E36 M3 vs FR-S vs S2000 (for me)

[RearDrive]

Okay guys just going to get your opinions on this. I'm currently looking for a new sports car and it will be my first RWD manual car (im a young gent). Now the thing is I have enough to pay for the FR-S cash but the thing is i have an opportunity to invest the money at around 15-20% a year profit so I would either lease a FR-S or buy an e36/s2000 for around 10-15k. Now the thing is if i buy a M3/s2000 that money will come out of my investment funds which wouldnt be optimal. At the same time though I worked it out and leasing an FR-S would be around 500-600 a month with insurance included and I dont exactly have the highest paying job currently (good sales experience though). The lease would run 4 years and the buyout at the end would be 12000. The thing is i dont know where ill be in 4 years (living with my dad currently with little bills to pay only my car payments on my accord v6 coupe) so I have to factor in that i could be paying rent in a couple years to boot. Also my dad seems hesitant for me to lease one so I have to deal with that (he would be helping me lease it so i need his full support). I did drive the FR-S in auto format and I loved it but at the same time it would be a huge financial move on my part to buy it (dropping all the cash is now out of the question as it would be a very poor investment especially when i have an opportunity to make some big capital gains). And I absolutely am buying a sports car so not buying one is out of the picture. Oh and fuel costs and practicality arent a huge deal but do help either car out for my pick. Opinions guys?

[Mitch]

I've had an e36 M3 for a little over two years now, so I can at least give my input on that car.

The back seat is usable. I've had friends sit back there for over an hour on a trip, and I got no complaints. Insurance might be rough for you. The e36 isn't unreliable, but it does need regular maintenance. Gas mileage is terrible, but that's partially my driving.

I don't understand leasing a car, but that's just me. And if you have a place you think you can reliably get 15-20% growth per year, I'd drive the cheapest beater I could live with and dump all of my money into that growth outlet, because that is absurd.

[D4ng3r]

What kind of investment lets you make 15-20% a year, and how do I get in?

I would say spend the $15,000- you don't NEED an FR-S, even though it is a nice car. Stay with your Accord, or buy the M3, or even the S2000. If you really, really want the FR-S, you can sell the M3 for a small loss in a year, and buy the FR-S then. You would still probably come out on top as investing the extra $10,000 you would save in the mean time will give you an extra $1,500-$2,000 to play with when you are more sure of what your living situation will be.

No amount of car can settle the queasy feeling in your stomach when you are struggling to make ends meet.

[75 carrera]

apple stock up 69% year over year.....get in !!

[fatoni]

buy an na miata, invest everything else and then in a couple years buy the frs cash. or just invest it all and buy the frs now and just use the interest gained to make thepayment

[RearDrive]

Yea im kinda leaning on an m3 or s2000 for now. There's a beautiful m3 for 10k that I'll take a look at. Ive always been in love with bmw's since i was a kid so an m3 would probably be ontop of the s2000. The investment is in the building industry and I got into a building company that's doing alot of the largest housing development in Canada so I can invest with them for atleast 2-3 years. So i get a return every time they sell a house. I actually already have money in it but I'm just adding to the amount.

[Mitch]

Originally Posted by 75 carrera

apple stock up 69% year over year.....get in !!

Though a perennial gainer, the simple fact is that no single company is a sure thing. The best you're going to get is a fund managed by dedicated individuals who are intimately aware of the leading indicators for when to get in and when to get out of a given stock or index. I've done well working with what I know about the small handful of stocks I trade, but the unconditional guarantee of 15-20% is Madoff-esque.

[Mitch]

Originally Posted by RearDrive

Yea im kinda leaning on an m3 or s2000 for now. There's a beautiful m3 for 10k that I'll take a look at. Ive always been in love with bmw's since i was a kid so an m3 would probably be ontop of the s2000. The investment is in the building industry and I got into a building company that's doing alot the largest housing development in Canada so I can invest with them for atleast 2-3 years. So i get a return every time they sell a house. I actually already have money in it but I'm just adding to the amount.

If you test drive the M3, you'll buy it. They're wonderful. I take it it's the 240hp and not the rare euro-spec (you guys got ~45 of those). Get a pre-purchase inspection done no matter what. You'll save yourself some heartache. I'll be honest, I'm going to regret selling my M3. It's been my dream car for ages, and I've gotten nothing but joy out of every time I've driven it. I don't know what body hosts autocrossing in Canada, but regardless of whether you go M3 or S2k, get that beast on the track. That's where they really come alive.

[CU2MIKE]

You said you're young, so buy a 2 seater convertible while you still can!

[zberch]

S2000 if you okay without space. But you in VC not the best for a Daily driver.

[Dimman]

First RWD manual car? I would not recommend the S2k. At the very least look for the later ones with the revised suspension and 2.2L motor.

[CU2MIKE]

Or get a RX8 for compromise.

[RearDrive]

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/pm...969288024.html there's the M I was looking at.

[RearDrive]

Originally Posted by zberch

S2000 if you okay without space. But you in VC not the best for a Daily driver.

Im actually not located right in vancouver but an hour away in a rural city so its not a problem.