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I would 100% get a mustang (latest gen obviously). They are an amazing machine for what you pay for. Manual transmission will aid the resale value on cars like this, the bulk of population buying cars like this does not want a automatic.
I had a friend with a 2014 Mustang GT with the track package. It was a beast for 30-35k brand new. I would imagine you can pick up one for 25-30k. He went road racing, and auto xing and it took everything you could throw at it. The interior was also pretty good IMO
Thanks for all of the inputs. At this point I'm leaning towards the Mustang. I can get a base GT with the Performance Package for 31K. The GTI can be made nearly as fast in a straight line with just a chip, but it's not in the same league in terms of handling. I researched the Cayman S a bit, but I'd be looking at an '07 or so at my price point, and it's not as fast in a straight line or around a road course (based on C&Ds Lightning Lap at VIR) as the Mustang. The Golf R is intriguing, but widespread tales of significant turbo lag are worrisome. Plus, at the price of the Golf R, I could buy the Mustang and throw on a Roush supercharger. Thusly equipped, I'd be looking at 670hp and low 11 second 1/4 mile times at over 125mph. The redesigned Camaro SS - while a few thousand dollars more than the Mustang - trumps the Mustang in both handling and straight line performance - but I just can't get past the looks - inside and out. Right now, it looks like the base Mustang GT with the performance package is the answer. I'm going to have to spend another $1,400 or so for an aftermarket leather interior (only available on the Premium version of the Mustang, which has a bunch of stuff I absolutely do not want). If I grow bored with the performance, adding a Roush supercharger still keeps me under $40K, but with the performance of a $100K car.
Get a slightly older model Mustang GT than you might be considering. With the extra money you save you can modify it to be faster.... gears, intake, racing suspension, etc. Make it personal and up to your specifications. Ponies are good machines to begin with for what you pay for, but modifying is very available and affordable compared to most cars and you can make it a custom ride very easy.
I have a modified 2005 Mustang GT and love it. I get asked all the time what's been done to it because people can hear that it's not stock, even though the exterior has not been changed from the stock version.
I'm truly curious about why a new Volkswagen product is on your list. After the revelations about their deception, why would you want to put any money into the pockets of that company?
I feel terrible for the dealers, and I could understand buying a used VW from one of them (or anyone else). Just don't understand making a choice that supports VW's parent company in light of the recent news. Was that a factor for you at all?
I love it when someone starts in on how the Miata is slow. It shows me that they don't know much about the car.
Hmmm....there's tons of empirical data out there clearly showing that the Miata simply isn't in the same league as the other cars being discussed here in terms of performance. Compared to the Mustang, the Miata is much slower in a straight line and on a road course (15.6 seconds slower around VIR, to be exact). One could possibly argue that a novice driver might be faster on an autocross course in the Miata - maybe.
Frankly, that fact that you think the Miata isn't slow in the context of this discussion could cause someone to reasonably conclude that you don't know much about performance cars in general. Fun - yes. Fast - no. The latest iteration can at least out run a minivan - something that couldn't be said in the past.
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