Is the SLK 55 AMG really worth it?

November 30, 2009 9:21 PM

'Best car for the money' questions have been asked over and over, but now it's my turn! I'm young, single, and fast...

These 'best car for the money' questions have been asked over and over, but now it's my turn!

I am a young, single guy looking to buy my first car. I would like something sporty, but haven't actually driven that many 'sporty' cars.

My budget is no more than $35k. Looking at used cars only. Purchase date 3-6 months away. I am looking for a car that is simply fun to drive. It would be my daily commuter (and only car).

I have been looking at the Mercedes SLK 55 AMG 2005-2007 and have a few questions. How do the repair costs of the SLK 55 compare to that of the SLK 350/280? Is the SLK 55 worth the extra $5-7K over the lesser SLK models? I would love first hand accounts for anyone who has driven these cars.

I have also looked at the new 370Z but am unsure about the seemingly cheap plastic parts--door handles, interior components. I would love this car if it looked less like a toy. Is this a better option over the Mercedes?

I like the Porsche Boxster S and am wondering how it compares to the previous cars. I have heard the costs of ownership can be very high for Porsches. Is an older, higher-mileage 911 better than a newer Boxster?

I also realize insurance will be through the roof, but maybe some of these cars are cheaper to insure than others.

I would love any advice for a young professional looking for a fun, reliable car to drive. I really appreciate any and all input (maybe even some cars I forgot about). Thanks in advance!

Sorry for anonymous, just would like to maintain privacy about this (because of money, status associated with these kinds of cars). Throw away email: [e-mail]

posted by anonymous to work & money (50 comments total)

You'll shoot your eye out, kid.

Evo 8/9/10, or Subaru WRX STI, bmw m3 coupe..

Will knock the socks off of the merc's.
posted by iamabot at 9:31 PM on November 30, 2009 [3 favorites]

Honda S2000 or WRX (STI). Older M3. Once the "new car" fun wears off the benefit of having a cheaper, older car to take to a track day is the real fun. Save on upkeep, too.

Hell, that kind of money sunk into a used Miata and you'll blow everyone away at an SCCA event.
posted by kcm at 9:34 PM on November 30, 2009

You want a Subaru Impreza of some flavor. Either the basic model (which is still mighty zippy and fun), the WRX, or the STI.

They're cheap, cheap to maintain, and can be expected to last at least 150k even with hard driving. You could actually buy any of them new for under your budget (well, the STI might run a couple k over).

The STI is very expensive to insure, but the other two are cheap.
posted by Netzapper at 9:45 PM on November 30, 2009

I will say that I drive like a total grandmother, and the only speeding ticket I've ever gotten in my life was in my mother-in-law's Subaru WRX. That thing moves like a motherfucker without any effort whatsoever. I swear to god I had no idea I was going over 35 miles per hour and the startled look on my face gave the police officer no choice but to give me a break and bump me down so I didn't end up signing my children over to pay the fines.

Oh my god, that car is fun to drive. I don't know how my MIL still has a driver's license. You gotta go drive one and see for yourself.
posted by padraigin at 9:48 PM on November 30, 2009 [1 favorite]

Also, every two-wheeled vehicle I've owned has been both orders of magnitude cheaper and more fun to own and operate than any of the four-wheeled ones. Just to throw a wrench into the works, take the MSF class (motorcycle safety + licensing) and see what happens.
posted by kcm at 10:02 PM on November 30, 2009 [1 favorite]

Hmm...there seems to be lots of Subaru enthusiasts, but the poster is asking about "status" cars...like a Mercedes. My two cents: I drove a BMW for two years--the most incredible car I could ever ask for and still dream about. Fast. Handles exceptionally. Could stop on a dime and I swear it saved me from two accidents where as other cars would have skidded. INCREDIBLE.

Not so incredible...the upkeep costs. Very high maintenance. Things that I never thought could break (a chip in the key fob?!? Really?!!? 200 plus towing.) routinely needed maintenance. Every 6 months the car was in the shop. Avg bill was 1600.

I thought I was buying a glorified Honda....I bought a high performance vehicle that needed high performance maintenance. And the minute I win the lottery, I am buying one again!!

I DO know that EVERYTHING on a Mercedes/BMW/Porsche/ etc. will cost you more. Even the oil change. You can't take these cars to a Jiffy Lube and have them serviced. There is no 19.95 oil change for these cars. They have "lock out" devices that general car places can't help you with so even what you assume to be simple will need a service by a specialist.

FWIW my brother drives that Mercedes that looks like a mini-box/tank. Very cool. It's an '05 and he has had no service issues. Maybe they are made better!

Wish I could give you advice on the Mercedes. Please let us know what you decide.
posted by hollygirl at 10:10 PM on November 30, 2009

Subaru WRX STI
Suzuki Hayabusa
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 10:13 PM on November 30, 2009 [1 favorite]

Okay, well, in terms of status cars...

