Used car heaven: S2000, 350Z, G35, 330i/Ci ZHP

[sportyaccordy]

Say you have 20K or so to burn on a new car. You're a bachelor living in a metropolitan area w/a 15-20 mile commute. What would you go with???????????????????????????????????

[SVT666]

G35

[Secret Chimp]

Living in the city, I'm going to value the ride and round-town flexibility, so forget the S2000.
Why get a 350Z when you can have a G35, so forget the 350Z
Why get a 3-series imitator when you can get a 3-series
Therefore 3-series

[Onslaught]

Out of these cars G35. I'd rather have an RX-8 then any of them myself.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

a 3 series or 5 series or a used 911

[giant_mtb]

It's between the G and the Z.  I'd go with the Z. 

[Vinsanity]

Say you have 20K or so to burn on a new car. You're a bachelor living in a metropolitan area w/a 15-20 mile commute. What would you go with???????????????????????????????????

FWIW, I bought the Caddy under those exact circumstances

[MX793]

G coupe or sedan (or doesn't it matter)?

[280Z Turbo]

S2000

[TBR]

330ci ZHP in a heartbeat. My favorite E46 and possibly my favorite BMW period.

[BimmerM3]

It's a tough pick between the S2000 and the 330i (I'd rather have the sedan). I'd probably go for whichever one was in better condition and lower mileage for the money.

330ci ZHP in a heartbeat. My favorite E46 and possibly my favorite BMW period.

Just out of curiosity, why the 330ci ZHP over the E46 M3?

[TBR]

It's a tough pick between the S2000 and the 330i (I'd rather have the sedan). I'd probably go for whichever one was in better condition and lower mileage for the money.

Just out of curiosity, why the 330ci ZHP over the E46 M3?

More liveable on a daily basis and without the gawky fender flares.

Plus the regular 3 has the more modern looking headlights.

[hotrodalex]

More liveable on a daily basis and without the gawky fender flares.

Plus the regular 3 has the more modern looking headlights.

Gawky? No.

And I like the pre-facelift headlights better. Of course I own a pre-facelift car.

I voted S2000 because I already have a 3er.

[the Teuton]

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=252777638&dealer_id=71752&car_year=2001&rdm=1227465890490&num_records=25&model=M3&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&engine=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&certified=&fuel=&body_code=0&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=200&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&first_record=26&make=BMW&color=&keywords_display=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=15213&advanced=&end_year=2009&pager.offset=25&transmission=&doors=&max_price=&cardist=196

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[Cookie Monster]

S2000 w/ hardtop.

[the Teuton]

See last post.

I'd even buy one in this ugly color and with a top that goes down so I could even flaunt the limited taste and unlimited showoff abilities I have.

[CJ]

Just don't get an M3.  Check Edmunds InsideLine Long Term Tet Blog for my reasons why.

[sportyaccordy]

Living in the city, I'm going to value the ride and round-town flexibility, so forget the S2000.
Why get a 350Z when you can have a G35, so forget the 350Z
Why get a 3-series imitator when you can get a 3-series
Therefore 3-series

G35 back seats are usable but not really a concern. 350Z looks pretty good in 2006+ guise w/the new wheels. Plus you get better performance, gas mileage, and parking opportunities in an urban area.

A 3-series is cool, maybe even better than a G stock, but w/the aftermarket and improved performance over a 3 I think the sacrifice in 'un-quantifiable performance' is worth the $$$ saved

Out of these cars G35. I'd rather have an RX-8 then any of them myself.

Big motor gas mileage, small motor torque.... middle of the road straightline performance.

As far as the E46 M3, it's a great car but it's too over the top looks-wise for me. Plus while the capabilities of all cars here are well beyond anything that should be achieved on the street, the sacrifice in ride quality, gas mileage and maintenance costs aren't worth the benefits IMO. Granted, an S2000 or 350Z aren't exactly grocery getters either, but the lowered running costs of them vs an M3 would lower ownership costs in the long run.

I drove my friend's S2000 in the same awful streets I drive my car now on. I think with *better* shocks it would ride decently. It wasn't too different from my car now.

[Raza]

See last post.

I'd even buy one in this ugly color and with a top that goes down so I could even flaunt the limited taste and unlimited showoff abilities I have.

