[Donatello.]

I know the whole market is stupid high right now. I won't overpay for anything so I am fine with waiting for the correction.

Anyway, only have my Hellcat right now as I sold my last Miata in 2020. Hellcat is the hammer so I'm looking for something that can be the scalpel. Don't need 2 of the same thing.

I have a spot on the Ciocca C8Z list below 300 so I have a good shot at getting a 2023 MY. So no big purchases will happen until I see how that shakes out. For now, only cheaper cars.

Ideally, I want a convertible or targa.

Short list I have includes the cars below:

-2013 427 Vert (I've owned 3 Vettes before, including a C6Z) I know I'd like it & it'll be fun, but do I really want another C6? Especially for $40kish
-Lotus Elise or Exige (Right now the prices on these are LOL high)
-F-Type V8 S Vert. Just tried to buy one today actually, but dealer would not move off internet price.
-Another Miata or the latest Fiat 124 (I've had 4 Miatas so far) This time I think I want an ND. Enough of dealing with older ones that are never nice enough, but again, used NDs are same as new $ so hard pass. I don't keep cars long enough to really justify new unless I lease it.
-Ariel Atom (Pretty sure they are crazy priced now too, right?)
-R8 V10 Vert (Only if the C8Z doesn't happen) However, every one I see is $150k or more. Out of my budget.
-Been trying to find a nice driver 66-70 Chevelle or 69-72 Olds Cutlass, but more overpriced bs or junk or sellers never reply...
-Some sort of Aston Martin? Really know next to nothing about them, though. Reliable? I don't need an expensive money suck
-Wanted a McLaren MP4C...until I saw that market is over $100k for used models.

What am I missing? Thoughts, suggestions and opinions are encouraged.

[///MPhatic]

If you're looking for a scalpel, the Atom will be hard to beat. But I don't really consider it a car, more of a track toy. Second would be the Exige, which is what my brother has. What a joy that car is.

[Donatello.]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

If you're looking for a scalpel, the Atom will be hard to beat. But I don't really consider it a car, more of a track toy. Second would be the Exige, which is what my brother has. What a joy that car is.

Yup, a good friend had an Exige that I got to drive & loved it. But again, the Exige and even an Elise is stupid priced right now so passing. Not paying $40k or so for a Elise or more for an Exige. I can wait for market correction

[Sedoy]

Lotus Emira...

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by Donatello.

Yup, a good friend had an Exige that I got to drive & loved it. But again, the Exige and even an Elise is stupid priced right now so passing. Not paying $40k or so for a Elise or more for an Exige. I can wait for market correction

The Elise will perpetually be a $35,000 car. It was before COVID, and it will be when COVID is gone. The Exige will bring more, about $45,000 to $85,000. There will never be a time where you can get a good example for less than that. And it's not at all out of line. The Elise was $50K new, the Exige $55K to $109K (depending on the one you got). So they are not expensive compared to some of the cars you listed.

[Donatello.]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

The Elise will perpetually be a $35,000 car. It was before COVID, and it will be when COVID is gone. The Exige will bring more, about $45,000 to $85,000. There will never be a time where you can get a good example for less than that. And it's not at all out of line. The Elise was $50K new, the Exige $55K to $109K (depending on the one you got). So they are not expensive compared to some of the cars you listed.

My buddy paid $35k for his EXIGE. I'd pay that. Not $50k+

Never say never. Also, not comparing apples to oranges here

[chassis]

AMG C63s cab

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by Donatello.

My buddy paid $35k for his EXIGE. I'd pay that. Not $50k+

Never say never. Also, not comparing apples to oranges here

I suspect that the Exige he purchased is either high-mileage, or has had some issues in the past. The cars simply don't go that low in "Exige condition." Tracked cars can go quite low, even with low mileage, but nice road cars are always $40K+ at a minimum.

I have a kid local to be that bought his Elise for $25K, but to look at it would make you cry.

[CYANiDE]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

I suspect that the Exige he purchased is either high-mileage, or has had some issues in the past. The cars simply don't go that low in "Exige condition." Tracked cars can go quite low, even with low mileage, but nice road cars are always $40K+ at a minimum.

I have a kid local to be that bought his Elise for $25K, but to look at it would make you cry.

Even salvage/rebuilt are going for $40K+ now.

[dgoldenz]

Boxster GTS or Spyder, 991.1 S/4S cab, 997 S/4S/GTS (maybe turbo if budget is $100k). None of them will lose much if any value, might become more valuable, and are all awesome to drive. I've been intrigued by the manual Aston Vantage 4.7L V8's or SportShift V12's recently...

[Alfisti]

I think you are flat out delusional at the market prices right now and either need to wait and hope or go for the Aston.

Why the aston? They scare the living fuck out of conservative north americans so the prices have not gone crazy, most of the other cars you listed are 6 figures or more for a decent one. The Exige for example, i dunno, that's a LOT of money for a NA 4 banger.

[King Rudi]

Originally Posted by chassis

AMG C63s cab

Yep!

[Burrcold]

The new 400z has to be your new car....

[Donatello.]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I think you are flat out delusional at the market prices right now and either need to wait and hope or go for the Aston.

Why the aston? They scare the living fuck out of conservative north americans so the prices have not gone crazy, most of the other cars you listed are 6 figures or more for a decent one. The Exige for example, i dunno, that's a LOT of money for a NA 4 banger.

Delusional on what exactly? In my post I said I have no issue waiting for the correction, but I still need to figure out what to get/narrow it down. Thanks no help

[jzmundy]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

If you're looking for a scalpel, the Atom will be hard to beat. But I don't really consider it a car, more of a track toy. Second would be the Exige, which is what my brother has. What a joy that car is.

Lol at how huge that 1er looks next to the Exige

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by Donatello.

Delusional on what exactly? In my post I said I have no issue waiting for the correction, but I still need to figure out what to get/narrow it down. Thanks no help

There won't be a correction, and if there is it will be short and minor before it takes off again. It's not just Corona fueling these prices, it's the fear of EV's.

[damnitBobby]

bruhhh teh new 400z is the car to gettt

[eluded]

Anything with a manual transmission

[freakystyly]

If you have the space and time, maybe try a cheap project car that you can strip out and tinker with. I know I would if I had room. There's a lot of older cars can benefit from suspension mods, bigger turbos, whatever you want.

I see you've been down the Miata path, how about an older mini you wont feel bad about stripping out or something similar.

[Donatello.]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

I suspect that the Exige he purchased is either high-mileage, or has had some issues in the past. The cars simply don't go that low in "Exige condition." Tracked cars can go quite low, even with low mileage, but nice road cars are always $40K+ at a minimum.

I have a kid local to be that bought his Elise for $25K, but to look at it would make you cry.

Incorrect. He did not own it during this dumb market we have right now...

[Donatello.]

Originally Posted by freakystyly

If you have the space and time, maybe try a cheap project car that you can strip out and tinker with. I know I would if I had room. There's a lot of older cars can benefit from suspension mods, bigger turbos, whatever you want.

I see you've been down the Miata path, how about an older mini you wont feel bad about stripping out or something similar.

Mini does nothing for me. Also, no FWD.

[Donatello.]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

There won't be a correction, and if there is it will be short and minor before it takes off again. It's not just Corona fueling these prices, it's the fear of EV's.

If you think this market is sustainable, I have a bridge to sell you.