??? for the gearheads what's the best $50-100k sporty car out there

[FSUTribe76]

I used to have a bmw. they are good, but have a very taut suspension. you feel every bump. some people like that.

infinity G series is somewhere between a luxury car and a bmw. to me, its the best of both worlds. engine/performance-wise, its the equal or better than a 3-series bmw. at least it feels that way driving it. its worth a test drive to see if you like it. the road handling/acceleration comparison is particularly good if you are comparing the 4 door versus say a bmw 5 series or a mercedes E class sedan, and it costs somewhere in between a 3 series and a 5 series (when I bought mine).

downsides are they don't carry the status that some of the other cars carry, performance is less than a vette, etc., and gas milage is about 16-18 mpg. But the upfront cost, repairs, etc. are about half of some of the cars you are considering.

Also, as a business owner, its not always wise to be driving around in a conspicuous car like a Bentley or even a vetter, and even a mercedes or some other imports are conspicuous in smaller towns.

Exactly Lemon, I'm not looking for a douchey showoff car. It does need to say "he's successful" but in a responsible sort of way. So understated but sporty. I realize that's a tough combo but it actually looks like there's at least ten or more models that meet the criteria of 1) Conveys success but not flashy douchebag, 2) sporty but reliable and decent gas mileage and 3) under $100k.

 

[kj9127]

Audi S5 or RS5

 

[QuaZ2002]

If you think that's bragging that's on you not me. I said that in response to a statement that a $50-100k car should sit in the garage and not be driven which makes as much sense to me as owning a 90 inch tv and refusing to turn it on because you'll burn out the pixels. Either you can afford it or you can't. You should never buy a car that's total value is more than 25% of your annual salary and for me this is well under that. I'm not looking to drop up to six figures for an ego stroke that I drive around town looking for chicks on the weekend, I want a useable car that won't embarass me when I'm meeting with regulators and potential business partners. If that makes you feel bad then you should look inward at why you care what I make. I have two primary business partners one of whom makes ten times what I do and another who probably conservatively is financially worth 1,000 times what I have or more as he's got giant businesses in Australia and the U.S. I've never felt bad about myself when hanging out with him nor should you when talking to me. Frankly there are definitely people with more in the bank than me here as I've only been free of government servitude for the last four years or so.

Right. And do those guys announce on Internet message boards in casual ways how driving a $100k is no big deal? It doesn't make me feel bad in the slightest, I don't know or care about you. Just wanted to call out a douche comment.

 

[FSUTribe76]

Right. And do those guys announce on Internet message boards in casual ways how driving a $100k is no big deal? It doesn't make me feel bad in the slightest, I don't know or care about you. Just wanted to call out a douche comment.

Again that's on you projecting, I was asking for some pointers as I start my car search and have gotten some solid advice from people like F4 and Lemon to which "driving a 100k" car is also not that big of a deal. Heck F4 can probably afford several. But on that note, bye. I don't need to see someone projecting their jealousy on me struggling to feel offended.

 

[ncnole1975]

Exactly Lemon, I'm not looking for a douchey showoff car. It does need to say "he's successful" but in a responsible sort of way. So understated but sporty. I realize that's a tough combo but it actually looks like there's at least ten or more models that meet the criteria of 1) Conveys success but not flashy douchebag, 2) sporty but reliable and decent gas mileage and 3) under $100k.

Seriously consider Audi S7 or Mercedes AMG package on an S or E class. Love the Jags but I'm worried about their reliability. Infinity looks great and is a powerhouse but doesn't speak to any sort of success at all in my opinion. It's a souped up maxima! The new BMW's have made more of a move towards "luxury" versus just performance. You may be surprised there.

 

[BelemNole]

Get the Tesla. All the fancy-pants boys driving around Napa were in them this year. In your price range, sporty, good on "gas", luxury vehicle, etc, etc, etc.

