What, to you, are the best affordable (under 50k) driver's cars?
 

I mean, if you were looking for an enthusiast car to purchase right now off the showroom floor that had to be fun to your standards, and under 50 grand, which current car has your money, and why?

I gotta go with the big 3 American V8 muscle cars (Camaro Challenger Mustang). The interiors are actually quite nice now, all well over 400 horse, actually have good brakes and power.

The only thing out of Japan that seems to be fun for that price is the 370Z and the WRX STI. Both of which haven't really been updated in a while and don't have the value they seemed to have at one time, back when 300 horsepower was class-leading.
The 370Z Nismo is nice and the rev matching on downshifts is super cool, but something about it seems so dated.
Ditto with the STI...it's like Subaru forgot to really update it. WRX just got a refresh and is cool though.
I'm waiting for Honda to come out with something fun.

What do you think is the best performance car for under 50k, and why?

http://i.imgur.com/HyqS4Td.png
why? because for a "driver's car" light weight is more important than power.

If I had $50k for a driver's car, I'd get something used and have fun modding it, myself, plus have money left over.

apparently those new Camaros with the new Alpha platform under pinnings drive quite nice.

new mustang - and get 18x10 square setup with fatty tires

edit: seems they can now do 18x11 square with 305 tires :lol

Atom ariel :fuckyea:

Does it have to be new? If not, C6 Corvette Z06 all day everyday. That drive train is perfect. The suspension is already really good, with very little mods youll have one amazing car.

get a manual subaru brz, bitch about how slow it is, go buy a crate motor coyote v8 for a mustang, do a swap and still squeak under $50k with tears of joy...

http://www.engineswapdepot.com/?p=7374

http://engineswap.wpengine.netdna-cd...ion-FRS-01.jpg

I will also vote for a BRZ w/ well built SC or Turbo kit, BBK, KW V3, wheels, and rubber.

996 Turbo 6MT.

Nobody said anything about maintenance costs!

i thought we were talking about a brand new car off the showroom floor today? :confused:

Oops are we?

EDIT: Wait I didn't realize a BRZ with a coyote was off the showroom floor! /s

i said buy the car new, then do the swap afterwards... keep up man :p

maintenance cost isn't bad on 996TT, at least you don't need to do IMS/RMS.
Tough part is to find one under $50k. most of them are $55k+ now. The 2001 996TT posted on craigslist good buy asking for $57,000, sold within 2 days.

Back to topic, I vote for VW Golf R. Right on $50k after tax. Turbo AWD Hatchback. What else can you ask for?

2016 Golf R | Compact Car | Volkswagen Canada

+1 on the Golf R. More refined/comfortable than the WRX STi.....

The only new car I want is not available in Canada because our market is different and we love our Stupid Useless Vehicles

http://www.blogcdn.com/slideshows/im...s-review-1.jpg

--- Chevrolet / Holden SS ---

With conversion, it's actually over $50k but close enough.

I would very much consider the new Camaro (lost a lot of weight) but I couldn't live with that roofline for very long.

Though I love my Golf R as a daily... I'm not sure it has the character to be considered a "drivers car".

A great car for <50k but not a real drivers car IMO.

Just get a second job and buy a GT4.

Doesn't say new and doesn't say manufacturer's showroom :troll:

well if that's the case...

2007 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/ctd/5604502495.html

http://images.craigslist.org/00707_b...HY_600x450.jpg

i'm with pidish on this one. needs no explanation why. wish they could put it together better though. but parts falling off=less weight.

or a 6spd manual cts-v wagon. why? because corvette hiding in station wagon drag. just google and see that it can do almost everything... autocross, road course, drag race, and after the weekend is over you take your kids to school in it as well:

http://www.ctsvowners.com/forum/sign...gpic3678_1.gif

... but i would have better luck catching a unicorn because thay are so rare :o

oh yeah there is also the nsx. ayrton senna blessed it so it dosen't get more driver's car to me... like this for example:

http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showth...NA2167VT000017

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...e/IMG_1162.jpg

... unfortunately it's $5k over budget (but the seller has these first world problems involving porsches so i'm sure he can be talked down lol) and not a dealer. oh well :okay:

this is a good option too @ $43k

2012 FORD MUSTANG GT BOSS 302 COUPE LOW 22K KMS RARE! 550 HORSEPOWER!

http://images.craigslist.org/00y0y_i...Q_1200x900.jpg

After this thread, I'm completely lost on the meaning of "driver's car".

You don't need 50k

http://www.autoatlanta.com/carsales/...785e-25673.jpg

http://thumbsnap.com/s/8I50geVL.jpg

http://www.kimballstock.com/pix/AUT/...K1654_01_P.JPG

If I could have found a Miata in Orange that would have been there too ;) You don't need 50k.

can a lotus elise be bought off the dealer lot for under $50k?

still looking to buy a S2k someday... lol... to fulfill my high school dream...

how about a used cayman S or GTS? not in that price range yet?