Car maybe totaled, what to replace it with?

[J98GT]

I came back from a 2 week business trip only to find that my Mustang had been ransacked and my stereo, gauges, and headlights stolen. Pretty much every body panel has some minor gouges, and the door panels and dash are severely damaged. I'm thinking there is a chance it will be totalled. I need to decide what to replace it with. Here are my criteria:

1. MUST BE Open track/autocross worthy in stock form
2. ~$27,000 new or slightly used (<3 years old, low miles, stored winters)
3. Respectable power
4. Reasonably affordable mods/maintainance

Some options I'm considering:

350Z
EVO
C5 Vette
E36 M3
S2000

I do not want another Mustang. I have diven every iteration of the current Mustang (Cobra, GT, Mach 1, Bullitt, stock and heavily modded) and the 05 (I work in the auto industry) and I do not want one. They are all good cars, but I want to focus on handling rather than balls out power this time around (My Mustang has 400rwhp).

Anyone have any opinions or experiece with these cars? Any other ideas?

 

[FallenPhoenix]

I think the S2000 would be a blast on a road course. What about an older MR2? I drove a new one and for having only 138bhp it was probably the most fun car I've ever driven, combine that with the convertible top and I would have bought it it my knees didn't rub the steering wheel.

 

[J98GT]

I have thought about that actually. I've put so much money and work into this car, I kind of want a car that is good to go out of the box, and has nice paint and clean interior.

I have also been toying with the idea of building a Spec Miata race car or a 125cc Shifter Kart.

 

[Jesus]

What about an STI? I think those cars are pretty sweet. (In a non-mustang sort of way) Are you sure you dont want a Mach 1?

 

[tangerine]

this should be in talk but if you are wanting something that is really good on a road course get an 03 cobra. but sense you don't want a mustang gt a 350z and do an sr20 swap. It would be fast and handle really good.

 

[stallion98gt]

I second the WRX STI...

 

[J98GT]

I second the WRX STI...

I might consider the STi, has anyone driven one compared to the EVO? I've driven an EVO, and I really liked it . . . the STi would have to be noticeably better, since I like the EVO's looks a lot better.

I'm positive I don't want a mustang. A mustang is not what I would call open track worthy out of the box. MAYBE the Cobra is, but I also don't want a 3600lb car.

I'm not up on all the latest import mods . . . why would an SR20 be better than the VQ that comes stock in the 350Z?

 

[Aaron 4.6]

I have thought about that actually. I've put so much money and work into this car, I kind of want a car that is good to go out of the box, and has nice paint and clean interior.

I have also been toying with the idea of building a Spec Miata race car or a 125cc Shifter Kart.

If you don't need the car to do much besides get you from A to B, the Miata is a tough one to beat. You can easily fit one in your budget, and if you don't need cargo or passenger capacity it is the car that best fits the 'race out of the box' mold you mention in your criteria.

Hell, for $20,000 you can get a good condition Miata to race in a Spec series AND a beater low-mileage Accord or equivalent to drive every day if the Miata is down.

 

[J98GT]

If you don't need the car to do much besides get you from A to B, the Miata is a tough one to beat. You can easily fit one in your budget, and if you don't need cargo or passenger capacity it is the car that best fits the 'race out of the box' mold you mention in your criteria.

Hell, for $20,000 you can get a good condition Miata to race in a Spec series AND a beater low-mileage Accord or equivalent to drive every day if the Miata is down.

I'm not concerned about a beater. I get a company car at my job, and my finace has a Saab 9-3 that she leases. The Mustang is a weekend toy only, and the new car would be too.

 

[BLK_ROUSH]

Of the list:
350Z
EVO
C5 Vette
E36 M3
S2000

Two seperate classes and a lot of proven mods and pkgs to make it go and handle.

 

[J98GT]

I agree with that . . . the only thing is that I'd have to settle for an older/more used sample of the M3 or C5.

 

[CottonBurnerz]

i vote for teh vette

 

[BLK_ROUSH]

Yeah, I know *sigh* ... such its the case with people that have budgets.
Otherwise, you would probably would have something else in mind.

 

[wanta5.0]

C5

 

[Black_Cobra]

Corvette ZR-1!

 

[COBRA90GT]

...I came back from a 2 week business trip only to find that my Mustang had been ransacked and my stereo, gauges, and headlights stolen...

Ouch, sorry to hear. FWIW, my bro-in-law just purchased a new Subaru Legacy GT, pretty stout car IMHO...

 

[04DarkShadowGT]

why on earth would you want to sway a SR20 into a 350Z? Yes the SR is a potent motor but the VQ isnt so bad itself and its a 6 cylinder vs 4 cylinder. Definatly not worth the money because you get less after youre done. Just take the $$ and blow the VQ and be done with it.

 

[GregGTStang]

Infiniti G35 Coupe (Red w/chrome wheels and no spoiler) Or get a 350Z. They're both bad ass. Good hp and get over 20 mpg, unlike 'Stangs getting between 15 and 17 in the city.

 

[01GT281]

this should be in talk but if you are wanting something that is really good on a road course get an 03 cobra. but sense you don't want a mustang gt a 350z and do an sr20 swap. It would be fast and handle really good.

Why in the heck would you swap out a 260 or whatever horse V6 for a 225hp 4 cyl. This makes no sense but then again this is a mustang forum and i'm glad i don't have to get my parts from Japan. American labor is the best anyways. Anyhow, there is a guy that lives outside of Hutchinson KS. He drives what I think is a red '93 Viper. My friend Derek used to ride jet skis all the time with him at the lake. Derek told me that he would probably sell it for around $27-30k and it is pretty slow ! Maybe you should check out a used viper or something. Your insurance would be really cheap though i bet. Oh yeah it has a salvage title for hail damage and i'm not sure if it's still available but i might be able to find out. Imagine the tail you could get with a viper!

 

[LI98GTStang]

Infiniti G35 Coupe (Red w/chrome wheels and no spoiler) Or get a 350Z. They're both bad ass. Good hp and get over 20 mpg, unlike 'Stangs getting between 15 and 17 in the city.

G35 Coupes would be my vote also. IMO, has a better overal look than the new Z car and all the goodies.