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      03-15-2021, 03:34 PM   #1
Thunderguts
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The $150k car challenge

This is likely just an academic exercise since I doubt my spousal unit would ever let me spend $150k on a car without divorcing me but...

Let's say you had up to $150k to spend on your forever car. It would live in the garage under a cover and only come out on nice days to remind you how much fun driving can be. I prefer slightly older cars with some character.

The caveats are:

1) Must be a manual
2) Puts the "fizz" in your pants when you drive it
3) Parts are readily available
4) Easy enough to work on in your garage

Here's my short list:

993 Turbo
NSX Zanardi Edition
928 GTS
Viper ACR
Testarossa
Diablo


Honorable Mention:
Ford GT
550 Maranello
R8
Gallardo
Lotus V8 Twin Turbo

I think even a high-mileage Ford GT is well over $150k now, otherwise it would be #1 on my list. The Audi and Gallardo are probably a nightmare to work on. I don't know if the 550 is garage mechanic friendly. The Lotus is a maintenance nightmare and its transmission is a grenade with a loose pin.

What else?
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      03-15-2021, 03:42 PM   #2
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No GT3 on the list? Hands down would be pick!
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      03-15-2021, 03:56 PM   #3
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Gen V Viper hands down.

Do you want a REAL manual (not some sugarcoated one)?
Do you want to actually feel the gears and the largest V10 engine made in a production car?
Do you want pure natural aspiration?
Do you want something unique that will never be made again in the history of humanity?
Do you want something that is sexy looking?
Do you want a Ferrari interior?
Am I making my point?!

The SRT or GTS version will be fine unless you want a track star. In fact, you should really consider not getting the ACR if you are looking for a more "comfortable" car. In that case, GTS all the way.

BTW, Gen V Viper puts the "fizz" in your pants when you drive it, parts are readily available, and easy enough to work on in your garage. I don't think Porsche meets any of those criteria (at least not at an reasonable price point).
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      03-15-2021, 04:17 PM   #4
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I think I kind of have those now....except I don’t work on them.
991.2 Targa GTS
9Y0 Cayenne Turbo
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      03-15-2021, 04:31 PM   #5
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991.2 or 997 GT3 if you want a manual.

360 Modena would be great choice as well!
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      03-15-2021, 04:43 PM   #6
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I didn't realize the GT3 could be had for $150k, but sure enough, there are some pretty good ones in that range. Okay, that definitely goes on the list. I'd still rank the 993 Turbo a little higher just because of how much I wanted one back in the day. They are all overpriced, but so is just about everything else. Testarossas are a bit undervalued right now, I think. I remember when you could get a Dino for $16k and it wasn't that long ago.

The ACR is probably too hardcore, but I definitely wouldn't mind a GTS. I do love a Viper.
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      03-15-2021, 05:14 PM   #7
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5th gen viper gts or TA, 997.2 GT3, or Audi R8 V10... thats really all there is for a modern high performance manual supercar with good reliability.

i doubt you can find a 991.2 gt3 for under 150k. prices have been going up the last couple months. wouldn't touch any ferrari before 2010. Lambo should be ok... i think only the auto e-gear cars had issues. not too sure how reliable an aircooled 911 would be. NSX is great, if you can deal with the lack of power.

manual f430 is available to but probably well above 150k
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      03-15-2021, 05:22 PM   #8
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991 GT3 Touring seems like a safe bet.
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      03-15-2021, 05:27 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Josh-PA View Post
991 GT3 Touring seems like a safe bet.
prices are getting nutty on GT3s, especially the touring. you'd be lucky to find one under 200k these days. there was one on bring a trailer that didn't have the carbon buckets and it sold for 220k.... 50k over sticker price. AND he had drilled a plate into the front bumper.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...gt3-touring-7/
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      03-15-2021, 05:37 PM   #10
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      03-15-2021, 06:34 PM   #11
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OP since you require the car to be garaged most of the time, I'd elect for some sort of older Ferrari, in red of course.

If a daily then definitely a variant of the Porsche 911.
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      03-15-2021, 06:49 PM   #12
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GT3

Viper is pretty awesome too though.
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      03-15-2021, 06:54 PM   #13
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Factory Five Type 65 Daytona coupe.

I'd put a plain coyote V8 and the tremec 6speed MT in it so it should be nearly as reliable as a base Mustang GT. Plus, since I'd build it then I should be able to work on it.
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      03-15-2021, 06:54 PM   #14
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Mine is an F355 berlinetta. Love it, never selling it.

993 is fun too




Last edited by INTMD8; 03-15-2021 at 07:09 PM..
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      03-15-2021, 07:52 PM   #15
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911 GT3 is a great car, no doubt. Probably the best "all-around" car. But if you want something different, something raw, nothing like the Gen V Viper.
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      03-15-2021, 07:57 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Josh-PA View Post
991 GT3 Touring seems like a safe bet.
I don’t even think a salvaged touring would be $150k at this point
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      03-15-2021, 08:21 PM   #17
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I actually did this just recently. I was looking at different cars, including a GT3, 991.2 GTS, R8, Nissan GTR and MB GT-R. The Nissan wasn’t special enough, the MB was too big and only automatic, the R8, well, just not an Audi guy, so the fight went to the two Porsches. Love the GT3 but found the engine issue unappealing, only offered in pdk, road rough(er), hate Cup 2 tires for the street and the interiors are comparatively blah.....so I bought a 5k mile CPO 7 speed manual Carrera 4 GTS. About the most perfect car I’ve ever driven. Fast, but not stupid fast, amazing brakes, steering and handling. Mine stickered at $160k but I paid a smidge over $140k. Can’t say enough about the car, truly world class. Have a look.
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      03-15-2021, 08:24 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sy1616 View Post
I bought a 5k mile CPO 7 speed manual Carrera 4 GTS. About the most perfect car I’ve ever driven. Fast, but not stupid fast, amazing brakes, steering and handling. Mine stickered at $160k but I paid a smidge over $140k. Can’t say enough about the car, truly world class. Have a look.
Very true. So the question is for the OP, does he want the best all around car for that price or something unique and special with a personality.
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      03-15-2021, 09:06 PM   #19
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100% 991.2 GT3. No better modern car for the money and driver engagement.

For 150k I could also find an E92 M3 and E46 M3 which can hold their own against some of these cars

360 Modena or F430 but the F430 in manual is getting well above 150k

Another consideration would be the R8 gated V10 gen 1 but not really following those prices I would imagine they are above 150k
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      03-15-2021, 09:49 PM   #20
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Lots of nice choices! Here’s a few more although I don’t think a lot of them are easy to maintain...

V12 Aston Martin Vantage
DB9, Vanquish
Maybe even a newer Vantage but most of them are automatics.
Lamborghini Gallardo special editions
and since we're on a BMW forum how about a Z8

Last edited by cb804; 03-15-2021 at 10:11 PM..
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      03-15-2021, 10:40 PM   #21
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Maybe just me but I find the interior of Aston Martins to be incredibly unimpressive for the price point.
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      03-15-2021, 10:49 PM   #22
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I definitely wouldn't be looking for a daily. Driving it needs to be an event, which steers me a bit away from the Porsches even though they're the smartest choice. It should be something I spend the entire week anticipating just for that three hour drive on the weekend. That's where the Ferraris really excel, as long as I can take care of most of the maintenance. It's not just the cost, but the bond that develops from working on it yourself. I'll need something to occupy my time.
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