It’s occurred to me that I know two guys named Jeremy who do computer-based visual effects work. One rocks a bitchin’ Elantra. The other is in dire need of our help.
You see, non-Elantra Jeremy is a man of ample means, and finds himself shopping for ~$50,000 new or slightly-used sports cars. The M3, S5 or a used 911 comprise the short list. In addition to offering my wise insight during a tour of the LA Auto Show (“You’re not enough of an asshole for a 911 – get a Cayman”, “CTS-V FTW”), I’m trying to help him find a sports car that can demonstrate he’s a man of both means and taste.
This is where you come in, hoons. non-Elantra Jeremy needs a classic sports tourer, not a douche-mobile.
Because we’re talking classics, I’m handicapping the budget down to the $40+/-5k range for maintenance (lower is fine, too). About that maintenance: nEJ isn’t much of a mechanic, but he’s fine with a car that needs regular maintenance at the hands of a professional, provided it’ll have no problem getting him to work in our brutal LA winters. It’ll be daily-driven around LA and taken on weekend trips all over southern California.
Again: we’re talking sports tourer, no muscle cars, no land-yachts.
Off-hand, the best I can come up with is a BMW e9 chassis 2800 or 3.0csi. Aside from being an extension of my LeMons Stockholm Syndrome, those classic shark lines are hard to beat. The BMW m30 is effectively the German Chevy smallblock, with lots of years of parts swap-ability and epic reliability (saw a 400k mile example at Cars and Coffee a few weeks ago).
Maybe something from Alfa or Aston? A non-chest-hair-and-medallions Ferrari or Lambo?
So, rise to the challenge and let’s keep nEJ out of car that’ll make him look “like a Persian nightclub owner” (his quote). Naming a car is one thing but it’ll take an actual for sale listing to receive full credit.
Jeff Glucker
One of these..
<img src="http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/100-greatest/03-large/30-datsun-240z.jpg">
I was also thinking 240Z
Maybe a 280Z?
Wisely said; in fact if he's sporting that sort of coin, he might even consider one of these:
<img src="http://artemotor.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/toyota-2000-gt-2.jpg">
Not on a $40-50k budget, he won't.
A Maserati GranSport. Skyhook suspension, bitches! Link
Or, if he wants something a little more classic, how about this Lotus Elan S4? Link
Or, if he wants something timeless, this Jag E-Type. Link
An E-Type would be funky. Definitely put that one in the maybe pile.
Jag XK, although I'd first see if he could be sold on a Knowles-Wilkins Engineering XJS.
For 50 big, I'd separate the "sports tourer" into sport and touring: buy an S2000 and a low-mileage '06 Lincoln LS for about 18 grand a piece, then use the rest on a 24×24 climate-controlled garage.
A few clarifications:
1) Manual Transmissions are preffered
2) 1 car only.
3) I know it's tough, but try to think like a more normal person when it comes to the concept of "nice" or "good looking"
In that case, consider the Maser my only submission. I'll keep the other two to myself.
On a side note, there is a 2008 M3 Sedan at Auto Europe (same place as the Elan I listed). No price listed, but my little dingaling was not so little upon seeing it.
Actually, both the E-type and Lotus are great suggestions.
That Jag is gorgeous.
See, I can't think like a normal person.
Yeah, at this threshold I'd be hard-pressed to top an E-type.
This:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2004-Audi-S4-Avant…
New enough that a non-wrencher can get some enjoyment out of it, and rare enough to turn the heads of those whose opinion matters-meaning us.
Have I ever told you I love you?
That just went on my list of "practical" cars. I didn't realize how reasonable they were price-wise.
Seconded. The S4 is stylish, sporty, and a good tourer. Granted, would it turn heads at a nightclub? Depends on what kind of nightclub.
I saw the price and got excited. Hey, that's just about what my 2002 A4 Avant (not the S4) is worth so there must be something wrong here…Oh, the reserve is at 21k. Still, I'd go for it if I were in the market.
A few more selections from AutoTrader Classics
(Click pictures for the listing
An Alfa Romeo Monteal, $30k:
<img src=http://www.autotraderclassics.com/scaler/632/473/images/a/2009/11/09/802386/0_DSC01395.JPG width=400>
Alfa #2, absolutely stunning, $30k:
<img src=http://www.autotraderclassics.com/scaler/632/473/images/b/2009/12/10/63911921/367_1.jpg width=400>
Sunbeam Tiger, $45k:
<img src=http://www.autotraderclassics.com/scaler/632/473/images/b/2009/12/16/63911921/842_1260957651188.jpg width=400>
Fantasy Junction always got their act together. For the way it looks, that Giulia is a winner.
As my ultimate fantasy, I have to say the Monteal it should be.
Another Alfa GTV on ebay motors
<img src=http://i.ebayimg.com/14/!BeLhnH!Bmk~$(KGrHqMOKiMEq46M,09QBK8LSqrOr!~~_3.JPG" width="400">
There's always this Lancia Fulvia Zagato for $24500
<img src="http://www.fantasyjunction.com/img/cars/large/20683.jpg">
” target=”_blank”>http://www.fantasyjunction.com/cars/646-Lancia-Fulvia%20Zagato%201.3S-1.6L%204%20Cyl
Wow, what a beautiful car. It looks a bit like an Apline A310, especially if you look at the rear in that picture.
WANT.
