Which car to buy?

[swampduc]

I can't believe I've been puzzling over this for months without seeking the wisdom of the DMF!
In the next 2-3 months, I'm looking to buy a new car. This isn't going to be entirely practical; I've got an '05 Tacoma with 117k miles that I'm keeping, and the fiancee has an '06 Mustang that isn't going anywhere. What I'm looking for is more of a "dream car," something I've been looking forward to for years during those long-ass nights in college, med school, and residency. Now that I've finally reached a position in my medical practice that I've been striving for, I'm ready to go ahead and get it. I can't afford anything really exotic, but that's ok. The SBKs are plenty exotic for me 
What I'm looking for is a car that's luxurious and comfortable for driving to work, which can be anywhere from 5 minutes to 1 hr 45 min depending on which office I'm going to. However, the car also has to have enough performance that I won't be bored, and can do some back road blitzing when I'm in the mood. That combination had me leaning BMW.
My dream car for years has been a BMW M3. I just went and test drove one of 'em on Friday. All they had available was the 4 door, which is fine, although I was leaning towards a coupe. My impressions were mixed. The suspension and steering were superb, which I expected, but I wasn't as blown away by the acceleration as I thought I would be. The V8 is a screamer, but the torque wasn't stunning, and no wonder since it "only" puts out about 295 lb-ft. That's not the sole determining factor here, as I care more about handling than I do about pure straight line performance. But in a $73-75k performance car (optioned out), I kinda wanted more.
As I sat there thinking about the drive, I thought to myself, "the 335i puts out about that much torque." So I test drove one of those and was impressed. There was a touch more body roll than with the M3, but the car is still superbly composed on the street, and the steering was just as good IMO. The price tag was also considerably better, at $55-56k fully optioned out.

Does anyone have FHE with these cars?
Are there must-have mods with either machine, and approximately what do those cost?
Which car would you buy if you were in my place?
Are there other cars anyone would recommend that I look at? I'm fairly open-minded. For example, I went and looked at a Camaro RS/SS a couple of weeks ago, and was impressed. It's dirt cheap for the amount of performance you get, and body roll is minimal. The interior quality is also pretty impressive. The dislikes were the weight, which is evident on quick directional changes, and the rear suspension is subpar (unsettles easily with pavement defects when cornering). The looks are also a little "crude" for my taste. The only comparable coupe I won't look at is the CTX. It's hideous 

Also, used is an option which improves the bottom line considerably. I've got a friend in NOLA who is a used car broker and can get me a car at near wholesale prices. I don't really want anything over about 2 years old, however, for reliability reasons.

[DesmoDiva]

So you have ~75k budget....

and you went to a chevy dealer....and didn't drive the Z06 Vette?

Shame on you!!   

505 ponies and 470 ft-lbs of torque to love.....   

[Bick]

The body roll can be fixed for a lot less than $20K.

http://www.dinancars.com/shop/index.aspx?series=3-Series&model=335i-xi&category=Chassis-Tuning#


Though, I have not been disappointed in my girl.

[DesmoDiva]

Though, I have not been disappointed in my girl.

[Bick]

So you have ~75k budget....
and you went to a chevy dealer....and didn't drive the Z06 Vette?

Shame on you!!   

505 ponies and 470 ft-lbs of torque to love.....    

that's more like it. 

[El Matador]

Have you taken a look at the new lotus? I drool in its general direction.

If you get the 335 you'll always regret not getting the M3. You want a dream cart, not a 4 door sedan.

If not, there's always a 2 yo 911 or a new Cayman. I've been looking for one for my dad, they're nice . 

As for anything chevy, the Z06 is nice but uncomfortable and it shakes apart after a while. I imagine its the same with the camaro

[IZ]

Though, I have not been disappointed in my girl.

Hmm??   

For some reason..pictured you in a Saturn









wagon.

[swampduc]

Thanks for the feedback so far. I'll probably be going 2 door regardless of which car I choose. Although I do want to test drive the Audi S6 my friend the car broker has in his warehouse right now  

[swampduc]

And diva, valid point about the vette, but I'd like a better balance of sport and luxury. I've got the bikes for pure performance. Plus I'm not 50 and I still have hair. I doubt they'd be willing to sell me a vette 

[Bick]

Hmm??   

For some reason..pictured you in a Saturn

wagon.

Minivan.  You don't remember?

[1KDS]

M5

[IZ]

Minivan.  You don't remember?

I can't remember what I what I did yesterday B.    The Denver visit was in the middle of the drive from Seattle to Austin.  I was dead most of the time and don't remember a lot of the details.  We actually did do a lot though.  I know that we met somewhere during that time, went to eat and then went back to Polly's highrise.  OK..maybe it is coming back to me. 

Nice Porsche though!   

[Popeye the Sailor]

I can't remember what I what I did yesterday B.    The Denver visit was in the middle of the drive from Seattle to Austin.  I was dead most of the time and don't remember a lot of the details.  We actually did do a lot though.  I know that we met somewhere during that time, went to eat and then went back to Polly's highrise.  OK..maybe it is coming back to me. 

Nice Porsche though!   

Yeah-you had a great time. Bick even took this video of you

[IZ]

Yeah-you had a great time. Bick even took this video of you

WTH?!  Did they amputate Kenny Loggins legs?!   

[muskrat]

I don't know that a Camaro would fall apart with wear Jesus.

Have you taken a look at the Benz C63? It has 451 ponies matched to 443 torque.  I drove one and loved the thing....rocket ship.  You can save a bundle on a lease return too and have some cash to spend on another bike too.  It's a little small inside but bigger than the M3 and not a two door but you owe it to yourself to drive one since you crawled into the beemer.  The cayman though is worth looking at as well.  I've heard those who own them that for a daily drive they are great as well.