I like the BMW Z series. Gorgeous, and they drive like bats from hell.

I dislike Mercedes on aesthetic grounds.

But all of them are expensive as shit to maintain.
posted by Netzapper at 10:32 PM on November 30, 2009

Ah, what a fun 'problem' to solve! My following advice will assume that you will be paying cash, and not necessarily financing your purchase. If this is not the case, MefiMail me or whatever.

First and foremost, consider the weather/climate where you live, the traffic conditions you will face on your probable commute, and whether you will have inside or outside storage. These should greatly influence your choice of vehicle. Those taken into consideration, I am going to offer advice that you may or may not have already considered: Buy a classic.

[in a Ferrari dealership]
Memphis: Roger, I have a problem...
Roger the Car Salesman: Yes?
Memphis: I've been in L.A. for three months now. I have money, I have taste. But I'm not on anybody's "A" list, and Saturday night is the loneliest night for the week for me.
Roger the Car Salesman: Well, a Ferrari would certainly change that.
Memphis: Perhaps, Mmmm. But, you know, this is the one. Yes, yes yes... I saw three of these parked outside the local Starbucks this morning, which tells me only one thing. There's too many self-Indulgent wieners in this city with too much bloody money! Now, if I was driving a 1967 275 GTB four-cam...
Roger the Car Salesman: You would not be a self-indulgent wiener, sir... You'd be a connoisseur.
Memphis: Precisely. Champagne would fall from the heavens. Doors would open. Velvet ropes would part.

Aside from the design issues I have with the SLK (terribly phallic nose), bearing in mind that the boxer is a terrible porsche in terms of the marque, and that the nissan IS mostly plastic, they are all kind of boring in a way that most newer cars are. I'm not suggesting you try and buy an exotic like a Ferrari, but perhaps something with a lot of classic style and cache. Perhaps a really nice late '60's porsche 912, or even a late production porsche 356C.

There are myriad classic cars in many marques with style light years beyond the cars you've listed that be found in amazing original, or recently restored condition for <>
If you're interested in thinking about a classic car, think about what turns your head when you see them drive by. If you want a grab bag of amazingly cool cars of all varieties that car enthusiasts like, check out sites like bringatrailer.com or jalopnik.com. Bringatrailer will feature really great vintage, and some newer rare stuff. Jalopnik will focus on pretty much the whole automotive enthusiast world, old and new.

Vintage cars are also WAY easier to work on, and parts are mostly cheaper. This is especially true if you decide to join or at least read a forum dedicated to your make/model of choice. Great way to find deals, or used and/or NOS parts if you need them. The value of a dedicated community supporting your particular ride of choice is like a super specific askmefi!

So find what really gets your spark plugs firing, then do your research. Spend $25-28k, and then budget a small fraction of the rest for a visit to a Skip Barber or similar racing/high performance driving school for a full day or two. This should give you the confidence you need to drive your classic ride with style! If you've got any questions about particular cars that might suit your needs, drop me a MefiMail. Most of all, pick the car you really want that suits your needs. You'll learn a lot from your choice either way. Best of luck!!!
posted by Bohemia Mountain at 10:43 PM on November 30, 2009

Don't discount the various hot Jaguar models. Their reliability is at least on par with the German stuff these days and look 100% sexier.
posted by maxwelton at 10:45 PM on November 30, 2009

whoops! forgot a space. that should read:

There are myriad classic cars in many marques with style light years beyond the cars you've listed that be found in amazing original, or recently restored condition for < $25k
posted by Bohemia Mountain at 10:45 PM on November 30, 2009

The 2009/10 Subaru Impreza WRX makes 265 horses and can out-accelerate the STI, which makes 305. The WRX weighs less, and has a flexible five-speed compared to the STI's six, making 0-65 or thereabouts a single shift away (at ~6400 rpm) rather than two.

Status cars? Ppfffbblt.... go with what's fun to drive. I bought my Subi blue WRX a month ago and I'm still grinning.
posted by deCadmus at 10:46 PM on November 30, 2009

Until they start selling Alfas in the US again, I'd get an Evo for that money.
posted by kid_dynamite at 10:47 PM on November 30, 2009

On review, I might get a Mazda speed3
posted by kid_dynamite at 10:48 PM on November 30, 2009

Subaru WRX STI. That is all.
posted by Hypnotic Chick at 10:54 PM on November 30, 2009

Being an owner of several classic cars over the past decade, I must offer caveats to what Bohemia Mountain suggests: they can be really challenging to own, you have to love them aesthetically and enjoy driving them but also be committed to the quirks and maintenance issues. They are most fun when you have either copious spare time and knowledge or willingness to learn to do some of the maintenance yourself and to get deeply and nerdily involved in the online communities for your baby, or fairly infinite money and willingness to send them off to the car hospital for surgical procedures. Sometimes both your gumption and your wallet are necessary. A classic car as a daily driver is really a nonstarter unless your commute is minimal.