 

[itsjustme0770]

Seriously consider Audi S7 or Mercedes AMG package on an S or E class. Love the Jags but I'm worried about their reliability. Infinity looks great and is a powerhouse but doesn't speak to any sort of success at all in my opinion. It's a souped up maxima! The new BMW's have made more of a move towards "luxury" versus just performance. You may be surprised there.

I loved the original CLS63 with the 6.3 litre. Sounded great and was just a great car. Enjoyed the one I had. The new CLS63 isn't quite what the original was. Some like it better, others not so much. The new C63 will be a monster. If I was back in the market for another mercedes I'd look at a couple year old CL63. Just a great ride, style and sleeper performance car. Folks don't know what it is unless they are car people. The S7 is a rocketship. The claimed HP on that car is way understated. Just don't love the styling but plenty of people do for sure.

 

[FSUTribe76]

Get the Tesla. All the fancy-pants boys driving around Napa were in them this year. In your price range, sporty, good on "gas", luxury vehicle, etc, etc, etc.

To be honest if I end up with my homebase in the West (knock on wood, the wife has an interview in Oregon for a job she wants and I'd be quite happy in Portland as a homebase) where there's more support for it I would LOVE to have a Tesla especially their sporty version. Unfortunately I would take some convincing that I could easily get around Florida and the South where there's resistance to change. My wife needs a new car as well (again neither have upgraded despite our positive change in circumstances over the years and she's got a 9 year old Focus) and IF we land our home base in Oregon I'm pretty sure that's what she'll drive back and forth to work. Since my car will be for distance driving on weekend getaways and I don't "drive to an office" but work from home or a job site (used to be clients now my own medical facilities), a Tesla isn't really suitable for me. But for my wife...she'll probably want a fully electric or at least a hybrid for her back and forth daily drive.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

Personally, I wouldn't buy a car to make it seem like you "made it." That's for pro athletes and real estate agents.

 

[BelemNole]

They have a range of 260 miles, have supercharging stations all over the country and service centers in ever state.

Florida isn't quite the backwoods all the weird news stories make it out to be.

Link

 

[FSUTribe76]

I have had lots of Corvettes and they are what they are... best in class value. Bring a cannon to a knife fight. Dealer network sucks relative to the price of the car... you take it to the same place that services 12 thousand dollar Chevy Sparks so you can imagine. Enthusiast support network is off the charts though... you can post on one of the corvette forums and get more feedback and help than you can imagine.

As to Infiniti... peppy yes. My Wife drives one. I don't recommend. Dealer network is up and down. Some are great, some will screw you. It's still just a nissan with leather. None of the controls are really configured for a left hand drive vehicle, including things like the windshield wipers that stop right in front of the driver's face. It's like they do the conversion from RHD to LHD to the bare minimum. I will give props to the reliability. So far we haven't had any issues. Literally none. Every new car I have ever had has something to get fixed under warranty except this one.

Mercedes is 1st class ride and luxury. Dealers are required to be the best, and in my experience are.

Caddy ATS V or CTS V. Down side is dealer network is like Infiniti... some good, some suck. Plus side is a great support network and american parts network for the long run.

Jag you will likely regret. Best looking of the bunch though. Exhaust sounds great too (like the 'vette) and there aren't many on the roads. Dealer network is practically non existent. Non existent support network over here in the aftermarket. The jag is a lease and turn in car if you have a local dealer that isn't far from your house.

The whole BMW line is about driving... I drove the new 4 series coupe for a couple days and it's nice as heck too. It's performance / driving oriented Vs. the Mercedes luxury oriented. The BMW is a finely tuned machine. Costs more than a Vette, not as fast if you know what you are doing (professional driver or have a TON of experience)... faster if you don't know what you are doing (basically almost everyone). Dealer network is like Mercedes. Best of the best.

My BMW M3 is a 2011 and has about 22k miles. I daily drive a 2013 Chevy Volt which is the best car I have ever owned. It has nearly the same miles on it as the M3 despite being 3.5 years newer (volt was a leftover) If you can find a Caddy ELR to test drive I strongly suggest it. The ELR is a nicer version of the Volt and I recently found one new for 30k off sticker. My Volt has plenty of power, costs practically nothing to operate, ultra quiet, and actually quite fun to drive because the center of gravity and weight. It drives like a really heavy European car. plus that 7500 tax credit was more than welcome.

