Sports Cars Under $8000.

[u/ChrisP2333]

Are there any good sports cars you can buy for under $8000. I want a manual transmission. Either a coupe or convertible. Something not too pricy to maintain. It would be a second car for me. I need to store outside during New England winters since I don’t have a garage. Will be a second car for me. I have a reliable daily driver SUV. I’ll drive on my days off and like twisty roads. I hope this is enough info for you to help me out. Thank you.

[u/This-Rock1660]

For japanese your looking at lexus is250 2008-2010 or scion fr-s

American? maybe a pontiac g8 or mustang 2004-2007

[u/badmofoes → u/This-Rock1660]

Is300 manual Is250 manual - watch out of the sticky dash 06-08 FRS Miata 350z - watch out for abused ones

[u/experimentalengine → u/This-Rock1660]

IS250 manual is a unicorn. They exist, but 1IS manuals, while very rare, are far more common.

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[u/Calm_Description1500 → u/AutoModerator]

Miata is always the answer-so much so it’s a quote

[u/renegadeindian]

You looking for sports car or cracker box car? Gotta decide what’s it’s for. Golf? A cart would work better. 😆😆. If your looking for putt putts get one of those little ones. They are fun sized already. Groceries? Get a small hot hatch as mentioned. Lots out there

[u/Dogboy123x]

Saab 9-5 Aero. I'll chew your Miata up on straightaways and hold my own on the corners.

[u/F_ur_feelingss → u/Dogboy123x]

If going saab, then go 9-3 viggen.

[u/Master-Thanks883]

Subaru BRZ

[u/imothers]

Pontiac Solstice or Saturn Sky? GM's Miata- fighter

[u/imothers]

MR2 Spyder maybe? Mid-engine, convertible, 2 seats, no trunk, Toyota reliability.

[u/penguinsniper155]

Pontiac Firebird or catfish Camaro. Tons of parts, all issues are well documented and have solutions.

[u/almo2001]

Perhaps a fiat 500 turbo convertible? Those are fun; we had a non convertible model.

[u/outline8668]

Tons of 1980s offerings in your price range. I would probably look for a 80s/90s Corvette. Stick, auto, hard top, targa, t-top, convertible, whatever you want.

[u/experimentalengine]

Being in New England, at that price point you’ll probably need to go to a warm climate to find something that’s not rusted, unless you find someone who truly used it only as a summer toy.

[u/ChrisP2333 → u/experimentalengine]

Good point.

[u/RegularNo1963]

I recently bought Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works R53 for equivalent of 7k USD. Quite a lot for a 1st gen new Mini but rarity makes it worth more. Maybe it's not a "proper" sports car but sure it is a good hot hatch. Maybe it is something that you can consider as well?

[u/IllMasterpiece5610]

Second gen Miata (or third if you’re lucky).

[u/ChrisP2333 → u/IllMasterpiece5610]

An NC Miata is really the sweet spot of what I want. But you’re right that the NB is really more in my price range. I want one with a lsd and that makes the NC trickier for the price. I’ve started considering other cars because Miatas really seem to hold their value. But I’d rather stick with finding a Miata. Thanks for the comment.

[u/IllMasterpiece5610 → u/ChrisP2333]

Th NB is actually better than the NC. I had a 2002 LX; it came with the Torsen diff. One suggestion I’ll make is to unhook the rear sway bar at either corner because it prevents the suspension from fully extending and lifts the inside rear wheel in corners; the car grips like crazy with the bar unhooked (assuming the right tires of course). This was one of the most fun cars I’ve had; sport bikes couldn’t keep up with me on twisty mountain roads.

[u/ChrisP2333 → u/IllMasterpiece5610]

Thanks!