B-I-L wants a sports car - no more definition than that - for $5k ish. He's not DIY so it needs to be fairly reliable. I know that Miata is the right answer here, but looking for alternatives to present. I've come up with RSX, Celica GT-S, Z3 1.9, C4, SN95 Mustang. What else?
Our C4 seems to be demanding a lot of attention lately so I'm not sure I'd recommend that to a non-DIYer - I'm farming out some of the work and repairs tend to be expensive due to access issues.
A 328i coupe might fit the bill, too.
Yeah, I'm not crazy about a C4 because of the age. Even 2000 MY is already 13 years.
gen 4 F-body. If you want to own a sub $5k car, regardless of what it is, I would suggest learning some DIY or setting aside money for repairs along the way.
glueguy wrote: Yeah, I'm not crazy about a C4 because of the age. Even 2000 MY is already 13 years.
Butbutbut...
That's a new car around here 
.
TBH for $5k, reliable, with decent parts prices and inexpensive to repair, the answer is Miata.
I think the usual cast of characters will fit here.............MR2, 300ZX, Integra GS-R, Civic Si, RX7 (rotary not so good for non-car guys though), Mitsu 3000, Saab 900T, Alfa Romeo Spider. $5K limit is going to exclude a lot of vehicles so it might only get fair to good examples of the previously mentioned.
Actually $5k should buy a rather nice non-turbo Mk2 MR2, shouldn't it?
BoxheadTim wrote: Actually $5k should buy a rather nice non-turbo Mk2 MR2, shouldn't it?
Yes probably so.
So does he want a sports car, or sporty car? There have been some good cars mentioned already, but I doubt that any of them would be great for a non DIYer at that price point.
To the OP: I think you need to question the BIL a bit more and find out what he's really after. 2 doors and a swooping body? Convertable/roadster? Muscle car?
I'm not a big Miata fan, but at that price point, that probably is the answer if he's not looking for muscle.
The only thing I could find on that list around here is Mustang or Camaro.
I find the occasional Celica GT-S under $5k. Same with C4s (usually auto) and SN95s, but I don't think I've ever seen an RSX that cheap, they are overpriced and the Celica GT-S is twice the car, IMO. Z3 1.9 is a decent car, but out of the box they are pretty underwhelming, and they also usually sell closer to $6-7k.
Camaro/Firebird isn't a bad choice and much better value than a C4, but the mullet mobile image and garbage interior is hard to ignore. Older turbo Supras are a good choice if not beat too hard by the PO. MR2 and Miata, as mentioned, are also solid. These days, careful shopping can even get an E36 M3 for that price.
Really, depending on what his definition of "sports car" is, there are dozens of cars that would fit the bill.
glueguy wrote: B-I-L wants a sports car - no more definition than that - for $5k ish. He's not DIY so it needs to be fairly reliable. I know that Miata is the right answer here, but looking for alternatives to present. I've come up with RSX, Celica GT-S, Z3 1.9, C4, SN95 Mustang. What else?
What is a B-I-L?
If not DIY, kiss and get something that any idiot can work on. Mustang probably works. Few of the other cars you mentioned are sports cars... Celica? RSX? They're fwd econoboxes.
Brother in Law = BIL
Camaro and Mustang have very large support groups, I do know. Unsure about everyone else.
E36 M3's can be found around the price as said, and pending his definition you may want to look at a tibroun
Miata is the solution if he fits in them, doesn't see them as being a chick car, and likes convertibles.
Other Choices: 944, SLK, e36, saab 900/9-3, talon/eclipse
It really depends on why he wants such a car though. Summer commuter? Something to drive to the golf course? Something to take the wife out in? Something to get into motorsports with? Something to take to car shows?
asoduk wrote: Miata is the solution if he fits in them, doesn't see them as being a chick car, and likes convertibles.
Miata was my choice despite not liking convertibles.
AND questionable on the fitment.
A little more info - he is a car guy, just doesn't work on them. His thing is physical activity, so he chooses to spend his weekend time running, biking, etc. He's had some interesting cars over the years - 260Z, C2 Vette, New Beetle, 72 Buick GSX clone, 996 turbo - that one got sold and part of the deal was a CLK320 which is his current DD.
I think what started this is two kids in college, and both took cars with them. Over Xmas break there was a car shortage at the house. So he would like a spare car, might as well be fun, might as well be cheap.
The problem with keeping a steady stream of good looking, cheap craptastic vehicles is that people (like him) see it and think it's easy to do. I spend plenty of time working on them to keep them running, plus I don't mind cars with, um, idiosyncracies. I realize that I'm not in the middle of the bell curve here.
He autocrossed my NA E Stock Miata once and was surprised by what it could do.
He does have some lack of hair issues, so suggesting a Mullet Mobile F-body does have some delicious family dynamic possibilities :-)
I think the answer is to find the best NA or NB he can, and also suggest that moving up to a $10k level will drastically improve his likelihood of longterm success.
I got my E36 M3 in pretty good shape for $5500 with 150k. But right- there has to be more specifics that he wants, right?
If you're thinking about rsx/gs-r/celica gt-s, don't forget about the prelude.
$5k will get a nice 944, a marginal 951 or e36 m3 (could be ok if he knows what he's looking at and willing to throw another 2k at them). On the vintage side - should land a decent driver quality 124, spit or mg. Miata sort of is the answer here although I would lean toward either the 944 or 124 - probably a hint of what to avoid
If your BIL can stretch, I don't think he's terribly far from S2000 territory - although I haven't looked at these to be able to determine whether non-riced out examples can be had at the lower end of the budget.
WRX
I'm with MrJoshua on this one. If he does stuff that sometimes requires lugging around equipment, a WRX wagon sounds like the ticket. Lots of room, and they're more than fun enough to keep interested.
Spitfire.
93EXCivic wrote: Spitfire.
humm, about that fairly reliable part... 
what about a MR2 Spider? At least around here they are starting to drift into this price range, at least for the early cars.
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