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30-35k budget! what would you buy?

Old 07-15-17, 09:51 AM
  #16  
Coleroad
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Originally Posted by Socal858
what are OP's requirements? Everyone's definition of a weekend car will be different. I'd get an ecoboost F150, GX460, or landcruiser and turn in into my hunting/outdoorsing rig witih big knobby tires and coilovers. But someone else might want an M235i, Camaro SS 1LE, or even a higher mile 997 911. Kinda hard to make a direct recommendation with no preface.
I took the op's post to be rather open on purpose. That way they might get ideas they hadn't considered. Just how I took it.
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Old 07-15-17, 09:58 AM
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davyjordi
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M235i aside, I think i might also purchase a CPO IS350 F-Sport.
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Old 07-15-17, 10:28 AM
  #18  
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New Camaro 1SS: Performance for a great price.
https://www.cars.com/for-sale/search...28880&zc=94608

Used ISF: Performance and Lexus reliability.

https://www.cars.com/for-sale/search...sedcc&zc=94608
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Old 07-15-17, 10:51 AM
  #19  
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Originally Posted by gs400998
New Camaro 1SS: Performance for a great price.
https://www.cars.com/for-sale/search...28880&zc=94608

Used ISF: Performance and Lexus reliability.

https://www.cars.com/for-sale/search...sedcc&zc=94608
i have the camaro right now. It is not nearly as much fun to drive as the BMW. It feels like a lumbering elephant comparatively speaking. My wife and I are both ready to get back into the BMW.
Just waiting till fall. As we will pay less for the convertible then.
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Old 07-15-17, 01:32 PM
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For my own definition of a weekend car around that budget I'd likely look at a few years old Boxster. Great car with either the MT or the PDK.

My "weekend car" is one of my cars that aren't in my sig, I have a reasonably heavily modified 2013 Miata Club with a full custom Fat Cat Motorsport suspension, lightweight wheels, sport exhaust and other mods. It has just under 11K on the odometer. The guy I bought it from had over 10k in modifications into the car and I didn't pay above the market price for a completely stock Miata Club with the same condition and mileage. The MT and the mods made it a little hard for the prior owner to sell, but it was perfect for me and it's a superb little car to drive. Doesn't have much in the way of power, but it can carry a ton of speed into a corner and it's fantastically agile.

Last edited by swajames; 07-15-17 at 10:06 PM.
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Old 07-16-17, 06:48 AM
  #21  
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I'll chime in with some very different options.

1) Audi S5 - thinking you could get a 2013 or maybe 2014 for $35k. I just sold my 2010 (completely loaded with every option) with 50k miles for $25k. Very fun car to drive, classic styling.
2) Used BMW 6 series
3) Classic coupes: Late 80's Mercedes SL- you can buy one of these for $20k or less and have some extra cash set aside for repairs if needed. BMW 850.
4) Classic restored truck- International Scout, old Ford Bronco, 1970's Land Cruiser.

Edit: You could get a Tesla 3 for $35k but it would be bare bones and I don't really know what that means. If you could stretch the budget a bit and add some goodies to it, that may be pretty appealing to some..!

I've been eyeing more things in the "classic" category lately, but I will say there are times I really miss having that S5 to drive.

Last edited by jrmckinley; 07-16-17 at 06:56 AM.
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Old 07-16-17, 08:19 AM
  #22  
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I'd go smaller than my current IS350 and go Miata. But if this was my primary car, Civic Type R.
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Old 07-16-17, 05:20 PM
  #23  
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If buying new and buying a weekend car, I would buy an MX-5 Miata and decide between the soft top or the RF.
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Old 07-17-17, 07:56 AM
  #24  
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'weekend car' can mean a lot of things... examples:

1. nice cruise to nice place or getaway...

or

2. need to haul furniture or lumber from home depot for 'projects'...

or

3. just a car to enjoy for driving it with no real utility needed

also depends if you're hauling just you, you and 1 other, or 3 or more...

if you need BOTH 1 and 2 you're looking at a truck or suv.

for 3, hmm... for $35k, a recent Q60, caymen (probably more $), or maybe a GTI.

but i still like an suv because i value ROOM for luggage, toys, even if i'm going for an overnight trip. yes a sedan would do it, but not a tiny car like a miata. been there, done that.
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Old 07-17-17, 08:18 AM
  #25  
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RX7
S2000
13-15 Lexus GS with the extra for mods :P
13-14 RX F-sport (maybe)
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Old 07-17-17, 02:41 PM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by davyjordi
M235i aside, I think i might also purchase a CPO IS350 F-Sport.
Why not a 08/09/10 IS-F
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Old 07-17-17, 02:58 PM
  #27  
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For me I would get a IS-F or a Golf R (I love these). For a more impractical weekend car a Corvette or Gen 2 Viper.
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Old 07-17-17, 05:58 PM
  #28  
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Surely a pre-owned Porsche Boxster, BMW M3, or Z3M.

Once I get those out of my system...a classic '60s Mustang or '60s Caddy Eldorado. One of my buddies had an '80s 560SL Merc, that's be on my shopping list too.
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Old 07-17-17, 06:00 PM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by Kense
Why not a 08/09/10 IS-F
3rd gen IS is a superior car in all other facets. 2nd gen has mediocre build quality and some cheaper interior materials, I know cause I have one.
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Old 07-17-17, 06:16 PM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by BrownPride
3rd gen IS is a superior car in all other facets. 2nd gen has mediocre build quality and some cheaper interior materials, I know cause I have one.
he was referencing the IS-F, not an IS F-Sport.
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