Offbeat

7 (Very Fast) Reasons to Buy a Used Sports Car Instead of a New Hybrid

I have to give it to Toyota.  The Prius hybrid was perfectly timed and perfectly marketed.  Not so much a car as a cultural icon, the eco-friendly Prius brand has made and likely will continue to make lots of money for Toyota as the world continues to gulp down oil.  The thing is though; the actual environmental impact of driving a Prius is questionable.  Where it might save on gas, the toxic nickel used in its batteries isn’t helping anybody.  The other thing about the Prius is that it sucks to drive.  Although it is surprisingly roomy and comfortable inside, the vehicle was designed for the sole purpose of going very far on very little gas, which means it’s dog slow and it doesn’t handle.  Also, while Toyota has done a great job associating the styling with the image of an eco-friendly hybrid driver, the car is still ugly.  So considering that the Prius is terrible for the environment, as fast as a big wheel and ugly to boot, you should buy something else with your $22,000.

So what then do I suggest you buy instead of a hybrid?  What could be more eco-friendly, better to drive, and infinitely better looking?  I’ve put together a list of my choices and they all share a common theme.  Since eco-friendly is important, I am only going to list used cars.  Building a new car creates a very large amount of pollution, which is avoided all together when buying used.  Also, no toxic batteries are always a plus.  While none of my choices are going to get exceptional fuel economy, because they are used it really isn’t that big a deal.  Since you have to drive it, the experience should be as enjoyable as possible, so no boring slow family sedans.  I am also aware that this list isn’t extensive, but these are some of my personal favorite used car values.  Beauty however is in the eye of the beholder, so if you don’t find one of my choices particularly attractive, I understand.  Remember though, nothing on this list is as ugly as a Prius.

2005-2006 Honda S2000

Powered by a 2.2 liter, 240 horsepower four cylinder engine that revs to nearly 9000 rpm, the S2000 is more sport bike than car.  The razor sharp steering and the toggle switch shifter for the car’s six speed manual gear box are so accurate you might as well wire control of the car directly into your brain.  Reactions are lightning quick and the car goes exactly where you point it.  The S2000 is by no means the fastest car on this list but when wrung out at high rpm, the diminutive engine shrieks like a motorcycle and creates more than ample thrust.  Although it is not the most practical car you can buy, the trade off is totally worth it when you put the top down.  It also manages to get surprisingly good gas millage and because it’s a Honda, it is not likely to break.

2003 Porsche Boxster

The Boxster like the S2000 is a two seat roadster.  What you get in the Boxster that you don’t get in the S2000 is a choice of two gutsy flat six motors, balanced mid engine handling, and an optional automatic transmission (the automatic is for sissies).  You also get the premium badge.  Personally, I wouldn’t drive an older car just so I could say I have a Porsche, but the Boxster is a great machine.  I should note that premium brands do come with premium priced maintenance.  As far as gas goes, the Boxster does fairly well.

2005 Subaru Impreza WRX STI

For those of you that need something a little more practical, I present the Subaru Impreza WRX STI.  Like any other small sedan, it has four doors, a back seat, and a decent sized trunk.  It also has four wheel drive which makes it great in wet weather and with winter tires, excellent in the snow.  It also happens to be a street legal rally car.  The engine, a turbocharged 2.5 liter boxer four pumping out nearly 300 horsepower gives the car a very “muscular feel.”  Cornering speeds are similarly ridiculous due to the massive grip of four wheel drive, a stiff suspension, and sticky tires.  The only downside to this Japanese muscle car is the gigantic rear wing (I would remove it if I bought one) and ricer boy image.  Also, it might be hard to find a used one that hasn’t been abused or modified.  If you do though, understand that wimps, sissies, and people that can’t drive stick need not apply.

2006 Mitsibushi Lancer Evolution

If the WRX STI is Coke, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is Pepsi.  Just like its rival, the Evo is a four door compact sedan turned turbocharged rally car.  Yet as similar as the two cars are, they have unique personalities.  Under the hood, the Evo sports a two liter turbocharged straight four cylinder that sends aprox. 280 horsepower to all four wheels.  (Originally, the Evo made 271 horsepower which in later years was upgraded to 286.)  The smaller displacement engine needs much more turbo boost to make its power than the larger engine in the STI and it is much more high strung.  At low RPM there is plenty of turbo lag, and the engine feels quite sluggish much like any normal economy car.  As the revs build though, the little motor transforms the car from a fuel sipping four cylinder into a shreiking rocket powered go-cart.  Where the Evo really shines though is handling.  As sharp and agile as the STI feels, the Evo is even sharper.  It is also the easiest car in the world to drive like a lunatic.  You just aim it where you want to go and floor it and the computers do the rest.  I wish I could say I explored the Evo’s amazing powersliding ability, but sadly the example I drove wasn’t mine and I try not to act like too much of a tool on public roads.  If I had to pick between the Evo and the STI, I would have to pick the Evo, but both are tremendously capable and practical automobiles.  Again, sissies need not apply.  For the Evos you can buy with Prius money, no automatic is available.

