[Bumpinjeep]

Jag E-Type if you're rich.
Early Miata if you're like the rest of us.



Hell, I even got them the same color for you. You're welcome.

[baege]

1999-2000 M coupe
Classic looks with analog feel
I actually prefer the S52 over the S54, more buttery smooth than the S54 which has a raspy harshness to it
only going to go up in value

[freakystyly]

Originally Posted by baege

1999-2000 M coupe
Classic looks with analog feel
I actually prefer the S52 over the S54, more buttery smooth than the S54 which has a raspy harshness to it
only going to go up in value

They're already up, it's insane from when they were less than half the price 5-10 years ago. https://www.mcoupebuyersguide.com/listings

Maybe it's just the low mileage examples skewing the average, but man I regret not picking one up when they were somewhat cheap.

[baege]

Originally Posted by freakystyly

They're already up, it's insane from when they were less than half the price 5-10 years ago. https://www.mcoupebuyersguide.com/listings

Maybe it's just the low mileage examples skewing the average, but man I regret not picking one up when they were somewhat cheap.

Oh I feel ya!

Back in the day I chose a brand new 350Z over a used 1999 M coupe with only 6000 km, estoril blue
they were similarly priced but would have had to go with an aftermarket warranty with the Mcoupe which kinda swayed me...also was able to test drive the 350Z but they wouldnt let me take the m coupe out...I bet if I had driven it I would have bought it.
the regret remains to this day
ended up with an e86 coupe about 6 years later, but still wished I had experienced that M coupe

I feel like one day I will have one at likely double the price I could have got it for in 2003!

[inverse121]

Originally Posted by 414bhp

The NC Miata is my fallback plan for if I go broke! But I can't see having it if I can afford exotic metal, like the 997 Porsches.

Likely the definition of what a classic car for weekend driving means is personal to each of us. Driving 997 on the street isn’t driving a slow car fast from my experience.

Please keep this thread updated I’m looking forward to whatever you get.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by freakystyly

They're already up, it's insane from when they were less than half the price 5-10 years ago. https://www.mcoupebuyersguide.com/listings

Maybe it's just the low mileage examples skewing the average, but man I regret not picking one up when they were somewhat cheap.

It'd be hard to pass up that 2000 Black MCoupe for $34K.

[BlkGS]

You're gonna have to give us some sort of a budget or you're gonna get all kinds of wacko answers from Miata to Miura.

Assuming your budget is sub $50k, and it's gonna be a manual for fun, you can throw the idea of a 993 out. Probably any air cooled Porsche that's decent. It sounds you want something more along the lines of a roof off l, handling focused car, not a muscle car. It sounds like you're chasing an experience more so than a time period.

Given all that, I'd consider an E92 M3 convertible. The Z3/Z4 M make great options as well. You could get into a 996 or a really crappy 997, but they're not going to scratch the itch in the same way. You could get into a plethora or Corvettes that I think are going to deliver more performance than you actually want. A 350Z would be a good choice, but hard to find clean ones. S2000 of you're a little manlet that can fit in one too (if you're at least 6 foot tall, forget about it). You could probably get into an early Viper and maybe come out alive?

Outside of that, you kinda gotta start narrowing down what you actually want.

[pbonsalb]

E9x M3 are great useable drivers! Had an E90 M3 for 10 years. The E93 convertibles are heavier and more flexy so they are slower and don’t handle quite as sharply. The 8400 rpm limit is fun and the thrills are from 5500-8400, but torque is perfectly adequate for lazy driving. Mine was a 6MT, so it was much more work to drive than the excellent DCT 7 speed that is probably better suited to the engine.

But it seems like the OP wants an antique, not a 15 year old car. Antiques can be fun for weekend drives and they can spend the weekdays in the shop being sorted out. It’s not that bad once they are sorted out, but when everything is 25 to 50 years old, it won’t be long before there is something else to fix. Great for DIYers, or those the deep pockets, though some with access to a reasonable independent shop with a backyard full of old parts cars will have tolerable upkeep costs.

[414bhp]

Originally Posted by Bc2005

Another consideration is how much time and money you have for the upkeep of a 40-50 year old vehicle.

I have a ‘75 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD pickup that is really useful for home projects, and fun to drive if you want to spend some time in the dirt. Parts are readily available, and it’s generally not that complicated. However, I literally never know what might go out of adjustment, break, or need tweaking to keep it working correctly.

Carburetors and pushrod engines work fine most of the time, but when you find it running badly you either have to fix it yourself or find a shop that knows how to adjust it. In a highly populated metro area, these are going to be specialty (expensive) repair shops because it’s a niche business.

Yeah, I don't have the time or the skill to do my own mechanical work work.

[414bhp]

Originally Posted by baege

1999-2000 M coupe
Classic looks with analog feel
I actually prefer the S52 over the S54, more buttery smooth than the S54 which has a raspy harshness to it
only going to go up in value

These always turn my head when they go past.

[414bhp]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

You're gonna have to give us some sort of a budget or you're gonna get all kinds of wacko answers from Miata to Miura.

