[muskamatt]

Hello all,

I have had a burning desire to have a second car. It is not useful at all and I really should not do it but I was just curious what this group of people would do for 7500$ or less with a second car? I have a 335i coupe so I wouldn't really want anything like that.

I drove my uncle's C6 Corvette convertible and thought that living in San Diego I would definitely be tempted by a convertible. I would be open to all sorts of cars but I think we can all agree a 7500 car with major expenses is really just a $15000 car.

So to the point, what would you buy as a second driver that cost 7500 or less that would not break the bank even with maintenance (probably not many BMWs judging from all the forums) that would still put a smile on your face when driving to work?

That last comment matters because I probably use about 25% of my 335's horsepower on my daily commute. So I wouldn't need the fastest car but something that offers the highest driving experience. Many of you have had cars that may do this so please share!

This is probably just for fun but I may pull the trigger on something. Thanks for the input. Please respond!

[Year's_End]

I'll throw out the two typical open-top roadsters: S2000 or Miata.

[muskamatt]

thanks for the reply Nikka. I havent searched much about the reliability of the s2000 in the high mileage scene. I have seen a lot that are modded and such which I would obviously stay away from when it comes to a used car. Does anyone own a high mileage s2000 that they havent really "abused" aka tracked/modded?

I think I would want to stay away from the miata. I really do need to test drive since i have not been able to, however i have heard that it can be the perfect car for the match i am looking for.

I would like to test drive the miata and hopefully I can follow up. I will try and do this on Saturday.

If there are any more ideas please keep them coming. I appreciate the conversation!

[muskamatt]

^sorry I forgot to say that i have considered the miata in this bracket but have strayed from it mentally due to the reports of the car lacking the driving experience i may be looking for. THis is 100% my opinion and i would love to test drive the car and report back based on actual experience rather than....well...nothing.

[MarkR171]

e36 m3?

Very clean e30 318is? Toyota MR-S?

[blue2fire]

You wont get an S2000 for less than 10,000 even if it is an insanely high mileage one. An Integra GSR or Prelude SH probably. But best choice out of everything is a Miata. If it was me though, i would add the requisite money and go for the S2000, it is that much better.

[Artmasterx]

Originally Posted by muskamatt

^sorry I forgot to say that i have considered the miata in this bracket but have strayed from it mentally due to the reports of the car lacking the driving experience i may be looking for. THis is 100% my opinion and i would love to test drive the car and report back based on actual experience rather than....well...nothing.

Unfortunately, "driving experience" is a vague criterion to make us go by... and I think you will find Miata handle very well since they are relatively light (at least the older ones), hence I would say they offer a good driving experience. They would probably also be cheap to maintain if well taken care of, which the main trouble spot being the soft top. What do you mean by driving experience... steering feel, general handling, combination of speed & handling, ability to put a smile on your face?

Maybe you could be more specific in terms of styling requirements, what the 3 most important characteristics are, etc.

You can also look for an older VW GTI, which a lot of people love, though I am not sure of the prices.

Maybe you could find an RX-8 for that money, but it would be high-mileage, plus they have there own reliability problems.

If you search Carmax for sports cars under $12000, you basically get Miatas, Mustangs, and a few random others like RX-8, GTI, MR2.... which should give a decent idea of what you are looking at. Obviously, private party buying could save you quite a bit off what Carmax lists. (granted, they tend to only have cars less than 10 years old)

You may be able to get an older, smaller engine BMW Z3, but then you have to worry about maintenance. Maybe an non-S Mini Cooper could be possible, and I am not sure about maintenance on that.

[AlphaBeta]

get a used Caterham

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by AlphaBeta

get a used Caterham

What country are you in?



You can't find an E36 worth buying for $7,500. It will be junk.

My vote is for E30 318is

[Sniz]

my vote is for an older miata at the price, or a motorcycle.

[AlphaBeta]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

What country are you in?



You can't find an E36 worth buying for $7,500. It will be junk.

My vote is for E30 318is

In the US, but if you can find one, GET IT!

I am tired of seeing S2000's and Miatas, so...what about Z3? if you're willing to spend 2500 more.

[e9coupeguy]

Best $3000 i ever spent...

DSC_3348 by J_Otte, on Flickr

granted, i got rediculously lucky finding a euro spec 535 for that price (appraised @ 4 times that by geico 2 years ago). but you can nab a converted US model with some nice mods for around $6000. I now its not everyone's favorite, but the bimmers of this vintage, in my opinion are some of the best ever made. i get as many compliments and looks in this as i did in the TT, the Rx8 and i'd wager the Z as well. Pretty much bullet proof mechanically. I know a coupe of guys that have over 300,000 miles on their cars without issue.

But that assumes you want a 25 year old car... most folks dont. The e30 would be another candidate.

[ragingclue]

E30 325 in great condition if you can turn a wrench.

[MisterSkiMask]

This thread begins and ends with the Miata

[skim]

Originally Posted by e9coupeguy

Best $3000 i ever spent...

DSC_3348 by J_Otte, on Flickr

granted, i got rediculously lucky finding a euro spec 535 for that price (appraised @ 4 times that by geico 2 years ago). but you can nab a converted US model with some nice mods for around $6000. I now its not everyone's favorite, but the bimmers of this vintage, in my opinion are some of the best ever made. i get as many compliments and looks in this as i did in the TT, the Rx8 and i'd wager the Z as well. Pretty much bullet proof mechanically. I know a coupe of guys that have over 300,000 miles on their cars without issue.

But that assumes you want a 25 year old car... most folks dont. The e30 would be another candidate.

now... that is SICK! love your taste!!

[hova00]

S2K> Miata for sure

[e9coupeguy]

Originally Posted by hova00

S2K> Miata for sure

^ +1

[335iMIAMI]

Originally Posted by blue2fire

You wont get an S2000 for less than 10,000 even if it is an insanely high mileage one. An Integra GSR or Prelude SH probably. But best choice out of everything is a Miata. If it was me though, i would add the requisite money and go for the S2000, it is that much better.

Who says? I know a couple people who have bought a AP1 for exactly the price - 7500. So it is possible just have to look.

[e9coupeguy]

here's another idea:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-3...#ht_654wt_1165

[e9coupeguy]

Originally Posted by skim

now... that is SICK! love your taste!!

Thanks!

[MarshalLaw]

Its not the best looking car in the world, but its fun and rare

http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/2189803696.html

[Pinarello Rider]

Hard to go wrong with either a Miata or an s2000. They are both great cars. The Miata has a phenomenal DIY presence with instructions on how to do just about everything you can imagine. You could score a nice Miata for that with some money for mods for the track, although a set of rims and tires would be all that you need.