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Car Buying Guide: What Kind of Sports Car Should You Get for $70,000?

Buying a car can be a significant moment in any person's life, but it's probably even more thrilling if you're a petrolhead already, and you're looking to purchase a sports car. There are plenty of options available on the market, suited for any budget or level of expectations, so let's dive in and see what goes around.
Porsche Cayman S 15 photos
Photo: Porsche
The last time we considered purchasing a sports car, we had a budget of $50,000. Let's increase that to $70,000 and follow a similar scenario. But considering the increased amount, let's say we've got $10,000 extra to use just in case we need to. Once again, the car is intended for being used on public roads; we will keep in mind aiming for some track suited capabilities as well.

Although there are some interesting sedan options, we'll mostly be looking at coupes, ideally with RWD, to really experience the thrill of a sports car, but we won't totally ignore the AWD options. The main focus will be on the brand new vehicles, but we will also take a look at some of the interesting used cars available.

What kind of brand new vehicles can I get ?

With some $80,000 to spare, we are already accessing some top-level vehicles for several brands and moving away from the non-premium manufacturer options. This budget does not allow entry in the realm of supercars, but performance levels here are already very good. Most cars will have around 500 horsepower or more and will hit 60 mph (96 kph) from a standstill in around 4 seconds.

Looking at cars built by Japanese manufacturers, we are looking at offerings from Lexus and Toyota, with the new A91 Supra and the RC-F, respectively. The Nissan GT-R is still out of reach for now, at least when talking about a brand new vehicle with zero miles on it.

The European market has got some very interesting options. Alongside the traditional vehicles from BMW, Mercedes and Audi, we can now even look at some entry-level Porsches, such as the Cayman S. With the given extra allowance, the BMW M4 Competition Coupe becomes available as well, and it's pitched up against the Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe and the Audi RS5.

Horsepower levels are clearly skyrocketing for North American models, and we can now access the top-level Challenger, the SRT Super Stock, albeit further stretching the budget just slightly over initial calculations. The Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 also comes into play, and while the Camaro ZL1 doesn't seem quite as interesting, we do have access to the brand new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, which is in a class of its own for sure.

BMW M4 Competition Coupe

Although many have argued that the M2 is the way to go if you're looking for a sporty BMW, the M4 Competition Coupe just seems like a better all-round car. Sure, the standard M4 Coupe is some $3,000 cheaper, but why not start with the best option there is, and go for the whole 503 horsepower from the get-go?

There are 11 colors available for this car, and the Isle of Man Green metallic does look appealing. The most interesting package we'd go for would be the M Carbon Ceramic Brakes, which retail at $8,150, but that does mean you'll be slightly going over the budget. Alternatively, you could start out with the M4 Coupe and choose these brakes, and worry about power upgrades later on.

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

This is a tough choice if you're to examine both this car and the nearly 800 horsepower Challenger. But instead of going for raw power, we will be going for a more balanced machine designed with sheer speed in mind. While you might be able to see several Challengers in any given parking lot, albeit in various trims, the Corvette will definitely be a more exclusive machine.

There is a convertible option as well, but we'll look into that in a future buying guide. There are three trims, the 1LT, the 2LT, and the 3LT. A selection of 12 colors is on the menu, and then there's the choice of a Z51 performance package, which should reduce the 0-60 mph (96 kph) time down to under 3 seconds! It may cost $5,995, but you definitely want that on your list, as it included Brembo brakes, a performance suspension, and an eLSD among other things.

Toyota A91 Supra

Once again, the Toyota Supra comes to our attention, but this time in the form of the new A91 model, which should provide the upper edge when compared to the normal version of this car. As starting MSRP is only $54,795, that means there is still a lot of room to play in terms of tuning the car. As several drivers who have already driven the car described, you can definitely feel the increase in performance with this new vehicle, given the special attention to details and the limited number of production vehicles.

The stock car is already loaded with options, so there's not much left but upgrading parts by working with 3rd party companies; just be sure you won't void your warranty by doing so! With a Borgwarner EFR 8474, you can go all the way up to 770 horsepower, but that's by no means a barrier that can't be broken if you set your mind to it. Also, a Rocket Bunny kit to make this car stand out of any crowd will set you back about $8,000.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to what you really want in your life. If horsepower figures are all you're looking at, the BMW M4 and the Toyota Supra A91 would probably be a better choice, given that they're both powered by turbocharged engines, which can easily be upgraded to 800 or more horsepower. The BMW is certainly the most luxurious out of the three.

