My price range is around 30 k, for this I can get a really sweet 02-04 996 ...


but if your mainly concerned with getting the driving experience of a supercar like a ferrari with the price of a 30k-40k range, which car alternative are good besides the obivious 996? ( which is definetly my first choice)

 

Maybe a used Lotus?

 

NSX...Nothing better than the p-car though in that price range.

 

A used Lotus Esprit was my alternative before going with a 996 as a DD.. but I tell ya, it's nothing like driving a Ferrari. not better, not worse- just completely different-

 

there is a sick black Esprit forsale in NJ.. definitely should consider it. here is a link
http://www.interstatemotorsport.com/...prit&ID=377958

 

Bwahahahaha!! 30K and "supercar experience" in the same sentence is an oxymoron! Well, unless you are talking about a 1970s supercar.

Besides, the only real (contemporary) Porsche supercar is the Carrera GT. And you won't find one of those anywhere near 30K. In my book, anything that costs 30K (including 5-10 year old 996s) isn't even in the same ballpark as a supercar - and you won't get a supercar experience in a 996 anyway.

Don't get me wrong, I love my 996 and I think it is a sweet ride, but I'm not fooling myself into thinking I'm driving a pseudo-supercar.

-td

 

Go to www.ferrarilife.com/classified/ and buy a used one in your price range; then you can ask foolish questions on their forums.

 

Supercar is an often misued word today. You can get an exotic car for 30k, but not super. Consider a 996 or a Lotus Elise. Old NSX if you don't care to have a car that old. If you are just after driving experience, from what I have been told, the Honda S2000 has a very exotic driving experience from the pricepoint. It is certainly down on horsepower compared to others but the overall experience is allegedly racecar/racebike like.

 

maybe you misunderstood the foolish question or maybe you are foolishly responding?

I never said I wanted to owe a ferrari, just some other alternatives that are fun to drive

with a NSX, theres cayman, theres a few mid-engine layout cars fall into the price range

 

964 RSA PCA race car
c6 w/z51
'02 z06 -- tricked out
'99 Viper
02 996
'88 930T with Imagine Auto massaging
500HP EVO's and STI's --- plenty of those

 

The Lotus line is nice, but plagued by reliabilty and overheating issues on some of the older models; do your homework. The NSX is a very nice choice, but it is a bit dated and will likely have high mileage if you get one in the target price range.

My choice would be it's bad *** little brother from the Ferrari/Fiat stable, the 2002- 2004 Maserati Spyder Cambiocorsa or GT. The motor and F1 based transmission are designed by Ferrari. It has a great drivetrain, performance and Italian looks/ lines. It has a 4.2 Liter V8 that makes 390 HP and 330 ft-lbs of Torque.

http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpconta...rticleId=49770
http://www.edmunds.com/maserati/spyder/2002/review.html http://www.edmunds.com/used/2002/mas...049/specs.html

TDK

 

Nice Lotus!

TDK

 

Don't know how you came up with this, but great choice and great info. I know only one Maserati owner; he's been killed by high maintenance costs.

 

Nice Lotus but I bet it costs more $ than a Ferrari to maintain.

 

The old Quattroporte and Bi Turbo from the 80's/ 90's had horrible maintenance issues, but the 2002+ models, post Ferrari/ Fiat takeover, are supposed to be of a much better build quality. The latest ones are even further improved. Hard car to beat for the price. There should be some extended driving reviews floating around as well.

TDK