[thetedderbear]

As the title suggests, what is the best weekend car or \"toy\" car to get for under 40 grand? Any price under, so don\'t not post something because it\'s not close to 40. Both new and used

[wisesoul]

Used Lotus Elise 2005-2007. 2008s are low 40s

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2005-...item1e66726831

[txz4]

z4m. no contest, unless you want something really rowdy. In which case the elise would probably be a good car

[thetedderbear]

Yeah I was thinking of the Elise/Exige when I made this. Didn't think of the Z4M though, that's a good one.

[wisesoul]

Z4M Coupe would be really nice too actually. I said Elise because it is light, compact, and probably easy to maintain considering it has a Toyota engine

[TK-421]

Another for the Z4M Coupe

[michaelthepsycho]

Ariel Atom. Stretch a bit :P

[toughluck]

MINI Cooper S + JCW

[stickypaws]

993. You can find decent ones for right around $40k (an early C2 even less.) Look on Rennlist and buy one from a member there. Find one that has the suspension already modded. The US versions had to have the bumper height set to US DOT regulations and so the suspension was raised and came with the standard M032 or US version of the M030. Most cars are either switched over to ROW M030 height (Euro specs) or replaced with KW or Bilstein coil overs; very easy to do.

Very reliable but with a few known issues you can learn about and prepare for, etc.. I have a 1996 C4S and it's been as reliable as any Japanese car out there. The only money I put into it are for mods and regular maintenance. A lot of stuff you can DIY since it's before the heavy electronics (although it is OBDII.)

Best thing is that they keep their value and can be sold again for close to what you paid for it (or more.) Super fun to drive and handle like glue. And you get to be part of a cult.

[mdosu]

Evo 9 MR

[UltimateBMW]

Joy rides + some track? Z4M coupe

Track + some joy rides? Elise

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by thetedderbear

As the title suggests, what is the best weekend car or \"toy\" car to get for under 40 grand? Any price under, so don\'t not post something because it\'s not close to 40. Both new and used

I like the Z4MC and Z3MC - both are fun to drive, out of the mainstream, and reasonable to run compared to Porsches or Ferraris. I also like the Merc SLK55.

To be way out there, I'd repeat something I did a while back. I used to own a 1983 Porsche 911, 944, and 928S, all in red. I'd love to do that again, but moving up to the year 1989 - a 911 cab with G50 trans, a 944S2 coupe, and a 928S4, all in black.

[Impervious]

Z4 M roadster if it's only seeing weekend duty. Elise is a good choice too.

[kdiggz]

viper gts

[freshwhite335]

Loved my SLK55. Not a track star, but tons of style and pantomime.

[TK-421]

What's been said before reminded me of what I plan to buy once school is finished and my income is steady - a Porsche 930. It'll scare the shit out of you like nothing else and will also be the most rewarding once you tame it and can get the most out of it.

[idrift4wd]

weekend car?

cant get no better then a good o'l C6 Z06 obtainable for under 40k. as so the GT500 Mustang(or new Boss 302 which starts at 40k)

Used M3(e93),M6, SL AMG, list goes on...

2 used civic si's, 3 used priuses, 4 used yaris's, 7 used scion xb's

[MikeyV]

Morgan three wheeler.

[MisterSkiMask]

Porsche 987s,

[MediaArtist]

Originally Posted by epbrown

I like the Z4MC and Z3MC - both are fun to drive, out of the mainstream, and reasonable to run compared to Porsches or Ferraris. I also like the Merc SLK55.

To be way out there, I'd repeat something I did a while back. I used to own a 1983 Porsche 911, 944, and 928S, all in red. I'd love to do that again, but moving up to the year 1989 - a 911 cab with G50 trans, a 944S2 coupe, and a 928S4, all in black.

Nice cars, but don't you have a garage?

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by idrift4wd

weekend car?

cant get no better then a good o'l C6 Z06 obtainable for under 40k. as so the GT500 Mustang(or new Boss 302 which starts at 40k)

Used M3(e93),M6, SL AMG, list goes on...

2 used civic si's, 3 used priuses, 4 used yaris's, 7 used scion xb's

Yeah, when I want to really get wild on the weekend, I got for a Yaris/Civic/xB.

[b00st]

Definitely check out an Elise if it's only for the weekends. A friend of mine has an Elise with an aftermarket blower on it, and it's insane. It's no faster than my bolt on 1 in a straight line, but it's like nothing else when you drive it. Whenever I pull it out on the street, I feel like I'm doing something illegal by just driving it. It's literally like taking a really fast go kart out on the road. With that said, it's a little cramped for me, but I'm a bigger guy (about 6'1"). My friend that owns it drives it every day that it's not raining or snowing out though.