I agree cars are meant to be driven... I have a Corvette with 100k on the clock. But when you drive a car like these (M3, CTS V, Vette, etc.) daily you can expect to not be happy 100 percent of the time. That's why I drive the BMW sometimes and the Volt most of the time (and at this point the 'vette is at my wife's parents and they are driving it for now... I clearly have too many cars). Took the Bimmer to work today, taking the Volt after work down to Disney with the family.

Thanks for the detailed answer. You might even run into me in Otown, I'm heading down to Miami on business on Thurs but meeting my wife in Otown to go to Halloween Horror Nights with her, my sister and some of our friends.

I'm still not sold on the Corvette from a perception standpoint, but enough of you are raving about it so I'll probably do a test drive somewhere.

Is there any good place you've found in Florida that has a lot of sporty "luxury" cars? Rather than go from dealer to dealer I'd like to take a couple of test drives back to back with different manufacturers.

When I bought my Tiburon about 6 years ago or thereabouts, I got an amazing deal on it ($20k book as it was loaded but a year or so old, I took out a $10k loan and the dealer took $8 and I used the other $2k to pay off credit cards) because I got it from a "high performance" dealership that sold slightly used Italian and German sports cars and he had the Tiburon as a "plus one" from an auction that week and was looking to dump it from his lot as it did not fit in at all (other than the looks, my car is pretty but she's not six figure Italian sports car level). So I know right where to go (Otown) if I wanted to pick up and test drive a Lambo vs a Ferrari. But where can I go to test drive a Lexus versus an Infiniti versus a BMW?

 

[FSUTribe76]

Personally, I wouldn't buy a car to make it seem like you "made it." That's for pro athletes and real estate agents.

I would absolutely agree with you...except now I can't be seen driving a car several notches below the MDs and PhDs working for me. Equivalent or slightly below, yes. An almost ten year old Tiburon...no. Plus it was a not so subtle suggestion from my "money" business partner and who am I to argue? If it gets me out of wearing four figure suits and jewelry to meetings as I can just appear a frugal owner wearing a nice embroidered polo with the logo and no jewelry...I'm fine with it.

The only real concession to MY vanity (because the car is really not a vanity statement but just like having a nice business card) is that I've made sure my temporary office has the absolute highest end Apple and other electronics even though I don't need it and the office will have several reef tanks that can be my hobby while also serving as a zen area and marketing photo shoot for the office. So I'm not saying I'm sans all overspending on vanity projects, but the car is not it.

 

[F4Gary]

I'm beginning to think you should go Audi. You aren't the sports car type. Go with an S or R model of your choosing.

 

[RTM58]

The only real concession to MY vanity (because the car is really not a vanity statement but just like having a nice business card) is that I've made sure my temporary office has the absolute highest end Apple. So I'm not saying I'm sans all overspending on vanity projects, but the car is not it.

 

[FSUTribe76]

Only schlubs have cards made out of paper, mine is made out of solid wood.



Not kidding though. They were made by a tree farm for me before they dropped out of a deal for a medical marijuana oil processing license because their 80+ year old father who technically still owned the business even though the 60 yo sons ran the business "didn't want to be in pot" even though the strain had zero ability to get you high.

I'm beginning to think you should go Audi. You aren't the sports car type. Go with an S or R model of your choosing.

Muscle car/pure sports car no you're right. Too showy for what I want even though I'm quite sure I would enjoy driving it around. My wife has always joked about wanting a third car in the form of a convertible for weekend drives to the coast so maybe someday I'll make that a reality. But not until my businesses are more stable and I've had several more years of income to good around with.

I'm definitely looking at the Audis, the Jag F series, the Lexus RC, the Infiniti mentioned earlier, the Hyundai Genesis just because I still like mine although that's on the cheap side, a couple of the sportier BMWs and a couple of the sportier Mercedes. Plus maybe at least do a test drive of the Porsche Cayman and maybe the 911.

