Need help deciding

I am looking to get a new(used) car in the 14k-18k price range. I want something sporty, yet comfortable and reliable. As of right now I have two cars that I have narrowed it down to. An 02-04 Suburu WRX (non-STI) or an 96-98 BMW M3. As I have looked around I have found that for this price range the WRX would have roughly 40-60k miles, and the M3 would have 60-80K miles. I really want the M3 but my wife wants to make sure the car is reliable, and maintenance and repair cost is a factor. Is an M3 alot more expensive to maintain and fix? Anyways what would you do in my position?

Due to the location of the engine (mid), they seem to be more difficult to work on. Consider a Honda Civic or Accord with the transverse Vtec engine. Don't know the price.

Due to the location of the engine (mid), they seem to be more difficult to work on. Consider a Honda Civic or Accord with the transverse Vtec engine. Don't know the price.


... wait what?

he didnt list a mid engine car :screwy:

M3 = FR
WRX = FAWD

Due to the location of the engine (mid), they seem to be more difficult to work on. Consider a Honda Civic or Accord with the transverse Vtec engine. Don't know the price.

whatchu talkin bout willis?

To answer the OP: From what i've heard, the bmw can be reliable IF it has been well maintained. If they haven't, then notsomuch. Parts are expensive, but repairs can be done cheaply if you're willing to do them yourself and buy the parts online. Keep in mind that this is just from what i've heard and i have no personal experience.

Hope you don't have to cut the crank to fit new bearings. Apparently the Beemer has a special alloy used in their cranks which are hard to cut if you have to.

If properly maintained, the E36 M3 is a very reliable car. Like I've said before, I've seen them last well over 200,000 miles and still drive about as well as when they were new. I've talked to owners that say the S52 engine is practically bulletproof. If you maintain them well and don't drive them all out all the time like a teenager who just got his first car, they are great cars to own.

The general idea behind most BMWs as far as maintenance/repairs is that they go to the shop less often then most cars, but being a premium car the parts are more expensive to buy, and the dealerships often charge alot for repairs as well.

If you do use a dealership for repairs, make sure you find one with a highly regarded shop. There are many horror stories out there of people paying alot of money for a problem not to get fixed at dealerships. On the other hand, a good BMW dealership shop will do the job better then anyone else, as long as you are willing to pay.

DonSor- have you even seen a BMW M3? BMW hasn't made a mid-engined car since the M1 in the early 80's. Please don't comment on vehicles you obviously don't know very much about.

Go for the M3! I'll admit I've never been in a WRX, but my best friend has a 1997 BMW M3, and I must say, that car is Jesus on wheels. I swear it has some sort of magical aura about it.

See for yourself, go test drive one.

Mr. Diana:

My comment was regarding the MR3 which was made by Toyota. I know there is such thing as a BMW M3. You have just have to be tolerant of us folks who are not experts like you. Once in a while we err but we don't mean too. Let me know if this forum are strictly for people who know it all and I'll discontinue participation.