THSCC Forums

So I'm thinking about consolidating the fleet a bit more. I'm driving on track so infrequently that the M3 which is perfect and I love to death just sits too much. And my 540i which is also fabulous is more of a car than I need these days. Since I have the Durango and the Subaru for kid hauling, it's time for something less practical as a "DD" I work out of my house so it's not like I'm in need of a good commuter.

Needs:
- Excessive HP (300+) and preferrably torque
- RWD or AWD
- Trackable in stock form (no convertibles) and fun
- Reasonably competitive in stock class autocross (preferrably without destroying front tires in 12 runs)
- $$high teens, less than 10 years old, and hopefully 75k or less miles
- I am not interested in an "iconoclast" car, it's gotta be pretty well supported by enthusiasts and aftermarket
- Not terrible to drive on the street

Options? Z06 and E46 M3 are 2 cars I have always wanted to own, both look like good options to me.

PS: For Sale: Beautiful 280HP street legal track prepped BSP 97 M3, and 2000 540i/6 sport with Dinan stage 4

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

a e46 m3 is sufficiently similar to your m3 that it hardly seems worth the change, but the z06 option is tough to argue with. a 18k z06 will probably have fewer miles and be in better condition than a 18k m3, and it'll be significantly faster. and since you own two pentastar vehicles you're already inoculated against the "american cars suck" disease that infests some car enthusiast communities.

incidently, i was surprised to discover that this is not the first time the word "iconoclast" has been used in this forum.

- - $$high teens, less than 10 years old, and hopefully 75k or less miles


I don't think a Z06 fits into that category just yet. The lower mileage ones are still in the 25K range.

You might be able to negotiate this into that price range, but it's just barely under 75K.
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/ctd/1550686655.html

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In need of car.

i'm not sure an e46 M3 will meet both your price and mileage criteria, but i guess there are deals out there. for around the same price as a e46 M3 in good condition you can find a 996 911. those are the two cars i would be looking at, after all i am a euro junkie and vettes just dont appeal to me.

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#77 nasa spec 3
e36 M3

I knew there was something wrong with your BMW boy! What car guy guy doesn't find a Vette appealing?

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Vincent Keene
'06 Ford Mustang GT (track rat)
'15 Dodge Charger R/T (yeah, it's got a HEMI!)
'07 Ford Fusion SE (205,000 miles and counting)
'98 Chevy Z-24 (retired)
'93 Acura Integra (Team SWB 24HOL Car)

I agree with Jason on the M3 -- how much different can the E46 be compared to your car as it is setup? You know the first thing you'll want to do is coilovers/camber plates/bars/etc. Then again, perhaps that's the point?

If you want to keep the car stock for stock class autox, I would think the Z06 would be a lot of fun properly setup (other than the horrid seats in the thing). Given you've just experienced the M3 for years, switching to the Z06 would be a huge change and challenge. You'll either enjoy it or the novelty will wear off, and you'll end up selling it for the E46 M3 anyway.

What's the price on your E36?

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Current stable:
2019 BMW M2 Competition slicktop 6MT
2011 BMW M3 sedan slicktop 6MT
2007 BMW 328i wagon (slushbox for now)
1975 CanAm 125MX2

Z06.........................

No, wait, it's my house where I hear that a lot. Still.......

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SCCA Solo Triad Award Recipient 2014
SCCA HSL National Champion 2012
SCCA DSL National Champion 2013
SCCA DSL National Champion 2014
NCR National Driver of the Year 2012
THSCC Heel of the Year 2011
Former Club Secretary
http://www.petscompanioninn.com

I really miss driving my stock M3 on the street. Plan "A" was to pull the bar and race seats out, go back to stockers, and drive it. But since the car is so good as-is I'm using this as an opportunity to just make a change.

Z06 is sounding very tempting...

Chuck - several unbiased 3rd parties have recommended I list the M3 for $14-15k. If I mentally commit to doing this I'll probably make the ad sometime in the next 2 months. However if anyone is really interested in the car feel free to ask!

_________________
Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

You know what I think you should get, but there's that whole "no convertibles thing" for track events. You know. For all those track events that you never go to.



Given these two requirements, I don't think an E46 M3 is going to meet your needs.

Mike, at your specified price point, it sounds to me like you're looking at AS and BS cars. If you can't find a Z06 that you like, a standard C5 FRC might fit the bill nicely. DBW suspension for tire wear, plenty of power, should be a good car for the class. I'm unsure on pricing, but if a decent Z06 can be had for close to your budget, I imagine a FRC would be similar.

What about an Evo or an STI?

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Karl S.
2014 Baby, 2014 House, 2013 Ford Focus ST, 2013 BMW 328i, 1994 Mercedes E320
(Insert passive aggressive signature line here)

Back off Chuck... By the time that Mike makes up his mind on this...I might be tempted to ditch my current project.

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Tom Freeman
'98 M3/4/5 | '93 Spec3 325i | '12 TSX sport wagon | '03 Tahoe
Team Silver Bullets '91 240SX

Get a real sports car



none of that BMW broken shit, only pure General goodness. Back when they made money hand over fist by selling only the best products.

Good job Scott, I'm pretty sure that car meets exactly zero of my criteria

- Excessive HP (300+) and preferrably torque
- RWD or AWD
- Trackable in stock form (no convertibles) and fun
- Reasonably competitive in stock class autocross (preferrably without destroying front tires in 12 runs)
- $$high teens, less than 10 years old, and hopefully 75k or less miles
- I am not interested in an "iconoclast" car, it's gotta be pretty well supported by enthusiasts and aftermarket
- Not terrible to drive on the street

_________________
Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

350Z?

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Karl S.
2014 Baby, 2014 House, 2013 Ford Focus ST, 2013 BMW 328i, 1994 Mercedes E320
(Insert passive aggressive signature line here)

From what I've seen, they average about 230hp to the wheels in stock form. So there goes that excessive hp thing.

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In need of car.

M Coupe? Kind of a variation on the current theme.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/1531979850.html

Maybe a Camaro SS.
http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss32 ... 270011.jpg