 

[Banditking]

I don't see why you'd need a nice car relative to employees. What would they care? Also don't understand the need for jewelry around medical people. Whenever I think jewelry and men, I am thinking euro trash. My thing in the medical community has always been respect thru expertise. Thus, if I use power points, its black text on a white background and as basic as possible figures to get the point across. I rarely wear ties. Usually what most would call business casual. Though others take different approaches. Ties, nice suits. I can't recall ever seeing jewlery aside from cuff links on a French cuff and a nice watch. I've recently ventured a bit more in the biotech development realm. I suppose I shall see if my approach works there.

I'd get a nice car because you want a nice car and you can afford it. Btw, I wouldn't condone the 25 percent rule personally. I'd think more in terms of networth and sustainable wealth. My emphasis is on developing enough of an investment base where work is truly optional. If you've only been making bigger dollars for a few years I might reconsider if you can truly afford a 100k car. If you aren't a multi millionaire I'd argue that you shouldn't.

I just upgraded last year my decade old beater (a golf tdi) for a 2015 Mazda 6. That's, of course, no where close to your target range or quality but I also don't make 400k a year. Anyway, fun car for me. Around the same range, I thought the 200 series bmw was pretty cool.

I've always had a thing for Aston martins and old rolls royces. Vintage luxury cars could be a neat option.

 

[Fear the Spear]

I'm way overdue for a new car as I'm still driving the 2005 Hyundai Tiburon I had when I was a state worker. It's still running great and looks fine other than some paint fading but it's about to hit 200k miles soon so I'm way overdue for an upgrade. I drive my car hard as I do lots of travel for work and pleasure so I need something relatively reliable but I like a small zippy car not a typical luxury car.

I was thinking something like the Lexus RC 350, Jaguar F-Type, maybe a fully tricked out Hyundai Genesis, or a Porsche Cayman.

Truthfully, I'd like something that mixes reliability, decent gas mileage so I'm not constantly stopping, decent pickup and speed with a nice luxurious ride. I don't need super high end muscle car speed p, just something that looks and acts sporty.

If you're going to spend upward to 100k on a car I'd go with the Porsche Cayman. Reliability, reliability and more reliability to go along with Porsche performance and exclusivity.

Not trying to insult anyone but a Corvette is still a Chevy and they are every where, everyone has a Vette. No way would I drop 100k on a Chevrolet.

 

[LT4PLY]

Thanks for the detailed answer. You might even run into me in Otown, I'm heading down to Miami on business on Thurs but meeting my wife in Otown to go to Halloween Horror Nights with her, my sister and some of our friends.

I'm still not sold on the Corvette from a perception standpoint, but enough of you are raving about it so I'll probably do a test drive somewhere.

Is there any good place you've found in Florida that has a lot of sporty "luxury" cars? Rather than go from dealer to dealer I'd like to take a couple of test drives back to back with different manufacturers.

When I bought my Tiburon about 6 years ago or thereabouts, I got an amazing deal on it ($20k book as it was loaded but a year or so old, I took out a $10k loan and the dealer took $8 and I used the other $2k to pay off credit cards) because I got it from a "high performance" dealership that sold slightly used Italian and German sports cars and he had the Tiburon as a "plus one" from an auction that week and was looking to dump it from his lot as it did not fit in at all (other than the looks, my car is pretty but she's not six figure Italian sports car level). So I know right where to go (Otown) if I wanted to pick up and test drive a Lambo vs a Ferrari. But where can I go to test drive a Lexus versus an Infiniti versus a BMW?

