Well it is FINALLY happening. After almost 40 years it is finally time to get my first car. Got $10k saved to go towards a down payment, got my license, did the research. Now it is just a matter of finding the right vehicle.
I would really love to get a '90s turbo sports car, but that is sadly just not really feasible for my current needs. Maybe someday I'll be able to get a 2nd car just for fun, then I'll seriously look into importing a Starion, RX7 FD, or Supra again. By that time they will probably be going for much more than $30k+ - US models already are obscene prices.
So it has been narrowed down to these 4:
Nissan 370 Z
Subaru BRZ/ Toyota 86
Mazda RX-8
Ford Fiesta ST
At the moment I am heavily leaning towards the BRZ/86 for many reasons. The RX-8 being a close second with very similar handling and performance, but with potential reliability issues. The RX-8 is also half the price of the 86. In the long run the 86 would be the better choice, but that money I save could just go towards the RX's inevitable maintenance costs. I dunno.
Originally the 370 Z was top choice, but it is slightly out of my price range and from what I understand is more of a powerhouse, and a bit less cooperative vs the 86. The Z is better than the 86 in every way except maybe handling, but then again I don't need some beast. The Z reportedly has a tendency to under steer, which scares the hell out of me as a somewhat inexperienced driver. I just want something fun to whip around windy wooded roads (and go grocery shopping.)
The Fiesta ST is the outlier here, different from what I usually like. But man, it just looks so goddamn fun to drive, so responsive. A low pressure car that doesn't demand constant attention from the driver like a 370 or RX-8. Very hard to find in an automatic though.
I won't know until I have a chance to test drive them all.
If I go the 86 rout, later down the road I could have the option of installing a supercharger in there bumping up the hp, very tunable which is fun.
I reckon used BRZ/86 and 370 Z's will drop in price significantly next year when their replacements roll out, which is why now is the perfect time. Good prices, and pick of the crop from people looking to replace their current gen models.
If anyone has experience with these vehicles please let me know your thoughts and opinions. This is a huge thing for me, been into cars since a kid and life has always smacked me away from vehicle ownership, but now it looks like it will finally happen! Sometime in the next 8 months or so I will have my first car!