[synclastica_86]

Thanks for all the inputs!

Originally Posted by bing240sx

G37S coupe... no question.

I don't think infinitis are big in Hong Kong. The closest thing is the 2001–2003 Nissan Skyline 250GT, and I haven't seen many of those around. I'm not sure whether they are even imported by the dealers here when they were sold.

Originally Posted by CirrusSR22

What's wrong with a 5-speed manual? Why does it have to be 6?

Nothing really. I should perhaps say 5/6MT instead.

Originally Posted by Nkc

Fellow HKer here. What's your budget btw?

Looking at your current stable, you seem to have a lot of fun cars but just not one in MT.

I myself had this same problem and solved it with a 1998 M-Z3 5-MT which was my favorite car growing up. I love it and drive it a lot more than my Z4.

Here's a list of MT/RWD cars that I also considered:
BMW 1M (couldn't find one around $600k at the time)
FT-86 (Overpriced in HK imo)
S2000 (Too many hands)
E46 M3 (maintenance)
E36 M3 (hard to find a nice one)
04-05 Gallardo (Maintenance)

In terms of budget, I'm definitely not going to spend anywhere close to what I spend on my other rides. This is after all just a toy and will undergo extreme scrutiny from the wife. Cars like the 1M is probably a bit more than what I'm willing to spend. The FT-86 is also a bit pricey for what it has to offer. I'm not going to consider a convertible as my experience with them weren't great. The Gallardo? I wish... lol. So this leaves the E36/46. Unfortunately I haven't seen any good ones around.

Originally Posted by jlstyle

Nothing really beats the S2000 in cheap/reliable/fun category.
Under $50k, there's no better 6MT than the one in S2000. It simply has the most precise and short throw feel, and coupled with VTEC, you will find yourself staying constantly above 5k rpm.
I see some suggestions on G37 and other imports but...they are pretty much boxy "go fast" kind of a car compare to S2000. No true refinement.
I've owned S2000/Z4/G37/335, but I still love the S2000 the most in terms of "fun".
Only other car that I liked under $50k was the Lotus elise. It is much more fun, but it is too hard to get into the car.
My GF(now wife) HATED to get in. Basically, if a girl wear a tight skirt, she will HAVE to roll it up to her waist to get in, period.

And you should note that S2000 has very minimal interior. All it's got is the one flip down panel that has CD player in it. There's nothing else.
If you decide to go with S2000, just make sure you test drive both AP1(Pre LCI) and AP2(LCI). AP1 has higher rev limit (I think 8200 or so) but AP2 has more torque. Also, cluster gauge is more formula 1 like in AP1 model. Also with used model, make sure you check the soft top for any wear. It tends to wear a hole right on the collapsing arm at each corner.

I have a hard time getting in and out of the Lotus. In terms of the S2000, I'm really worried that the top is going to give me issues. Mt E93 top was making noises just after 4 years.

Originally Posted by evo335xi

Without repeating anything from above, maybe a mazdaspeed miata? I do think the best choice is the s2000 or NSX though : )

Miata is not bad. I actually really like having a small engine that needs to be helped out by good shifting. It really increases the fun factor. It'd be great if there's something similar but not convertible. The NSX is just uber expensive.

Originally Posted by Mr Tonka

What part of cheap do you guys not get? haha

Although, i suppose cheap is different for different people. Maybe cheap is $50k?

+1... perhaps I should be more specific. $50k isn't cheap for me... lol.

Originally Posted by will.c

I vote Miata. Really fits the bill if you can overcome how it makes you look. Handles and feels like nothing else, and arguably it has the best transmission ever -- comparable to, if not better than, an S2k.

I would also add MR2 as an option. I think 2nd gen might be a bit unreliable, but 3rd gen certainly is. Handles great as well.

Another notable: 350Z.

I really don't mind the look of the Miata as this car is mostly for by personal enjoyment. The 350z is also great. I wonder how much those are going for.

[Litos]

04/05 STi.....

transmissions are bullet proof and the engines in those 2 years were waaaaay more reliable and tuner friendly than the 2007+....

funnest car I've ever owned, by far......