Assuming your budget is sub $50k, and it's gonna be a manual for fun, you can throw the idea of a 993 out. Probably any air cooled Porsche that's decent. It sounds you want something more along the lines of a roof off l, handling focused car, not a muscle car. It sounds like you're chasing an experience more so than a time period.

Given all that, I'd consider an E92 M3 convertible. The Z3/Z4 M make great options as well. You could get into a 996 or a really crappy 997, but they're not going to scratch the itch in the same way. You could get into a plethora or Corvettes that I think are going to deliver more performance than you actually want. A 350Z would be a good choice, but hard to find clean ones. S2000 of you're a little manlet that can fit in one too (if you're at least 6 foot tall, forget about it). You could probably get into an early Viper and maybe come out alive?

Outside of that, you kinda gotta start narrowing down what you actually want.

Thanks for asking these questions!

Yes, I am chasing the experience more than the time period. But it seems to me that if I go for an older car, I'll find one that is more engaging at legal speeds. For the price range, anything under $100k seems plausible.

In terms of what I'm looking for, it would be a car that is so delightfully connected and involving that it makes California Hwy 1 weekend drives a delight. Extra points if it is still fun when stuck behind weekend tourists doing Hwy 1 at the speed limit.

For me, delight means great steering feel that is full of road texture, bump impact, and wheel loads, an engine with a good sound and interesting character, brakes that hold up to hours of mountain driving, and a RWD chassis that relishes curves. I also want the car to have enough power to challenge the rear tires. My all time favorites include the current Camaro SS, NC Miatas and Porsche 997 C2S and 997 GT3. I loved my Lotus Elise test drive, but that car is too bare-bones raw for me; I want more ride comfort and sound insulation than that!

I owned an E90 M3 for almost 7 years, loved the engine and chassis, but honestly found it too subdued/boring at slow speeds and wished for even more steering feel.

I now own a CTS-V wagon, and it has better steering feedback than the M3 and a superior (more compliant yet still capable) suspension. It's a keeper for me, but doesn't do engine fizz or intake sound like the M3. It is, however, fun to drive slowly.

I also have an AMG GT S which I'd be selling to make way for the new weekend car. The AMG GT has phenomenal chassis and steering and a damn good engine, but isn't that fun when driven at the speed limit.

I'm open to the Z3/Z4 M. I've been ignoring Corvettes because they don't meet high standard for steering. I'm over 6-feet tall so I've been ignoring the S2000.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by 414bhp

Thanks for asking these questions!

Yes, I am chasing the experience more than the time period. But it seems to me that if I go for an older car, I'll find one that is more engaging at legal speeds. For the price range, anything under $100k seems plausible.

In terms of what I'm looking for, it would be a car that is so delightfully connected and involving that it makes California Hwy 1 weekend drives a delight. Extra points if it is still fun when stuck behind weekend tourists doing Hwy 1 at the speed limit.

For me, delight means great steering feel that is full of road texture, bump impact, and wheel loads, an engine with a good sound and interesting character, brakes that hold up to hours of mountain driving, and a RWD chassis that relishes curves. I also want the car to have enough power to challenge the rear tires. My all time favorites include the current Camaro SS, NC Miatas and Porsche 997 C2S and 997 GT3. I loved my Lotus Elise test drive, but that car is too bare-bones raw for me; I want more ride comfort and sound insulation than that!

I owned an E90 M3 for almost 7 years, loved the engine and chassis, but honestly found it too subdued/boring at slow speeds and wished for even more steering feel.

I now own a CTS-V wagon, and it has better steering feedback than the M3 and a superior (more compliant yet still capable) suspension. It's a keeper for me, but doesn't do engine fizz or intake sound like the M3. It is, however, fun to drive slowly.

I also have an AMG GT S which I'd be selling to make way for the new weekend car. The AMG GT has phenomenal chassis and steering and a damn good engine, but isn't that fun when driven at the speed limit.

I'm open to the Z3/Z4 M. I've been ignoring Corvettes because they don't meet high standard for steering. I'm over 6-feet tall so I've been ignoring the S2000.

Since I have both the non-M versions of the Z3 and E86 Z4 I'd be concerned about fitment being over 6 ft. An inseam much over 34" will be on the edge of a tight fit in the Z3.

[JABCAT]

This doesn't meet your criteria of pre-2000, and you said you're ignoring Corvettes, but a C6 Z06 with Z07 pkg (2011-2013) pretty much checks the boxes for an ultimate canyon carver. The Z07 pkg adds the suspension, cooling, aero, and carbon ceramic brakes from the ZR1 to the lighter aluminum framed N/A Z06. With 505 hp, this car was just 3 seconds slower than the ZR1 (638 hp) around Nurburgring.

I have a Callaway Carbon Edition Z06 (supercharged 680 hp) as my weekend fun car. It'll do 0-60 in mid-2's, 1/4 in low-mid 10's, and handles like it's on rails. The Z07s are very hard to find because they didn't make many, and the Carbon Editions even harder to find because there were only 252 individually numbered cars produced.

