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  • Desert 2009

    Jan. 23, 2011 8:25 a.m. Desert 2009 New Reader

    Miata can't be the answer, been there and done that. Love them, but clearly not exotic.

    Elise- certainly interesting, seems a bit tough to get under 25k but maybe

    Viper- Interesting

    NSX- If I could get past the Honda thing, maybe. They seem to have a cult following

    Ferrari- The only Ferrari in this range is likely a 308, possibly a 328, and my wifes TDI could out accelerate them- plus see engine removal for oil changes!!

    Z06- Also interesting

    M Roadster- I have considered this or a coupe with the big engine from 01 and 02

    Nobody is sending any 911 love?

  • Josh

    Jan. 23, 2011 8:30 a.m. Josh Dork

    If you were saying 15k, then the votes for S2000 make sense (check my garage), but at 25k this question screams Elise (have used Exiges even gone below 30k yet?).

  • byron12

    Jan. 23, 2011 9:24 a.m. byron12 New Reader

    Desert 2009 wrote:

    Miata can't be the answer, been there and done that. Love them, but clearly not exotic.

    Elise- certainly interesting, seems a bit tough to get under 25k but maybe

    Viper- Interesting

    NSX- If I could get past the Honda thing, maybe. They seem to have a cult following

    Ferrari- The only Ferrari in this range is likely a 308, possibly a 328, and my wifes TDI could out accelerate them- plus see engine removal for oil changes!!

    Z06- Also interesting

    M Roadster- I have considered this or a coupe with the big engine from 01 and 02

    Nobody is sending any 911 love?

    So you want a 911; thread not even necassary I still say If I had a budget of 25k I would go with a bad ass gt ie jaguar xkr, aston martin db7, maserati. You should be able to find a good 911 in this price range and it is an excellent choice.

  • dyintorace

    Jan. 23, 2011 10:28 a.m. dyintorace SuperDork

    EvanB wrote:

    More information please!

  • Jan. 23, 2011 1:19 p.m. grafmiata Dork

    dyintorace wrote:

    EvanB wrote:

    More information please!

    It's a Lotus Exige with a British flag and some letters and numbers on the roof.

  • Jeff

    Jan. 23, 2011 10:52 p.m. Jeff Dork

    From what I've been reading the 308/328 are the last of the engine in major service Ferrari's. Supposedly, the Mondial T can have a new timing belt without pulling the engine.

  • wearymicrobe

    Jan. 24, 2011 1:00 a.m. wearymicrobe Reader

    Jeff wrote:

    From what I've been reading the 308/328 are the last of the engine in major service Ferrari's. Supposedly, the Mondial T can have a new timing belt without pulling the engine.

    they all can be done with the engine in, its just a major major pain. The Last year of the Mondial was slightly easier but even then. Really the 360 was the first actual non engine out car and even then its still has to happen every now and then.

  • mtn

    Jan. 24, 2011 1:05 a.m. mtn SuperDork

    dyintorace wrote:

    EvanB wrote:

    More information please!

    I think that she is actually on this board.

  • Slyp_Dawg

    Jan. 24, 2011 8:05 a.m. Slyp_Dawg Reader

    FFR Daytona Coupe. can be done for sub-$20K, Miata-light, handles well, looks like '60s Italian iron, can conceivably fit the new 5.0L Coyote V8, and you can actually fit stuff in the boot, so it might not be that intolerable as a GT car. it isn't a 'vert, though, so if that's a major requirement, the Mk. IV Cobra kit would be a bit better buy and a little bit cheaper to boot

  • dyintorace

    Jan. 24, 2011 8:41 a.m. dyintorace SuperDork

    mtn wrote:

    dyintorace wrote:

    EvanB wrote:

    More information please!

    I think that she is actually on this board.

    I found the thread (on an Elise/Exige board) where the photos originally emanated from. No word on who she is. Certainly beautiful though.

  • Rusnak_322

    Jan. 24, 2011 9:05 a.m. Rusnak_322 Reader

    If I had $25k it would go towards a chrome orange Elise, a 84-89 911 or if the stars aligned just right a 930.

    The Porsche, if bought well, could be almost free. Meaning that it may appreciate enough to cover the costs of repairs over the time you own it.

  • dyintorace

    Jan. 24, 2011 9:13 a.m. dyintorace SuperDork

    Rusnak_322 wrote:

    If I had $25k it would go towards a chrome orange Elise, a 84-89 911 or if the stars aligned just right a 930.

    The Porsche, if bought well, could be almost free. Meaning that it may appreciate enough to cover the costs of repairs over the time you own it.

    If going Porsche, $25k will also get you a very nice 996 and quite possibly a 993. While I'd prefer the latter over the former, 996s are no slouches.

  • Otto Maddox

    Jan. 24, 2011 9:27 a.m. Otto Maddox HalfDork

    I don't think the question can be answered without a maintenance budget.

  • Klayfish

    Jan. 24, 2011 9:46 a.m. Klayfish Reader

    I've been in your shoes several times....well, I was until we had 3 children...car budget is now dead. I ran the spectrum like you're doing....looked at everything from M5 to Esprit to Elise to 911 on and on. Here are the ones I actually owned:

    FFR Cobra

    C5 Vette (twice)

    Viper GTS (though it was over the $25 budget, but you can find an older roadster for that price)

    GTO

    Heavily modded Mustang (several times)

    From your description, I'd go C5 Corvette. $25k will by you either a mint low mileage unmolested car, or a very nicely modified car. I had a '98 that dyno'd at 470rwhp and I got it for somewhere around $18k...of course that was 3 years ago. The 'Vette isn't ultra exotic, but you'll get your share of looks. It's fast as hell, handles well, responds to the right mods really well, and is comfy enough for daily use. If you want to go more exotic, go with a completed FFR Cobra. Every time you stop for gas, be prepared to spend 10 minutes answering questions. It's a blast to drive, and since it uses Ford parts, their cheap and easy to come by. A very "raw" driving experience, but that's part of the charm.

    BTW - current daily driver, now that the toys are gone, is an '06 Miata....

  • Jay

    Jan. 24, 2011 9:51 a.m. Jay Dork

    dyintorace wrote:

    Why isn't she at her post?

  • jstein77

    Jan. 24, 2011 9:56 a.m. jstein77 Dork

    Kind of short for a stormtrooper, aren't you?

  • RossD

    Jan. 24, 2011 10:03 a.m. RossD Dork

    You can find Lotus Seven type cars for $25,000. http://www.lotusowners.com/ForSale/JWWestfield/index.htm

  • Slyp_Dawg

    Jan. 24, 2011 10:45 a.m. Slyp_Dawg Reader

    Bruton Auto Stalker V6 with a nicely rebuilt 3.8L supercharged V6 out of a Grand Prix, best brakes and shocks you can fit and afford (any brakes that will fit a Camaro will fit, and shocks should be a matter of getting the right extended and compressed lengths), and have a bit of money left over for a set of track tires? wouldn't have any storage space, but you don't really buy a sevenesque car if you want to carry anything bigger than a postage stamp and a single passenger

  • Vigo

    Jan. 24, 2011 1:23 p.m. Vigo Dork

    I dont care whats been said, if it was me in the same position, it would absolutely be NSX or Boxster S.

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