Lurker9

I have an itch for cheap fun to drive car. I have narrowed things down to 3 candidates:
1- 1994 NSX with auto, 25K miles, very good condition overall - $30K
2- 2015 FRS release series 1, brand new, Price ?
3- Subaru WRX, brand new, market price

Feel free to suggest alternative options.

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

FRS Series 1 is $31k

2015 Mustang GT? Ive seen some base ones around for under 30k

mmarshall

Cheap fun to drive car? If you consider "cheap" as 30K or under (as your list suggests) the Mazda Miata is probably the very definition of fun. And, with an all-new version soon debuting, there may be deals on some of the existing models.



The FRS can more or less equal the Miata's road manners, but doesn't have a ragtop for fun in the sun....and the Miata's soft top is (literally) a snap to raise or lower.

Lurker9

FRS s1 is not exactly flying off the lot, so hopefully some serious discount can be had.
Mustang is a bit too common out there (so is WRX).

Lurker9

My wife loves the Miata. She might make me get the auto version...
I wonder if it can hold a golf bag or two? My only issue with Mazda is I hated the brand after owning an MX6 in the 80's.

mmarshall

Even with the top down, one normal-sized golf bag, in the trunk, with no problem....not sure about two, depending on the size and contents. But, if you're driving alone, you might be able to set the second bag lengthwise, back at an angle, in the passenger-seat and, if needed, turn the seat-belt-warning system off.

GS3Tek

iTrader: (8)

An NSX is a (childhood's) dream car.

My question is: Is this the car YOU always wanted when you first saw/growing up?
If it is, I don't know why you would even consider any other cars

The huge + is doesn't depreciate (or unlike other cars as soon as you drive it off the lot).
It is fairly cheap for an exotic, but don't confuse it as "civic-cheap" to maintain.

Trunk is surprisingly spacious. You can definitely fit a golf bag.
I can't find a picture where someone made a costco run with an nsx.

not this

mista714

Can't go wrong with an nsx

Aron9000

I'd say NSX, but with a manual transmission.

Also, if you have $30,000 to spend you can swing a seriously fast 2010ish Z06 Corvette. Or a Toyota Supra turbo if you are into those.

mmarshall

True, if power and speed was a big issue. But you also have to consider what insurance will run on a Z06.....if you can get a policy at all.

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

Even with automatic I'd take the NSX all day over those other two cars. I'd prefer the 5-Speed manual in that $30K NSX price range though. If the NSX were off the table I'd go with the BRZ/FRS. The beauty of the NSX is that you spend $30K on it today, and in 5 years you either sell it for around $30K, or with the way pricing has been going up you may be able to sell it for $35-$40K. I doubt any of those other two cars will appreciate in value or at the very least hold stable in value.

CSTU93

+1 for the NSX.

Lurker9

This car does tick all of these boxes for me. it'd come with all major scheduled maintenance done. What are things to look out for?
The owner claimed that the car was pampered , like it has not ever been driven in the rain!

The NSX passed the golf bag test ( 1 in the trunk )

Lurker9

Thanks everyone for your recommendations.

The NSX seems to be the run-away winner here. My only worry is that the car might not hold up to duty if I ever decided to take performance driving lessons in it.

I am saving the V8/high-powered performance category for the Hellcat once the factory starts taking order again.

GS3Tek

iTrader: (8)

You should sign up on nsxprime (if you haven't already) and read up on the wiki information that is on there. Members there are pretty helpful.

The automatic transmission won't be able to handle the higher performance driving or tracking.
You'll have to get the manual instead.

When it's time to get the hellcat, you'll see the nsx will hold it's value darn well... however, you might decide to keep it though