Peter Palmer: How to Buy Your First Sports Car 101

Has it always been your lifelong dream to buy a sports car of your own? Do you want to speed down curvy mountain roads with the wind blowing in your hair as you downshift and blip the throttle in you shiny new Alfa Romeo 4C Spider? When it comes to sports cars, the entire Porsche lineup, some Nissan and BMW models, along with Audi R8 and Alfa Romeo 4C (if you can afford them) are some the best sports car options to choose from. But do you know about the important points you should consider when selecting the ideal sports car for you?

Read on for some tips you should keep in mind while looking for the best sports car which will suit your needs and style:

Body Style of Your Choice

Want a convertible or a coupe? Many prefer the luxury style of a convertible, while others find more luxury and comfort in a closed-in coupe. Well, everyone has their own preference, but prior to buying you should have a clear idea in mind whether you want to buy a convertible or a coupe.

One thing you might want to consider is that many convertibles have a soft top which sometimes results in excess cabin noise and lends possibility to leak when it rains, while a car with a solid retractable roof can limit your boot capacity and weigh down the car. There are also variations on this – some older sports cars have a T-Top style, while some have a targa top system. So, choose the one which suits your needs and preference the best.

Promised Performance from Your Sports Vehicle

If you want high-end horsepower and performance from your vehicle, then choose the one which promises you what you seek. From a powerful engine which can allow you whiz round the area, to a vehicle shape which is perfect for putting speed to the test, you can choose from the Porsche Boxster, Audi TT, Nissan GTR, BMW 1 Series M Coupe and the Alfa Romeo 4C. As a good baseline, a 0-60 mph time of five seconds is considered fast.

Make sure you get the performance you want! While many think that the faster the car the better, this isn’t always the case. Some very fast cars often sacrifice comfort for speed, so make sure you find a good balance.

Opt For Specifications

Did you know that certain specifications are more favored and preferred than the others? Certain gearbox and engine combinations along with specific trim levels are more popular among car owners and can affect the resale value of the car in the future.

In this regard, some points to keep in mind are that most sports cars are highly sensitive to color, so think twice if you’re itching to get that Carnation Pink Audi R8. Also, decent alloy wheels are an essential element that you must never forget to add! Leather trims further promise not only high end luxury to you but are also expected by other buyers in the market. So, it is best to make the right choice now for a better resale value in the future. When looking at the cost of the optional extras, don’t just consider what it’ll cost you now, but also how it’ll affect the value of the car down the line.

Having said that, you’re buying a special car for you – not anybody else, so if you want something unique and different, you should probably get it or you’ll regret it.

Front-Wheel, All-Wheel, or Rear-Wheel Drive?

Many cars are designed with a rear wheel drive (RWD) design as it ensures sharper handling and precise steering of the sports car. But rear wheel drive cars require a certain level of driving skills as well.

Unskilled drivers may experience the issue of oversteering their rear wheel cars and face problems in handling it in tricky and slippery weather.

Front wheel drive cars are easier to handle for most drivers, but sacrifice performance around the turns, suffer from torque steer, and are typically less fun to drive.

All wheel drive cars are a good middle-ground. They usually distribute most of the power to the rear wheels, but when more grip is needed, give the front wheels more pulling power. The sacrifice with an AWD system is they’re usually more expensive, less efficient, and sometimes sacrifice the fun-to-drive factor.

So, choose the car of your dreams as per your own expertise and preference and enjoy all the attention you get while you go on a driving adventure like never before in your new sports car!