Help me out, what fun car

I'm looking for a "non-project car"; yeah I know that won't happen....

Have 5-10k to blow on something reliable and fun. I reached out on a B-GT on here, have looked at a couple BMW 128, drove a really ratty BRZ (yech) and even looked at a nice late 90's R129. I rarely autocross anymore, haven't w2w since 2008, no drag racing since 2004 so this is a weekend cruiser type vehicle. All started when I impulsively test drove a Supra and went back to look at two more then realized that's not a good fit for me. 
 

Current stable is a '18 f150 ('21 on order), '14 Town and Country, '88 MB 300ce, '89 Dakota Vert project(keeper), '70 Beetle Vert project, '74 Jensen Healy parts car(for future project). I've sold, traded or plain gave away most everything else (and would do the same whith a few remaining) since I don't have time to focus on a bunch of stuff. 
 

Any ideas? Selling something that might fit?

Seems to me you're missing a fun cruiser that makes great noises, and nothing makes noise like a Mustang. $10K gets you a seriously nice SN95/New Edge N/A Cobra, GT, or Mach 1. Early S197 GT's have creeped down there as well.

Corvette 

Mustang - 2005+ are much better drivers

Mercedes Clk or SLK (auto only)

NC Miata 

350z

Javelin (Forum Supporter) said:

Seems to me you're missing a fun cruiser that makes great noises, and nothing makes noise like a Mustang. $10K gets you a seriously nice SN95/New Edge N/A Cobra, GT, or Mach 1. Early S197 GT's have creeped down there as well.

The truck covers the sound; I have 130k on it in 30ish months. The new has a 5.0 also. Maybe some V8 modern car will fill the void.

Cruiser? Get something little big to medium big from the 70s, drop it 2-4 inches, and put a set of one of the hundreds of wheels you have on it, and cruise forever.  Slo-Touring.

In reply to chandler :

Maybe the Beetle fills this spot but what about something tiny?  Something jdm like a Honda Beat or Suzuki Cappuccino?

Similar to the BMW 128, I have recently been intrigued by the 2010-ish Lexus 250iC. A convertible with rigid top and family friendly back seat for 2.

Similar vein of back seat convertible leaves me wanting a 2011+ Mustang convertible with 300 hp V6. 

Are you interested in anything from the Overland category?  

First off, you guys talking about Mustangs are way off track even mentioning something other than the greatest 'Stang of them all, the Mustang II.  Clearly that is the best answer!

I think Appleseed has the second best answer.  The car needs to be like good BBQ, Slow and Low!

$10K would get you the nicest C4 Corvette out there (other than ZR1s) or an acceptable C5. They're great for being fun out of the box without feeling like you need to make a project out of improving them. Well, other than the interior on the C4.... and the TPI's lack of power. But you could always get an LT1.

I'd do a rediculous swap into the Dakota vert and fit a suspension setup that gives it more lateral grip then it has any right to have. 

Otherwise you're effectively looking at a cruiser or GT car in the 5 to $10,000 range. You're 21 F-150 that's on order is going to be more comfortable and will outperform the options you're looking at in a straight line making the vehicle redundant. Which is why I'd focus it onto something that you already have. The only exception I can think of would potentially be a Marauder, but I haven't priced those in more than a decade and I'm confident that they're a significant amount more than 10 grand.

MadScientistMatt said:

$10K would get you the nicest C4 Corvette out there (other than ZR1s) or an acceptable C5. They're great for being fun out of the box without feeling like you need to make a project out of improving them. Well, other than the interior on the C4.... and the TPI's lack of power. But you could always get an LT1.

I've had two C4 now and won't do that again. Haven't had a C5 but don't think I will.

Probably should say that I have three kids so a four seater may be necessary just so I can "say" I invited them all along.

captdownshift (Forum Supporter) said:

I'd do a rediculous swap into the Dakota vert and fit a suspension setup that gives it more lateral grip then it has any right to have. 

 

Otherwise you're effectively looking at a cruiser or GT car in the 5 to $10,000 range. You're 21 F-150 that's on order is going to be more comfortable and will outperform the options you're looking at in a straight line making the vehicle redundant. Which is why I'd focus it onto something that you already have. The only exception I can think of would potentially be a Marauder, but I haven't priced those in more than a decade and I'm confident that they're a significant amount more than 10 grand.

Ha, the '18 was rated 0-60 in 5.9 which is hilarious to me. It does it too..

The Dakota has every belltech suspension piece thrown at it except the sway bars but I pulled those off a truck I parted out so should be good there as well. That's all in boxes waiting for the next time I have free garage space and two days

I bought a very nice, low mile NB Miata with a Flyin Miata turbo already installed.  Red, SSR wheels and loads of fun to drive.

Even with the smallish upgrades I have planned I'm within your max budget.

We have 3 kids and I just saw your comment about needed more than a two seater lol.

In reply to fornetti14 :

Two Miatas and a tow bar. Sorted.

What was wrong with the R129? An SL500 is comfy, quick and sounds gooood.

I'd probably be looking for a deal on a Challenger R/T if I were given these parameters.  They look like tons of fun to cruise around in.

In reply to chandler :

Pick at an old scab?  

Or, hit the crack pipe!

Maybe a 135i or 335i vert if you dont have plans to track it. Drop in a jb4 and pull on pretty much anything while having a cruiser drop top? Also like the Camaro/stang/vette V8 option...

E46. M3>ZHP>ZSP> others in terms of performance, but they're all going to be fun enough. 

I always have terrible advice for this kind of thing, but I gotta go with Appleseed's thought.  Something older?

Boattail Riviera

10k should get you a fairly nice early 944. 

My 924S (basically a 944 without the flares) is far and away my favorite car to drive (possibly of all cars I've owned, which includes a GT6, a heavily modded WRX, a GTI, several e30s, an Integra, and others). It's a pure, perfectly-balanced driver's car with enough torquey power to go anywhere except the drag strip and really no need to modify either the suspension or the drivetrain - it's fun in stock form (with good tires)

Also has room in the hatchback for a set of track tires or enough gear for a weekend road trip for two, and gets close to 30mpg highway cruising.

John Welsh said:

In reply to chandler :

Pick at an old scab?  

Oh wow, that looks mint. Do want. I had an '84 Wolfsburg Edition (8v) back in the day. Triple white. Put the Kamei front air dam and side skirts on it, and black Riken basket-weaves. I'd rock that again in a heartbeat.

Interior felt cheap on the R129, cool car otherwise. Have had a callaway scirocco, lots of early water cooled VWs, 924, 944s, 944 S2 cab, 986S, e28 (528, M5), e30, e34, e36, e39, e46, various AMG built Mercedes, various non-AMG Mercedes. 
 

Maybe another 944 S2 or a 968 would be ok but they went above what I what to lay out at this point. If my 300CE sold we'd be in the ballpark. 
 

Looking for a weekend cruiser my mind says convertible. Although one of my kids kinda hates the windy-ness, I'd personally go for either an Olds F85 convertible ($7kish according to Hagerty) or similar, or whatever BMW convertible fits in your price range. Those two choices actually have some style to them, unlike the Lexus.