Buying a sports car under 30k? (muscle car, auto, convertible, seats)

[Drakedose]

I'm looking to buy a sports car under 30k but honestly have no clue what I'm looking for or doing. I've looked at BRZs, 370Zs, and mustang GTs mostly. I really like the body and look of a BRZ but the horsepower is low. Mustang looks a little too big and I've heard the 370 rides very rough.

With that in mind does anyone have suggestions? I'd like to have something with flexibility to upgrade, looks good(I like how the BRZ looks) and decently quick. Trying to stay under 30k and as close to 25k as possible

[turf3]

I think that the Miata is probably the only true sports car available new (or newish) for under $30k (not sure it's under 30 but probably close). The others you mention are really either GTs or muscle cars.

[BostonMike7]

Go drive some of the cars you mentioned and make your decision based on what you like.

[skinsguy37]

Originally Posted by BostonMike7

Go drive some of the cars you mentioned and make your decision based on what you like.

Exactly. Just go to Carmax and test drive as many of these sports cars that they have on the lot and make your decision on that.

[UpstateJohn]

You can pick up a used GT for under 30 pretty easily. I havent driven anything newer than a 15, and I own a 14, but I think they both ride just fine, but thats me. I dont expect a Mustang to ride like a Caddy. Ive done several 4 hour trips in mine and dont have any problem being uncomfortable at all. You can even drop down to 6 or 4 with the Ecoboost and get a similar fell for the power they produce - Gulp, did I say that??

[scorpio516]

M i a t a
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BRZ/86 is the only other sports car sold new for less than $30k.

Now used, and if you push your budget another $5-10k, you can get yourself a Lotus Elise.
If your not scared of wrenching, there are a lot of classic English sports cars for $30k. Fewer every day as they are appreciating...

Ford's sports cars are over $100k, so not worth mentioning. You could get a C5 or C6 for that, but it's more a GT car

[duke944]

Mustang is way too big and handles curves way too badly to be considered a sports car in any sense of the term.

[getatag]

I was in the same situation as you several years ago. I drove the 370Z, the Miata, the S2000, and a Z06.


Here's the way I ranked them:

1. Z06 Pure muscle car, looked good, came in manual only (at the time, now auto available), handled well and accelerated exceedingly well. Could be a boulevard cruiser or a real race car with only the driver's desires causing the conversion. Average gas mileage in town, great mileage on the highway. Nothing, let me repeat that, NOTHING, feels better than V-8 horsepower under foot.

2. S2000 Convertible top, descent mileage, plenty of pep if you used the redline and the gearbox. Reliable, comfortable and appealing. Reasonable modifications if you wanted to own a track car.

3. Miata Plenty of bang for the bucks. A bit underpowered, but parts readily available to make it a screamer. A bit noisy, but that is the nature of a convertible. Plenty of eye appeal, but sometimes gets the reputation of a chick car. This was a really difficult choice for me along with the S2000. It could have gone either way.

4. 270Z Nah, just nah! Nice, reliable, zippy, but something missing in the drive feedback.

[wamer27]

Mercedes SLK55? Tiny car with a big V8.

[Checkered24]

I had a BRZ for a bit. Power is not great, but the handling and steering precision is.

That said, I did not keep it due synchro issues with the transmission and a general lack of quality of materials.

Drove a currently generation Miata as a potential replacement. IMO, if your not happy with the BRZ power levels, you won't be any happier with the Miata. Overall though I thought it drove extremely well too, but I found it cramped and the seats uncomfortable due to my height. So I took a pass on that.


370z is a fun drive. You could get into a C6 Corvette with that budget too.