I notice Audi is not on your shortlist--I've never owned one but we've looked at them seriously, and I did have a Jetta GTI for a while that was basically an A4 economy model, and it was absolutely a blast to drive. Maintenance is expensive but the routine stuff is largely covered during the warranty period if you buy new.
posted by padraigin at 10:56 PM on November 30, 2009 [1 favorite]

padraigin's point is well made. Owning a classic car takes consideration of commute, ability to maintain, and to put up with other small issues.You should absolutely take this into account if contemplating a vintage vehicle. Much like any car really. I just vastly prefer the ease of maintaining my TR6 over the new cars I've owned. Same could be said of the the vintage land rovers, volvos, and german cars i've had as well. There's also the price factor: classics really do tend to appreciate in value, so they can be looked at as an investment if you know what you're doing.

Audi is a great suggestion, and I can tell you that I absolutely loved my 1.8L turbo Quattro A4. I absolutely loved it, until i hated it's maintenance issues. I poured thousands into that car chasing issues, and the german engineering made it impossible for me to fix it myself at the time. There's something comforting about opening the hood/bonnet/deck lid on a vintage car and being able to tell what everything does just by looking at it. Issues are easy to troubleshoot and fix if there's nothing locking me out of the motor, like insane emissions equipment or computers. All that said, if occasional maintenance or troubleshooting is offputting to you Anon. that's totally ok. WRX's a great, so are the EVOs. I've loved driving both of those. For my money i'd rather look out my window/into my garage and see something classic instead of plastic :)
posted by Bohemia Mountain at 11:28 PM on November 30, 2009

You include the word "reliable" in your requirements. A Mercedes will definitely not qualify as "reliable." There's a reason why used models sell for a fraction of their original price.
posted by zsazsa at 11:30 PM on November 30, 2009

Is the SLK 55 worth the extra $5-7K over the lesser SLK models?

It's certainly $5k quicker, both starting and stopping. It's not $5k more prestigious, and it won't get you laid any faster. So... it depends on why you're interested in the car. I like autocross, and if I had the money and were buying a Mercedes, I'd likely always get the AMG package if it were offered.

I'm a WRX driver. I make no apologies for my bias. The only car I've ever driven that was even close to this entertaining was mid-engined and Italian. The WRX is not a status car, even in Saab 9-2x guise; it's a driver's car -- fast, (relatively) light, balanced, and exceptionally well behaved at its limits. Conveniently, it's reliable, and relatively easy (read: cheap) to maintain, though parts can be expensive compared to other Japanese iron (though not compared to Europe).

With your budget, you could buy a good low mileage WRX or STI, plus a decent 90's Lotus Esprit Turbo, Mercedes SL drop-top, or even an earlier SLK for the weekends or for cruising... and then choose which car to take depending on what you've got planned for the day/night. Got Parking?

Or... A late 60's Jaguar XKE or E-type. $35k buys a whole lot of classic (especially in a down economy) -- and a well-kept classic is disproportionately sexy... which is likely relevant to the young and single.

Boxster maintenance is a pain in the ass if you don't have a lift, and merely difficult if you do, because of the location of the engine. Things can get very expensive, very fast, not only because a lot of people aren't very good about maintaining the car, but a surprising number of repairs require the engine to be removed from the car.
posted by toxic at 11:47 PM on November 30, 2009

An AMG - and for that matter, the performance Beemers and Porsches - will all cost a fuckton to repair if and when they break.

And while classic cars can be interesting they will ravage your bank account and drive time in most cases, unless you're talking German or maybe Japanese classics.

If I had the equivalent sum you're talking about for a pure fun + status car I'd probably look to a 911 (and pray nothing went wrong) or an NSX. If I cared less about status I'd be looking at a Skyline or Supra with derestricted engines. And if I wanted status and practicality - M5 all the way. Albeit that whole "pray nothing goes wrong" again.
posted by rodgerd at 12:04 AM on December 1, 2009

The cars you listed are all toys. If this is going to be your only car, and primarily used for commuting, you might find yourself frustrated by lack of space for cargo or other passengers.

If you have the dosh and want something with supercar power, exotic looks and reliability, I'd go for a good used Acura NSX-T.

German cars of the past 10 years or so -- such as the SLK and Boxster -- have an absolutely atrocious reputation for frequent and costly mechanical problems. If you buy a car that is out of warranty, this may mean weeks without the car while it sits in the shop waiting for parts from Zuffenhausen. Check out review sites such as carsurvey.org and see for yourself.

