Best impractical fun car 40-50K

username79 · Oct 9, 2008

I currently, and for the foreseeable future, get a new rental every month. This ends up being a decent car -- Honda Accord, Mustang, etc. so I use it drive to work and for most other non-intensive things.

I'm looking for something fun, with a maximum price of 50K, and no older than a 2001. The more impractical the better, to a point. I hate sedans and large cars. Any suggestions?

Short list:

NSX
S2000
Cayman S
...?

visionology · Oct 9, 2008

Lotus Elise / Exige is probably the most impractical car you can get in that range.

pscolari · Oct 9, 2008

Land Rover Defender 90

micbain · Oct 9, 2008

Originally Posted by visionology

Lotus Elise / Exige is probably the most impractical car you can get in that range.

+1

I think this is hands down the best car you can get for the "Best impractical fun car for $50k" title.

You can also get used 911's, and even nice 996 Turbo's in the $50k range but maintenance is $$$.

Southern-Nupe · Oct 9, 2008

Originally Posted by visionology

Lotus Elise / Exige is probably the most impractical car you can get in that range.
After the Lotus, is there any other choice?

Brian278 · Oct 9, 2008

Originally Posted by Southern-Nupe

After the Lotus, is there any other choice?

There is absolutely not. It's the hands down winner in this category if you have a second car. I don' think there's anyway you get a Cayman S for less than 50K.

Southern-Nupe · Oct 9, 2008

Originally Posted by Brian278

There is absolutely not. It's the hands down winner in this category if you have a second car. I don' think there's anyway you get a Cayman S for less than 50K.
Same here, I didn't know what the current price they were going for on the used market, but less than 50K did seem kind of low, however it's still an amazing car.

bigbjorn · Oct 9, 2008

The Elise is the car to get in this category. The Exige is faster and packs a bigger torque wallop, but the supercharger whine ruins the godly noise of the Elise. The Elise sings, while the Exige sounds like a Dyson.

jakejake · Oct 9, 2008

What's so cool about the Lotus besides that it's fun to drive? How reliable is it?

DMcG · Oct 9, 2008

An Ariel Atom if you can find a used one. It seems like with the new US manufacturer they're starting at $65K for a new one these days.

Brian278 · Oct 9, 2008

Originally Posted by jakejake

What's so cool about the Lotus besides that it's fun to drive? How reliable is it?

Did you not read the thread title? It's impractical, and it's the most fun to drive car south of about $70K I'd imagine. I believe it uses a Honda drivetrain but they may have changed that recently.

freshcutgrass · Oct 9, 2008

A Manta Mirage...big block.

Southern-Nupe · Oct 9, 2008

Originally Posted by DMcG

An Ariel Atom if you can find a used one. It seems like with the new US manufacturer they're starting at $65K for a new one these days.
Good pick, I forgot about the Ariel.

Southern-Nupe · Oct 9, 2008

Originally Posted by Brian278

Did you not read the thread title? It's impractical, and it's the most fun to drive car south of about $70K I'd imagine. I believe it uses a Honda drivetrain but they may have changed that recently.
It's the same 1.8L from the Toyota Celica, but it absolutely sings when fitted in the Lotus.

Pylon · Oct 9, 2008

BMW Z4 roadster 3.0si

Best impractical fun car 40-50K

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