[DinFtown]

A RX8 is OK new, but I wouldn't touch one used. Main reason is the oiling of the engine. Most people do not even change the oil on new cars talk about watch the level. Bottom line is if you buy a rx-8 or rx-7 and you plan on having it a while, put a motor replacement in your budget. The good thing is the motors are cheep.

Look at an E39, its four door, but still sporty. This is my daily driver. You can pick E39's 540's with the V-8 around your budget. The maintenance is very low.

[87turbolook911]

'01-'02 330i coupe should fit the bill with money left over for mods.....great car. Or perhaps a used Infinit G35 coupe.

[Parenn911]

I got my Porsche at 23........air cooled or bust!

[pjalexandre]

Hey Scott,

I think the first question is what kind of chicks does he hope to attract with the car??

I think most of us buy cars that we as car guys like and in reality the attention that is played on those cars is usually by like minded folks... ie not chicks.

I have had a series of guy sports cars and really the attention has always come from other guys and kids who hope to have one someday.

Now I jump in my wife's miata when she had one or now her A4 convertible and wow all the ladies are smiling and waving. Maybe it is the convertible thing, maybe it is because it is a car that the ladies would like to drive or be driven in.

Something to think about.

[tmpcolt45]

he can get a B5 Audi S4 with the 2.7 twin turbo. its a sporty car and its 4 door. its not that pricy to maintain. can cost $9000-$15000 depending on mileage.

[Dr K]

Maybe he should buy something of a crossover in the convertible area. I know a nice Targa he could pick up for around his cut-off, and all ready for the track, too. Plus, it has the full A/C system (in a box).

Peter

[coop's944inMD]

*does best darth vader impression* come over to the dark side luke */Impression Off/*

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...778554149.html

[pookie]

At 23 I'd buy the car I wanted not the one to get the chicks. Let me say I've never driven one or even sat in one, but a car that I like the looks of which may fit his bill, would be the Nissan 350/Infinity G35. I think it looks good, and since a lot of the girls in his age bracket like the Altima and Maxima he should be good to go. I've heard the interior is cheap, but I could get over that. What about the Honda S2000 do those fit his price range?

I should also add that I really like the looks of the RX-8 too, but at 17 MPG city that's as bad as my F-150 4x4 Supercrew.

[good hands]

We drove the Rx8 this past weekend and it is a really nice car. But my first impression is that it would be a pain in the ass to daily drive in the 6k to 9k rpm range... but would be a lot of fun on the track. It does sound like it is not the car to buy used as it does purposely use oil and if the prior owner doesn't add oil continuously the life of the engine will be severely shortened. It reminds me of an old 2 stroke Saab ........ Of course I purposely let my son drive the 996 to the dealership and the Mazda was a bit of let down for him .

[Datax]

Originally Posted by Jazzbass

Bmw M3.

+100

If someone wants to attract/impress/entertain a lot of women with a car, nothing beats a BMW (M cars). Fun to drive and have a very cool factor regardless of how old they are. I've had E36 M3, E46 M3 and S52 M coupe and they are all awesome. Ownership cost varies depending on how you uses them. With $15k, you can pick up really nice E36 M3. I paid mine $11k two years ago but it has a lot of miles on it. They are also holding the value much better than japanese cars.

Scott, I could never have guessed you have a son that is 23 years old. You look wayy too young in person.