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Pure driver cars these days…any recs?

Posted on 8/18/25 at 8:56 pm
Posted by VooDude
Member since Aug 2017
2126 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 8:56 pm
Coming from 2 s2000s in my earlier years that combined I put about 150k miles on, that thing was like an F3 car for the road without getting into too much trouble.

These days you can’t get that level of performance, you know, 50/50 weight distribution, mid-engined, handles through corners at 100mph like it’s on rails. Stick shift.

What kind of car do the OT ballers recommend under 100k? A Porsche 911 Turbo S would be my go to with unlimited funds….but I’m not OT rich.

Have done a lot of motorcycle track days in the past on a Triumph Street Triple R, but doesn’t quite scratch that itch of the s2000, and neither does the BMW S1000RR, Ducati Panigale, or Daytona 675R on the street…all I’m familiar with.





Posted by holmesbr
Baton Rouge, La.
Member since Feb 2012
3848 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 8:58 pm to
K24 swap an s2000.
Posted by SallysHuman
Lady Palmetto Bug
Member since Jan 2025
12343 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 8:58 pm to
Posted by billjamin
Houston
Member since Jun 2019
16281 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 9:00 pm to
quote:

What kind of car do the OT ballers recommend under 100k?

Since you said mid engine I’m thinking a C8 is your best bet for the money.
Posted by SG_Geaux
Beautiful St George, LA
Member since Aug 2004
80153 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 9:02 pm to
Miata
Is
Always
The
Answer
Posted by Obtuse1
Westside Bodymore Yo
Member since Sep 2016
29904 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 9:02 pm to
quote:

A Porsche 911 Turbo S would be my go to with unlimited funds….but I’m not OT rich.



quote:

Pure driver cars


Not the best pure drivers car at near the just under 300k price, I know as it is my DD. Plus is isn't avaiable in a manual.

What is your actual budget? The Cayman/Boxster fit the pure driver's car roles better than the 911 anyway.

Posted by TigerHornII
Member since Feb 2021
1154 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 9:05 pm to
The Subie/Toyota 2 seater - BRZ/GR86 - as close as you will get aside from the obvious Miata answer new and <$100k.

Used, probably a Porsche Cayman if you can find a CPO.
Posted by Saint Alfonzo
Member since Jan 2019
27753 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 9:07 pm to
My 2024 MINI Cooper JCW is the last of the six speed manual MINIs.
Posted by BestBanker
Member since Nov 2011
18868 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 9:10 pm to
quote:

These days you can’t get that level of performance, you know, 50/50 weight distribution, mid-engined, handles through corners at 100mph like it’s on rails. Stick shift.

This is a Cayman S or GTS.
Posted by Three
Texas Tiger
Member since Jul 2025
333 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 9:11 pm to
Supra

Posted by VooDude
Member since Aug 2017
2126 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 9:12 pm to
quote:

Miata Is Always The Answer


I’ve been told that so many times, but feel like it would remind me of the s2000 and what could have been had I held onto the last one. Would just get another s2000 but buying a 20 year old car scares me with part scarcity, especially at today’s prices. I knew this day would come but life happens…and now everyone knows how special that car is.

What do you think of the Acura Integra Type S? Well reviewed and is like a more mature, adult version of the boy racer Civic Type R? Those are FWD and don’t have the 50/50 weight distribution but hear they also corner as well and are very practical….the cargo space is insane.
Posted by HoboDickCheese
The overpass
Member since Sep 2020
13519 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 9:19 pm to
Get something with a 2JZ and put $10,000-$15,000 into it, overnight parts from Japan if need be. It will decimate all
Posted by RichJ
The Land of the CoonAss
Member since Nov 2016
4917 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 9:19 pm to
Toyota GR86 would be my choice. The GR86 is designed to be a driver-focused sports car, with a focus on handling and driver engagement.

It $$$ is no object, Corvette Z06 is my #2

Posted by OweO
Plaquemine, La
Member since Sep 2009
119863 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 9:20 pm to
The 2025 ford pinto.

Posted by Pvt Hudson
Member since Jan 2013
4623 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 9:23 pm to
WRX -

Posted by LemmyLives
Texas
Member since Mar 2019
12807 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 9:32 pm to
I'm not a car dude and out of my depth in this crowd, but my 2024 Explorer ST makes me realize I can never own a bike, as I can accelrate and go so fast. Under your budget, but will smoke almost everyone. Body roll is minimal, acceleration is going to beat everyone else on the interstate. Weight distro feels right, and I hit traffic circles and corners extremely well.
Posted by AllDayEveryDay
Nawf Tejas
Member since Jun 2015
9121 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 9:33 pm to
Get a Honda civic and swap it with a Spoon engine. Then go down to Harrys and get a T66 turbo, some NOS, and a Motec system exhaust. You'll be flying like your name was Hector.
Posted by VooDude
Member since Aug 2017
2126 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 9:49 pm to
Lotus would have been a good option back in the day with Toyota engines but they decided to wuss out and make unreliable EVs. Their old F1 heritage is rolling in their grave.
Posted by H2O Tiger
Delta Sky Club
Member since May 2021
7342 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 9:52 pm to
I don't know why but I've always wanted an E46 M3.

If I'm shopping for a fun car and don't have 911 money, that's what I'm buying.
Posted by Jackie Chan
Japan?
Member since Sep 2012
4832 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 9:56 pm to
Miata is the closest in the price range. Civic type R over the integra. I like the new Zs.

Sold my s2k about 5 years ago. Would have been nice to have been able to hold on to it
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