[Ohio Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by 414bhp

I've been ignoring Corvettes because they don't meet high standard for steering. I'm over 6-feet tall so I've been ignoring the S2000.

You can ignore the S2000 for the steering as well.

How about a BRZ/FRS/(GR)86? Two generations to pick from (which are more or less the same, but the rawer experience is in the earlier cars) and a huge aftermarket to improve on anything you find lacking. Manual, RWD, lightweight, communicative steering. Yes, it's down on power, but that can be solved with FI (with both turbo and super options) or an LS (or other engine) swap (and you'd still be well under budget of some of the other options mentioned). The more I drive other cars, the more I appreciate my BRZ and the less I know what to replace it with.

Also, a lot of talk about 911s, but what about Cayman/Boxster? Not a classic, but might beat a 996/997 for driving feel.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

This doesn't meet your criteria of pre-2000, and you said you're ignoring Corvettes, but a C6 Z06 with Z07 pkg (2011-2013) pretty much checks the boxes for an ultimate canyon carver. The Z07 pkg adds the suspension, cooling, aero, and carbon ceramic brakes from the ZR1 to the lighter aluminum framed N/A Z06. With 505 hp, this car was just 3 seconds slower than the ZR1 (638 hp) around Nurburgring.

I have a Callaway Carbon Edition Z06 (supercharged 680 hp) as my weekend fun car. It'll do 0-60 in mid-2's, 1/4 in low-mid 10's, and handles like it's on rails. The Z07s are very hard to find because they didn't make many, and the Carbon Editions even harder to find because there were only 252 individually numbered cars produced.

I'm surprised you haven't sold yours yet. I'm surprised I haven't sold by Grand Sport yet too, lol. Once you got the M2 and started missing it I was like "he's either gonna leather or alcantara wrap everything in the BMW, or he's gonna sell the Corvette" , lol.

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

I'm surprised you haven't sold yours yet. I'm surprised I haven't sold by Grand Sport yet too, lol. Once you got the M2 and started missing it I was like "he's either gonna leather or alcantara wrap everything in the BMW, or he's gonna sell the Corvette" , lol.

Lol - the M2 has a new alcantara & carbon fiber steering wheel, alcantara center console lid, and I'm probably going to wrap the dash eventually

The Callaway is never getting sold. There is only 3 of them in existence, and #s 1&2 are owned by the same guy.

[Alfisti]

You're a bit all over the place OP, you say classic but the experience you want is more a 20ish year old thing at most if a Lotus is too bare boned.

I keep coming back to a Z4M or high spec Cayman with the DFI flat 6. You don't sound like you really want to go older tbh.

[ShocknAwe]

OP, do you need a rear seat/baggage area in the cabin?

Helps solve the z3/4MC vs 997 debate.

Worth noting wants are wants and I see 997 mentioned repeatedly in your posts. Worth acknowledging that and considering if it's a value you'd be willing to spend for or if a Cayman vs Z4 would scratch the itch.

If you get something different than what you ultimately want it'll likely end up with wasted time and money.

[Alfisti]

Yeah I own a 997 and I have been steering him towards Z4/Cayman

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Yeah I own a 997 and I have been steering him towards Z4/Cayman

If I didn't NEED rear seats I 100% would have purchased a similarly valued Cayman as opposed to my 991.1 GTS. TONS of performance value there and in my opinion a Cayman is a better drivers car to boot.

Lots of things to drive though, Front engine cars (Z4) feel different than Mid engine (Cayman) and rear engine (997/911) are a totally different animal.

OP you'll have a strong preference once you drive them all and acknowledge your needs vs wants.

[Alfisti]

Problem with a Cayman is the rear never looks right, on any generation. It's like it has two fronts, i dunno what it is ... it just never works for me visually.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by Ohio Enthusiast

Also, a lot of talk about 911s, but what about Cayman/Boxster? Not a classic, but might beat a 996/997 for driving feel.

^This. 987.2 Cayman 6MT (2009-2012). It doesn't matter if it's a 265hp base model (low $30s) or the 330hp Cayman R ($60s), they are amazing machines. Basically like a newer 1st gen NSX. A base model Cayman is quicker and handles like 1st gen NSX plus it has a ton of utility. I absolutely love mine and you'll have to pry the keys from my dead hand to part to with it.

I crossed shopped C5 Z06s, new gen BRZ, and the ND2 Miata. I always wanted a Porsche but didn't want to spend a ton of money and the Porsche experience be bad my first go around. I wanted a 911, but figured I'd ease into it so I researched 987 Caymans and determined that the 987.2 base model was the best one to get; arguably the most reliable and over built Porsche in the last 30+ years. Such a freaking easy car to work on.

It's much slower than my 2018 DCT M2, but the Cayman is on a totally different level in terms of connection, ability, sound, sensory input, etc. It has just the right amount of rawness, refinement, and tech to drive daily and go on a 1,000+ mile road trip. If you're over 6' 2" though, a 987 will be tight. I'm almost 6' 2" and have a 34" inseam and I couldn't be 1" taller or else the car wouldn't work for me.