[RocktimusPryme]

Originally Posted by hgerhardt

In 2009 I had the same dilemma. I narrowed my list down to two then-new cars: CTS-V and E63 AMG. Both have excellent seats, which is very important to me. The AMG ended up winning out as I got it for $30k off sticker, which put it in the same neighborhood as the Caddy. That 6.2L, 7200 rpm engine has this high-rpm rip that's just intoxicating... still... 12 years after I bought it.

The M156's have some weak points which you can google, but working on these is pretty trivial. I replaced all the known weak points on mine with improved parts over a couple weeks worth of afternoons, for about $1000 in parts. Other than working on the engine in the last year, the car's been quite reliable.

The 65 AMG V12's are much more expensive to work on: coil packs fail on a regular basis, the ABC hydraulic suspension is known to be troublesome and complex, and on an SL65, the engine is so tightly packaged that you have to remove the engine for many repair tasks.

I do like those a lot. The 63 AMGs and even the Sl550s or 55 AMGs.

I was kinda worried about the super high effort NA motor in those. I had the thought that a motor working hard enough to make that much power NA would be more likely to break.

I always heard that the forced induction cars fare way better on the road trips at Drag Week than the NA cars.

But those are on the list.

I asked about a couple 911s this week. Nothing firm yet. Im still concerned that Im going to be unsatisfied with the 315HP over the 500+ HP grunt of the CTSV or something like the AMG. Especially because their engines are already pretty high on the Vol Eff scale. So its not nearly as easy to bolt on an extra 40-50 HP as it is on american v8s.

That said I liked the Galaxie and it was probably only 300 HP itself in a land yacht. The Porsche should be 315 HP in a 3000lb car. Also gotta remember too, we arent married to these. You can always sell the car and get something else.

Its hard to find a CTS V both in my price range, in a manual and in a color I want. On Cars.com right now there are like 200 sub 40k 2nd gen CTS Vs. I think 11 of them are manual trans. Of those several are the coupe which I dont want. I think that CTS is the only car I have ever thought the sedan looked better than the two door.

[Stuart]

I know a guy who had a CTS-V wagon with a manual transmission, that was a real unicorn. I thought it was pretty cool.

[Mr_GTO]

What about a Chevrolet SS or Pontiac G8 GT?

[Mr_GTO]

Originally Posted by Stuart

I know a guy who had a CTS-V wagon with a manual transmission, that was a real unicorn. I thought it was pretty cool.

Those things are worth BIG money now.

[carcrazy]

Originally Posted by goatless

There is no doubt that the newer Corvettes have great performance for the price, but... the only guys that think a Corvette is exotic are Corvette owners. Seems like there are 20+ old guys with new 'Vettes at every single car meet.

In my mind, very few of the suggestions are "exotic" and OP (like most of us) is limited by budget. When I think exotic, right or wrong, I'm generally thinking Italian. Where he lives a Porsche would probably fit the bill nicely but even then, budget constraints could make it difficult to get a nice one as the prices are climbing sky high..

[padgett]

OK cheap eyetalian: Fiat 124 Spyder. One hand top. five speed, DOHC. Pre bumper cars are nice. Make sure to clean out the oil slinger.

[Mr_GTO]

Originally Posted by padgett

OK cheap eyetalian: Fiat 124 Spyder. One hand top. five speed, DOHC. Pre bumper cars are nice. Make sure to clean out the oil slinger.

If golf clubs won't fit in a Camaro they certainly aren't fitting in the back of a Fiat/Miata.

[Stuart]

I'm not sure where golf clubs crept into the discussion, but he does want room for his girlfriend and his dog.

[RocktimusPryme]

Originally Posted by Mr_GTO

If golf clubs won't fit in a Camaro they certainly aren't fitting in the back of a Fiat/Miata.

That was a complaint specific to the Camaro. I just feel like a pony car should retain some measure of utility. That’s the type of car that a person owns as their only car. I’ve owned multiple f bodies and the new Camaro was the only one of them that felt useless other than as transportation.

I’m also still bitter that from the 5th Gen on GM basically said “if you want a v8 it’s going to be a max optioned $40k or better car”.

[The Champ]

Originally Posted by Stuart

I'm not sure where golf clubs crept into the discussion, but he does want room for his girlfriend and his dog.

Page 1, Post #11, by the OP.

"I couldn’t fit a set of golf clubs in the trunk."

[vertigto]

Originally Posted by goatless

Of those 3, only the Esprit is gonna be close to OP's budget.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...ign=2021-12-07

or maybe something like this...pretty exotic looking and plenty of hp.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...ign=2021-12-07

Realistically...maybe one of these two?

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...ign=2021-12-07

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...ign=2021-12-07

[1965gp]

I was going to suggest an early NSX until I looked up how much they go for….

[RocktimusPryme]

Ive never liked the early NSXs anyway. They dont make near enough power for the look they have.

Ive talked to a couple of available 996 911s. Notably that green one I linked earlier.

Ive also begun to consider 86-87 Buick Grand Nationals. Giving up the manual, but they for sure get noticed, and continue to go up. Which is a secondary concern but still a concern. I like the prospect of making a little money over time, which is why I also like the 911s. THe bone stock ones are out of my price range, but I would rather have one that isnt dead stock anyway. There are some nice lightly modded ones for like 25k.

