Sports Cars around $100K

it seems to me that you are the one that don't know what you are talking about.

Tell me, where to find a heavily used DBS today in USA for $210-220k? probably a press demonstrator? I can't find it

I've seen one at LFSC for $260k demo car.

 

James..Dont get the vanguish if you plan on using it daily. If you are serious about the vanguish, go to amoc.org and find out more about the transmission problem.
I know It is mean looking from the outside and I think it looks even better than the current line up, but the interior is just ugly compared to the DB9/vantage.

If you are using daily (rain, snow, etc), don't get the gt3 or the CLK black. They will aquaplane. I own a GT3, I never drive it in the rain, I have not driven the CLK black, but I heard the same thing. These 2 are track cars, not very refined for daily use.

I agree with some opinions here that the R8 is actually your best choice and they seem to tick all your boxes. They are rare, they are exotic looking but not too exotic like the lambo, they are also very reliable and can be used daily for sure. The only trouble is, can you find it for around $100k today?

 

How about a BMW Z8 or Porsche 996 GT2?

 

Audi R8, Porsche 911, Aston Martin Vantage.

GTR could be tough to get, and when you drive it everyone knows what it is so you are going to be the center of attention for the next 18 months while the GTR is still hot.

 

It seems that this is the new market. The under $100K performance car and there are a ton, but with the GT-R, Z06, and M3 out it's hard to find something faster for that kind of money.

If you're more into the appearance then the Gallardo is the way to go, but watch for little problems with them.

The GT-R dominates the segment though, because it's really tough to find a preowned that hasn't been beat on either.

 

only good idea so far... Apart from getting a brand new E92 M3 (very good cars.) I drove one eariler this summer and found it very impressive, and it doesnt look bad either, especially in the right color.

All the cars you've listed are fair choices, but to save time I'd rule out the Aston's ..
The GT-R will be fun, and i cant wait to get my hands on one for review, but if you go that route, you might as well consider the M3 (which I have a gut feeling is overall, better.)
Porsche's are always fun but have become too common. That does not take away that they are good cars, so consider a 996 Turbo as advised and you wont regret it, especially if you are into slight after-market modification (very potential motor) and with 20-35k you can turn that car into a 700hp machine. One of my good friends back in Portugal has had his 996 T since 2001 and has used it as a daily driver and a track car since it was driven off the lot. Currently he has around 120,000 miles on it and it still runs as if it were newly bought. Back when he bought it he lived in the French Alps where it would be snow for a huge portion of the yr - he lived in those whether conditions for 4 yrs whilst having the 996T as his one and only car. On top of that he would do road trips to various circuits around the country with the car - the car had endured all that usage and so I find it to be one of the best sports cars ever built. Its still very fast, and handles well enough for the versatility it provides. E92 M3 is great for only 55-60k...

think about it.

 

Z8 is a horrible car, despite the M5 E39 v8 ... bad performer, slow and not very intriging overall...

GT2 is out of his price range, and quite frankly isnt practical, and certainly NOT fun in rainy conditions...

 

didnt see this before...

I agree P-cars are everywhere! I recently took delivery of the GT2 997 and being in Boca Raton Florida, it is mostly mistaken for a carrera with an aerokit, or a turbo until you look closer just because there are many base P-cars floating around.

If you want exclusivity, then I would still recommend the M3 (in hardtop cabriolet) with options and options... But I would ultimately recommend the R8 (in white) - Very exclusive and very reliable. . . A Gallardo will get the same attention the R8 gets, for the most part and since you can not get a recent Gallardo, there is no point to bother going that route.

R8 > E92 M3 > GTR Skyline > Porsche 911 (of any sort, since they are too common, unless you get a GT3RS, but that might run you over the budget.)

 

What about the M6? A fat GT car, but still a nice looker. Saw one today leaving work.

 

why no interest in a 360? I think they're fantastic.

 

Aston Martin Vantage

 

If you want exclusivity and reliability go for a AMV8 or DB9 if the DB9 has a warrranty...Also, I've seen nice 5k mile Black/Black '05 DB9s for $95k....

 

Used GT3

 

the amv8 have been become very common place in my area with an Aston dealership just a few minutes away...the car seems slightly too small in person and chopped off, esp compared with the longer db9..I drove my neighbors amv8, nice car but it lacks the punch and sportiness of even a 911S....also my neighbor has had more than a few annoying service calls with car, mostly electrical....image an English car with electrical problems!!!! The new astons are pretty cars but the new jag xk looks very similar from the side and back....

 

Actually I believe the Z8 is faster than the AMV8.....several of the car mags have had trouble breaking 5 seconds to 60 in the AMV8

 

How about the 08 z51 vette...436 hp, light, reliable, cheap to maintain and it will cost half of the $100k price point for a brand new one.......the major downside is that it doesnt have the panache of the some of the other cars.......

 

Isn't the ZR1 Corvette somewhere around the $100K mark, or is there a waiting list up the ying yang?

 

MY car would be a 996GT2, hands down. Nice ones can be had for <100k. Totally reliable and will be highly sought after down the road.
Vanquish is the ultimate boulavard car. AMV8 has the same performance in a smaller package. More practical, more zip, less Wow.

I would consider a nice 360 for what you are looking for. These are starting to look appealing financially.
A 550 if you want a GT.

 

You left out the best sports coupe that can be bought new for less than $100k...the Corvette Z06...

 

GTR looks too ricer IMO

 

probably the gt-r. all the other cars are too nice to drive and park eveyday in all types of weather. You may want to even consider just a regular 911 S.