Go check the vette. If you love it, buy it. If you just like it or less run. It's an enthusiast car. Take the same advice on M3, jag, etc. coming from the car you are in now the BASE model BMW or Mercedes will knock you over. Get in some cars and feel it out. the tech from my 2011 M3 looks like a dinosaur compared to the bottom end BMW or Mercedes these days. I'll suggest the volt/elr again just because they are that good. I am a car guy and love it and even my wife now says.... Should have bought a volt! It doesn't blow you away on first drive.... It blows you away long term. If she knows I'm not driving it she takes it over her Infiniti. Everyone, their brother, mother, sister, and ex wives would take her infiniti after one drive (unless you are some econazi which I am NOT) yet after the newness blows off and you are in routine the volt just does the job better than any other car. Check out the smoking tire blog too.... He has good vids on elr and volt

 

[OrlandNole]

Truthfully, I'd like something that mixes reliability, decent gas mileage so I'm not constantly stopping, decent pickup and speed with a nice luxurious ride. I don't need super high end muscle car speed p, just something that looks and acts sporty.

Of all the recommendations in this thread, how many meet this criteria?

 

[FishinNole86]

My mom has the new Mercedes s550 and loves it. If your looking for one two or three years old I would think it would fall in the price range your looking for. Like someone said previously get a warranty on it as repairs can add up or price on tires

 

[itsjustme0770]

Of all the recommendations in this thread, how many meet this criteria?

Probably only the WRX and 911/Cayman

 

[Banditking]

The wrx isn't particularly luxurious. I test drove one when I bought the Mazda. I considered it. It accelerates nicely. But it's very much an econobox inside.

 

[itsjustme0770]

The wrx isn't particularly luxurious. I test drove one when I bought the Mazda. I considered it. It accelerates nicely. But it's very much an econobox inside.

Fair point. I wasn't thinking that. You can scratch the WRX off the list.

 

[ncnole1975]

If you're going to spend upward to 100k on a car I'd go with the Porsche Cayman. Reliability, reliability and more reliability to go along with Porsche performance and exclusivity.

Not trying to insult anyone but a Corvette is still a Chevy and they are every where, everyone has a Vette. No way would I drop 100k on a Chevrolet.

Nor should you. They sticker out at about $65k in the showroom!

 

[West Duval Nole]

Of all the recommendations in this thread, how many meet this criteria?

It depends on what he considers decent gas mileage. Most on here probably will fit the decent pick up criteria and luxurious ride is also pretty subjective.

 

[West Duval Nole]

Nor should you. They sticker out at about $65k in the showroom!

Not the Z06. The bottom Z06 sticker starts at 80k. Not everyone has a Z06 though.

 

[Fear the Spear]

My mom has the new Mercedes s550 and loves it. If your looking for one two or three years old I would think it would fall in the price range your looking for. Like someone said previously get a warranty on it as repairs can add up or price on tires

Mercedes repair costs are a myth. If you take them to the official dealers after warranty yes it can be a nightmare. My dad has driven Mercs most of his adult life. Its several after market "German" shops in Columbia that do great work on Mercs BMW, Audi for far less than an authorized dealer.

My dad has a S600 convertible a couple of bearings broke in the canopy so the top wouldn't move back and forth. Dick Dyer wanted 5,300 dollars for repair. Brown Automotive which specializes in German cars fixed it for 1,500$. A woman I work with drives a 2012 S500 Dick Dyer wanted 3,000 for a brake job. The same people did her brakes for 900$. The market up at the dealers is criminal but its tons of places I'm sure in Florida or where ever that do great work on MBs after warranty for a fair price.

BTW he can get an S550 2010-2013 for 45k with about 40k miles in Florida all day. Mercedes prices drop like a rock 2 or 3 years driven off the lot brand new.

 

[noleit]

The Lexus SC, a four seat convertible, discontinued back in 2010, is reportedly coming back in 2016 as a 2017 model year vehicle.

 

[FSUTribe76]

It depends on what he considers decent gas mileage. Most on here probably will fit the decent pick up criteria and luxurious ride is also pretty subjective.

Really it's less about actual gas mileage and more about range. I don't like pulling over at the gas station every couple of hours. My old 2.7 V6 Tiburon gets 18/24 which I would consider "decent".

Just pulling up the Jag F-type since that's one I was considering from the beginning the new 5.0 V8 version gets 16/22 but the 3.0 V6 version gets 20/28 supposedly. So as long as it's not substantially heavier and I got similar performance out of the V6 version I would definitely consider it "decent" mpg.

