Sup everybody... As some of you know, I used to own a 1999 Corvette... Used is the key word, becuase sadly my baby has been totalled... by a friend of mine... Now, you can laugh or not, but I didn't even know he took the car... It's a long story though, so I'll just briefly summarize it for you, and spare you the long read...

It was my buddy's bachelor's party, and I was invited... I drove my baby there, with hopes of leaving it at his house becuase I knew I would'nt have the ability to drive after it was over... So I parked it in front of his house, and covered it with a car cover... It was about mid-party, and everyone has been tipsy if not more at that time... Two of my friends decided that it was funny to "borrow" my car, to play a trick on me... When I realized the car was gone, I called the cops and soon after I have found out that there has been a black corvette found crashed in the twisties... I could've pressed GTA charges against them, but I didn't have the heart to do it... They have suffered enough, DUI, and possible GTA, and a crashed car on top of that... so I let it go... :disappoin ... I went through the insurance process, and now my baby is sitting in some parking lot, dead... I've been without a car for the past couple weeks now, and now I'm thinking about another buy...

That enough about the story, and let's get to the one and only idea I have for a car that I'm probably going to be buying within the next couple weeks, if not sooner... Now, I have roughly limited myself to about $30,000 and not more to spend on a car this time around... I've went through dealers looking for a specific car, and even though I've got some on my "lay-away" list, they're not exactly the "perfect" buy... The car I'm looking into is a E46 M3... I've got about 5 found, that could be potential buys, but I'm yet uncertain becuase I know I can find a better deal for the money...

So that's my story, and what I've been doing for the past couple weeks when I'm without a car... If you have any better ideas that I could spend the $30k on, feel free to express them here... I'll gladly take them under my consideration...

For the lazy ones:
1. The Corvette got totalled...
2. Considering to buy a E46 M3

...Out with the old, in with the new...

E46 M3s are GREAT cars. I'd wait a few months until the new ones come out, then the prices will drop. Also look into S2000s.

Yea, I might just do that... However I am very immobile without a car right now, :grinno: ... But I guess I could wait the extra couple months... Oh, and if the prices do drop, any call on how much they will go down?

...And S2000s are sexy little things, and they have the attitude to back their looks... However, I don't think I would go with a S2000 over the M3... Do you have any idea on how much used S2000s cost...?

so is insurance covering it all??

Out of the 5 deals that I have taken down on paper, so I can maybe go back to them... There is one that really stands out above the rest...

It's a red 2002 BMW M3, costs $29,499 and with only 16,000 miles in it's life time... I'm skeptical about the possibility of it have being hit, even though the sales rep. said it wasn't... But it was in GREAT condition, and drove like a beauty... I asked them if they can hold it off for me for about 2 days... Said they would try, but don't know if they'll be able to... I'm planning on hitting some more dealers tomorrow, and if nothing comes up, possibly going back and getting that one... If it's still there...

Don't bother with the dealers. Find a private person selling his/her car. That will be the best deal.

S2000s can be found used as low as $14-15k, with excellent ones around $17-18k for MY00-01

Yes, but the thing is that there is no private sellers anywhere near my area... Or none that I know of, at least...

According to KBB the retail value of a 2002 M3 w/ 16,000 miles should be ~$38,000. Private party value ranges between ~$31,000-$35,000 (good to excellent condition). I assumed it was a manual with the default options load.

Unless this really is the greatest deal ever, I would be weary. I would ask to see the service record and run a carfax before making any commitments to the car. Some of the earlier E46 M3s had engine problems. There is also some speculation that the prices on the E46 M3s are about to sink like a rock by this time next year as the E90/E92 M3 is released with between 400 and 450hp and an optional 7-speed SMG transmission. There should be fairly high demand for the new one, decreasing demand on the E46, lowering the price.

That said, as an E46 M3 owner, I love my car. It has everything that I want in a car. It is the ultimate all-rounder as far as I'm concerned. As fast as a C5 Corvette and as luxurious as a E46 3-Series, all in one car. Unfortunately my time with it is getting shorter and shorter as the E92 M3 comes closer and closer.

If you are interested in the M3's combination of power and luxury, I would check out the Audi S4. I would also check out the Porsche Boxster S.

Thanks for the great post DinanM3... I don't think I'm going to be able to afford the new M3... And I'm starting to really like the E46 more and more, especially after I got to drive one... That just made me love the car 100x more than what I used to before I took it for a drive...