The days when only status marques had power and refinement are gone. These days, there are plenty of cars with more power, comfort and refinement than you'll ever need. As folks have mentioned, even Subarus have 300 hp (and the traction to put it on the road), and are a lot of fun to drive ... and a Mazdaspeed Miata will outrun both of the German roadsters you mentioned, and is at least as fun to drive.
posted by dacoit at 12:05 AM on December 1, 2009

Whoever said Jaguars are reliable must be out of their mind. Nice cars, sure, but that thing is going to be in the shop more than on the road. For my money, I would go for a Mazda 6, WRX/STI, or an Audi. Don't buy a classic car for your everyday commute, and unless you have money to burn on repairs, stay away from status cars like Mercedes or Porshe. I am partial to BMWs, but don't have much firsthand experience beyond driving a friend's.
posted by sophist at 12:19 AM on December 1, 2009

Once you narrow your list down you can call your insurance company and get some quotes.

Some of the advice here is pretty good but I don't know how it applies because I think you are sort of all over the map on what you're suggesting on getting.

If I were you I would do some research on what it is exactly that you want.
How much cargo space you need, AWD or RWD, Sports Coupe or super sedan or 2 seater, what looks the best to you, where you are going to store it, where you'll be driving it, how much do you care about gas economy, are you going to drive manual, etc...

All those things will really make a difference in what you end up selecting.

Personally, I think the M3 and STi are boring choices (as in everyone has them) and I think if this is your first car a lot of these choices are going to way more power than you'll be capable of handling.

I'm putting in a suggestion for a used RX8 if you like it. Take a HPDE course. Learn all about the car, learn how to drive it, after you can run the pants off the car and it's holding you back, put on a nicely tuned turbo\supercharger system and you'll have a beast of a car with perfect handling and more power than you'll know what to do with.

If you pick a different car I URGE you to take the HPDE course. You'll learn a lot, be a much better driver, and you'll start learning about how to get the most out of any vehicle you drive.
posted by zephyr_words at 12:30 AM on December 1, 2009

Fun car? German? "Heineken? Fuck that shit! Pabst Blue Ribbon!"

Get a 2004 - 2006 Pontiac GTO. Monstrous 6 liter V-8 (modern small block Chevy). Rear wheel drive. Sporty too. $16 - $22k on Carmax. 400 hp and 400 ft-lb torque. Fine as a daily driver (friend of mine commuted 1hr each way in his).

If I were looking it would be a tossup between the GTO and the STI. Very different cars, but both look like a lot of fun to drive.
posted by zippy at 12:35 AM on December 1, 2009 [1 favorite]

The most fun cars I've driven - I'd say Porsche Boxter, BMW Z4, Z3. Stay away from Benzes, even AMGs, they are fast and pretty but not very fun to drive.
posted by wongcorgi at 2:11 AM on December 1, 2009

I met someone who drove a Subaru Outback (yeah, the wagon), bought a Boxter, but finally traded it back for another Outback. He said it cornered better.

You cannot go wrong with an WRX/STI.
posted by wrok at 3:21 AM on December 1, 2009

For about $35K, you can get a good pre-owned Audi S4. Think, 350hp V8 and quattro All Wheel Drive.

The performance and all-wheel drive is pretty comparable to something like an STI or EVO (daily driving, at least) but the Audi can offer you a couple things that those Japanese rockets can't.
1) A real, grown up interior.
2) Suspension and driving dynamics that will settle down and be comfortable and quiet when you want them to be. Cars like the STI are light, cheap, and tend to feel like they're turned up to 11 all the time. You can drive an S4 on a 12 hour road trip marathon. If you tried the same in an STI or EVO, you'd feel like you fell down a flight of stairs.
posted by Jon-o at 4:11 AM on December 1, 2009

You didn't mention where you are located, and that can be a big factor particularly when you are considering rear-wheel drive cars that you might be driving in potentially snowy/icy conditions. If that's a likelihood for you, be sure to look at the front-rear weight distribution as an indication of the vehicle's stability in less-than-ideal driving conditions.

If that's not an issue...I can heartily vouch for a Miata. "Fun to drive" is its subtitle. (Car & Driver calls it the "whee" factor.) Maintenance is about the same you'd expect for any decent Japanese car, which is to say, very reasonable. I've had one since 1994 and, with 77,000 miles on it, have replaced the tires twice, put in two new batteries, had the brakes redone, and am still using the original clutch [sound of me knocking on wood]
posted by DrGail at 5:13 AM on December 1, 2009

This is pretty easy.

Do you live where it snows?

If yes, you get a Subaru WRX STi and be done with it.

If no, you get a restored big block anything from the 1960s for $15k, then spend another $5-10k getting it perfect. And then you'll be the only kid on your block with vehicular personality.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 5:44 AM on December 1, 2009

Seconding Jon-o on the Audi S4...

I owned a 2001 S4 (twin turbo V6) and traded it in when we were expecting our first child for a 2003 WRX. The WRX was fun, but I got tired of the rattles, bumps, noise, and "cheapness". After driving it for six years, I now own a 2005 S4 (V8) that has been slightly modded. It makes about 375 horsepower and sounds better than almost any car I've heard (it's got custom exhaust). It will outrun the STi's that people are talking about above, and corners damn near as well (custom suspension).

