.

[kolosy]

Originally Posted by ntg44

It's more or less fine, but it's a little annoying.

The hood hinges are on the front like Vettes, and the battery is in the trunk and kind of a PITA to get to. Otherwise it's classic big engine in a small car clearance.

But really, the car is a riot. I'm actually going to buy ours from my parents once they don't want it. It's way too cheap and too good of a convertible GT to get rid of, and it's a gorgeous car on top of it. Roars like hell and hooks very well too. My wife loves it and it'll be her car since she don't touch my R8

What year range?

[RM7]

Originally Posted by W///

An NA V8 has the potential to feel slow next to the F97's hp and torque, so be forewarned. I happen to have an E92 M3 with a 6MT and it feels plenty fast for me though. In your case, I might even look for something even smaller than that since you already have an SUV. For what it's worth, I absolutely love my Z4M Roadster for this purpose.

Pushrod large displacement v8 has good torque. Not as good as a good turbo setup, but a lot better than smaller displacement. I get about 300lb/ft at 1000rpm.

[ntg44]

Originally Posted by kolosy

What year range?

My parents have a 2011, but 2012-on had the second facelift which in my opinion is the best looking one (not that the 2011 looks bad). The car didn't change much otherwise. Anything from 2011-2014 should be fine.

It's no 911 or M3, but it is a crap ton of fun as a street car. And sounds incredible

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by kolosy

Not a huge american muscle fan tbh... May be a bad stereotype, but everything I've experienced has been crappy interiors and poor handling.

I use to be like that. Then I got a 2016 Camaro SS. Only had American muscle since then and haven't looked back. The interiors have gotten good enough that it's no longer a deterrent for me. Plus once you go NA V8....

As for crappy interiors... my Z4MR had probably one of the worst interiors ever... still my favorite car I've owned.

[P1]

Originally Posted by kolosy

Not a huge american muscle fan tbh... May be a bad stereotype, but everything I've experienced has been crappy interiors and poor handling.

Chargers and Challengers never fail to put a grin on my face.

[RM7]

And apart from those two, the Americans make excellent handling cars, ATS-V, CTS-V, C7, C8, 1LE packages, Bullit, GT PP2, GT-350 and GT-350R, etc. If you think these cars handle poorly, you must still be reading paper magazines from the 1980s.

[JasonCSU]

A used Aston V8 Vantage would be sweet to own someday. Realistically, I plan to pick up an ND MX-5 RF sometime in the next few years.

[nerdogray]

Originally Posted by kolosy

Not a huge american muscle fan tbh... May be a bad stereotype, but everything I've experienced has been crappy interiors and poor handling.

Same. To me it's a combination of both the manufacturer and the owner trying way too hard. I roll my eyes and chuckle every time I see somebody driving their Charger or Mustang like they actually think they are impressing anyone.