Which car to buy?

[Speedbag]

Hi. Me again.  

FYI, a bone stock '11 GT500 will run mid-to-high 11s in the quarter equipped with drag radials and will run with (or completely spank, depending on the driver) an M3 on a road course.  

Hell, for that matter a properly optioned '11 5.0 GT will run neck and neck with an M3 on a road course....

Just sayin'....

[lethe]

Hi. Me again.  

FYI, a bone stock '11 GT500 will run mid-to-high 11s in the quarter equipped with drag radials and will run with (or completely spank, depending on the driver) an M3 on a road course.  

Hell, for that matter a properly optioned '11 5.0 GT will run neck and neck with an M3 on a road course....

Just sayin'....

you're forgetting the luxury portion he's weighing in

[swampduc]

Hi. Me again.  

FYI, a bone stock '11 GT500 will run mid-to-high 11s in the quarter equipped with drag radials and will run with (or completely spank, depending on the driver) an M3 on a road course.  

Hell, for that matter a properly optioned '11 5.0 GT will run neck and neck with an M3 on a road course....

Just sayin'....

you and the woman both, huh?

[El Matador]

Having recently driven an e46 and being underwhelmed, and having the opposite reaction with the V8 I'd go with the newer one. Apart from the fact that if you get an e46 you definitely have to buy the extended warranty and you still have to pay for the services, unless you find an awesome deal, I'd pass.

As for the gt500, the problem is that even though its a badass car with badass performance, it still looks a lot like the car every 16 year old is puttering around in. Sorry, but when I'm forking out that kind of money, I don't wanna see it in every other street corner. Call me shallow. On top of that you still have to deal with the american idea of luxury, which is basically pleather and plastic made to look like brushed stainless.

The new M3 is really where it's at. The 335is reminds me a little too much of my old 330i, which is kind of what every 60 thousand dollar millionaire is driving.

[Speedbag]

you're forgetting the luxury portion he's weighing in

Ahhh, they're plenty luxurious. 

[lethe]

Ahhh, they're plenty luxurious. 

For simpletons like you and I maybe. I was perfectly content running a Mustang as a daily driver at one point that had the interior stripped to bare metal. Now I feel like I'm getting lazy with my Golf having fancy things like heated seats and such. 

[Speedbag]

Simpleton are I.

After a mere CAI, pulley, and tune, my '07 will sport ~540 RWHP this spring. Luxury be damned, hail the eternal smoky burnout.

[flynbulldog]

Where did you get the impression that I'm afraid to be seen in a vette? Was it this:

That is what is known as a "joke," for future reference. That is why there is a smiley after it.
No, the primary reason I'm not interested in a Corvette, amazing performance cars as they are, is that I want more luxury with my performance. I've driven Corvettes before. They are in no way, shape, or form, luxury cars.
That's also why I'm not interested in a Porsche, even though, being a physician, that car would be ok for me to be seen in 

And, as I mentioned before, your 335is is gorgeous 
But I'd prefer a manual transmission.

Wow my joke came across the wrong way   

I really meant to refer to what those middle aged women tend to say about guys who drive vettes (and lifted trucks) 

sorry... 

You know, I went out and drove a couple of cars today. I found a used z06 with 28 k miles - well it must have been 28k on Siberian mountain passes because it was beat! what a hunk of crap that car was. but the motor was strong and I think vettes are really comfortable to drive.
I also drove a 2SS camaro 6mt 426hp. Nice tight car that drives and rides good but niether of them are near the car of my 335...
Up here where the air is thin and power is choked-out the little turbos do a better job of creating ponys, and I think the bimmer could eat either of them for lunch.
OK maybe not the z06... 
In the end I went home feeling a lot better about my car - I think I'll hang on to it   

[flynbulldog]

hehe a little secret... on the way home while sitting at a light, I turned off the DSC and stuck the car in "sport mode" and did a little launch from the light...
GOOD GOD that car is fun and man can it launch. it flat freaked me out! 

The M3 or the 335is. Get one 

[DRKWNG]

Having recently driven an e46 and being underwhelmed, and having the opposite reaction with the V8 I'd go with the newer one. Apart from the fact that if you get an e46 you definitely have to buy the extended warranty and you still have to pay for the services, unless you find an awesome deal, I'd pass.

As for the gt500, the problem is that even though its a badass car with badass performance, it still looks a lot like the car every 16 year old is puttering around in. Sorry, but when I'm forking out that kind of money, I don't wanna see it in every other street corner. Call me shallow. On top of that you still have to deal with the american idea of luxury, which is basically pleather and plastic made to look like brushed stainless.

The new M3 is really where it's at. The 335is reminds me a little too much of my old 330i, which is kind of what every 60 thousand dollar millionaire is driving.

Yes, the current M3's V8 puts out more go than the I6 of the E46, but you forgot to take into account my suggestion to then take said E46 to Active Autoworks.  You can easily get into the neighborhood of the high 500s once you slap their supercharger onto the car, and it won't take away any of the car's drivability.  Plus, the interior of the earlier car is set up SO much nice.

[zooom]

also, to add onto what was said above about an E46, maintenance issues were mentioned and an E46 is an easier to work on vehicle as well as more places/shops have the technology to be able to do things with that chassis as apposed to the more and more dealer only types of things that come with the E90 on up...

I am curious...why has no one mentioned an Infiniti G35 or G37 coupe?

and I am still partial to my intial suggestion earlier in this thread of a clean and unmolested Acura NSX

[Speedbag]

I am curious...why has no one mentioned an Infiniti G35 or G37 coupe?

Maybe because they're sorta hideous? 

[mookieo2]

E46 then Dinan stage 3 and Hamaan body kit.


Although a Vette and GT500 are bad-ass and can probably destroy most anything. When you pull up to a restaurant or event its much classier to be in a high end european sports car.

G35 = every 20 yo in NY with spikey hair wearing a wife beater.

[swampduc]

Maybe because they're sorta hideous? 

G35 = every 20 yo in NY with spikey hair wearing a wife beater.

And flynn, sorry I misread your joke. I'm just about decided on the 335is, and I'm glad you're enjoying yours.

When it comes down to it, for a car like this, new>used, and I decided that I could spend the 70-75k for an M3, but I don't want to. I've done the same with my house, bikes, etc, ie come up with the budget that I can spend, and then spend less. What can I say, I'm no fun 

I really appreciate the help from Everyone in this thread. Y'all have given me a lot to think about, and I've enjoyed the process. Having looked at so many alternatives, it makes me that much more sure that my choice is the right one for me. The 335is has the best balance of the objective and subjective qualities I'm looking for, including street performance, looks, comfort, luxury, etc. Plus, with it being new, I can lease it through my practice and get some killer tax benefits 

I'm going with the black metallic and saddle brown leather interior, if you want to check it out. I'll post pics when it gets in.

[mookieo2]

I'm going with the black metallic and saddle brown leather interior, if you want to check it out. I'll post pics when it gets in.

Good luck. That's the best combo. Its what I have on my 328xi.