Have you considered a Pontiac GTO? you can still pick a brand new 06 up for about 30K out the door.
A used one will run you about 24K.

I think its the best bang for tha buck man. Its not a BMW and I love the M3, its a better car then my GTO all around but I'll smoke em at every light.

At least test drive an LS2 GTO before you buy the M3, just do that much for me. If I was in your possition I would seriously want to test out all other possible buys before I commited. that way down the road you wont be having second thoughts.

As for your loss i am speachless. I too know what it is to have your so called friends fuck your shit up. I had an opportunity to buy a brand new 350Z for my girl and after 2 years of saving up and 8 months of planning I got screwd out of it by my friend.
live and learn bro.
Hope to see pics of the new ride when you get it.

Thanks for the reply Musashi... All the posts made me really have second thoughts, and I might hold back for now, and really go out there and see what else I can get for the money... I mean, like you said... I would'nt want to be regretting my purchase somewhere later along the line... I'll try and visit a Pontiac dealer tomorrow, and hopefully get to test drive a GTO then...

As far as for my Corvette getting totalled by my friends, I have not much to say... I mean, what else can I add to what's been already said...? That's defenitely not something you expect from your friends, at least not something I expected from them... But I guess it happened for a reason... As to for what reason, that I don't know yet... :rolleyes:

Oh no problem bro.
You already had a vette so you know what to expect from a LSx engine.
Most corvette owners call my car a "luxury vette". Its a tad slower then the C6 but the fit and finish is way more then the vette offers.
Just test one out and you'll see.
Again it cant compare in texture and finish to the M3 which is a work of art. But I still wouldnt trade my Goat simply cause of personality issues.
there arent much twisties whereI live so an M3 to me would be a waste of a great handling car with no where to unleash it.

Let me know what you think if you do test a GTO out.

in lue of the GTA charges you should have been able to smack the shit out of your friends because that is the most horrible thing anyone could do to another guy. "borrow" his car. that's just messed up.

anyone i kno "borrow" 's my car gets a breaker bar to the shins or knees

keep with the domestic vehicles a GTO would be good for you, or an ls1 powered vehicle.

Yea, I know it's a wrong thing to do to someone you know... I had the chance to really nail them, but I'm too nice of a guy, and my heart wouldn't allow for me to do that to them... I don't know, maybe I'm too kind for my own good...?

Wow that really sucks. Your a much nicer person than I am. I think there have been some good suggestions posted above. I might just throw in a 2nd or 3rd gen VR4 in the equation. A little slower 1/4 time than the Vette you were used to but it handles nicely, good power, already turboed, AWD and sexy as hell.

3rd gen:
http://www.forum-auto.com/uploads/200507/nmi_1121104647_bdragonfry_1104668311_3000gt_vr4.jp g


2nd gen:
http://www.3sxperformance.com/cars-3sx/steve-vr4-2005-03-24-photo-shoot-056-450edge.jpg

Wow, I'm really sorry to hear that man. Your friends better be buying you beer every bar you go to, and relinquishing their girlfriends/wives to you 2x a week. That is just a bad idea gone terribly wrong. I mean I did that to a friend's Focus before, but I moved it 20 yards in neutral...and it was a focus with 200k on it...I could have bought him 3 more with my next paycheck. Anyway, jsut really sorry to hear that, it is definantly unfortunant. Hope you didn't lose the friends over the situation...and I hope nobody was seriously injured in the accident.

That all said. I can definately understand how the m3 would grow on you. And if you love it, go for it. But as Musashi pointed out, with 30k, I'd do a little shopping around as well. That can land you quite a few nice rides. I know what it's like not to have a working car, quite a PITA, but you wanna make sure you don't have any buyer's remorse.

Man, if a friend of mine did that to one of my cars I'd be gone like a fart in the wind, they'd never see me again.

If I can't trust that they'll respect my property... then no use having them around.

Personally I would just get another vette. If not that, the GTO would definately be my second choice. I am a big fan of the GTO.

M3. If you have the ability to get one, do it. They can handle, they are quick, they are sexy as hell, awesome interior, good aftermarket should you look into it, and for hells sake, its a BMW. A little bit of shopping should land you one in good to excellent condition for not to much cash. Just car fax it to make sure it wasn't one with engine troubles. If it was, and it had the motor replaced, go for it anyways, its a bargining tool. I have a strong feeling if you have a chance for the M and don't go for it, you will eventually regret it.

