Short Take, HPI Toyota 2000 GT Set

Fine views of (both) these beauties, John ! Well, You Only Live Twice and you would certainly want this car in both model and real form.

@mikedetorrice, LOL! I have several HPI 2000 GTs.

I understood they had to make a convertible Toyota for 007 Sean Connery in "You Only Live Twice" because he was too tall for the regular coupe and also perhaps for photographic reasons, too.

I remember seeing a real Toyota 2000 GT in white at a Chicago Auto Show several years ago. I always liked this style of sports car. Thinking about that, I should probably buy  a new sports car for myself before I get to old to enjoy it.

The Bond car by Corgi (original)

Posted by: @ed-davis

I should probably buy  a new sports car for myself before I get to old to enjoy it.

Do yourself 2 favors Ed.....buy that sports car sooner than later, and buy one that runs on testosterone, not estragon.

Many times I have seen guys say they are looking for a 'sports car' and end up buying a Mazda Miata or Mazda MX-5 or something equivalent. 

If it has less than 8 cylinders, it's not a performance car or sports car period.

There are a few good cars out there that I recommend. 

I don't know if you want to buy new or used, but if I was buying, I would test drive a C5 Corvette, a C6, a C7 or even better a C8 Corvette with the mid engine.

Also any Mustang with the 5.0 Coyote motor (2011 and up) or any Hemi Challenger from 2015 up, and getting a supercharged Hellcat is a plus.

I like the newer Camaro also from 2015 up.

If you are looking for anything older, there are plenty of Dodge Vipers for sale (highly recommend a Viper) and any LS Camaro or Trans Am.

I take buying a performance car very seriously. Always buy a manual transmission performance car.

Here is my Trans Am serving up some fresh donuts and my supercharged C5 Corvette getting dyno tuned after supercharger installation.

@ben-lampson 

Thanks for your comments.  However, my preferences are Nissan Z, Toyota Supra or GR86, and Subaru BRZ.  I had a Datsun 240Z and two Mazda RX-7s, and like that style and size of car.  I had a couple of Mustangs in the past, a 1967 and 2007.  However, after 2014 they became larger than I like, although I might still consider a 2024.

Posted by: @ed-davis

@ben-lampson 

Thanks for your comments.  However, my preferences are Nissan Z, Toyota Supra or GR86, and Subaru BRZ.  I had a Datsun 240Z and two Mazda RX-7s, and like that style and size of car.  I had a couple of Mustangs in the past, a 1967 and 2007.  However, after 2014 they became larger than I like, although I might still consider a 2024.

Please be sure to post pics for us ! 

Thanks, Steve 

Posted by: @ed-davis

@ben-lampson 

Thanks for your comments.  However, my preferences are Nissan Z, Toyota Supra or GR86, and Subaru BRZ.  I had a Datsun 240Z and two Mazda RX-7s, and like that style and size of car.  I had a couple of Mustangs in the past, a 1967 and 2007.  However, after 2014 they became larger than I like, although I might still consider a 2024.

I was going to counteract Ben's comments about going all-American (all real good choices), but Ed beat me with his Japanese comeback!  Without driving any of those, I would go with the Supra!  Just for nostalgia since I had 2 old Celicas! Or get the German clone -  the new Z4.  Or go with the newest Audi TTS (the other John K just reminded me that 2023 is its last year!  Or what about a little Porsche Cayman?   The list is endless!  And fun to dream about.  Warning: not all are V8s!  😆

@karl 

I have thought about the Porsche Cayman, although I believe it is also known as the 718. It’s another possibility.

The new Supra would be an interesting choice.....something a bit different and very cool looking.  I must say that all of Ben's recommendations are awesome though!

@ben-lampson You may be confusing 'sports car' with 'muscle car' or 'pony car' or 'grand touring'. A sports car is a 2-seat open car with lively performance, particularly on a winding road. My MG TD had very few ponies, but it was a blast to drive. Same for my Miata, a much beloved and GENUINE sports car.

Saying that sports cars with less than 8 cylinders are not real ones is a statement. Are Porsches and BMWs toys?

Some like them Big American Muscle but are they really enjoyable to drive other than doing burn outs?  I am not sure unless you are a fan of the racetrack every weekend. I always owned sports cars bought from new and I had a Corvette as in the video. I kept it for 3 years and not driving it very often. This was ok but not exceptional.

Nice Sorts cars don't need to be brutal. To this day, a fully restored 1965 Austin Healey 3000 MK III has been the most memorable followed by a classic 1972 Datsun 240Z, full original and still owned and maintained by my son. This is still a joy to drive to this day. The Toyota 2000 GT was designed by the same engineer. This is the reason they are so similar and mostly clones of each other.

Among others, I had an early 90's Toyota Supra I kept for many years. This is probably the best sport car I ever had. In the last 10 years, I owned a Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Coupe with outstanding performance and grip on the mountain roads where I live.  This was just a high performance 4 bangers.  This was a blast and mostly driving on rails all the time. l actually drive a recent BMW M240i I am very happy with. 

For those expecting to buy a sports car, just evaluate closely what you need for your particular use and to enjoy and set aside temptations. The maintenance cost is a big factor if you don't want to drain your check book. What is affordable for some maybe not for others.

Posted by: @mg-harv

@ben-lampson You may be confusing 'sports car' with 'muscle car' or 'pony car' or 'grand touring'. A sports car is a 2-seat open car with lively performance, particularly on a winding road. My MG TD had very few ponies, but it was a blast to drive. Same for my Miata, a much beloved and GENUINE sports car.

You got it ........ you are completely right. Austin Healeys, MGs, Triumphs are real sports cars. When you sit in one, you understand what they are from the time you turn the engine on. I will never forget the  exhaust big burbles of my Austin Healey and the sifting of the carburetors.  My only compromise to fully stock was an ANSA exhaust system. This was quite a machine. You are also right with the Miata... this is a true sports car and it is affordable. BMWs are now too big and expensive.