POLL. $20,000. What would you buy?

What would it be guys. $20,000 to blow on a speedster. Vintage, SAW, Beck, IM, (used / new). This site is represented by different brands. Knowing what you know now, what would it be? Best purchase for the money.

Having owned a V.S. before, a great value BTW, if I could locate a used tube frame IM, the difference between the two being a significant amount of refinement and quality of fit and finish I would definitely recommend the latter. JPS has very nice fit and finish, and is essentially a quality V.S.

For me, most probably a slightly used tube frame anything. IM prefered but would also go Beck TR or SAW. My left foot is tired of finding a place to go and be comfy and the handling benefits. The better fit and finish would be an upgrade for me also.

BD

Vintage Speedster, best overall dollar value or kick it up a notch by adding a few $k additional for a JPS Speedster, the extras that John does, he does very well.

Ok, if your stuck under 20, I would by a Vintage with a 1776 engine, I'm not sure, but I think you can buy them for that? Personally I would wait long enough that you could spend a little more money and have more options available to you. A used SAW isn't going to happen, and if it does most guys know the demand is so high they can sell the car for more then they have in it to someone who doesn't want to wait. I know I wouldn't sell mine for anything less then 10,000 profit, just because I wouldn't want to have to wait all over again. I in fact have had one person email me wanting to know if I wanted out and if they could buy my position, I don't think so, not for anything less then a nice sized profit.

Hate to say it, I'd put the 20 down on a Boxster, finance the second 20 or so, and never look back!

Well, if you're not stuck under $20,000, that certainly opens the doors to a lot of options. But I wanted to put a limit. I am curious to see what people would buy, even if it's not a brand they already own. I think over 20K, you could consider a SAW for sure, an IM if money was no object, but under 20K, that makes you think a little more. Some very nice Becks and VS for that price. Don't you think.

Since I've been doing a lot of window shopping I think I have a pretty good idea of current prices. For under $20k you can get a pretty basic new Vintage (I think) or something used. That's pretty much it. I haven't found anything else new under $20k, including kits once you factor in all build costs.

In the used market I've seen mostly Vintage and some CMC or Street Beasts kits. TR, SAW, and Beck appear to be too new for there to be any used ones, and most JPS and IM are above the $20k mark. If I'm wrong here somebody pleeeeeease correct me.

However, if you go up to $25k your options start improving both in the used and new markets. By $30k you've got quite a range as long as you're frugal with the options.

You know shopping is part of the fun, but I'll be glad when I'm actually buying.

Another nice 84-89 911.

Hijacking this thread for just a moment and adding something I saw eleswhere on this forum, brand loyalty fuels feud of sorts. If it is a Porsche it has to be a 356 or 911.

Everything else (shy of purpose-built race cars like 901,906,917, 962)are fodder churned out for folks who couldn't afford the real deal.

seeing how a new im is above the allotted price, i'd look for a resto andidate. a ice 356 a or b coupe. not too far gone and not perfect. something i could add a little of myself to. similar to my 912.

912s are like kissing your own sister!
Get 'em outta here!

Awwwww......do I HAFTA buy another CAR???? Pearl would be pissed.........

But if I bought a nice sailboat, then $20K could get me a pocket day-cruiser......

Or maybe a new patio with a super Hot Tub.........

Come to think of it, TC's idea ain't all that bad..........even better for a used Boxster "S" from one of the Boston set who hardly ever drove it....Nawwwwww.....Pearl would STILL be pissed!

OK fair enough. What if it was $25,000? What would it be??

25G. A solid down payment on a new IM Speedster loaded (46-48).

Seriously... I would watch for a good used IM (new generation) Speedster or Roadster to show up on E-Bay or here and jump on it. Call IM. He usually knows of used IMs on the market, or may be brokering one.

If you are completely new to the Speedster Replica market I would set back and buy a nice used VS or JPS with under 3 - 5,000 miles on it for around 17-22 (loaded) and save the rest for other stuff. You can drive it for a year or two and see if you want to jump in deeper... or possibly be totally satisfied with a fun warm weather weekend car.

David; if going to 25K then the JPS would be the one. It's basically an upscale VS with a better engine.

Hey David!

10 years ago I paid $8K for my VS (Nardi, 3:88, disc brakes, etc). 65K miles later, I still enjoy driving this car on a daily basis (work, weekends, shows) with only the usual maintenance issues associated with VW running gear (upgraded to 1835cc 4 years ago).

For what its worth, with the prudent purchase (thorough inspection, test-drive) of a used replica under $20K, you can use the money left over from your budget to plan for a vacation/trip to the next Carlisle or Knott's show (or whatever)!

Your car is out there waiting for you!

THANK YOU JIM I.
Here is a guy that got his money's worth.....
My car is also WELL under the 20K banner, I will say it just one more time, some of you boomers have too much money..........

Alfa boat tail spyder or Montreal.

If it must be Speedster then I like mine for that $$.

It it must be Porsche then a 916 (or replica).

