Sc competition? Best built, performing, reliable cars 5-8K?
 

Soooo,
We all here obviously love the Sc. What I am interested in are other cars that were amazing but lost their value similarly and can be had for 4-8K or so.
Before pulling the trigger on my THIRD SC this weekend (I may sell one), I thought I should look at all of my other desirable options.
I'm looking for reliability, performance, luxury, style, and a manual transmission if possible.
Mercedes models, BMW's Etc. whichever are the BEST BUYS on the current market (cars that were pricy and desirable when new).

One major factor is that they must LAST like an Sc.

Thanks!

You have a number of options after removing any one category. Reliability? Lots of things, most notably 3000GT VR-4, 8-series BMW. Price? NSX. Luxury? Early (1999-2001) new edge Cobras. Performance? 2nd gen Acura Legend (about on par with stock SC300s.)

Hmmmmmmm,
Some nice ideas there. Never thought of any of these since becoming addicted to the Sc. Great ideas! KEEP THEM COMING PLEASE. I am happy to remove luxury from the list having 2 Sc's already. I lean toward reliability and performance now.

Thanks ArkLaTex!

PS: Is there a huge difference between the 97' and 99+ Cobras?

Generation change in 1999.

Thanks,
Wiki time!

I like the 3000GT VR4, but they sure don't scream reliable, as you mentioned.

300zx, 98-02 z28 NSX is out of the budget.

1998-2002 z28 or SS camaro is a great option. I've had 2 of them, and will buy another one in The future.

There very reliable, cheap to fix and mod.

Only downside is I believe Rubbermaid designed and crafted the interiors.

I'll never forget launching mine at the track and hearing a loud pop from the rear of the car, I looked back and both rear side panels had popped off and were sitting on the rear seat.

Yikes!
I had a 91' convertible. I loved that car!

How about the z31 300zx, mk3 supra, and the E30s BMW?

Yeah my first one was a 1 owner car, only 29k miles. But I was able to get into the 11s with a bigger cam and a set of cylinder heads.

The 2nd one had more miles, 50k when I bought it. I should have never sold this car, black on black with leather interior, automatic and a hardtop. It was the funnest car I've ever had!!!

Low 13 second 1/4 miles stock. Comfortable on longer trips, not as comfy as an sc300 but not many cars are.

My brother just sold his, it was a 99 ss with a 6 speed trans, it had 120k on it and was also a hardtop. The only thing we had to replace was the waterpump and clutch.

Which expected at some point. Lol


There just fun, cheap and kind of a raw muscle car, think of the 60-70s muscle car era
With being a little more comfy and a better suspension.


After my sc300 is finished, this be one of my next purchases.

And if you want to spend a little more money, look into a Pontiac g8 gt. Nearly the same motor, but more room and an even better ride. I bought my wife one a few years ago, she loved the car and we only sold it because it was harder to get in and out if while she was pregnant.

First car to come to mind besides the SC would be the 80's-early 90's Supra's. Those things get driven so hard and yet still have 200k. Reliable and performance all in on package.

Jimbow, I'm not sure two examples of 29,000 and 50,000 mile cars should be considered "reliable," unless you really beat on them from that point forward. Fast forward 10-15 years and those aren't really relevant examples from a reliability standpoint of what's likely to be available now.

Hmmmmmmm,
Looking at them now!
Thanks

Just looked into a few. I'd probably just save a bit more for a 350z. I just called an old friend who is a service mgr at Nissan. He said they rarely make it over 200K without a swap. I do love them though!