TheSilverFox

Just sold a '05 comp package, having regrets but needed to make room for GT3. Removed the clutch delay a month before I sold it and made the car much more driveable. Would like to give a e39 m5 a try.

SignatureJames

I have the exact combination today. Toy daily is E46 M3 competition package and weekend the 997.2 GT3 . I have access to a E39 M5 and man what a great definition Of a true sports sedan. It has good power and real world use and this is when BMW made their mid size sedans handle like a sport sedan should handle versus today's modern pig midsize sedan definition

tomc_mets

Great thread. Anyone want to thumbs up/down on a used 350/370Z as a cheap, play car?
T

bergx7

I had an 06 comp pack E46. I think I want something even a bit smaller but it was a great car. Only issue with it was the gearbox and pedals were not set up very well for heel toe.

Looked at a bunch of cars today:

1. 2001 Miata ($6.5k, 100k miles): don't fit, fun to drive but won't work.

2. 2013 Miata Club ($20k, 5k miles): awesome little car, still would need a way to drop the seat at least 1.5 inches. Bucket seats on the floor?

3. 2000 Boxster S ($16k, 18k miles): not quite enough headroom and steering wheel does not adjust. Also didn't love it. Skip.

4. 2006 Boxster S ($17k, lightly modified, 88k (!) miles): plenty of room! good power, but is this an ims failure waiting to happen? Boring choice?

5. 2002 Honda S2000 ($16k, 60k miles): surprisingly just fit with seat all the way back. Interesting option but I didn't have time to drive it

I am leaning toward 987 Boxster or S2000...

Need to find an m coupe/convertible to sit in

Or do I just need to find a unicorn 87 carrera for peanuts?

dsu*

1989-1991 Nissan Skyline GTR. Roomy but feels pretty nimble with some suspecion upgrades, power can be tuned to your likings, cheap to maintain, lots of parts available through the right sources.

Unique, fun, RHD, and Legal!

993GT

My friend is considering selling his, R32 GTR, licensed in Ont. CAN. ....

osu s2k

s2000!!!!!!!! Irecently picked up an italian and dare i say it....the s2000 is stilla bit more fun to drive. You can wring it out without going to jail on the road.

onelove

I think its' the perfect compliment to the GT3, most of the Gt3 owners I know (myself included) have owned one at some point. I'd love to pick one up as a daily driver but showing how a coupe would be any more practical than my GT3 in terms of hauling our child around has proven to be quite tough....

onelove

I had a Z4M coupe, to me it offered everything the E46 offered and then some in a smaller package, it was a fun track car and with a proper suspension and brake pad setup is quite capable at technical tracks. Don't know that they've gotten sub 20K yet though.

Shivatron

I'm 6'6" and have an NB Spec car which I fit in as well (well, Spec-ish -- it still has a cat and e-brake so I can drive it to DEs). Stripped and caged cars are generally a bit roomier than the equivalent street car, so YMMV. Leg room is a bit tight as you can see in this video:


Honestly the best smiles/$ car I've ever owned, BTW.

Modena 1

First where do you live?

Around here (Long Island close to nyc) I would not want to spend much time in a Miata or e30 or s2000 or whatever. You will feel minuscule compared to the lumbering Tahos, Denali, Range Rover etc. Not to mention it's dangerous. Never in time have people been more distracted while driving and never have there been so many SUVs on the road. This is a concern for even our gt3s but hopefully you are driving this less frequently, on a weekend morning, and they have airbags etc.

Second, what is the point? Top down fun? Cheap? Or to row some gears?

I have always found that buying old cars kind of sucks. I am too ocd. I spend the money and time to make them right even if I don't like them. So now I just know to stay away. And they always need something. So that car you trying to "rely" on for fun becomes a chore, or a reminder of deferred "someday to do" maintenance. (Admittedly the Miata which I also like, and s2000, which I think is too slow for what it is, are two cars that just take gas, that is it). Ok a few ideas no one else mentioned:

If you are in a fairly populated area, get a suv. Hoon it around town. Park wherever. Don't worry about getting hit. I have a grand Cherokee and pay 350 a mo for it. It's amazing. It's quick enough, I am pretty sure I have gotten it on 3 wheels on several ramps and I can start it from my phone remotely when it's cold. I have washed it 3x in 18 months. It's liberation from my two gt3s. No shifting. I bump curbs. I park in tight spots. It is the iPhone of cars. Everyone should have one (most people do!) Not convinced? Ok.

E36 m3 - my favorite of all the generations and under appreciated and also the cheapest! The motors are stout and you can find this in a vert. They also are a little heftier than a Miata or s2k. But big tq and short gearing makes it a goon around town and just as fast as a e46 till about 90mph. Don't cheap out. Get the best (most expensive) and you likely will not lose money.

Subaru BRZ? Lease it. Better yet, see if you can assume someone else's lease. Slow but fun, safer newer Miata kinda. Not sure if you will fit.

dsu*

Car looks clean and rare in white. I assume it's a 1992+? Don't think Nissan produced any white R32 pre-1992. They are amazing cars, fun and relatively cheap to build/maintain/enjoy. Few friends and I brought over a few from Japan. Well worth the hype and the cost.

boostedt0y

Great minds think alike! I recently needed to purchase a daily driver. I had an e46 m3 in the past and loved it so I was thinking about getting another one. However, I decided I wanted something a little different and ended up purchasing an e28 535i. It cost a total of 12-13k including the price of the car to get the car to my liking. After all the work, I now have a car with completely new interior, stereo, brakes, coilovers, control arms, bushings, wheels, etc. that are to my liking. It's not the fastest car, but it's so much fun to cruise around town with and just oozes character. Some gratuitous pics.

bergx7

Great stuff guys.

Very nice 535! Looks well refreshed.

E36 M3 is definitely a good choice too. Would consider a slicktop coupe if I found one. The pedal/gearbox setup in those and in the E39 M5 are both better than the E46 M3 (stock for stock).

R32 skyline would be interesting though I've never even seen one much less driven one.

Leaning toward S2000. Hopefully low maintenance and may be able to do a few easy mods to make it a bit lighter than it already is. I also like that it is a super stiff chassis despite being a vert.

I did just see a $35k 1998 Lotus Esprit twin turbo... Probably a bad idea but that car is sexy.

007DT

If you are leaning towards a Convertible.. Consider and E46 M3 Vert.
You can get a real nice one under $20K.