I'd want one in Laguna Seca Blue.

As far as the original post is concerned, your city traffic is pushing me away from the S2000, which was my knee jerk reaction.  For some reason, AP2s have dropped drastically recently, and they've become attainable at my 15K price point.  AP1s are being reported as being sold for as little as $7,500. 

The 350Z is enticing.  They sold roughly four hundred million of them, so finding a good one at the right price would be easy as pie.  The 350ZR is also enticing.

But if you want a hardtop, I think I'd take the G35 coupe over the 350Z.  Yes, it's slightly heavier, but you get about the same power, just about the same speed, just about the same looks, and of course, two extra seats and a sunroof. 

The 330i/Ci ZHP is the Performance Pack, right?

[Raza]

Just don't get an M3.  Check Edmunds InsideLine Long Term Tet Blog for my reasons why.

Care to give us a hint? 

[CJ]

Care to give us a hint? 

Upkeep is very expensive.

[Raza]

Upkeep is very expensive.

Who would have guessed that a fifty thousand dollar would be expensive to own after the warranty period?

[the Teuton]

Upkeep is very expensive.

I think the $25,000 bargains in C&D outlined the ownership costs relatively well.  An M3 is going to be expensive no matter what.  My friend Ebay'd a rubber driveshaft bushing that would have cost $300 from the dealership for $100.

You can affordably own an M3.

[sportyaccordy]

ZHP stands for "zee high perhformur"... yes it is the Performance Pack. I like it more than the M3 because it is more subdued, it has the face-lift headlights and a better bumper, and cool wheels. Plus it's available as a sedan, and I've always preferred the looks of the 4dr to the overly sedanish coupe.

I believe some of them are available with the totally unnecessary SMG as well.

I haven't seen any AP1s for less than about 12K around here, up in the cold northeast during the winter. I imagine that unless the economy completely tanks, they'll be back up to about 13-15K on the low end.

Gs are cool but in the northeast their ubiquity is second only to big body Maximas and Altimas. That really dilutes their appeal. They are unbelievably fast though; the S2K I drove was peppy in that VTEC way (speeds are attained quickly, but you never forget it's a 2.0L 4 banger)... however the G35 was frighteningly fast, and only worse with every upshift. Plus I am on the love side of the polarizing exhaust note.

I like the Z though. '03s are dirt cheap, and to a degree butt ugly stock. But with 07 headlights, some aftermarket bumpers + skirts and 07 wheels they would look great. Plus a slide-over aftermarket sunroof is only 1g.

But the S2K has the ultimate sunroof... and better gas mileage.

Great time to be an enthusiast.

[280Z Turbo]

Just don't get an M3.  Check Edmunds InsideLine Long Term Tet Blog for my reasons why.

When you look at the specs of an M3 vs. a 335i, I have to wonder why you'd buy an M3.

The 335i has more torque, costs thousands less, and is nearly as fast.

[Raza]

When you look at the specs of an M3 vs. a 335i, I have to wonder why you'd buy an M3.

The 335i has more torque, costs thousands less, and is nearly as fast.

I doubt it's more fun. 

Granted, the 335i I drove was an automatic, but it feels like driving a big easy button.  I like to have to work, at least a little, to get some power.

EDIT:  Are you talking about the current M3?

[sportyaccordy]

I doubt it's more fun. 

Granted, the 335i I drove was an automatic, but it feels like driving a big easy button.  I like to have to work, at least a little, to get some power.

EDIT:  Are you talking about the current M3?

I hope he's not talking about the E92; those are well beyond the scope of this discussion.

The 335 is beyond the scope of this discussion as well.

I was also wondering how the WRX STi/EVO IX fit in here; but I really hate AWD.

[the Teuton]

04 and 05 STIs can be had at your $20,000 cap, and I know Evos can.  They sell for less usually.

[TBR]

Gawky? No.

And I like the pre-facelift headlights better. Of course I own a pre-facelift car.

I voted S2000 because I already have a 3er.

Gawky? Yes. They aren't that bad, but they are over the top imho and almost ruin the otherwise very classy E46 coupe. An Alpine White E46 M3 with red leather and a good price would certainly give me something to ponder if I was ZHP shopping.

[BimmerM3]

I don't understand red leather. I think it's the ugliest possible leather color.