It's not "loaded" but it has excellent features -- leather, nav, bi-xenon headlights, custom wheels, sunroof, carbon fiber trim, 6-speed manual transmission. When I'm not driving it hard, it's definitely a luxury car. Whether I'm driving it hard or not, it turns heads and gets attention. I've gotten used to being asked about it at gas stations or in parking lots about once a week.

I bought it about 6 months ago with 43,XXX miles on the odo for $24,500. Since then, I've changed the oil (it takes an expensive "cartridge" oil filter and 9+ quarts of synthetic oil - about $150 per oil change, but goes 10,000 miles between changes) and replaced a failed window regulator (about $250). Other than that, it's been flawless and I've put 10,000 miles on it.

It is hands-down the best balance of luxury and performance and value I've ever seen and I strongly suggest you look into them. You can find used listings on several websites for Audi enthusiasts:

http://www.audizine.com/classifieds/showcat.php?cat=68
http://forums.fourtitude.com/zeroforum?id=906
http://classifieds.audiworld.com/showcat.php/cat/18

Whatever you end up with, be careful, have fun, and enjoy your new ride!
posted by ElDiabloConQueso at 6:17 AM on December 1, 2009

I think the best advice offered so far is to check out the NSX. Fantastic car. The AMG is great too but not one of Mercs classiest designs. Instead of the 370Z you could cross shop the Infiniti G37.

Drive every car you can think of and I think the choice will makes itself pretty apparent.
posted by zeoslap at 6:20 AM on December 1, 2009

More info required!

"Fun to drive"? If you have to ask, you shouldn't have anything close to a modern performance car. Seriously, any of the cars suggested will lead you into TROUBLE if you try to tap 50% of their potential on the street. Something with 350+ horsepower will hit 130 mph in a blink, and you'll kill someone. I find anything that powerful to be psychologically taxing to drive...the car always wants to go faster, I always want to go faster, but the rest of traffic is just sitting there plodding along at 70 or 80 mph. It's not fun. Great to show off in, terrible if you want to strap in on a quiet Sunday morning and drive the car HARD without risking someone's life.

I also think it's pretty ridiculous to drop $35K on a depreciating asset if you don't have a house. I know a lot of guys who have really screwed the financial pooch on fast, tacky cars. If this is honest-to-god pocket change to you, then proceed with caution.

Here's my bias: All wheel drive is absolutely the antithesis of driving pleasure. If you're driving hard enough for traction coming out of a corner to be an issue, the AWD car is going to be way closer to killing you than a RWD car. IF you're not driving that hard, the AWD is pointless. I like low powered front wheel drive go-karts more than all wheel drive turbo monsters. I'm enough of a German car nut to have owned a full-on rally car with the chrome rings on front, and I still don't like modern Audis/VWs (Ok, the GTI and R8 are exceptions). They're soulless and numb compared to BMWs. I'm not a fan of the WRX and Evo either. Fast but they feel chintzy and, again, their competence-to-sense-of-speed ratio is too high to be fun on the street unless it's snowy or wet. I know a lot of friends who have wrecked WRXs, usually on the snow because the cars give you way, way more confidence than you deserve.

The most fun you can have will be something smallish, with 2 driven wheels and 4 or 6 cylinders. Cars in the sub-$35K range I'd consider, in roughly decreasing order of fun factor: Elise, Miata, Porsche 993, Boxter, Z4, E46 330i ZHP/335i/M3, Mini Cooper S, Genesis, 350Z, GTI, Mazdaspeed 3, E34/E39 M5, E36 M3, Porsche 968/944S2/944 Turbo. Some of those are dangerously ill-handling or fast beasts, but all of them will make you smile every. single. time. If I weren't a little too much of a prissy europhile cockhead for it, I'd also toss a C5/C6 'vette in there.

If you buy a high-end German car with an S, M, AMG or crest with Stuttgart written on it, you might set aside $10K or so for repairs right off the bat. In other words, limit yourself to $25K or so. The ability of an S4, M3, Porsche or Mercedes to burn money is truly ridiculous. A friend recently rebuilt the motor on his 15 year old M5 to the tune of about $14K. German cars last forever, but they're not cheap and don't take well to serious neglect. You want one that was RELIGIOUSLY maintained. Non-M BMWs are probably the cheapest to maintain of the modern premium German cars...probably on par with VWs.