A super secondary option, would be an LS/T56 swapped IROC car. Had one in high school. Always liked them. This would also save me money, even done to the nines I dont think I would pay more than 20 for one.

Havent completely ruled out the CTSVs either. 550 supercharged HP is hard to turn away from. Its still really hard to find a manual in a color I want. Currently it seems like about 5% of the available cars are standard shift.

Lastly a factory 5 kit car. Prefferably a daytona as they have a bit more room for the dog in the middle. (Shes not very big) Obviously giving up a tick of the safety and comfort but talk about exotic. Ive found a couple with AC. There is one on ebay right now, but Ive heard negative things about that Gateway company. My one thing there is I would like to sit in one of those before I buy one. The foot space looks cramped.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/16522269693....c100903.m5276

[1965gp]

Both the GN and the Iroc would get noticed. I have an 86 GN I bought from the original owner (long time friend) and it’s a great car to drive, gets noticed everywhere. Much more than you would think. I paid 20 for mine but that was a few years ago. I agree 25-28 gets you a nice, fun car. Just don’t expect it to feel like a muscle car- which I actually think is a plus in this case. Depending on the size of your dog they might really like a sunroof or t top car!

We have an 86 Iroc and it does get noticed- nowhere near as much as the GN- but honestly it’s at my dads and only gets out a couple times a year.

I love the Iroc idea- preferably with the LS swap (god that would be a fun car!) but honestly a solid TPI car (with a few minor updates) isn’t a bad idea. I personally love the way an Iroc convertible looks - especially if it had 18” Iroc wheels which are readily available . This car will go up in value significantly- possibly more % wise than the GN if done right.

Added note- we must have very similar taste in cars because I have always considered building a type 65 factory 5 car, love the look. Also, my name is Jeremy as well.

[RocktimusPryme]

My only concern with the GN is finding one that someone already threw some money at the 200R4. Because I would for sure turn one of those up a little bit, and dont want to smash a glass like stock 200.

I love that color on the IROC. That and the black/gold cars are the go to for sure.

My friend also suggested one of the low production 4th gens. A Firehawk perhaps. Which I graduated high school in 2002, I dont think any car commercial ever got me as hot and bothered as those trans am commercials from 98-02. However, I sorta feel like 4th gens are in a weird spot currently where they arent quite classics yet and are more just sort of a used car.


To be fair there are plenty of options someone could send me and I would fall in love that we havent talked about. An OD swapped 77-78 black and gold trans am for one. A 69 Roadrunner with a little bit of restomod to it. If someone drove up in a Cobra replica for a good price it would be hard to say no. I like all kinds of stuff.

I made that list earlier thats been referenced a few times. Honestly the top of the list should have been AC and Overdrive. Because I can probably be talked into some stuff after that. I just dont want to end up with another car that I only drive with its super nice out.

[pontiacstogo]

Originally Posted by RocktimusPryme

My friend also suggested one of the low production 4th gens. A Firehawk perhaps. Which I graduated high school in 2002, I dont think any car commercial ever got me as hot and bothered as those trans am commercials from 98-02. However, I sorta feel like 4th gens are in a weird spot currently where they arent quite classics yet and are more just sort of a used car.

A couple of years back I was looking for a toy car that was 'different' than the TA and I ended up buying a fourth gen. Camaro. Not sure if you have any tracks near you or any decent AutoX groups? We had a ton of low budget fun running AutoX. Due to COVID I was only able to sneak in one track day, but I would have done that every weekend if I could have;

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/fo.../143655/page4/

Not sure if motorsport was on your radar, but maybe worth a look?

[mmarx]

Originally Posted by RocktimusPryme

My friend also suggested one of the low production 4th gens. A Firehawk perhaps. Which I graduated high school in 2002, I dont think any car commercial ever got me as hot and bothered as those trans am commercials from 98-02. However, I sorta feel like 4th gens are in a weird spot currently where they arent quite classics yet and are more just sort of a used car.

Shameless 4th gen plug...https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...d.php?t=853678

I also have a '96 Comp T/A (#82) with t-tops, 6sp and 35k miles.

[RocktimusPryme]

A friend sent me a pretty nice LS swapped third Gen with a G Force 5 speed.

I’m thinking about it. Spending like 13-15 instead of 30k and keeping money in the bank isn’t unappealing.

It needs its AC hooked up and I would want to swap the rear. But other than that it seems a well done car. I really don’t want a project since I already have those, but I don’t think AC in a third Gen that came with it as nearly the hassle that it is to retrofit a vintage ac kit in a classic.

[1965gp]

Looks pretty sweet.

[madokie]

Originally Posted by Mr_GTO

What about a Chevrolet SS or Pontiac G8 GT?

both great cars BUT both are austrailian made, and parts are hard to get and expensive, ..how about a 4 door ??? lexus GS 350 or 460 2008-2012 , the 460 has a v8 342hp,0-60 in 5.4 seconds, 149mph,and plenty of room in the trunk.looks more like a sleeper than boy racer..how fast u want to go??? the GS350 (V6 311 hp,0-60 5.7,,,143mph top speed) was made till 2020,, great cars , well made and uterly reliable....replacement parts (high quality ones)for the 460 are WAY MORE expensive than the 350..