Similarly, the Lexus RC 3.5 V6 is 19/26 while the 5.0 V8 is 16/25. Since I mainly rack up highway miles, even the V8 version would be pretty decent.

The BMW 4 series some of you rec'd in the 2.0 V4 gets 23/35 but I'd be afraid that didn't have enough pep. The 3.0 V6 version gets 20/30.

The Porsche Cayman gets 22/32 in its 2.7 V6 version and 19/26 in its 3.4 V6 version.

 

[F4Gary]

Lexus' look like the Predator without it's helmet. Front ends are ugly.

 

[ncnole1975]

Mercedes repair costs are a myth. If you take them to the official dealers after warranty yes it can be a nightmare. My dad has driven Mercs most of his adult life. Its several after market "German" shops in Columbia that do great work on Mercs BMW, Audi for far less than an authorized dealer.

My dad has a S600 convertible a couple of bearings broke in the canopy so the top wouldn't move back and forth. Dick Dyer wanted 5,300 dollars for repair. Brown Automotive which specializes in German cars fixed it for 1,500$. A woman I work with drives a 2012 S500 Dick Dyer wanted 3,000 for a brake job. The same people did her brakes for 900$. The market up at the dealers is criminal but its tons of places I'm sure in Florida or where ever that do great work on MBs after warranty for a fair price.

BTW he can get an S550 2010-2013 for 45k with about 40k miles in Florida all day. Mercedes prices drop like a rock 2 or 3 years driven off the lot brand new.

Agreed. I have a guy in Chicago that has worked on my Audis and Mercedes' for years. Less than a third of dealer costs.

 

[RTM58]

if that's you definition of decent gas millage, you should go with one of these. #utility

 

[West Duval Nole]

The BMW 4 series some of you rec'd in the 2.0 V4 gets 23/35 but I'd be afraid that didn't have enough pep. The 3.0 V6 version gets 20/30.

Unless you go with the sporty version of the 4 series, the M4 then you get 17/26. But it is twin turbo and has 125 more hp. It will be more exclusive in that there probably aren't as many people driving them and it is about 15k more, but still well within your range, than the standard 4 series.

 

[West Duval Nole]

Tribe with all your expertise and life experiences, I think I have figured out who you are. Is this you?

 

[FSUTribe76]

Tribe with all your expertise and life experiences, I think I have figured out who you are. Is this you?

Nah Negra Modelo is the better cheap Mexican beer.

 

[NoleMac]

ATS-V Cadillac. Right in the pocket of price, more power than any sane person needs. Two door. Engine that can go 200k miles. Comfort sport.

 

[southgateNOLE]

You can't really get any better than a m3 or m4. They are real sports cars with luxurious interiors and everyday drive capability. Sounds like exactly what you want. BMW's also have great warranties and maintanence programs. Even the 335i or 435i is more than enough car. If you play your cards right and get a year old "certified pre-owned" with little miles you will get money off basically a new car and they tack on an extra 2 years of warranty service. BMW is the way to go.

 

[FSULongM]

If you're going to make it an everyday driver and put 100-200K on it, then maintenance and fuel economy become much more important. That steers to the Nissan, Subaru, or Lexus.

 

[FSUTribe76]

If you're going to make it an everyday driver and put 100-200K on it, then maintenance and fuel economy become much more important. That steers to the Nissan, Subaru, or Lexus.

Yeah, I'm not planning on having multiple cars just one for myself and one for my wife. Both need upgrading though. Maybe in the future I'll want an extra purely as a toy, maybe a small convertible with pep for weekend drives and local mini vacations. But that's probably a year or two out. Right now I've just got to ditch two old cars for something of a decent quality. I'm not 100% sold on brand new, my inner cheapskate liked the 1 or 2 year old savings.

 

[RTM58]

If you're going to get an adult car, get one of these. Rich people love'em. I see twenty plus a day.

If you want to be original, go vintage and get one of these. I see a couple of them as well.