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

[Itgb]

Originally Posted by RearDrive

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

That M3 has standard side mirrors(not the M3 specific aero mirrors). I would be cautious, that there are more problems with the car.

[zberch]

Originally Posted by Itgb

That M3 has standard side mirrors(not the M3 specific aero mirrors). I would be cautious, that there are more problems with the car.

It say custom rebuilt. Sounds like its a salvaged title.

[Turbowned]

I'd rather pay a few thousand down and finance an FR-S at 2.9% or thereabouts than pay $10-15k out of pocket for a used car; that way you can keep a majority of your money invested and earning profit while you drive around a brand new, warrantied car with free service for the first two years. We joke that BMW stands for "Bring Money With you", because when something breaks it ain't cheap! The S2000 is probably easier on the wallet for repairs, but you can't beat that free service and warranty. Also keep in mind that the FR-S gets over 30mpg while the M3 and S2000 struggle to get 20; that will pay dividends in the long run, too. If you lease it your monthly payments will be lower but if you buy it out at the end you'll pay more in the long run than if you finance it over 60 months.

[Hanakuso]

If I had to pick, I would go with the S2000 if it was a well taken care of example. All years of the S2000 had no major problems unless you consider the plastic window an issue.

IMO if you had to buy a sports car and tight on cash, go with a cheap Miata.

[pete66]

I thought housing market was gonna dip in toronto/vancouver? If you can actually get 15-20% then it doesn't really make sense to dispose of that money right away.

[Mitch]

Originally Posted by Itgb

That M3 has standard side mirrors(not the M3 specific aero mirrors). I would be cautious, that there are more problems with the car.

Seriously, I would stay far, far away from that car.

[Mr.Jay]

would not touch that m3

says rebuilt but lacks detail or really any info or any kind

s2k I would not recommend if you want a DD or have no exp driving rwd cars they can be a handful at higher speeds but they are beautiful cars and awesome to drive just not livingable for me at least

I say get a Miata and learn how RWD cars feel stack cash thru your investment then when the hype dies down and more FRS are avaiable then get one

Can I get in on this investment hahaha damn

Originally Posted by justaquestion

If your serious about getting one, and care about performance, you should look for a sedan. Their chassis is a lot stiffer than the coupe, so it feels a lot better in corners, mod for mod.

I have heard this before and still have no clue how thats possible then again I'm not a BMW guy at all. (love the e46 tho was originally looking at picking up a LSB e46 M3 before I got my FRS)

[RearDrive]

Originally Posted by Itgb

That M3 has standard side mirrors(not the M3 specific aero mirrors). I would be cautious, that there are more problems with the car.

Thanks for pointing that out i totally missed it! Well maintenance wouldnt be too bad on an e36 m3 because i would try to do most myself and you can get parts pretty cheap.

[RearDrive]

And for people asking in on the investment, I'm lucky I got in. Its my dad who owns a lighting business and became friends with the builders and he got in on it so I made him a deal that he can have some profit if i dumped my money into it and he agreed (i think it might be more like 20-25% a year but he said i would make 15% with his profit taken out) But yea 80% of millionaires make their first million on the housing industry for a reason. Im one lucky SOB lol! Yea thats what i was thinking regarding the leasing the FR-S but my investment is only garunteed for 2-3 years and the lease is 4 at 5.35% and plus then theres a buyout at the end so I would have to pay the sum of a used car at the end anyways (i would buy it out cash) so theres a year or two there thats not garunteed cashflow so i might not beable to deal with the payments unless i use my investment money anyways. The FR-S would be my first pick though but i might have to wait till either i can get one used (good luck) or settle with an m3 or s2000 (which is still badass). And regards to the miata, i dont like them enough to own one lol.

[ultra]

Dumb question - what will you be using this car for? What are your mod plans, if any?

If you're looking for something financially predictable I'd rule the Bimmer out straight away regardless of whether it's going to be a track car or a daily unless - and only if - you either personally know a mechanic or can do most routine car-related stuff DIY style. Most of the guys I know who swear by Bimmers also have grease under their fingernails. Otherwise I'd stay well clear.

If you're looking for a track car I have to agree with Fatoni - just get an NA8 Miata with some mild Spec Miata style mods on it and enjoy beating it to bits, totally carefree.

I've been down the road of highly modded dual use street/track cars far too many times in the past and although I enjoyed it my finances are pretty screwed as a result. Since you seem to be young and fiancially savvy I'd strongly suggest that you define some limits before you buy anything. Both the S2k and the FR-S would be great cars to own and both will be extremely tempting to modify. Mark my words!

Personally I like the idea of leasing the FR-S since it'd be under warranty for a good long time, meaning that the running costs would be fairly predictable. The S2K is a great car but it'll be long in the tooth in another few years. They have an excellent reputation for reliability but you ought to keep in mind that everything and anything maintenance-wise would be coming out of your pocket.

FR-S might be better on Vancouver's crappy roads too.

[ultra]

Dumb question - what will you be using this car for? What are your mod plans, if any?

If you're looking for something financially predictable I'd rule the Bimmer out straight away regardless of whether it's going to be a track car or a daily.

Of you're looking for a track car I have to agree with Fatoni - just get an NA Miata with some mild Spec Miata style mods on it and enjoy beating it to bits, totally carefree.

I've been down the road of highly modded dual use street/track cars far too many times in the past and although I enjoyed it my finances are pretty screwed as a result. Since you seem to be young and fiancially savvy I'd strongly suggest that you define some limits before you buy anything. Both the S2k and the FR-S will be extremely tempting to modify.

Personally I like the idea of leasing the FR-S since it'll be under warranty for a good long time. The S2K is a great car but it'll be long in the tooth in another few years in e sense at epanything and everything maintenance-wise would be co ing out of your pocket.

FR-S might be better on Vancouver's crappy roads too.

[YukiHachiRoku]

Keep the Honda and invest your money wisely.

[Max Schnell]

Originally Posted by RearDrive

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

Custom rebuilt from the ground up? BS. A good condition M3 does not custom rebuild anything.

Mirrors are wrong, check the vin. If it is not an M3 the Vin would give up the info better than anything. You may be buying a 325i with badging. Oh and the vin is on every panel. If this is a rebuilt wreck you can tell that too because replacements will not have the vin on it. http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=102071

[RearDrive]

Originally Posted by justaquestion

I own an energy efficient lighting company... Kind of odd that your father does too and he needs to borrow money from you in order to sell his product... Hope your looking at it from every angle, because you would be surprised how easy it is to get the short straw... Especially from the sound of what you just said.... But I don't know the details of course. Good luck!

+111111111111111 M3 :P

I think you misunderstood what I said :P maybe I didn't word it clearly. It's my dads investment but I made a deal with him so he could take some profit of my money if he lets me in on it so he will just take a cut.