As I mentioned in my OT thread, I'm thinking of reducing my expenditure on my DD and picking up something about half the price of what I currently drive.
I'm thinking the likely choice is the nicest 2009-2010 Miata I can find. But I still need to go drive one to make sure I like it.
I'd like to stay "relatively" new or lower mileage, what else should I be considering?
S2k?
Either is a good choice
GameboyRMH wrote: S2k?
Seem to be a bit older/higher mileage than I'd like at that price point.
E46 M3?
Mazdaspeed3! (I know you were already there, I couldn't resist)
Teh E36 M3 wrote: E46 M3?
I was thinking non-M3 e46.
Teh E36 M3 wrote: E46 M3?
No, that's what I was originally looking at when I decided on the Mustang.
It would be a MORE expensive car to maintain, and $15k gets you a car with 100k miles or more.
Good choice on the NC. Go for it.
z31maniac wrote:GameboyRMH wrote: S2k?Seem to be a bit older/higher mileage than I'd like at that price point.
They're a lot closer to the bottom of the depreciation curve though, and they're incredibly well put together. I would at least put it on the test drive list.
C5? Find a good deal on a 996? Solstice Gxp?
S2K. Don't let the miles bother you. At least in my area $15K can get you one with about 50-60K mi.
mw wrote: C5?
Just came here to post this.
GameboyRMH wrote:mw wrote: C5?Just came here to post this.
+2
Bobzilla wrote:GameboyRMH wrote:+2mw wrote: C5?Just came here to post this.
Then I'll respectfully say you 3 don't read well. 
How does trading one V8 muscle car for a slightly cheaper V8 sports car save me money on maintenance, gas, insurance, etc?
C5 can get ~28mpg highway, insurance is actually lower than many sports cars because of the stow it away set...
Mustang is rated at 26, my insurance isn't too bad.
Let's see if I can say this a different way, if I get rid of it, it would be to get something CHEAPER TO OWN/RUN/MAINTAIN............not just a different beast with expensive consumables.
Genesis Coupe? Used should be hitting $15k soon.
z31maniac wrote: Mustang is rated at 26, my insurance isn't too bad. Let's see if I can say this a different way, if I get rid of it, it would be to get something CHEAPER TO OWN/RUN/MAINTAIN............not just a different beast with expensive consumables.
Between the decent gas mileage, cheap insurance, no stuff breaking, utter lack of depreciation cost, and reasonably priced consumables, my S2000 has most likely been the cheapest car I have ever owned. I am not the type to actually calculate a cost per mile number, but If I was, I am certain the S2k's would be lower than anything I've had. It wasn't the cheapest to buy, but I could turn around and sell it for essentially same price almost 3 years later.
Lots of Boxsters available for $15k or less.
I would at least test drive an S2000. 15k could get you into an AP2 for sure, and possibly a 70k+ mile 06+ (ECU on 06+ can be tuned).
That said, they do not make a good DD.
In reply to Woody: Why would I possibly buy a 10 year old, used Porsche if I want something with less maintenance? 
ProDarwin/Josh: I will go test drive one, but in my area (Tulsa), sporty cars/convertibles tend to be more expensive for nicer ones than other areas of the country.
I had to pay $2800 for a clean, non-molested, open diff 1.6 Miata with a short nose crank. Equivalent condition 94-97 cars with a Torsen were $4800+
The only S2000s I'm seeing at 15k are pre-05 models with 80k miles or more.
Mainly it will depend on what I can get for the Mustang, if I have to take a bath, I'll go ahead and keep it. If I can get out relatively unscathed, I'll go for it.
Sounds like you should buy the miata you mentioned in your original post.
E36 M3 
just sayin.... or the miata, either would work.
I would definitely go drive the NC. If you like it, they respond well to mods if you decide to go that route. There's not a lot to compete with them in price and mileage.
You can just find Genesis Coupes starting to creep in here, but the NC is a better driver. If you have to have a roof, it's not a bad choice. Just don't expect all of the controls to feel like a sports car, and not sure the R-Spec would make it in at the lower end of their price scale. And the R-Spec is EXTREMELY stiff. Around town it gives you a beating.
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