Budget sports cars!

[matefrio]

After all this advice KAK, the OP of this thread. Got a mini cooper convertialbe in plaid.

They'd run out of pink his first choice:

 

[TheDan]

I do love miata's. Great track cars, and i'd love to own one with a 302 out of a fox or an LS1.

You're talking about adding 200 or more pounds to the front end. It wouldn't be as great of a track car after that, lol...

 

[jeepinbanditrider]

They actually maintain their balance fairly well after an LS1 swap from what I've been told from people who have done the swap. There actually isn't much of a difference in weight if you use some aluminum heads and what not. The engine in mine the 1.6L is actually a pretty heavy lump for a 4 banger lol.
From the bossfrog website

5. Is weight and balance affected? Yes, but not very much. The engine subframe is about the same weight as stock, and the engine is only a little heavier than the 4-cylinder. The transmission and rear differential are both heavier than stock, so some of the extra weight is shifted rearward again. Our ’99 with a ¾ tank of gas and no driver weighs 1380 (52.3%) front and 1260 (47.7%) rear for a curb weight of 2640

 

[dah328]

I gotta' put a word in for the BMW E30 and E36 3-series cars. Properly maintained, they handle very well and make excellent daily drivers.

 

[Michael-Dallas]

Since this thread has risen from the dead, I'll throw my $0.02 as well.

If i could only have one car, then it would be an M3.

I had a 350z Track model. I loved it and tracked it. Then I test drove an E46 M3. The M3 doesn't do one particular thing really well -- it does everything reasonably well. Has power, easy to drive, handles well for what it is, and is practical to boot. I got 22mpg in mixed city/hwy.

If I ever have to go down to one car, then it'll either be an M3 or an M5.

Michael.

 

[orbitup]

RX Midget.

Take an old MG, put a rotary engine in it and haul ass!

[video=google;8052353009680993252]http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8052353009680993252&hl=en[/video]

 

[TxBigfoot]

Chaz Bono drove a miata, before the surgery of course.

 

[SC-Texas]

Miata . . . Haters gonna hate

 

[M. Sage]

Miata . . . Haters gonna hate

Usually people that haven't driven a Miata.

I could push mine hard enough to make people motion-sick. With the top down.

 

[TheDan]

RX Midget.

I like how you think! Some days I look at my RX8, my X1/9, my big pile of tools, and I have to fight the urge really REALLY hard to put the Wankel in the X1/9.

I could push mine hard enough to make people motion-sick. With the top down.

Well you wouldn't want to do that with the top up, lol...

 

[hkusp1]

Maybe a Honda s2000 they are pretty slick. I can't fit in them very well but I'm 6'3 and 240lbs so that could play a factor. I love American muscle particularly the mustang but this goes for just about anything, if you want a hot rod buy the factory performance edition like the saleen, rousch, SS, ctsv, etc. I've been into cars since I was a kid and modding and building your own hot rod is a pain in the butt and then even if you did everything right you still end up having reliability issues. Best car advice I was ever given was to just buy it and drive it leave the engine alone.

 

[M. Sage]

The factory rods aren't all that reliable, either.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

2012 Camaro ZL1.......

 

[M. Sage]

2012 Camaro ZL1.......

LOL. Not seeing the "budget" or the "sports car"...

 

[hkusp1]

LOL. Not seeing the "budget" or the "sports car"...

What's your definition of "sports car" because it varies?

Wikipedia definition.
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability.[1] Sports cars have been either spartan or luxurious, but good handling, minimum weight, and high performance are requisite.[2]

A Camaro fits into the general definition of "sports car".

 

[ZX9RCAM]

LOL. Not seeing the "budget" or the "sports car"...

Well, 580hp is pretty sporty, lol.

 

[Project325]

Sounds like the OP really wants the Infinity. My personal favorite for a sporty car is the AWD, NA V-6, with back seat and cargo room 2004 VW R32 (not the 2008)! But I also agree with the dude up there who said E30 (cause I love mine).

 

[M. Sage]

What's your definition of "sports car" because it varies?

Wikipedia definition.
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability.[1] Sports cars have been either spartan or luxurious, but good handling, minimum weight, and high performance are requisite.[2]

A Camaro fits into the general definition of "sports car".

I agree with the Wiki definition. The Camaro doesn't fit that definition by a stretch. Minimum weight? The thing is a boat (curb weight I found listed on Wiki at 3,750 lbs - 1200+ more than a Miata and almost a full half ton heavier than an S2000. Both of which are sports cars). Seats four. Good handling? Not compared to a sports car.

The Camaro is a muscle car. Designed for the drag strip.

 

[accordingtoome]

RX8 for the win. fun to drive

 

[hkusp1]

Ferrari 458 italia curb weight 3,278lbs.
Porsche 911 carrera curb weight 3,075lbs.
Bugatti veyron curb weight 4,165lbs.
Lamborghini galardi curb weight 3,042lbs.
Cadillac ctsv coupe curb weight 4,254lbs.
Chevrolet corvette c6 curb weight 3,150lbs.
Nissan gtr curb weight 3,829.

All sports cars, all built for speed and handling all, all heavier than a miata or s2000. So stating that a Camaro isn't a sports car because she's fat isn't a
Viable reason and besides when it's registered and insured it's sure as hell is considered a sports car, I do agree however that the budget end of this convo
is no where in sight. I do wish these foreign car companies would start pumping out more rear wheel or all wheel drive cars like the newer miata or s2000. A friend of mine had a gtr skyline imported from Japan dear lord that thing is fast and handles very well.