Vince: you forgot the rest!....."and anyone who spends more than 25 large on one of these cars should have his peepee whacked!"
You crack me up!

BD

Bill, thank you...You are absolutely right......
I'm sorry guys, If I had 50 Large to spend on a toy, I still wouldn't be hot footing to Henry for one of his high end Replica's
I love my VS and I have as much fun as any of you, maybe more, cause I still have a few bucks in my pocket.....(for a cheap sleazy motel with a bed that vibrates)

Hey Vince!

Folks like you and I are the reason Baskin & Robbins has '31-Flavors'. Not everyone likes vanilla!

Vince, is there any money left over for paid female entertainment?

Bill Drayer, Is that one of those good "whacks" or one of those painful "whacks"? I gotta know!

And Vince, I think you've got a point about these youngsters having too much money.

Any guy who bought a house in any populated area of "the states" three years ago can refinance the house and pull out a couple hundred thou. then buy an Escalade, a Navigator, or maybe a Speedster and a Harley, and still have a few bucks left for the wife's new diamond stud ear rings AND a night out at a "sleazy motel with the vibrating bed" with a little left over for a three day vacation in Las Vegas, or a month in Laughlin.

I'm told all this cheap mortgage money for refi's is coming from Asian and Chinese investor's eager to invest in mortgage backed bonds(because our mortgage backeds pay better interest, with less risk, than similar bonds in their own domestic economy). But I'm also told all this cheap money is hurting the U.S. dollar's conversion rate. So it's becoming more expensive for U.S. folks to travel abroad or to buy goods from our foreign neighbors (even though the quality of those goods hasn't changed much, if at all).

So, I guess the moral of the story is, even if you just refied: SHOP WISELY, and be sure that, when your shopping spree is over, that have enough $$$ left over to get your pepe whacked on a vibrating bed in a sleazy motel (preferably in the U.S.)

Bill: Think Sister Mary Elephant. or howa bout Sister Mary Stigmata
a.k.a. the Penguin.

BD

The richest man in the world is one that does not owe any money.

Buy wise. There are lot's of cars out there from 10-20K and each one will give you a blast of fun. It is a replicar and no matter what you spend or what you do it is a replicar. It's about the top down, the tunes cranked and some nice throaty exhaust sound when you tromp on the gas. Look at the used market. Don't get freaked on pan or tube, they look identical. Find one that drives cool, doesn't need a paint job and the top is in good shape and go for it.

Steven, Female entertainment is never free, whether your married, engaged, have a girl friend or just date....you pay......

Vince: You're right on dude! Women are high cost and maintenance anyway you count it. Also like your tatoo, I want to get one that says University of South Vietnam Class of 70 with graduate studies in 1971 and 1972.

Gotta tell you guys, I have seen some nice Porsche replicas on EBAY for under $20,000. There are some Vintages out there, but I never see a JPS. There are some Spyders too. I think you can get a great 356 for under $20,000. Did you guys see the tan one on EBAY this week? Anyway, I think 20K is do-able with $ left over for Carlisle or just the ice cream at Baskin Robbins.

Her you go David...Here's a used Vintage for $13,000. Only 5000 miles. Currently doesn't go in reverse, but someone here mentioned that if you can't fix this yourself, you should wear a dress. The lifters are frozen, too, but it still drives nice for now. You can see if you like the Speedster experience and either pony up for engine repair or drop in a new one and still have money left over for Baskin-Robbins on a vibrating bed. It has almost every option available from Vintage, so you're getting about $24,000 worth of car. If not this one, I back what others have said. If you're working within a budget, buy used. If you have no budget, buy whatever trips your trigger.

Yeah, got a budget. Need to stay under 20K, preferrably at 15-18K. That's a good looking Vintage, but I need it to go in reverse.

Yeah, I understand....I used to think that way too. My girlfriend thinks she looks really good in it while I'm pushing out of a parking space, though.

David; the tranny problem is minor (in fact most mechanical problems in VW's are relatively minor). Just swap the tranny for a refurbished unit from Rancho Performance (around $300 to $400). It's not a big deal; you'll be able to do it in a day or less.

pssst, David, these cars are just VW's with sexy bodies. It probably has bent shifter linkage that can be adjusted for $100 bucks.

These cars have economical "bones", we just like to play like we're financial heavyweights.

He said the lifter are frozen?? And that it runs good? I'm not sure what he means by that?

I know it doesn't make sense to me either, but I don't know cars. The shop told me the lifters were frozen...at least 2 or 3 of them were and that I could keep driving it if I wanted to, but eventually I'd be stranded. I've only driven about 40 miles since then, but it runs as good as it ever did.

You know fellas, I think I am sold on the subytub. I checked out SAW's website and read eveything on it regarding the Speedsters. It will run about $27,000, but I think the extra money is probably well spent. Anyway, the subytubs look great with virtually no maintenance. It's a super strong car that will take you anywhere you want to go anytime you want to go. (so I am told) I plan to take off to Tennessee to check them out. Now, if the wife will just give in a little. Oh boy. Pray for me.