freshly brand new from the dealer ?? I think the cheapest sportscar (not sporty car such as sporty sedan, sporty suv, sporty 2-door sedan / coupe, sporty hatchback, sporty 2-door hatchback hot-hatch etc but real sportscar) is Honda S660

A few months ago, I spotted a 2005 Pontiac GTO for sale.

Can’t believe that nobody’s mentioned an EcoBoost Mustang. Starting MSRP is $31k, and it’s a blast to drive (although the new generation’s interior is a huge step back from the previous gen’s).

I am still looking for one of these, specifically 128i M-Sport. Apparently those are unicorns... Or everyone that has one “knows what they have”

A used BMW 1 series could also be a great budget sports car. Huge community of support and lots of upgrades available.

Toyoburu also gets one in the + column if it’s your only car. While not exactly spacious, it has a lot more room for hauling stuff than a Miata (unless you have to haul, like, a really really tall lamp that fits in a passenger seat).

I love that Honda continues to keep the LSD and 6-speed manual standard on the Si. Also, for a point of reference the curb weight for the 2024 model is 50lbs less than the 2014 model, keeping it under the 3,000lbs mark.

The GR86 is the answer. It is the car to have in DS, holds its own on track, and is a blast on back roads. It responds well to mods, can haul a decent amount of stuff for its size, and has proven to be pretty reliable...silica goop issues aside. It starts at $30K and has a strong community behind it.

If you want less…

I’ll throw the Civic Si out there. New is $30k ish and you can get a certifed used one for mid $20k range. Fun, great shifting, 4dr or 2dr options (2dr used only) and cheap to own. I think it’s a great option for a super fun sporty daily driver that won’t break the bank.

Miata is still the answer, but BRZ works if you need/want a hardtop. 

I grew up in the country/in the sticks. It was not unusual to hear gunshots from target practicing or hunting or ATVs going by, or a barking dog. Hey it comes with being in the country, the same as hearing police sirens and car alarms and traffic comes with living in the city. But that’s a far cry from your neighbor…

Ironically, my dogs are the quiet ones. 3 to 4 neighbors have 2 or 3 dogs that get bored and bark a lot. Our pack (typically 6 or so) is too busy chasing each other or digging up the yard hunting chipmunks to waste time barking. Unless they detect the coyotes are out hunting the chickens again.

Everyone loves to make fun of “protecting the local wetlands” until their neighborhood floods.

LOL, well in my defense, I am 44 and they got married like 4 years ago. That’s WAY to old to be considering anyone step dad. My BFF has a similar situation, his dad just got married earlier this year, his mom passed a couple years ago, and we have joked about it, in our opinion it comes down to how much parenting has…

It’s how many of the current crop of F-1 drivers got their start. So maybe not professional but definitely a potential path to a profession

I have no idea if there are paid karters out there, but normally what it means if someone is doing competitive karting with the hopes of going pro just means they hope to race professionally eventually, not necessarily race karts. It’s usually a stepping stone.

“My mom’s husband..”Damn, that guy ain’t even considered a stepfather :>)

“Typical upper-crust thinking.”

Which is another reason why I love my neighborhood. It’s a simple middle class area that specifically voted down a HOA decades ago and still votes it down because the entire place is infested with weird-os.

A Change.org petition in this case seems hugely laughable.  This is a private matter.  Deal with it yourselves.