Here are places where you can find used cars:

autotrader.com
cars.com
local newspaper
ebay
drive around (kind of unlikely for a cars in that price range though)
craigslist

Give the S2000 a test drive, you may just like it... ;)

Hey, thanks to everyone for sharing their thoughts, I really appriciate it... I'm at work at the moment, and I don't get out for the next 4 hours... However, it's already in my schedule to visit the Pontiac dealer and maybe a Honda dealer if there is time, so I can check the S2000 also, but while sitting here I might just search through some of the sites you guys listed for me...

And to Igovert's concer, no I didn't loose any friends after the incident, and neither of them two were seriously injured, but the one riding in the passanger's seat is still in hospital, stable condition and should be released today, right for Thanksgiving...

Once again, thanks to everyone for being such good sports, and throwing some more options into the mix for me... Hell, you all made the choice way harder for me now! :grinno:

Happy Thanksgiving everyone... :cheers:

you could also tell ur friends to give you their cars until u find the car you want, kinda like a rental. give you all the time you need to research.

M3 all the way. Although I did get a ride in a 06 GTO and did really like it. It had way better fit and finish then I expected from an American car and oh yea 400 ASS POUNDING HORSE POWER! But in the end I’m just a BMW/German car guy and to me the M3 would always be my first choice. So I guess it depends on what kind of guy you are.

Like I said yesterday, I went to my local Pontiac dealer and got to drive a GTO... I really tried to convince the sales rep not to go with me, but he refused and tagged along for the ride :evillol: ... When I got in the car, it had just what I expected... that "mean" attitude, and the urge to just "rip it up"... I turned it on, and man... The idle on those is pretty sweet sounding, I must say... I pulled out the lot and immediately headed for the highway... Didn't really try anything on the way to the highway (too many damn lights, and my luck was just so that I cought every red light possible...:icon16: )

However, luckly for me the highway wasn't clogged like it usually is, so I knew I could really see what this baby could do... Coming off of the on-ramp, I slowed down a bit and dropped her into 2nd, and gunned it... :popcorn: Ooh boy... Let me tell you, it felt amazing... You could honestly feel all the 400 horses (I don't exactly know what it produces at the wheels) getting unleashed onto the pavement... top of 2nd and I dropped it into 3rd... man the sound is just what I expected... Different than my Vette (RIP), but defenitely had the attitude an american muscle car should have... I took her to about 120mph and let off because the sales rep was ready to shit his pants... (or so it seemed...) I took about 30 minutes test driving it, and did couple more pulls because... yes, it's addicting :iceslolan ... When I pulled up to the dealer, the rep says "wow, that was intense...", which right after he asks me... "did it live up to it's potential?"... I simply answered him "Hell yes!"

I told them I was really satisfied with the car and the way it performs, and told them they could be seeing me back to pick one up within the next couple days... Called my friend to pick me up, and I was on my way home telling him how the GTO performed...

Now, I have a huge dilema... On one hand I have the M3, which I absolutely loved when I drove it... And on the other hand I have the GTO, which lived up to it's potential, and more... I have a lot of thinking to do, and that's without getting to test drive the S2000... But honestly, I don't believe it can stand a chance against the M3 and the GTO... But I'll defenitely give it a drive, possibly tomorrow... Just to see what the thing has to offer...

...Man, decisions decisions...:banghead: :grinyes:

Awsome test drive bro!
Im glad you liked it.
as for the WHP, from factory the LS2 GTO puts down 330-335 HP at the wheels and 329-333 Torque at the wheels.

I say you have two very wonderfull and very worthy cars to compare so now just sleep on it and take a while to decide which one fits your personality best.
Yes I know the choice is tough but look at it this way, either one you pick you will have an exceptional car and a satisfing ride every single time you take it out.

The car dealer actually let you take it up to 120!?!

The car dealer actually let you take it up to 120!?!

There was little he had to say... Actually, he stayed quiet most of the time... Besides the beggining when he talked about the car, non-stop... But once we hit the highway, he got quiet... He was in his mid twenties, I believe... (Based on look...)

You gotta take the S2000 out in the twisties. If you simply try to do a few pulls on the highway, you'll probably walk away disappointed because simply that's not what the car is about.

I don't know whether or not the car is for you, all I'm recommending is that you try it out. Buying a car is a pretty big decision, and you'll want to try out as many alternatives as you can. Don't just satisfice yourself with the first car you may like. Also keep in mind everything that goes into the ownership of a car: maintanance, depreciation, insurance, gas, etc and not just fun.

Good luck with it. I'm sure you'll find something that you love.

