8 Under $8,000 - Cheap Sports Car Showdown (Part 1) | Everyday Driver

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Published 2021-08-26
Cheap sports cars still exist! We put our two long term cars against the ones we didn't chose: Mazda Miata, Pontiac Solstice, BMW Z3, Nissan 350z, Porsche Boxster, and Toyota MR2. In order to be included here these cars had to meet the same requirements we had when shopping:
Two seats, RWD, Manual Transmission, Less than 25 years old, and many options available on AutoTempest for under $8,000.

Do the same search with the link below:
www.autotempest.com/results?maxprice=9000&drive=rw…

And watch part 2, here:
   • Top 5 Sports Cars Under $8,000 - Drag...  

00:00 - 1:26 The Cheap Car Rules
1:26 - 5:54 BMW Z4 (Todd's Car)
5:54 - 11:14 Mercedes SLK (Paul's Car)
11:14 - 15:27 Mazda Miata (NB)
15:27 - 19:51 Pontiac Solstice
19:51 - 23:57 BMW Z3
23:57 - 28:28 Nissan 350Z
28:28 - 33:08 Porsche Boxster 986
33:08 - 37:41 Toyota MR2 Spyder
37:41 - 39:28 The Top 5
39:28 - Next Time...


#CheapSportsCarChallenge #BMW #Porsche #Mercedes #MR2 #MX5 #Solstice #350z

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All Comments (21)
  • @sprattbooks
    This review is such a breath of fresh air! I love seeing Doug Demuro give himself chronic whiplash in the latest Tesla as much as anybody, but it's so nice to be reminded that fun cars can be for everybody! Keep up the good work, guys.
  • @mgs.915
    I love the talk about a $7500 car being “disposable” and I’m over here like that’s out of my price range!! Great video love the open minded arguments towards and against each car!
  • I bought a 2007 SLK 350 as a cheap used sports car back in April as my sixth convertible over the past 32 years, an upgrade from my previous GM Sunbird/Cavaliers and Mitsu Eclipses. The Mercedes SLK is a FANTASTIC car and the 350 is a GREAT engine for the vehicle. I could not be happier with Veronica - she is FUN!
  • @Flemo91
    I've had my 04 350z roadster for 16 years...every day of ownership has been a dream. It's never disappointed by any measure
  • @EchoSigma6
    Recent car prices in this sideways economy are nuts. Same for stock equities and real estate. My pick would be the Z and Miata because replacement parts are reasonable in cost, decent build quality, and plenty of aftermarket performance support.
  • @bakerXderek
    My 93 supercharged NA Miata is definitely the most fun i've had on the road. They are such special cars.
  • @caseyvu123
    Purchased a 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i with 85,000 miles for an amazing deal of 4,500$ in July 2021. I got incredibly lucky because the only real problem with the car was the shot lower control arms which scared other buyers away and the 3, 2-4 inch dents in the car. (Braking had lots of jerk so it seemed unsafe) Spent 700$ on new control arms and drove like a charm, PDR'd for 600$ and looked brand new. The very day I purchased it, went on a 300 mile road trip back home after picking it up. Planned for it to be a weekend car, but now it's at 98,000+ miles. Besides maintenance and picky driving feel, I changed the tires for Michelin Pilots and a whole new Bilstein suspension, and other misc., the car has costed me a total of 9,000$ and has been an incredibly reliable daily driver, especially considering it's now 19 years old. My mechanic actually wanted to buy it for 11k, but I love it too much to sell it. Was looking at Honda S2000's, Miatas, Saturn Sky's, and other convertibles, but this deal blew me out of the water, and after test driving my friends S2000, I'm happy with my choice.
  • Everyone should drive a Miata atleast once in their live. It’s surprisingly fun.
  • @hothatchpa
    As a BMW Z3 owner 23 years now, I was holding my breath when it came up. What a nice surprise that you guys at least had an appreciation for it.
  • @baggins4354
    "Do things sports car owner don't typically do with their cars." I have a '96 Miata I bought in '99. The first thing I did was buy a trailer hitch with a hidden receiver, then found a guy who was selling the trailer he towed behind his Goldwing. It was my only car for years. With the top down I've hauled lumber and plumbing pipe, trees, and other things. Several times I've thought about selling it, but I can't bring myself to do it. It's getting harder to get in and out, but once I'm in the seat it's all good.
  • @mickiblueyes4u
    01' Z3 208k still going strong. 4 trips across the US never skipped a beat and turned heads everywhere I went. Classic roadster lines and handles like a dream. It's my daily driver and the best bmw I've owned. Solid motor.
  • After 20 years of driving and loving a 1990 Mazdia MX-5, we replaced it with a 2003 BMW Z4, mostly because I had always admired the BMW inline six and the car's luxury features. After six years with the Z4, we replaced it with a 2019 MX5 GT-S. While the 2019 MX-5 is outside the price range of this video, we are loving it for offering the best of the 1990 Mazda (fun, reliability and tossability)and the 2003 BMW (power and luxury features). We have owned sports cars since 1970, and the MX-5 is the best in the bunch.
  • @cafn8ed74
    These days, it's hard to find anything desirable for less than 10K, maybe more. Well done. By the way, in the SLK, wouldn't it be appropriate to just leave the towel on your lap like your napkin in a fancy restaurant?
  • @jbgrooves
    The MR2's handling dynamics are very different than the rest. It takes a while to learn the mid engine difference, but once you do its a fun, reliable little car.
  • Bought 06 Solstice in Dec 2019. Paid 5k cash. 94k miles, manual. It's my daily driver and I will never get rid of it. Amazing little car.
  • I’ve been patiently waiting for these episodes! My 18 year old daughter is watching them as well. I listen to the podcast every single week. Thanks guys!🏎🏁🚘
  • @trixibel
    Love my mr2 Spyder. The most fun you can have for 5k. The smaller the roads and the tighter the corners, the better. It puts a smile on my face every day.
  • @wickedgood1984
    I know this video is a year old. But is refreshing to watch a car video not geared towards making the car have some insane power number. Well done.
  • @mattack6779
    Being a car enthusiast of most of my life of 60 years and being poor or hand to mouth much of the time, affordability of keeping drivable has always been a key factor in my sportscar and street rod purchases. EverydayDriver rarely comments on that aspect. I have owned, for short periods of time, affordable to purchase European cars such as MGB, BMW, Jaguar, Mercedes Benz, etc. There are a few exceptions but in general you better have money to burn or be a mechanic to keep "Euro-cars" on the road. I mean they are bigger money eaters than boats. Get a Japanese or American made rwd car unless you just like looking at your car or it doesn't bother you spending $3k to use your convertible top again. Of course, that is what old consumer reports magazines are for. Your videos are the only ones I actually watch all of. Great job!!!