SPECIFIC VEHICLE RECOMMENDATIONS - Sports Cars Over $40K:
The ultimates in performance. Premium gas (obviously).
Nissan GT-R - $85K, but dealers are adding huge profits. 2 seat coupe. There is a back seat for small children only. Space is small. Reliability is probably pretty good. Performance is unbelievable. Resale value is high, tending towards being classics. Front engine 6 cyl 4 wheel drive.
5 - Downright fast 5 - Takes less than 115 ft to stop. Pavement grabber. 2 - 15 to 19 mpg on regular or 17 to 21 on premium fuel 2 - Seats for 2 adults plus 2 kids who don't fight 3 - Decent reliability for long term ownership 1 - Not much 1 - Don't do it 1 - Not for hauling 5 - Provides the best chance for survival
Porsche 911 Carrera - from $75K. 2 seat coupe. There is a back seat for small children only. The quintessential sports car. Luxury be gone. Cheapest 911 is a great ride. Most expensive is pure race car. Newer cars handle much better than older, air cooled, 911s, which tended to be unforgiving of drivers' mistakes. Space is small. Reliability is decent. Resale value is high, tending towards being classics. Some sell used for more than they cost when new. Rear engine 6 cyl with rear or 4 wheel drive.
5 - Downright fast 5 - Takes less than 115 ft to stop. Pavement grabber. 2 - 15 to 19 mpg on regular or 17 to 21 on premium fuel 2 - Seats for 2 adults plus 2 kids who don't fight 3 - Decent reliability for long term ownership 1 - Not much 1 - Don't do it 1 - Not for hauling 5 - Provides the best chance for survival
Chevrolet Corvette - $50K. Best performance value of all. 2 seat convertible or coupe. Tons of power from big V8 and rear wheel drive. Great looking and handling. Stops on a dime. Reliability is still not good. Standard C6 car has almost as much power as the C5 ZO6. Has style and performance rivaling cars costing twice as much. Actually has a real trunk. Resale value is very good relative to high dollar cars. If that's not enough, there's the 500 hp Z06 and then the ZR1.
5 - Downright fast 5 - Takes less than 115 ft to stop. Pavement grabber. 2 - 15 to 19 mpg on regular or 17 to 21 on premium fuel 1 - 2 seater 2 - Good for low initial price/short term ownership/low miles 2 - Can do a trip for two 1 - Don't do it 1 - Not for hauling 5 - Provides the best chance for survival
Porsche Cayman - $60K. This car is not a cheap version of the 911. It's a hardtop version of the Boxster. Very good driving car with great balance. Mid engine flat 6 with rear wheel drive makes for some maintenance nightmares like oil changes, but if you have the money, it's less expensive than the 911 and it is a Porsche.
5 - Downright fast 5 - Takes less than 115 ft to stop. Pavement grabber. 2 - 15 to 19 mpg on regular or 17 to 21 on premium fuel 2 - Seats for 2 adults plus 2 kids who don't fight 3 - Decent reliability for long term ownership 1 - Not much 1 - Don't do it 1 - Not for hauling 5 - Provides the best chance for survival
BMW M3 - $54K. Competent as a sports car, even with the smallest engine, so with a V8 under the hood, it's a monster. Only car anywhere near this price that stops in a shorter distance than a Corvette. Driving the manual is a delight. Back seat and trunk room are better than average for this type of car. Lower reliability and than average cars, and repairs will cost more, but fair resale value. Available as a convertible. 8 cyl rear wheel drive.
4 - Quite spritely 5 - Takes less than 115 ft to stop. Pavement grabber. 3 - 20 to 24 mpg on regular or 22 to 26 on premium fuel 3 - Seats 4, okay for around town, a little crowded for trips 3 - Decent reliability for long term ownership 2 - Can do a trip for two 1 - Don't do it 1 - Not for hauling 5 - Provides the best chance for survival
BMW Z4 - $45K. 2 seat convertible only. Fast, but not a beast. Great driving car. Reliability is good, but not great. In line 6 cyl rear wheel drive. Premium gas.
4 - Quite spritely 5 - Takes less than 115 ft to stop. Pavement grabber. 3 - 20 to 24 mpg on regular or 22 to 26 on premium fuel 1 - 2 seater 3 - Decent reliability for long term ownership 1 - Not much 1 - Don't do it 1 - Not for hauling 5 - Provides the best chance for survival
Lexus SC - $66K. 2 seat hardtop convertible. More of a luxury personal car than a sports car. Very slick top operation makes it look like a hardtop when top is up, convertible when top is down. Unique styling is weird, but eye catching. Not as fast as others in this class, but incredibly smooth and quiet. Spirited handling, but not a racer by any means. Excellent reliability. V8 rear wheel drive.
4 - Quite spritely 4 - Takes 115 to 120 ft to stop. Serious stopping power. 2 - 15 to 19 mpg on regular or 17 to 21 on premium fuel 2 - Seats for 2 adults plus 2 kids who don't fight 5 - Best there is. More reliable as a used car than many new cars 2 - Can do a trip for two 1 - Don't do it 1 - Not for hauling 4 - Performs well in emergency maneuvers
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