g35_white

test drives are schedule for today evening and tomorrow morning. i am sure we will love all 3 - 335i, corvette and 370z. And we may have to finalize the deal that's why this question.

I will be driving 370z again but an older model(2010) this time.

I am not able to find any good M3 in my price range.

Shamu Z

I think Cayman S is great choice. Maintenance costs are not as much as people say and these cars are bullet proof. Awesome brakes, m97 engine is much improved and pretty much miatenence free. Great tranny. Easy on tires. Best handling car of the bunch.

bheaver

Teach the wife to drive stick then buy the Cayman (mid engine ftw)

g35_white

In my area, there is only one S on sale and they are asking $66k for it. Not in my budget.

Found two cayman of 2008 models and they are in my budget.

She know how to drive a stick, but she is in no mood to own one. She wants an auto. No questions asked else i will have to face this

IDrm350

iTrader: (8)

Neither. I would get a 370Z. The early 335i (the ones in your price range) are maintenance nightmares (bad turbos and HPFP). A lot of them will be going out of warranty (4 year/50K miles) about now and even if you can find one with a warranty, the downtime when it's in the shop will drive you crazy. A 135i will be the same story.

I don't know a lot about Corvettes as far as reliability but perception alone would steer me away. They just scream middle-aged crisis. If it were a Z06 we were talking about, that would be different...

I know you said you are nixing the M3 and S5. I just want to reinforce that decision and say that's a good decision. The M3 in your price range (E46) has a clunky SMG you won't like and needs pricey maintenance (valve adjustments). The S5's direct injection V8 suffers from carbon buildup which also requires pricey maintenance (remove intake manifold and manually clean intake valves) to avoid serious power loss and misfires.

g35_white

Thanks for the detailed information on each car. Man, the upkeep for bmws, audis does sound like a nightmare. Since it will be a daily driver, i would prefer lot less of a repair shop time.

I am leaning towards 370z or corvette more and more. The test drives reinforced that.

Another confusion that has cropped up for past 2 days is, should i get a pre-owned 370z or a new one. The new ones have 0% financing for 60 months and are available at good prices. While pre-owned ones are also good like a 2010 370z going for $28k or so. The new one touches $40k almost. Then there is the corvette which is a 2008 model and around $35k. So don't know what to do. Pulling my hairs every day.

SniperHunter

iTrader: (9)

Get new with 0% finance. Just make sure you get both Navi and Sports. If it's too much, get used with Sports + Navi

IDrm350

iTrader: (8)

In the end it's a personal choice IMO. Are you willing to pay ~$12K more (for the 370Z) for peace of mind regarding the history (or lack there of for a new car)? I personally will never take the retail hit just to know every detail of the car's history. Instead, I do my due diligence and look the car over very carefully (or have it independently inspected) and due as much research as possible.

I also like to let the previous owner work out the bugs before I get the car.

specialized5223

iTrader: (38)

I researched into the Caymans, big problem with motors blowing at random. Plus the new generation comes out soon so value will drop further.

I have a 335i convertible with the n54 motor. Love it. Performance mods include FMIC, JB4 piggyback and 50/50 e85/e93 and I'm over 400whp/wtq. Can't beat that anywhere.

E9x m3, unprecedented driving performance and pleasure but once you've had 400wtq and 28mpg, going to an NA v8 with 27x wtq and 20mpg doesnt compare. Hell, I've even got an M3 front on my car and quad exhaust so you can barely tell minus the hood...

Vette is my performance pick of the choices but that will get OLD as a dd...


All the rest aren't even considerations to me. Goodluck!

Shop TPMS

iTrader: (1)

If you can, try to stay away from the 2008-2009 BMW's or just any N54 335i in general. The newer single turbo N55 335i's are much better. I've worked with a ton of these BMW's and a lot of my customers had headaches going back and forth with the dealer.

Duckeee

iTrader: (7)

modding wise, n54. daily driver never ever mod wise, n55. sure.

resident25

iTrader: (3)

I've been contemplating an M3 myself. I would go that route if I had the same "dilemma" you have. IMO though, sports cars should be manual, try your best to convince the wifey!

g35_white

Yes, i am carefully evaluating what is the best option. Lets see when i bite the bullet.

I don't think my ride will be ever modified. Even if i do, it will be subtle mods outside and inside. Nothing with the engine.

I am looking at 2009-2011 335i coupes. Since you mentioned this, i will omit 2009 too.

Thanks. It will never under go any engine mods for sure.

M3 is not in my budget. The one that come in my budget are 2004-2005 models which i don't want. 2008-2009 models are like $45k+ which is over my budget.

specialized5223

iTrader: (38)

If you're referring to HPFP problems, it's not an n54 specific problem...

Agree to disagree. 3-series is by no means any sort of undercover epic track star. The difference between the two other than age is how well they take to bolt-ons and tuning. That said, the n54's primary compliment is its ability to spruce up the daily drive that much more than an n55.




Regardless, goodluck with your decision making!

specialized5223

iTrader: (38)

Given your criteria and limitations, a 370z sounds like your best option! Perhaps a G37 if you want to bridge the gap in luxury a little more...

Duckeee

iTrader: (7)

Respectively, to each their own. I drive these cars at work all the time if that means anything, and as much as I like the N54 more than the N55 in terms of modding, the difference between the two in day to day driving is minimal. You will have less problems with the N55 and it is preferably newer and also more than likely under warranty still, a bonus that the OP wants.

N54 does indeed have fuel pump issues, wastegate rattles, and high oil temp issues. in the end i'd still get an N54 for myself. in the OP's case, not so much.

hellman_x

iTrader: (3)

Might as well let the wife pick since she wears the pants.

jmkv

I am in the similar situation, except I do not have the wife.

g35_white

Small Update

Test drove 2013 Genesis Coupe Grand Touring. Initial impressions below:

- Looks good in real life. Hate the fake vents on hood.
- Good feature list.
- Don't feel like it has 348 horses under hood.
- Drive was boring. Nothing to write home about. Especially after driving 370z and others. Handling on the freeway entry where i usually test all cars was not good. It was nervous and steering was light and unresponsive. I am sure R-Spec and Track will be better but they both don't come in auto.
- In D mode, it shifts very early. Hate that. Power doesn't come as eagerly as say a 370z
- Using paddle shifters is a pain. They rotate with the steering so it is hard to know which one is up shift and which one is down shift.
- Interior is good for $27k car what with leather at right places and good feel switches. 370z is still better but the difference is $5k so it good.
- Interior space is good. View outside is good too unlike 370z.
- Price. The MSRP is $33k for Grand Touring. Without me negotiating any discounts the guy was ready to give it away for $27k+ taxes + fees. There is a summer carnival going on that is why.
- Awesome warranty. Great safety ratings.

Well this has come under consideration because my wife likes it. Chances are i will not allow her to get this as its not as good to drive as others in the list below.

So the short list for now is as follows:

- 2010-2012 370Z. ($29k-$34k)
- 2008 Corvette ($36k)
- 2010 335i coupe ($35k)
- 2013 Genesis Coupe GT ($27k)
- 2012 Camaro 1LT ($26k)

now its going to be decision time soon. Stay tuned

She will as soon as i am done short listing the cars.

pss350z

iTrader: (6)

Lol

i see a Miata in op's near future.