Best Headturner for under 40k

[DinanM3_S2]

I love the E46 M3, but its styled a bit too much like the regular 3-series coupe. Car guys will respect you, but most girls can't tell the difference between a 325Ci and a M3. Its a great car, but you can do better if you are looking for attention.

I just did a search on Autotrader and a dealer had a 01' NSX w/ 32k miles for $56,000. The beauty behind the NSX is that it looks like a Ferrari but costs half as much, and is a million times easier to maintain. Clarkson said in one of his articles that the NSX was possibly the best car ever made because it combines near-supercar dynamics with the usability of a Honda/Acura. Gordon Murray also attributed much of the greatness of modern Ferraris (specifically the F430) to the NSX, which forced Ferrari to rethink its design strategy.

Another great option is the Porsche Boxster. Its the best of the convertables in your price range by a long shot (except maybe the Z4 M Roadster). The Porsche name beats BMW's by quite a bit and Acura by a mile.

[MetalHeadZaid]

yup, nsx FTW! 56k for an 01, you could surely find an older one for 45k. its probably not the best idea, but i would have the balls to daily drive an nsx. just like dinanm3 said, this is honda engineering.

http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=22

check it out, many NSXs for under 45k

http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75091 perfect example.

[Dyno247365]

Originally Posted by jameschang

You're right, there isn't anything wrong with owning an older model NSX. It's true that finding one with only a little bit of k's is easy. But since I would probably drive it almost everyday I would definately put clicks on it. Sigh, I guess I could always keep the Civic and buy a nicer car for the weekend and for fun, but I want to be realistic, and I don't think I can do that.

This is just my opinion, but owning a older NSX, isn't as cool as owning an older 911.

But like some of the comments above, although I don't totally agree with them, chicks sometimes do only see "how much you spent on it". Anyone seen "Swingers"?

Vince Vaughn "hi"
Hot girl "What kind of car do you drive?"
Vince Vaughn "a cavalier"
Hot girl - turns around an ignores him

LOL - great movie

That's funny, I know a lot of girls that drive cavs. The more ideal girl wouldn't like them I guess.

[BP2K2Max]

Originally Posted by Dyno247365

That's funny, I know a lot of girls that drive cavs. The more ideal girl wouldn't like them I guess.

just cuz girls drive them doesn't mean they find them particularly attractive. i see a lot of hot girls that drive VW cabrio's and those things are hideous. girls don't wanna see guys driving "girls" cars.

[jameschang]

Originally Posted by BP2K2Max

just cuz girls drive them doesn't mean they find them particularly attractive. i see a lot of hot girls that drive VW cabrio's and those things are hideous. girls don't wanna see guys driving "girls" cars.

Is that why it's so hard to find a fast, hot girl...in a fast, hot bike?

Yeah, certain cars guys just shouldn't drive

Rav 4
old SLK....

[C2Z06]

I wouldn't get a Boxter, even the Boxter S. I'd go with the S2000 for less do, better performance and far, far less maintenance requirements and a better history of reliability and fuel economy. The interior build quality, IMHO is better in the Honda vs. the Porsche. You can keep the poor man's 911.

If I were getting a convert, the S2000.
If I were getting a Coupe, the G35.
Or possibly take that money, put it in a money market with T. Rowe Price or Vanguard and by the Skyline when it finally come to the US.

Personally, I'd prefer bargain hunting for a used Z06.

[G-man422]

i think a boxter would be a good choice.

[DinanM3_S2]

Originally Posted by C2Z06

I wouldn't get a Boxter, even the Boxter S. I'd go with the S2000 for less do, better performance and far, far less maintenance requirements and a better history of reliability and fuel economy. The interior build quality, IMHO is better in the Honda vs. the Porsche. You can keep the poor man's 911.

If I were getting a convert, the S2000.
If I were getting a Coupe, the G35.
Or possibly take that money, put it in a money market with T. Rowe Price or Vanguard and by the Skyline when it finally come to the US.

Personally, I'd prefer bargain hunting for a used Z06.

Are you sure about everything that you are saying about the Boxster? Have you ever been inside or driven a Boxster?

Performance- the old Boxster (non S) was faster around the Top Gear track, an old S or either of the new Boxsters would smash the S2000, which is beginning to age quickly.

Reliability/economy- Porsche ranked higher then Honda in the JD Powers survey and the Boxster actually gets better fuel economy (23/32 vs (20/26).

Interior Quality? are you kidding me? again, have you ever been in a Boxster (or an S2000 for that matter)? The S2000 is fairly stripped down and boring while the new Boxster's interior is quite smooth and luxurious.

Remember, we are looking for a headturner, and the S2000 has never been a very visually exciting roadster unless next to a Miata. I'd bet a Saturn Sky or Pontiac Solstice would get more looks then the S2000, let alone a Boxster.

I don't mean to bash the S2000, I think its a great car, a good alternative the the 350z, Evo, STi, GTO, and Mustang GT, but its a whole class below the Boxster, SLK, and Z4M. Comparing the S2000 to the Boxster is like comparing the Honda Accord to a BMW 3-Series. They are in different leagues.

[jameschang]

Thanks for the inputs everyone. I agree that the Boxster is nicer than the S2000, I could be wrong, but the S2000 may be faster than the Boxster, but not the Boxster S.

There's always the case where 911 owners look down on Boxster owners; but I think the Boxster has some pretty lines and couldn't care less. Although I suppose I could always look at a used 996, they're around 35k here. So impractical, but so nice....someone get me a towel to wipe this drool off my face.

[C2Z06]

The idea of a used 996 is something I like. Excellent car. I disagree with the impracticle statement though. If you want a headturner, it is very practicle for that sole purpose.

Still would rather find a used Z06. (I know...I'm a Vette troll).

[drunken monkey]

heritage classics in california has an Jaguar E-type S1 FHC for under $40K.
come to think of it, $40K shoud be able to get you a nice 308GTB as well.

[blakscorpion21]

didnt a boxter lap only like 1 second ahead of an s2000 on test gear?

[Jimster]

Yeah, but it was a standard Boxster 2.7, rather than the 3.2 S.

[DinanM3_S2]

Originally Posted by blakscorpion21

didnt a boxter lap only like 1 second ahead of an s2000 on test gear?

A second is a fair amount of time on the TG track, there was only 0.4 seconds between the Boxster and the S2000.

[C2Z06]

Drunken Monkey, excellent call! 308GTB! Best idea I've heard so far!