$20,000....spend it!

[Foolish]

Supercharge your Miata, replace the suspension, get a nice fresh paint job, put on a new top with a glass window and set aside the $5-10K you have left over.

 

[cable43]

get a vette

............

 

[NVP5White]

I'd be a little scared of a $20K Corevette. I think you are asking for trouble with that car with high miles. The GTO is an excellent option if your looking for easy power. I'd also be tempted by an S2000, WRX with some mods, Legacy with some mods. I guess it depends on what your are really looking for besides power...

 

[mikeyb]

I'd probably get a used Pontiac GTO - saw a few last year (300hp models) for under 20K with less than 15K miles.

A used Evo or a 350 would be on my short list too.

The 04 GTOs have 350hp and the 05-06 have 400hp. I've never seen used EVOs or 350zs for under $20K.

 

[mikeyb]

I would look for a BMW e36 M3. There is alot of them for under $20K.

Here is a 97 M3 Sedan with 109K miles for $13,500

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=197096903&dealer_id=44828610&car_year=1997&search_type=both&make=BMW&distance=75&model=M3&address=04027&certified=&advanced=&max_price=&bkms=1145976452388&min_price=&end_year=1999&start_year=1995&isp=y&lang=en&cardist=65

 

[mp3moose]

I would look for a BMW e36 M3. There is alot of them for under $20K.

ditto

 

[jred321]

good call, just be sure to set aside a chunk for maintenance just in case. i'd prefer an e30 but that's just me

 

[mikeyb]

good call, just be sure to set aside a chunk for maintenance just in case. i'd prefer an e30 but that's just me

Have you owned an E30? Maintenance wish the e36 M3 is alot better then the E30 M3. The S13 motors when they grenade it cost around $7K to $10K to rebuild.

 

[jred321]

i haven't had the privilege of owning an e30, but seeing what they go for still i can imagine that maintenance is a nightmare. still sweet cars i'd probably rather have an 325 with a newer M3 engine though, but i was at a meet with a bunch of e30 m3s and they were gorgeous

 

[mikeyb]

i haven't had the privilege of owning an e30, but seeing what they go for still i can imagine that maintenance is a nightmare. still sweet cars i'd probably rather have an 325 with a newer M3 engine though, but i was at a meet with a bunch of e30 m3s and they were gorgeous

At work there has been afew of my co workers that have swapped in a s50 or s52 m3 motors into e30 chassis. A small lightweight chassis with 240hp is just crazy or stupid fast.

 

[mikeyb]

get a z3 M coupe 99-2000

I was just looking for both Z3 M roadster and coupes but these are all over $20K in New England. I think a e36 M3 would be a great buy.

 

[FSDET]

the ones with the s54 motor are around 30k maybe a lil more but the s52(same ase the e36 m3 engine) is around 20-22k

 

[FSDET]

At work there has been afew of my co workers that have swapped in a s50 or s52 m3 motors into e30 chassis. A small lightweight chassis with 240hp is just crazy or stupid fast.

Nice thats my dream project car... how much did they spend for the swap ? I think the s50 would be cheaper and easier since its an OBD1

 

[smithers_0990]

How about a nice B5 Audi S4 (peep)

 

[FSDET]

thats a nice car too ... but for me RWD>AWD just cuz of the fun factor.. then again the s4 is easy to modify

 

[pluto316]

save it. put a downpayment on a house.

This is good advice.

 

[Dimitrios]

save it. put a downpayment on a house.

Damn right.

 

[dupa12345]

http://chicago.craigslist.org/car/153466223.html

 

[crispixoo7]

Supercharge your Miata, replace the suspension, get a nice fresh paint job, put on a new top with a glass window and set aside the $5-10K you have left over.

miata i got now is turbocharged, with intake and full exhaust....putting in estimate 150HP...with 5psi....gotta install the IC before i pop it to 10psi.

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123630174

 

[crispixoo7]

ditto

my dad had a black one...good power, a blast to drive...but when it breaks...ooh boy, get the mastercard ready.