HardHitter

1999 M3 does fall within that price range, but insurance, just like if I got an rx7 is going to rail me the most.

Ike

Actually, the cost to repair those cars would rail you the most.

playdoh43

im around a lot of M3s, dad has 02 E46, 2 friend has E46 convertible and coupe, another friend had E36 and sold it. the maintenance and true cost of ownership for the E36 is astronomical, something small breaks and youre going to pay lots of dough, it sucks *** for a college student. E36 was also very unreliable. I wouldnt touch a M3 new or used unless im out of college and have a good job. true cost of ownership goes well beyond the cost of the car.

Ness

I gotta agree with BlueEyes here. I wrote a similiar response last night but the forum died, so I just gave up and went to bed. So many people suggested the S2k, but I don't think it is the right kind of car for you. It is a very unforgiving car at its limits, way more unforgiving than any of the cars on your list. And Honda is done a great job maxing out its potential, so minor mods have little gains. You have to slap a turbo or supercharger on it to get a real boost in performance. However, I still love the car, and its perfectly practical as a daily driver for me. I don't need to carry much as a student and it gets better gas mileage than the other cars, 24 mpg city.

For you, the STI sounds like what you want in a car despite the interior. Easily modded, and turbo is awesome.

DARKMAZ8

Sure you got to pay to play with an m3 but it's in a different league. Heck, it's in a different sport. BTW the late 90's were pretty reliable. I'd rather have an n/a car then a turbo. Turbo's are nice and all but it's nice to have brute force at all rpms.

Ike

It's really not a different league though, all of those cars he listed can at least hang with and most can outhandle and outaccelerate the M3. They also have more modern looking interiors. I've had lots of seat time in E30 and E36 M3s, they're great cars (especially when your dad pays to repair them) but compared to the current crop of performance cars on the road they're not so impressive anymore.

DARKMAZ8

When I said different league, I ment overall auto experience. BMW Makes prestige automobiles. What you get is a sports car that has class. Out of all those cars mentioned, none of which have as much class as the M3. If I were bargain hunting for the best performer and I didn't care about looks and overall quality then the evo/sti would be hard to beat. For everyday use, I prefer to be seen/driving in something alittle more classy. The performance is definately enough for normal everyday driving and that is what I assume Hardhitter is after. Sure BMW's cost more to get fixed but if you find one that has been babied and has maintenance records, I wouldn't hesitate.

It is also one of the few rwd cars that has fold down rear seats. A feature that I wish the 8 had.

playdoh43

youre wrong about the M3s in the late 90s being reliable. Im a member of our local M3 club. the E46 guys have significantly less problems than the E36 guys and everyone pretty much babies their cars. E36 M3 are great performers, but they break down all the time. Granted the drive train is very reliable, everything else falls apart easily. A little tiny electrical probem can cost you tons of money. Recommending this car to a college student is a terrible idea.

I also dont know what youre talking about refering it to classy sports car, the E36 M3's interior is as spartan as they come. Its barely better than the wrx and sti interior, and they look worn by now while the used wrx/sti interior look much fresher. By todays standards, your average accord and camry has a nicer interior and better finish than the E36 M3, its a far cry from the rx8 interior. The exterior is also your boxy style relic from the 90s. I guess if that little BMW badge on the hood makes it more classy to you then more power to you. Im a big fan of the E36 M3, not because its classy or prestigious or whatever youre talking about, but because it handles like a dream and performs great around the track and twisties.
Its just not a good car for a poor college student. but it sure sounds like a good choice for you. you sound like youd be happier in a used E36 or E46 M3, why dont you get one. Ill be the first to congratulate you.

nzarnow

Okay, I am just going to throw this one out there...

Get a GTO. They have the most power at any rpm then any of those other cars, they are reliable, not bad looking, and in my opinion, pretty badass.

350hp/350tq or 400hp/400tq is hard to beat for that price. Get an 05 used one for 20-25k and don't look back!

HardHitter

Yeah, I love the GTO, the sound of the engine, the power, the torque, but look at the engine, a V8 and I am not getting a V8, no need for all that power either IMO.

I'm starting to just pull for a 2000-2002 330Ci. They look nice and can seat 4 and lot of luxeries. Only downside is that EVERYONE has a BMW, the maintence cost, and performance, it is probably the worst in all the cars I've listen in performance.

BlueEyes

I think they're pretty badass too. I wish they sold them up here.

DARKMAZ8

The 99 e36 has a better electrical system then the earlier ones. The interior is still really nice imo. I have driven my fair share of m3's(e36/e46). we actually sold quite a few of them at our dealership. I was always a fan of the m3 so I guess I am biased. If he's a student and wants to keep the payments at a minimum then why by a sports car in the first place? he should buy a new civic.

I would have bought the e46 instead of the 8 but 3 of my friends already have one. Plus I find that the steering of the e36 is better then the e46. The e46 is a tank in comparison. My next car will be the porsche caymen. My daily driver will be a 2000 ls400.

Hardhitter, check out this thread! https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=75355

Glyphon

they weigh 3725lbs, and consequently handle like they weigh 3725lbs. also, that's why you need that much power

mikeb

I would lean towards a g35 or lexus 350

playdoh43

lol these suggestions just gets more and more expensive now we're talking about $40k cars, he might as well just get the new Ferrari F430 while hes at it :p

DARKMAZ8

Seriously, I would consider the new civic si.

Ike

You're really hung up on what other people think of you, huh?

DARKMAZ8

Not really. I drive a mazda remember. You must be hung up on driving a cheap fast car. why? because you have something to prove riiite?

Ike

Defensive much? Push the issue, I'm on a roll today.

DARKMAZ8

Seriously, what is the difference between driving an expensive car for attention and buying a cheap fast car with a huge wing? I guess everyone likes alittle attention but I believe that you enjoy it quite a bit.

BlueEyes

DARKMAZ8

Is it that hard to comprehend? He's implying that I like expensive cars because I care what people think. I don't get why he worries about what I want or why I want it. I don't have a problem with Ike driving his wrx with his head held high. The whole Idea of racing or driving a fast car is to prove something to someone.

BlueEyes

It is hard to comprehend.

You have person A. Who bought a car for the badge, to impress people
and
you have person B. Who bought a car because they like to go fast.

Not really the same in my books, infact, there is quite a difference.

DARKMAZ8

It is more then going fast my friend. It is bragging rights. why would we care about track times ect. because those times prove something and Ike loves to prove how fast the sti is to every poor soul that listens. If he only cared about driving fast then we would have saved thousands of posts from Ike proving this or that. All I'm saying is Ike does care what people think too. It's the same thing just a different audience.

Steiner

This is going OT pretty quick so I'll sneak it one last comment before it gets shut down...

Test drive! Test drive! Test drive! The only way to avoid buyer's remorse is to drive the damn thing...multiple times if neccesary. Good luck dude. Let us know how it all turns out.