2002 BMW M3

The BMW M3 is an all time great driver’s car.  The last generation M3 that you will be able to afford with your Prius money is based on the E46 3 Series, which is already an excellent car.  The M3, like its 3 Series bretheren comes with rear wheel drive handling, perfect weight distribution, and a powerful straight six under the hood.  Sending 333 horsepower to the rear wheels via either a six speed manual or a F1 style DSG gearbox (you  can put it in auto mode and let it shift by itself, or you can use the paddles on the steering wheel), the 3.2 liter is smooth and powerful.  While the M3 is a driving machine first, you still get BMW refinement and supreme interior comfort.  It won’t be cheap to maintain but its worth it because the M3 is simply a great car.  It does everything well.

2003 Chevrolet Corvette

The Chevrolet Corvette is America’s sports car.  It’s a cultural icon that stands for freedom, power and the open road.  In recent years, despite its tacky interior and red neck image, the Corvette has won award after award for its awesome performance that matches cars costing three times as much.  A Corvette you can buy with Prius money comes with a 5.7 liter LS1 V8 engine making 350 horsepower.  The rear wheel drive Vette can be had as either a coupe or a convertible and it originally came with both a six speed manual or a four speed automatic transmission.  The V8 shoves the lightweight coupe forward and the fat tires provide loads of grip.  While not the most sophisticated thing I have driven, the Corvette is hugely fast and a whole lot of fun.  A pleasant suprise for Corvette owners is fuel economy.  If you treat the gas pedal with respect and take advantage of the tall gearing and massive torque, you can return amazing highway fuel economy.  Around town things aren’t quite as good but with so much glorious power, who really cares?

2006 Pontiac GTO

The Pontiac GTO was originally introduced in 2004, and it was a tremendous marketing failure.  Looking to revive the legendary GTO name on a new musclecar for the 21st century, General Motors decided to import and rebadge the V8 powered Monaro coupe from Australian subsidiary Holden.  Brought up from downunder with few changes, Americans were unwilling to buy a GTO with such bland styling.  The GTO was quietly discontinued and GM began focusing on the development of the new Camero.

The thing is though, the GTO was and still is an excellent car.  Comfortable yet secure handling and one of the best interiors GM ever put together at its price point make the GTO extremely easy to live with.  The front and rear bucket seats are simply awesome.  Under the hood lurks the 8 cylinder heart of a Corvette.  While the 2004 GTO got the 5.7 liter LS1 which made an impressive 350 horsepower, the 2005 and 2006 were upgraded to the 6 liter, 400 horsepower LS2.  The rear wheel drive GTO like the Corvette was available with either a six speed manual or a four speed automatic.  The one I drove was an LS2 powered six speed.

As you can imagine, 6 liters and 400 horsepower can make even a heavy car like the GTO scary fast.  Driving this thing slowly is almost impossible, and the ease which the V8 thrusts the car towards illegal speeds is addictive.  The craziest thing though about the GTO like the Corvette is its gas milage.  If you are willing to accept the boring looks, the GTO represents a great value in speed, utility and comfort at an ubelieveable price.

2006 Nissan 350Z

Rounding out my list is the Nissan 350z.  This two seater is powered by Nissan’s award winning VQ series V6 engine which produces nearly 300 horsepower.  The power makes its way to the rear wheels through either a manual or automatic transmission.  The 350z while not as fast as the Vette or nimble as the Evo is still quite an athlete.  As far as looks go, you either love it or you hate it.  For those who like what the Nissan has to offer but need more space, the Infinity G35 is basically the same car, and if you are willing to go back a model year, you can get one for pretty much the same price.  If you keep your foot out of it, the big V6 will return decent milage.

Still want that Prius?  Seriously, check out how ugly it is over on Jalopnik.

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