Best used sports/performance car for $15k or less?

Question

I looking for a newer 1997+ sportier car with around 50k miles or less. Somewhere in the price range of $15k-$17k or less. Something reliable, decently quick, fun, and good looks.

I dont really want old early 90's unreliable cars such as old 300zxs, 3000gts, stealth tt's etc, since thats what I have now (1991, 300zx tt, 90k miles)

But have looked at things like rx-8, boxster (worried about costs of maintenance), c230 kompressor, eclipses, trans am, camaro, srt-4, etc.

Any ideas or suggestions?

autoinspector: as in reliable I mean not going to be broke down every weekend. I dont mean a honda civic where it will drive til 300k miles. I realize sports cars are more expensive to maintain but I just dont want something that will be at the shop every other day.

Answer 1

Your price range is kind of tough for a performance oriented car.

I personally prefer a RWD performance car due to the usually more progressive neutral handling characteristics.

I dislike domestic cars, but the car that fits the bill most is a 1997 C5 Corvette. Simple OHV V8, no turbos or all wheel drive, yet it's still a world class performer. It will also hold its remaining value better than any other V8 american coupe. Road & Track just had an article on the C5 generation as a used car classic. It had some tips from experts that stated Corvettes or either babied or abused; that there really is no in between due to the more blue collar type buyers.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=223875982&dealer_id=60335147&car_year=1999&search_type=used&num_records=25&make=CHEV&keywordsfyc=&transmission=&distance=0&model=CORV&address=97303&make2=&advanced=&default_sort=priceDESC&certified=&max_mileage=&max_price=18000&sort_type=mileageASC&min_price=10000&body_code=0&end_year=2008&color=&keywordsrep=&start_year=1997&drive=&engine=&doors=&style_flag=1&fuel=&cardist=2490
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=224503253&dealer_id=60413363&car_year=1999&search_type=used&num_records=25&make=CHEV&keywordsfyc=&transmission=&distance=0&model=CORV&address=97303&make2=&advanced=&default_sort=priceDESC&certified=&max_mileage=&max_price=18000&sort_type=mileageASC&min_price=10000&body_code=0&end_year=2008&color=&keywordsrep=&start_year=1997&drive=&engine=&doors=&style_flag=1&fuel=&cardist=2483

But I myself would prefer a Mazdaspeed Miata, with hardtop of course.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=224302567&dealer_id=75956&car_year=2004&model=MIATA&num_records=25&make2=&start_year=1998&keywordsfyc=__dHVyYm8,__&keywordsrep=116117114098111&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&search_type=used&distance=0&make=MAZDA&color=&min_price=10000&drive=&default_sort=mileageASC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=mileageASC&address=97303&advanced=y&end_year=2008&doors=&transmission=Manual&max_price=18000&cardist=1750
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=209510538&dealer_id=593812&car_year=2004&model=MIATA&num_records=25&make2=&start_year=1998&keywordsfyc=__dHVyYm8,__&keywordsrep=116117114098111&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&search_type=used&distance=0&make=MAZDA&color=&min_price=10000&drive=&default_sort=mileageASC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=mileageASC&address=97303&advanced=y&end_year=2008&doors=&transmission=Manual&max_price=18000&cardist=2454

There's always the Lexus IS 300:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=224579518&dealer_id=626246&car_year=2002&search_type=used&num_records=25&keywordsfyc=&make=LEXUS&transmission=Manual&model=IS300&distance=0&make2=&address=97303&only_price=1&default_sort=mileageASC&advanced=y&certified=&max_mileage=&max_price=18000&sort_type=mileageASC&min_price=15000&only_photo=1&body_code=0&end_year=2008&keywordsrep=&color=&start_year=1998&drive=&engine=&fuel=&doors=&style_flag=1&cardist=2180
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=213983274&dealer_id=52258068&car_year=2002&search_type=used&num_records=25&keywordsfyc=&make=LEXUS&transmission=Manual&model=IS300&distance=0&make2=&address=97303&only_price=1&default_sort=mileageASC&advanced=y&certified=&max_mileage=&max_price=18000&sort_type=mileageASC&min_price=15000&only_photo=1&body_code=0&end_year=2008&keywordsrep=&color=&start_year=1998&drive=&engine=&fuel=&doors=&style_flag=1&cardist=2702

For FWD I really like the Acura CL Type-S w/6speed manual (the auto trans had a recall). This car will easily have the best fit and finish, along with the classiest interior and best ride. They're also quick with a 260hp+ SOHC VTEC engine. I had an automatic 2001 model and with an intake it sounded like a racecar when VTEC was engaged. They also make a 4 door Type-S as the TL, is has a less round look to it.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=210129939&dealer_id=58565477&car_year=2003&search_type=used&num_records=25&keywordsfyc=__dHlwZQ,,__&make=ACURA&transmission=Manual&make3=&model=3.2CL&distance=0&make2=FER&address=97303&only_price=1&default_sort=mileageASC&advanced=y&certified=&model2=&max_mileage=&max_price=18000&sort_type=mileageASC&min_price=15000&only_photo=1&body_code=0&end_year=2008&keywordsrep=116121112101&color=&start_year=1998&drive=&engine=&fuel=&doors=&style_flag=1&cardist=1770
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=205727868&dealer_id=56448173&car_year=2003&search_type=used&num_records=25&keywordsfyc=__dHlwZQ,,__&make=ACURA&transmission=Manual&make3=&model=3.2CL&distance=0&make2=FER&address=97303&only_price=1&default_sort=mileageASC&advanced=y&certified=&model2=&max_mileage=&max_price=18000&sort_type=mileageASC&min_price=15000&only_photo=1&body_code=0&end_year=2008&keywordsrep=116121112101&color=&start_year=1998&drive=&engine=&fuel=&doors=&style_flag=1&cardist=2479
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=220011525&dealer_id=74856&car_year=2003&search_type=used&num_records=25&keywordsfyc=__dHlwZQ,,__&make=ACURA&transmission=Manual&make3=&model=3.2CL&distance=0&make2=FER&address=97303&only_price=1&default_sort=mileageASC&advanced=y&certified=&model2=&max_mileage=&max_price=18000&sort_type=mileageASC&min_price=15000&only_photo=1&body_code=0&end_year=2008&keywordsrep=116121112101&color=&start_year=1998&drive=&engine=&fuel=&doors=&style_flag=1&cardist=1824

Answer 2

Honda S2000
Honda Prelude
BMW M3
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Lexus IS

I personally would go for the Miata if I wanted to save money.... the S2000 to splurge.

Answer 3

What the list of what you are currently looking at has to do with reliability??? Consider a 2dr Accord, maybe even with a V6.

Answer 4

Should be able to get a nice Mustang GT for that kind of money. Good luck.

Answer 5

get one of these bad boys

Ford Falcon Xr6 turbo
you can get one imported second hand for like 18 k

rwd with lsd and 362 hp@rw