What would you do? Again.

[///M-Spec]

Keep in mind the E39 M5 is a lot of maintenance.

This.

Oh, and...

Keep in mind the E39 M5 is a lot of maintenance.

That too.

I have a friend with an E39 M5. Last year he spent $12,000 keeping it up. Granted, he tracks the car and a good chuck of the dough went into a through suspension refresh and set of new cats ($5,000!!!!). But the M5 is not a car for the uncommitted or underfunded.

One hell of a car though. I thought about one at length. 540i/6 is nice too, but not nearly in the same league.

If you want a quick BMW with four doors, I think an early 335i should be in this price range. Failing that, the aforementioned E36 M3 is nearly always a fair bet. But the straight ones are disappearing fast.


M

 

[Eric.]

Ordered from dealer on Nov. of '05. Built on March of '06. Picked up off the showroom floor on Aug. of '06 with 64 mi on the odometer. Paid: 33.5k

Your brand-new ordered-just-for-you car had 64 miles on it when you picked it up? WTF?!

 

[Bones Brigade]

This.

Oh, and...



That too.

I have a friend with an E39 M5. Last year he spent $12,000 keeping it up. Granted, he tracks the car and a good chuck of the dough went into a through suspension refresh and set of new cats ($5,000!!!!). But the M5 is not a car for the uncommitted or underfunded.

One hell of a car though. I thought about one at length. 540i/6 is nice too, but not nearly in the same league.

If you want a quick BMW with four doors, I think an early 335i should be in this price range. Failing that, the aforementioned E36 M3 is nearly always a fair bet. But the straight ones are disappearing fast.


M

Yeah, as I mentioned, I'm not looking for at the M5s, and 335s are going to be much out of range too.

I'm not specifically looking at BMWs, just something rear drive, quick, and fun.

The M Roadster/E36 M3 are up at the top of the heap.

 

[Ls2BluGoat]

Your brand-new ordered-just-for-you car had 64 miles on it when you picked it up? WTF?!

Whoops, glad you caught that. It was 64 miles on the odometer after the test drive we took. I would be outraged knowing someone at the dealer was taking a 64-mile joyride to who-knows where.

 

[///M-Spec]

I'm not specifically looking at BMWs, just something rear drive, quick, and fun.

The M Roadster/E36 M3 are up at the top of the heap.

If you don't want/need four seats, try a 350Z too.

Never been a huge fan of the Z3 M Roady. The S52 cars need sorting out suspension-wise and the S54 cars are priced like 993s. Plus they feel really cheap inside. They are my least favorite M cars aside from the X5/6 Ms.


M

 

[Bones Brigade]

If you don't want/need four seats, try a 350Z too.

Never been a huge fan of the Z3 M Roady. The S52 cars need sorting out suspension-wise and the S54 cars are priced like 993s. Plus they feel really cheap inside. They are my least favorite M cars aside from the X5/6 Ms.


M

Yeah, I was thinking about a 350z again...thats what I had before the R.

 

[Bones Brigade]

Here is a short story from the QM thread:

Not a modification...but yes, yes it is very quesitonable. This dealership is actually about 2 blocks form my office and they are NOTORIOUS for what you are about to see...

Try not to laugh.

It's nearly 3 times more than what its worth. I have one CARFAX report left from when I got the Focus, so I may use it on this, depending on how the interaction goes this afternoon...

Either if it's been sitting, or if there is a discrepancy, this car needs to be approached with caution. Whoever the ultimate buyer is needs to know that parts still age, regardless of miles. Anything not made of some sort of metal will need to go, assuming that it hasnt already.

Update**

Took it for a drive. Got thrown out of the dealer when I said I'd buy if for NADA/BB value.

I am now set on a Miata. Granted, not THAT Miata.

 

[Bones Brigade]

Still haven't found the right starting car. Looked at a 96 with a hard top but it was pretty thrashed and the top didn't even fit right.

I have narrowed the search to 1.8 NAs witharound 100k miles. The kit I have decided to aspire to is the Voodoo II kit. The full FMII Hydra makes a ton more power, but 5k + a new clutch is a lot more than 3K + clutch. My concern is that, having never driven a boosted Miata, when I finally complete this, 7psi just won't be enough for me. I'm worried about being let down, to be honest.

I know FM says expect 180whp, but what should I really expect? My ricer math tells me that 180whp in a 2100lb car should be brutal. (My experience is 230whp in a 3300lb car and about the same who in a 3700lb car.) I'm not looking for a drag queen, but I want something that's not going to leave me wishing I still had big power.

 

[Tornado]

I've driven a Mazdaspeed Miata. 180HP in a 2500lb convertible is far more than enough to make you forget any questions you may have had about whether you need more power.

And your typical NA is a few hundred pounds lighter than your typical Mazdaspeed NB, so you'll be fine.

 

[Bones Brigade]

So a few good ones have popped up this past week. I am hoping with the new local inventory, I will have a shiney new 1.8 NA for this weekend.

I currently drive the Volvo about once a week, and my expectation is always that I will appreciate the 300hp after a week of 0-60 in a year with the Focus. However that is not the case. A trip to Seattle on Sunday bugged the crap out of me. The seats feel way too cushy and the side bolsters (or lack thereof) make me feel like I'll fall out of the seat if I turn (thanks Recaro.) The steering is numb, there is no feedback, etc etc. It seems like I have said this 10 times since getting the Focus. The only thing left about the Volvo I like is the fact that its one of the few "fast" cars that's unique.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

So, you prefer Focus' boyracer feel to the Volvo's gentlemanly interior, and I have to agree with you. Focus' interior, while having odd shapes, had it's good sides when I drove one.

 

[Bones Brigade]

So, you prefer Focus' boyracer feel to the Volvo's gentlemanly interior, and I have to agree with you. Focus' interior, while having odd shapes, had it's good sides when I drove one.

Dont get me wrong, the Volvo interior is amazingly comfortable and very well put together. But thats the problem. The Recaros in the Focus hug you. The wheels move when you turn the wheel and it goes where you put it without fuss. The throttle response is right on. The pedal spacing is just right.

I traded a 350Z for the Volvo, and while I stand by my initial reasoning, it's clear to me now, that a big cushy car with big cushy response times won't cut it for me.