The Supra would make a good choice if you're planning on extensive modifications to make it into a unique vehicle. But the Corvette Stingray is probably the most interesting option out of the three, given its mid-engine, novelty factor, and racing heritage. It's bound to turn heads wherever you go if that's an important factor for you.

Sure, with this kind of budget, the alternatives are not bad either. It's tough to beat the figures that the top-level Challenger can produce, and depending on your taste in cars, that might be the obvious choice from the very beginning. The RC-F would make a perfect choice if you're in need of a grand tourer, while the Cayman S could be your first step into the world of Porsches.

What about used cars, what are my options?

Due to the fact that any brand new car you'd buy today is going to depreciate over time - except for maybe a few of them - most people tend to choose something that already has a few miles on the clock to avoid paying for said depreciation. Working with a budget of this magnitude means you can now access cars which initially had a six-figure price tag.

Once again, we will be looking at the options according to decades. We'll start off with the newer cars, the ones built in between 2010 to 2020, and then we'll look at some options in between 2000 and 2010; further on, we'll see what kind of '90s and perhaps '80s car can make the list.

You can now gain access to a 2015 Porsche 911 Carrera S for example, with 21,340 miles on the odometer and a price tag of $74,998. A newer 2018 or 2019 Cayman S is also in the books, albeit with a similar mileage. If you're going to look at Audis, you've got a choice between an older V10 R8, or a much newer TT-RS.

The BMW M4 GTS would make an interesting choice, given its rarity and track-oriented capabilities, and there's a 2016 one going for $79,000. Although there are a few 8 Series available in the price range, and also a few i8S, those aren't necessarily the sportiest of vehicles out there, so we would pass.

Interestingly enough, it seems that the value of the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT has come down quite a bit, and there are several models listed online that could make your budget. Granted, this car just makes you forget about any other Mercedes-Benz option out there. 2015 or 2016 Nissan GT-Rs are also available, but it might be tough finding a stock one.

Over on the Lexus side of things, the LC500 is surely enough a very futuristic choice, but at over 4,000 lbs (1,814 kg), it's certainly not going to be as exciting as the RC-F. If going to the track has got a high priority, then you'll be happy to hear that a 2017 Lotus Evora 400 will also make the list. You'll get similar results searching for a Maserati Granturismo Sport Coupe!

If ten more years doesn't sound like an issue to you, get ready to dive into a whole new segment of cars. There are several Ferraris available, and depending on the number of cylinders you're aiming for, you can either get a nice spec F360 or a larger, heavier 612 Scaglietti. Alternatively, Gallardos are the other exotic Italians you're looking at in this price range.

If you'd like to stick to North American options, why not get a Dodge Viper? Several trims are available, but just consider how much of a handful driving one is going to be. If an European option is still the one that appeals to you, why not look into the sleek looking Mercedes-AMG SL?

Last but not least, should you check out some of the '90s options you can choose to really stand out of the crowd, you can pick the strange concept that was the BMW Z1, or even an older 8 Series. Those were really loaded with technology back in the day. Sure, the list of Ferraris also broadens, but then again, so do the options from every single other manufacturer on the market.

Our take on the buying process

A budget of $70,000 brings upon quite the responsibility, at least depending on your current income. While it might sound easier to find a car given such an amount, you might be tempted to be upset over the fact that it's still not enough to get that proper supercar you were dreaming about. But that might just always be a problem, as there is always a nicer car available on the market somewhere that you just cannot afford or just get your hands on.

There's also the question of getting something and keeping it as stock as possible on the chance that its value will appreciate over time, or buying a cheaper car and resorting to extreme upgrades. That's why ultimately, you need to figure out for yourself what your goal is, and try to stick to that goal throughout the whole purchasing process.
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About the author: Dragos Chitulescu
Dragos Chitulescu profile photo

The things Dragos enjoys the most in life are, in no particular order: cars, motorcycles, diecast cars, and drifting. He's seen (and driven) many vehicles since he started his writing career back in 2009, but his garage currently houses a 1991 Mazda RX-7 FC3S Turbo II and a 1999 Suzuki SV650-S.
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