Another car I should consider?

[ViNcEnXo]

I don't think you can go past the BMW M Coupe - I just want one!

[arcane]

Thanks for the responses guys. I'll try and address some of the points...

12arx3: There are a few without leather, but they're the lower spec models. A few of the examples I've seen in person have had fairly poor condition leather, too (not cracked, but dirty as hell), so it could be a difficult issue. That Anniversery edition came out with white leather, too! Good luck finding one of those in good nick.

Hypo: I know what you mean I've been struggling to find non-SMG examples (the SMG's are just problematic, and I want a real manual ) under 100,000km.

The R32's are cool, but I was after a slightly bigger car. To be honest, I've never driven one, so it might be worth checking some out.

As for the 350Z's... for some reason I've never found them exciting. Admittedly, I've not driven one, but something about the image of them doesn't really have any appeal to me. Perhaps a 350Z owner can convince me otherwise?

I love the A6's, and I was rediculously close to purchasing one a little while back (cash ready, debating over the final price) - they're just more of a daily driver, than something to have fun with on the weekend. The 4.2's are definately an awesome thing, but the running costs are insane. I'd still love to get one, though

jizzmonkey: I know... it's a difficult decision, hence my apprihension in purchasing one. I guess it doesn't have to be Euro, but I've never really been happy with the interiors and quality of the local cars.

The S4's a nice car - don't get me wrong. They've got more torque than the M3, but the motors are pretty complex (2.7L 30V V6, twin-turbo) and can be a bit of a headache when they've got some mileage on them. The build quality and interiors are simply awesome though. With a chip, downpipe and intake they really move, too - but you end up having to replace a stack of other items which get overstressed.

kwottr0: Okay, sure! I'll pay the first $45k, and you can cover the rest? :p

tremolo: Elise's are cool (although the later model ones are much better than the early model ones, which are in my price range), but I'd be thinking they'd make for one hell of a day-to-day car. Being able to seat four is also something I wouldn't mind.

I really do like the new GTi's, but - and it's hard to put into words - but I just don't feel that much appeal for them.

No thanks on the Alfa

The Fezz is cool, and I'd imagine that either a) they're not that cheap or b) I'll be selling limbs to keep up with maintence costs.

peter_vod69: As mentioned above, I've never really like any Holden or Ford I've sat in. I've no doubt they're quick, but they're not something I'd be happy with.

The 6 MPS and Liberty GT are both cool cars, but to me they're in the same sort of category as the GTi - I'd be more than happy to own one, but I'm trying to find something a bit "sportier".

sv_i: Sure Geoff! :p

edo: Your car is awesome - no doubt about that. I expect someone else would enjoy it a lot more than I, though

ViNcEnXo: The M Coupes are pretty cool. Seating issue aside (I assume they're 2-seaters?), they're also more than what I'm looking at spending

[sejanus]

hmm, I know you said you don't like ford/holden - but if it came down to choosing a oldish bmw with potentially a scary future maintenance/servicing path vs a brand new car with 3 years warrranty with 6 litres under your foot, I know which I'd choose.

[wiggah]

hmm, I know you said you don't like ford/holden - but if it came down to choosing a oldish bmw with potentially a scary future maintenance/servicing path vs a brand new car with 3 years warrranty with 4 litres of fucken whoosh under your foot, I know which I'd choose.

fixed.

[arcane]

Hah, yeah. If I were to go the Holden/Ford path, I'd choose a Ford.

[wiggah]

the new BF2's are a surprisingly good drive. i decided not to get an xr6t after driving a BA 4sp auto, then drove the 6sp auto BF2 and had to get one should be here next week.

[Captiva Fan]

I could probably do you a deal on a real good (more than double std power, handling & brakes), 3 year old, 10,000km XR6T for those $...it will comprehensively smoke the M3 everywhere...

I'd argue that while it'll smoke the M3 in terms of performance, it won't necessarily be more fun. It really depends on what you want; Falcodores have gotten better over the last decade, but all that tactile & appearance stuff is still pretty crappy compared to what BMW put in an M3. Everything you touch & look it inside the car while you're using it is just so low-rent in the XR6T of which you speak; not to mention it rattling apart over the next 30k kms.

I'm not saying that someone after performance shouldn't consider the XR6T as it's prolly a quicker car. However, I can understand why someone who enjoys the feel of a car might enjoy the slower M3 more.

[260BC]

BMW, good for the first two years, from then on you are on your own baby, financially speaking

[tremolo]

I'd argue that while it'll smoke the M3 in terms of performance, it won't necessarily be more fun. It really depends on what you want; Falcodores have gotten better over the last decade, but all that tactile & appearance stuff is still pretty crappy compared to what BMW put in an M3. Everything you touch & look it inside the car while you're using it is just so low-rent in the XR6T of which you speak; not to mention it rattling apart over the next 30k kms.

I'm not saying that someone after performance shouldn't consider the XR6T as it's prolly a quicker car. However, I can understand why someone who enjoys the feel of a car might enjoy the slower M3 more.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[Cal]

R32 Golf

http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars...ime|1&trecs=62

That car belongs to a mate of mine. It is immaculate. Best exhaust note ever. He's selling it because he bought a new Golf GTI.

Cal.

[arcane]

I'd argue that while it'll smoke the M3 in terms of performance, it won't necessarily be more fun. It really depends on what you want; Falcodores have gotten better over the last decade, but all that tactile & appearance stuff is still pretty crappy compared to what BMW put in an M3. Everything you touch & look it inside the car while you're using it is just so low-rent in the XR6T of which you speak; not to mention it rattling apart over the next 30k kms.

I'm not saying that someone after performance shouldn't consider the XR6T as it's prolly a quicker car. However, I can understand why someone who enjoys the feel of a car might enjoy the slower M3 more.

You put into words what I couldn't say

I'm not after a car that has eleventy billion kw's, and can do a sub-10-second quarter mile. I'm after something M3-esque. I'd get an E46 M3 if I could afford to, but that won't be for another year or two.

I probably should mention that I'm not planning on keeping whatever car for more than two years, either (not that I don't think I'll dislike whatever I end up buying, but I know I can never remain happy with a car choice for that long :D )

EDIT: I might go for a ride in an S4 again, so I don't prematurely cross them off my list.

[sherb]

if you've got $45K to spend and care about your money.. the best advice I can give you (along with accountants) is..

DON'T SPEND LOTS OF MONEY ON A DEPRECIATING ASSET

If you don't care about money or have too much to waste, then get teh M3!!!