You gotta take the S2000 out in the twisties. If you simply try to do a few pulls on the highway, you'll probably walk away disappointed because simply that's not what the car is about.

I don't know whether or not the car is for you, all I'm recommending is that you try it out. Buying a car is a pretty big decision, and you'll want to try out as many alternatives as you can. Don't just satisfice yourself with the first car you may like. Also keep in mind everything that goes into the ownership of a car: maintanance, depreciation, insurance, gas, etc and not just fun.

Good luck with it. I'm sure you'll find something that you love.

Yes, I am well aware of the responsibility of owning a car... And like I said, I defenitely will take the S2000 for a spin, and I already had twisties in my mind the first thing when the S2000 was mentioned... :smokin: I'll let you know how it went when I do get to try it out...

Im gonna cheet a little bit and try to pull you towards the GTO.
here take a look at these:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgxnSyrnTwY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G99DE4VMl4k

0-60 in over six seconds. Haha, its faster than that.

:popcorn: :ylsuper: :eek2:

Thanks for the video Musashi... Man, they talk as if they were worshiping the GTO :grinyes:

According to car and driver and Motortrend 0-60 in 4.6, 4.7 seconds.

:popcorn: :ylsuper: :eek2:

Thanks for the video Musashi... Man, they talk as if they were worshiping the GTO :grinyes:

Oh they love it!

I believe the 4.6 sec 0-60 is more like it... It sure felt faster than what they said ... (6.0 or whatever they claim it to be in the video...)

I also believe the M3 is around 4.7 sec 0-60... Not 100% on that one though... Man, this is going to be a one hard choice... Because as much as I love the muscle, I really love the looks and performance of the M3... Man, I'm going to end up drawing straws! :grinno:

Wow, your friends sound like jackasses. I'm very fortunate to not have friends joy riding my car drunk and without my permission. I dunno what to tell you about them. Seems rude to me.

In any event, car wise, I really don't see an M3 as a sound purchase. Those cars are hella expensive to maintain. They're a great car, but any maintenance issue is gonna set you back some bills. Heck, i've seen used 2002 Z06's on LS1tech.com selling for $25K. You could go that route, but personally i'd go with an S2000 with the 2.2 liter engine. It's just insanely reliable, and a blast to drive from what i've heard.

You could also look into buying a Supra TT. Heck if you don't like it it will most likely sell for what you bought it for.

i would love to get behind the wheel of a GTO...and take it to a big ass empty open parking lot in the boondocks...

btw..isn't the S2000 a 2.4? i kno i kno...very little difference on an engine so small to begin with...but oh well

S2000s between 2000 and 2003 came with 2.0l engines that revved up to 9000. From 2004 to 2007 they come with 2.2l engine, but only revved up to 8000. The S2000 forum is the only place where it ONLY revved up to 8000 rpms :lol: Of course there have been people who bored and stroked the engine, someone is currently building a 2.7 S2000. He's going for over 300 rwhp NA :eek:

It is also beleived that 2007 is the last model year for the S2000, so if you want a new one, now would be a great time, since you'll get a great deal on one. Nobody buys convertibles in the winter.

Those cars are hella expensive to maintain.

According to who? They might be unreliable if you drive them like a madman all the time or you race every other weekend, but as long as you keep up on preventive care and drive normally, they really arn't that bad at all. The only exception to this was some of the earlier ones, most of which have probably been fixed by now.

id take the M3 or GTO over the s2000, but thats because of my preference. im sure the s2000 is nice. one car im surprised hasnt been mentioned that ive heard really good things about is the 350z. get one with the special sport package, forget what its called, i heard really good things about that. its to bad they dont have the new boss mustang out yet, that sounds badass. its supposed to have the suspension of the gt500 with the weight of a mustang gt and 390hp.

damn I need a GTO

According to who? They might be unreliable if you drive them like a madman all the time or you race every other weekend, but as long as you keep up on preventive care and drive normally, they really arn't that bad at all. The only exception to this was some of the earlier ones, most of which have probably been fixed by now.

Huh, when did I say they were unreliable? I said it was expensive to maintain (Spark plugs, clutch, general repairs, etc...). If you break something it is gonna cost you, and odds are that if you enjoy racing, as most of us do, you are gonna break something sooner or later. An example is a transmission. According to this link it looks kinda pricey to me to buy a new tranny for an E46 M3:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Transmission-Assembly-2001-BMW-M3_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33727QQihZ019QQitemZ 8043410178QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V