What car would you buy for $17K?

[YoYiTo]

A friend of mine wants to buy a car. But he can decide on which car he wants to go for. His budget is $17K. He's thinking to go for a WRX, S2000, Audi 1.8t or the GTI 1.8t. I'm between the WRX or the S2000 (but the S2000 is a 2seater kind of a bummer). He's 19 so he's running on a college budget.

The car is going to be manual tranny.

What car do you guys prefer or suggest??

Thanx for any replies!!!

[ducky]

You can get S2000's for $17k?

Where do I sign up?

[Cruzmisl]

e36 m3 without one hint of doubt.

[JSN]

Originally posted by Cruzmisl
e36 m3 without one hint of doubt.

[BoostFed325]

where can you get a s2000 for 17


i dont think you can get a good e36 for 17 either.

[yotone]

$17K u can get a mint M3. the winter time market is great for the buyers out there.

[BoostFed325]

are you sure?
i was looking at m3's a few months ago and for under 50,000 they are still at 20,000-23,000

[JSN]

Originally posted by yotone
$17K u can get a mint M3. the winter time market is great for the buyers out there.

you should all know by now that the sale price of a BMW isnt where all your money will go, makes friends with your local mech

[///MEric]

well you could be different and get an e34 m5 i think those are like 17k

[ilikenicegirls]

Originally posted by ducky
You can get S2000's for $17k?

Where do I sign up?

ive seen tons on ebay go for about 18k, ive seen a few in the newspaper and in autotrader for about 16-17k. they have like 30k+ miles though.

[on a friday]

E36 M3.

[SilverBeam]

S2Ks are still in the 20's. If he finds one it's salvaged or something.

E36 M3

[porscheboy16]

Three Options

1. 911 Carrera 1984-89
2. Porsche 944 Turbo
Buy a good example for $10K +$4000 in mods= 430 RWHP
3. E36 M3 *Nuff said*

[Daved]

BMW E36 M3 definitely :)

[RussM3]

I was going to make this great post about why the E30-M3 would be a great buy for 17K etc.

However, the truth is if he is on a budget he should avoid the E36M3, E30M3, Audis, Porsche, etc. These cars are not initially overly expensive, however, you will spend more than your average amount for preventive maintenance. If you cannot afford the proper maintenance they become money pits and can be unreliable.

I would find something a bit more realistic for the budget then most of the car previously mentioned. Beside, can he afford the insurance at 19 for a hp sports sedan or car?

[Bassmaster_old]

Get a 1995 mazda miata. most fun car ever...you will have low insurance,super reliable, low maintance,convertible, Put a "Flying Miata" II turbo kit on it, enjoy smoking all your friends, with a 12 sec daily driver getting 25 mpg. Go road racing, auto crossing and drag racing using the money you left over in your pocket. By far the best bang for the buck. I've sold 9-10 of them in the last few yrs

This one was my daily driver for for the last 5yrs. 0-60 in 4 sec, 12's in the 1/4 and it would hit 140mph in 22 sec's from a dead stand still!
Http://members.cardomain.com/bassmaster790:boink :boink

[lost4ever]

E36 M3 would be my top choice. But the WRX are also very fast and dont look to bad either

[BoostFed325]

get a 325 for like 12, fix all the little problems soo they dont bug the sh-t outa ya. then you still got some cash for mods.

[Flawless]

He can always save a little more and get a SRT 4.

[RobH]

Of the cars you listed, I would say WRX. I would love an S2000, but a 2 - seater isn't all that practical. The Audi would be nice too if it has quattro.

[ehlpitel]

that miata is pretty sick, im definatly inclined towards a turbo 944, but a e36 m3 is also very rewarding... my dad test drove a s2000 and he said he couldnt standed, the noise he said is like a civic w/ a huge fart can, he said he felt obnoxious and went with the mcoupe:awink:

[MMNJTWA]

E36 M3 or if he can't afford the insurance get a cheap (but in good physical condition) E36 BMW and do a 3.2 obd1 engine swap... should be able to pull it off if he finds an E36 body cheap enough.. hell i have a '94 325is for $4,200 he can buy and get to work on the engine swap right away... he will definitely be in business

[Chongus]

Get an E36 M3 period.

[M Roady]

I just bought a sweet 98 M Roadster for $17,950.

Or he could get this S2K for $12k
http://images.autotrader.com/images/2003/12/11/142/039/677998470.142039290.IM1.MAIN.565x421_A.562x421.jpg (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=142039290&dealer_id=105539&car_year=2000&make=HONDA&distance=any&max_price=20000&model=S2000&advcd_on=n&end_year=2001&min_price=&first_record=26&address=33611&search_type=used&advanced=n&start_year=1983&=&color=&cardist=193)