Well, one of the things that sparked my interest in getting back in to the car thing in the future (1-2 years maybe?) was driving a buddies 03 Z06, heads/cam and supporting mods that made 468 to the wheels and trapped 120 on a 95 degree day... Borrowed that car for 2 weeks and fell in love with cars all over again... The NSX has always been on the short list, and I've driven a few and love the way they handle and drive... They are definitely short on power from the factory, though that is an easy, albeit somewhat expensive fix... I would be more than happy with 400-450 at the wheels in a sub 3000 lb car...

As far as most of the other suggestions in this thread - almost all do not meet the handling / weight requirements...

I maybe should have added inherent reliability as a requirement (though I obviously know that once added HP is thrown into the equation, engine reliability falls some)... Sorry, but, IMO, most BMW's and Porsche' do not fall into the inherent reliability... I'm not completely sure the Z06 does either, but, it is much newer than most Porsche or BMW's that would be in the right price range...

 

i think the zo6 is super reliable plus parts are pretty damn cheap if u ask me! the engine in that thing is a classic u can find parts for it at walmart lol no really u can. stop laughing guys i love walmart. but in all reality ultimately the decision is urs i would suggest exactly wat u said, fall in love with a car and ull never regret buying it. i would do my comparisons stock to stock to stock and see wat car makes u smile inside :P

 

Everyone love the 993s.......that's why they worth so much

Out of the criteria, I suggest the 959

 

Porsche makes very reliable cars actually, it is probably the most reliable European cars.

 

was going to write the same thing

 

Older Viper????? You won't have to spend 10k to keep you happy. Just add that 10k to purchase price.

 

Definitely a C5 Z06. Try to find a '02 - '04 model though, the '01 model has about 50 less hp. Best bang for the buck in my opinion.

 

I think you should change the title of the thread.

 

Definitely an option I hadn't considered... Hmmmmm....


Its only 20 hp, but, the differences are mainly in the intake and cam, both of which would be changed anyways...