All this is moot if you really just want to attract women and go fast in a straight line. In that case, your original suggestions are fine, though an Audi or Jag is clearly the way to go. A 6-series BMW is also a straight up sexmobile.
posted by paanta at 6:37 AM on December 1, 2009 [2 favorites]

Also, yeah, if it were me, I'd be watching bringatrailer. A $15K-$20K classic with over $10K set aside for repairs would be a GREAT daily driver that will get you way more positive attention and offer way more fun if you can live without the creature comforts. It won't depreciate nearly as much, either.
posted by paanta at 6:41 AM on December 1, 2009

I'm with Bohemia Mountain on this -- if you don't mind spending a bit of time learning about your car. You can buy a really nice recently restored classic sports car for ~$25k and keep the rest in the bank in case things go terribly wrong. If you learn a bit about maintenance and troubleshooting, in my opinion you'll come out way ahead. Yes, Lucas electrics deserve at least some of their reputation as being reliable -- but almost always they can be repaired on the spot, usually with only a pocket knife and a $7 voltmeter. A British pre-plastic sports car (big Healey, Triumph TR, '60s MGB) a 2000-series Datsun, is going to go up in value as long as you maintain it, as is a Porsche 356 or early 911, a round-taillight BMW 2002.

But yeah, if you live where it snows and you're partial to comfort, just ignore my post.
posted by Killick at 6:45 AM on December 1, 2009 [1 favorite]

A 'do-everything' fun car is not so easy. NSX and Elise are not much good for grocery shopping, never mind moving furniture, but those cars are as much fun as anything you'll find. STis are stiff and rattly, the way rally cars should be, and if you need to drive 300 miles you will likely tire of the roughness. Be careful around Boxsters and Caymans, Google for "IMS failure". On the other side, you are too young for a Benz or Jaguar. You must be 50 or older to own such staid machinery.

I drive a 2005 Subaru Legacy GT, which has Audi-like aspirations and is a good, fast car but it may not be sporty enough for you. As you see from the previous thirty-odd posts, these cars are pretty much invisible. If you want to be noticed, and don't mind paying for it, I'd have to third the S4.

The real solution is two cars: a lightweight autocrossable car (Miata, Elise) and a beater.
posted by jet_silver at 7:06 AM on December 1, 2009

The Elise looks like it's hella fun to drive. Pure performance. But if I were a passenger I don't think I'd like it very much. Unless I'm wrong, and I'm never wrong, it doesn't have cup holders or noise-dampening insulation.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 7:17 AM on December 1, 2009

Backseat nthing the WRX. I personally haven't driven it but Brother Shotglass got one and promptly lost his license for 6 months due to too many speeding tickets in a short amount of time.
posted by mrsshotglass at 7:24 AM on December 1, 2009

I love Subarus, but if the interior of the 370Z concerns you, the Subarus are all going to make you feel like a plastic factory barfed in your car.

German cars in the 5 - 10 year old range can be very reliable, but you need to find the models that are. There are dozens of enthusiast forum websites devoted to these cars, so check them out. And find a good gentleman's mechanic, before you buy, and have him look the car over COMPLETELY before you buy it. No exceptions. If the seller won't allow it, don't buy the car.
posted by iknowizbirfmark at 7:25 AM on December 1, 2009

Get a Lotus Elise (or Exige if you don't want to take the top off), I had one for three years. They're ridiculously fun to drive, they get tons of attention, and you rarely see another one on the road.
posted by foodgeek at 7:43 AM on December 1, 2009

Go Audi (as mentioned above) or get an early model Acura NSX. That's still the most fun car I've ever driven, has that exotic look, and they routinely run 300k miles. Yep, many people use them as a daily drivers. I drive mine a few times a week and have never had any major problems in 2 years of ownership. Just do your research at nsxprime.com.
posted by cp7 at 8:05 AM on December 1, 2009

There's lots of leeway in the question, and lots of leeway in the needs and skills of the respondents to this thread. If you're considering a "cheap" AMG or Porsche, you're probably meaning "sporty" in terms of looks and status. As in "look at me, I'm sporty!" rather than "oh shit I'm balding!" (sez me, the balding guy)

I'm going to answer "sporty" in terms of both price/performance and handling: STi.

I've owned a few fast cars. I've driven a bunch more. I've been on the track and off. I used to go through a set four of evenly worn tires every 4-5000 miles. I drive more sedately now and get 7-8000 miles, still evenly worn. I've lived on some fairly well-known twisty roads for two decades now; roads that appear in car and motorcycle magazines very frequently. I don't crash, and I don't get tickets.

Hands down, I pick the '06 STI. On price, performance, price VS performance, streetability, stealth, reliability, safety, and probably a ton more categories.

The price of an STI means you'll have money for tires. Which is important if you're using the car correctly.

The performance of the STI means that on a track you'll be turning faster lap times than anything within double or triple your cost. And you'll be doing it while showing off by drifting the last turn, or doing a Swedish flick while going inside someone at the apex, or...

Price versus performance means you'll be able to drive a lot more aggressively on the street before thinking "oh jeez I'd better not wad it up into that tree" or "I'd better take it easy on the motor|struts|balljoints|brakes..."

Streetability means it's fine for offroad rallying, fun in the twisties, or freeway driving without ever modifying the suspension or wheels or motor. Most people in other vehicles wanting performance have to tighten up the suspension or crank up the motor or whatever. But the STI is well balanced for all sorts of things. And it's built for "yumpin'".