[synclastica_86]

Originally Posted by Litos

04/05 STi.....

transmissions are bullet proof and the engines in those 2 years were waaaaay more reliable than the 2007+....

funnest car I've ever owned, by far......

Yeh.. It's kinda odd that it took so long for someone to mention the STI. I've been thinking about those too.

[Litos]

you can find them fairly cheap nowadays....

under $15K easily.....

[Billup]

Originally Posted by Litos

04/05 STi.....

transmissions are bullet proof and the engines in those 2 years were waaaaay more reliable and tuner friendly than the 2007+....

funnest car I've ever owned, by far......

This. The STI is a great car overall. The only thing is now that the 04/05's have been out for a while, a lot of them have been bastardized. If you can find one next to stock, or with basic bolt ons, that would be my go to.

That or an S2K with a hard top.

[synclastica_86]

Originally Posted by Litos

you can find them fairly cheap nowadays....

under $15K easily.....

R u talking about the STI 10? A 08' model is $28-30k US is Hong Kong. It's also difficult for me to find one that's completely stock.

[Litos]

Originally Posted by synclastica_86

R u talking about the STI 10? A 08' model is $28-30k US is Hong Kong. It's also difficult for me to find one that's completely stock.

if you actually LIVE in Honk Kong, then I have no idea what the pricing is over there.

I found a 2004 in the Houston area for $13,500 with only 90K miles on it.

looked completely stock: http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...63457818&Log=0

[Nkc]

no one mentioned STi because you stated your criteria, MT and RWD

if you're open to an STi, a nice one can come around for $200k per 28car. Excellent fun lightweight balanced cars...but AWD.

[synclastica_86]

Originally Posted by Nkc

no one mentioned STi because you stated 2 criteria...MT and RWD

if you're open to an STi, a nice one can come around for $200k per 28car. Excellent fun lightweight balanced cars...but AWD.

You're right... My bad... Lol. Initially I said RWD to exclude FWDs. I looked at the site u suggested. Seems like lots of them are modded and they cover quite a large price range.

[Nkc]

it'll be hard to find anything in MT in HK that's not modded to some extent. Seeing you had an e85 before, I don't think you would go down that road again but maybe an e85 coupe 6MT might just be the right combo.

[synclastica_86]

Originally Posted by Nkc

it'll be hard to find anything in MT in HK that's not modded to some extent. Seeing you had an e85 before, I don't think you would go down that road again but maybe an e85 coupe 6MT might just be the right combo.

I was looking for one... E85 coupe are pretty rare in HK. I wouldn't go for another convertible though. With tunnels and everything, convertibles are pretty much useless here.

[jlstyle]

Originally Posted by 335is808

i test drove one and wasnt impressed, probably because im too use to driving my car. s2k lacks torque and i didnt really feel the vtech as much as i thought i would, just felt like the engine got louder for that amount of RPM. Handling was superb though, kinda feels like a go cart car

Yes, it is basically a civic under 4k rpm. You will have to get adjusted to driving in higher rpm where vtec is constantly engaged. It's a different animal if you open it up.

[Nkc]

Originally Posted by synclastica_86

I was looking for one... E85 coupe are pretty rare in HK. I wouldn't go for another convertible though. With tunnels and everything, convertibles are pretty much useless here.

http://w.28car.com/sell_dsp.php?h_vi...age=4&h_srh=z4

http://w.28car.com/sell_dsp.php?h_vi...age=4&h_srh=z4

Here are 2 coupes with MT.

Regarding your comment on convertibles being pretty much useless here. Sorry I cannot agree lol, I've got two of them which I drive year round and top down whenever I can. Z3 in the winter, Z4 for the summer. I live in NT and rarely go thru tunnels but when I do, I don't really care, they're short anyways

[squishy]

X2 on the 350z.

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by synclastica_86

Miata is not bad. I actually really like having a small engine that needs to be helped out by good shifting. It really increases the fun factor. It'd be great if there's something similar but not convertible.

An option with the Miata is to remove the soft top and bolt on a factory hard top. My vote for something fun with good torque and decent reliability would also be a 350Z.