[…] https://hooniverse.com/blog/2009/12/17/hooniverse-asks-what-classic-car-should-jeremy-buy/A Maserati GranSport. Skyhook suspension, bitches! Link. Or, if he wants something a little more classic, how about this Lotus Elan S4? Link. Or, if he wants something timeless, this Jag E-Type. … […]
Corvette LS7?
How about a 2007 Corvette Z06: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2007-Chevrolet-Cor…
If American isn't your thing a Z4 M coupe: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NAVI-LOW-MILES-CAR…
^ What he said times two. Plus a Cayman S.
I mis-understood the classic part.
How about a Ferrari with all the performance and parts availability of a 308 GTS but it doesn't require a mustache or nut-hugger shorts, a 308GT4. $32k leaves a good bit for upkeep: http://www.autotraderclassics.com/find/vehicle/ve…
Or the slightly funkier original M coupe: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&ca…
Or a funky Ferrari, all the parts availability and power of a 308 GTS without the mustache, a 308GT4, with plenty left over to maintain it: http://www.autotraderclassics.com/find/vehicle/vehicleDetail.xhtml?adId=206989&actionMethod=find%2Fvehicle%2FvehicleSearchResults.xhtml%3AuShipController.init&conversationId=29356
Since when did web addresses make comments too long?
'77 Aston V8 (http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/ctd/1480925763…
'84 Lagonda (http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/15071825…
'79 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1977-Mercedes-Benz…
Hard to beat this one tho – '69 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Beautiful-1969-Mer…
What about a Mercedes Benz W113 SL? Should be a nice selection of Pagoda's in this price range.
http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/merced…
http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/carsforsale/m…
http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/carsforsale/m…
I am with scroggzilla on this one. Leno might be able to help with upkeep.
A gorgeous e9 on eBay Motors, $23k
<img src="http://images4.ecarlist.com/photos/1501/218982/640/00.jpg" width="400">
I don't know if Jeremy is a canyon-carver or a cruiser but a Citroen DS might be nice. There are a few listed (http://www.citroen-ca.com/DSmarket.html) including a 1972 DS21 Pallas:
1972 DS 21 Pallas, Gris nacré exterior with black leather interior with front headrests and front and rear center armrests. Quality restoration by second owner. Full leather interior with new gray carpeting throughout, with perfect headliner. Originally sold in Los Angeles–no rust. Engine and trans rebuild by Jacques Laude in early 90's–car driven approximately 20,000 miles since. Needs only front rotors, new radiator core and main accumulator. $17,500. For more infor & pics e-mail: da*********@ya***.com (CCA 8-09)
Good call on the classic 6 series. Here’s an even sweeter one.
http://jalopnik.com/5428183/%20http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/1512277709.html
I don't see how some of the 30-year old cars fit the description of "new or slightly-used."
I was only thinking back the last four or five years…
Re-read the post.
He can find a new car on his own.
We're here to recommend the classics.
My mistake. That's what I get for reading while I'm on the phone.
A Magnum P.I. Ferrari 308, with the potential to appreciate much the same way that Dinos did over the last 15 years.
NSX http://www.parkplaceltd.com/inventoryDisplay.aspx…
Could probably find a pre-VW Bentley
E39 M5 http://www.parkplaceltd.com/inventoryDisplay.aspx…
DeTomaso Pantera http://www.parkplaceltd.com/inventoryDisplay.aspx…
Dodge Viper http://www.parkplaceltd.com/inventoryDisplay.aspx…
Lotus Elise
1964 230SL http://www.parkplaceltd.com/inventoryDisplay.aspx…
1957 Mecury Monterey Highway Patrol car http://www.parkplaceltd.com/inventoryDisplay.aspx…
550 Spyder recreation http://www.parkplaceltd.com/inventoryDisplay.aspx…
Iso Grifo, Maserati Ghibli……wait, these are not reliable cars probably.
Is young classic OK?
How about Ferrari 456 GT?
http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchresults.action…
I'd buy 911(996) Carrera 4S for 35-40 grand, or is its image really that bad in US?
911s are like Corvettes: incredible performance cars, but heavily laden with stigma.
Particularly in LA, where the vast majority of 911s are automatics for status-seekers, rather than real enthusiasts.
I don't know if your buddy swings this way, but if you want to go two-wheeled: Hesketh Vampire, $23K
<img src="http://images.traderonline.com//img/5/plcnad/6782466/95497889_1thumb_550x410.jpg">
http://www.walnecks.com/find/listing/1983-HESKETH…
Frankly, I am including this just because I want SOMEONE I know to buy it, so I can experience it vicariously.
2001 Viper RT/10 in P-M Yellow for $40K?
Although I don't know if that would be considered a "sports car" or a "classic."
<img src="http://images.craigslist.org/3n93k33l85O75Rc5S89c2bd1998a001761634.jpg">
” target=”_blank”>http://kansascity.craigslist.org/ctd/1491593530.html
http://www.dennigcars.org/models/ferrari_400_gt.h…
Oh yeah, not a Ferrari for self-absorbed weeners with too much bloody fucking money. Just a lovely GT. God how I do want.
How about a 1-of-328 Lamborghini Jarama?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lamborghini-Jarama…
[…] Hooniverse Asks: What Classic Car Should Jeremy Buy? : Hooniverse […]
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1986-Pulse-Litesta…
??
Keep working ,great job!