Stealth means you're not nearly such a target for tickets, theft, or dickwad drivers as an AMG, Jag, BMW, Lotus, Porsche. It's fun to watch the other guy get the speeding ticket. And I'm a complete believer that performance trumps flash any day.

Reliability? My last non-STI fast car went through 12 brake rotors, three stock rims, both turbos, and a motor, ***all under warranty***. The clutch lasted 100k miles, I don't drive poorly y'know. The STI over the same mileage? Nothing. Tires and struts, which are "wear" parts, same as the other car. And the STI has the added fun of doing some minor "yumpin'", drifting, etc.

I apologize for going on about the STI, but a Subaru was totally not on my radar at all. And I'm so glad I gave it a shot. If you mean "sporty" by "skilled performance driving" you need to give the STI a serious look. If you mean "sporty" as "draws attention" or "does this make my penis look bigger", then my post is irrelevant to you.

Regardless, please take a performance driving course. Without active practice correctly braking and cornering, you'll be a serious danger to others on the road with your shiny new toy. There's nothing sadder than driving past road flares, paramedics, and an upside-down "sporty" car that hasn't even got permanent plates on it yet.
posted by lothar at 8:45 AM on December 1, 2009 [1 favorite]

A few questions for clarification: Do you live somewhere it snows? What's the biggest thing you'll ever want to carry in your car? What's the largest number of people you'll ever want to carry in your car? How much do you know about working on cars, and how much of the work do you plan to do yourself? Are you hoping that this car will impress someone, and, if so, who?
posted by box at 8:48 AM on December 1, 2009

I have a 2007 BMW 335i coupe and I'm here to recommend the same. It has 300 HP/torque, 0 to 60 in 4.9 seconds, handles beautifully, gets 31 MPG highway, is quiet and well mannered, beautiful, brilliantly engineered, and extremely fun. I giggle every time I drive it.

Get a BMW Certified Preowned---6 years warranty, 100, 000 miles. All maintenance is covered under the original factory warranty. You can find one for $32,000 or cheaper.

You won't look back.
posted by luckypozzo at 9:37 AM on December 1, 2009

From the original poster:

Thank you for all the replies!

First, I should mention that by 'single' I meant have no kids and am not married--obviously these two things aren't mutually exclusive. It was a poor description of myself, in fact, I have a serious girlfriend. Impressing the ladies is not my goal here, but a little bit of the WOW factor would be nice ;o)

I'm surprised to see so many people recommend the Subarus WRX and STI. I think they lack some of the creature comforts I am looking for, but will certainly test drive them. Does the STI (the more powerful car) come in a 4-dr? I don't like the hatchback design at all. And I certainly don't want a car that looks like a plastic factory exploded on the interior! Also, thank you for the recommendation to get a classic car. It's an interesting idea I didn't even consider, but I'm not sure it's for me. I would like some high-tech electronics in my car and don't have the tools, skills, or time to fix my (only) car.

I know I was vague so let me also refine some of my requirements. I would like a convertible, but it's not a total deal breaker. This is why I was looking at the SLK 55--hardtop convertible. Tons of trunk space isn't a huge deal--since I live alone and only transport groceries on a regular basis. I could definitely get by with a two-seater. I have never raced cars or even seen an amatuer race track. Does everyone go at once? Do they stagger cars? What the kind of people show up to these things? Is it an all-day affair? Do powerful luxury cars get laughed out of the place? This is something I will consider and will take an appropriate course as suggested several times.

Of the European cars, are any of them relatively inexpensive to maintain? I didn't see anyone mentioning Audi's being particularly expensive to maintain.

I checked out some of the Audi's online and they are very attractive options. How does the convertible S4 compare to the hardtop? I know the RS4 is a bit out of my price range, but is it worth the extra money?

Is the mazda miata too small for a 6 ft, 200 lb guy? I have seen a couple in person and they always seem TINY, and dangerous if you are in an accident.

There will be mild winters and some snow driving, but nothing like the Northeast. I live in Northern Virginia.

posted by mathowie at 10:19 AM on December 1, 2009

Does the STI (the more powerful car) come in a 4-dr?

Yes, prior to MY 2008. The new ones are all hatchbacks... but you don't want to waste your money on a new car that loses 30% of its value in the first 3 miles, so you're looking at used 4-doors anyway.

I have never raced cars or even seen an amatuer race track. Does everyone go at once? Do they stagger cars?

It depends on the race. Most autocross is run solo (you're the only car on the track), running around cones in a big parking lot... if you lose control, you won't hit anything and usually won't damage anything but your pride. Rarely does the track give you enough room to get above 60 MPH, but until you've apexed a decreasing radius corner at 50, you'll never know how fast that actually is.

After your performance driving course, regular practice through autocross will make you a much safer driver, assuming you like to drive quickly on twisty sections of pavement.

Club racing is more likely to be a staggered-start affair where cars share the track (though it isn't always). It's a great way to see how fast you and your car can go, because the tracks are much faster than solo autocross.

What the kind of people show up to these things?

People who like to push their cars to the limits of performance and adhesion, safely, and are good enough at it to want to compare their times against other similarly-minded drivers. See the SCCA website for lots more information.

Is it an all-day affair? Do powerful luxury cars get laughed out of the place?

Powerful luxury cars are welcome (everybody who wants to learn to drive better faster is welcome). They'll usually get their doors blown off by lighter weight, better handling cars painted in varying shades of bondo and primer.

Luxury car owners do frequently attract eye-rolls... but only when their attitude warrants it. It's entirely a factor of their overconfidence ("How did that 19 year old former go-kart champion in a $3500 miata beat my $100k Audi by 12 seconds? My car is soooo much nicer than that ugly thing"). Don't be that guy.

It's not at all uncommon to see a BMW 7-series, Audi RS, or the like, pulling a trailer with a race-prepped Miata, Starlet, or 323 on it.
posted by toxic at 10:52 AM on December 1, 2009

On a related note:

The San Francisco SCCA frequently uses Candlestick park's parking lot for events.

If you look at this Google Maps satellite image, it's not hard to make out the shapes of a couple of different courses, represented by the squiggley lines made up of rubber marks.
posted by toxic at 12:31 PM on December 1, 2009

How does the convertible S4 compare to the hardtop? I know the RS4 is a bit out of my price range, but is it worth the extra money?

DO NOT BUY A CONVERTIBLE S4.
I cannot emphasize this enough. During the time that I worked at an Audi dealership, the A4 and S4 convertibles were the absolute worst. Not only do they weigh much more than the hard top, they are much more cheaply made than the hardtop and are prone to terrible problems. Get ready for massive water infiltration, the rear glass to fall out of the roof, and for the top to really only work about 60% of the time you own the car. An A4/S4 cabriolet will be the worst car you'll ever own.
DON'T DO IT. PLEASE.

The RS4 should not be your first fast car. It's obscenely fast. Fast like, step on the gas and the horizon actually gets closer, tunnel vision, chest-crushing fast. But, it's worth every extra penny.

Audi's can be expensive to maintain. When looking into an S4, see if you can find a later model. The later models have a chain-drive engine that doesn't have a timing belt. Replacing the timing belt on an A4/S4 involves partially removing the entire front clip of the car (think about 8 hours of dealership labor for a timing belt replacement). Buying a chain-drive model means you don't have to go through that.
Neither the automatic or the manual transmissions in the S4 are prone to problems, either. They're relatively low maintenance and I never saw any serious failures. Checking, draining, and filling the automatic transmission fluid requires a special filling tool and a scan tool that can read transmission data. Technicians less awesome than myself are unlikely to have those tools, so you might be stuck with the dealer for transmission service. Even though transmission services should be rare, the fluid is really pricey.
Audi manual transmissions have a nauseatingly expensive dual-mass flywheel which generally gets replaced when the clutch is cooked. It's typically more than a grand for parts alone when replacing an Audi clutch. So, don't buy one thinking you'll learn to drive stick as you go along. That'd be a $2500 mistake.

Other stuff like brakes, tune ups, oil changes, etc can easily be handled by a qualified non-dealer mechanic. The nice thing about an S4 is that it isn't burdened by the extra high-tech baloney that's included on A6 or A8 models.

More than anything, an S4 will eat up tires (regular tire rotations are extremely critical on Audis) and things like CV joint boots, drive-shaft seals, and front upper control arms are the most common failures. That's stuff you can get fixed at any good shop and also should be covered by a certified pre-owned Audi warranty if you go that route.
posted by Jon-o at 3:44 PM on December 1, 2009

Is the mazda miata too small for a 6 ft, 200 lb guy? I have seen a couple in person and they always seem TINY, and dangerous if you are in an accident.

They are big enough. If you are worried about accidents, don't buy a sports car. They are all built for lightness and handling (for any meaningful use of the terms).
posted by rodgerd at 11:16 PM on December 1, 2009

If you are worried about accidents, don't buy a sports car. They are all built for lightness and handling (for any meaningful use of the terms).

The Subarus mentioned (WRX and STI) both have incredible accident ratings. And the new ones come with all those fancy side-impact doodads. Just sayin'.
posted by Netzapper at 12:47 AM on December 2, 2009

The Subarus mentioned (WRX and STI) both have incredible accident ratings. And the new ones come with all those fancy side-impact doodads. Just sayin'.

Actually, yeah, I should have qualified that; I was referring to classic, flashy lightweight sports cars, and not thinking of the more pragmatic options like the STi and Audi S series.
posted by rodgerd at 1:32 AM on December 2, 2009