30k to spend on a car...

Urijah1086 · Oct 12, 2010

So I have 30k to spend on a car and have narrowed it down to :

e46 m3
135i
03 911 w/ 14,000 miles (my dads friends car, its in immaculate condition) wants 30k for it..

What yall think? Any other options ?

RFX45 · Oct 12, 2010

370z

Also, doesn't the 135i start at around $35k?

amstokesdb9 · Oct 13, 2010

Originally Posted by Urijah1086

So I have 30k to spend on a car and have narrowed it down to :

e46 m3
135i
03 911 w/ 14,000 miles (my dads friends car, its in immaculate condition) wants 30k for it..

What yall think? Any other options ?

do you have the money to service the 911? Though it does sound like a fair price for low miles.

a gently used G 37 can be had for that sort of money now as well

Benzito · Oct 13, 2010

I'll be the first prude to say you should only spend half and invest the other half for the future.

Yeah, right.

You can get so much more BMW than a 1-series if you go CPO. M3 and M5 are absolute beasts.

I don't know for sure if it affects the 911 in that model year, but you should check the engine reliability and problems related to IMS and RMS. The mileage is too low for the problem to show itself and it is an expensive retrofit or engine replacement.

vitaminc · Oct 13, 2010

Originally Posted by Benzito

I'll be the first prude to say you should only spend half and invest the other half for the future.

Yeah, right.

You can get so much more BMW than a 1-series if you go CPO. M3 and M5 are absolute beasts.

I don't know for sure if it affects the 911 in that model year, but you should check the engine reliability and problems related to IMS and RMS. The mileage is too low for the problem to show itself and it is an expensive retrofit or engine replacement.

CPO M3 or M5 is out of CPO range. And Bimmer is a fkn ***** to maintain.

username79 · Oct 13, 2010

Originally Posted by Benzito

You can get so much more BMW than a 1-series if you go CPO. M3 and M5 are absolute beasts.
Um, no you can't. The 135i IS an absolute beast and a much more fun car to drive on the street than an E46 M3. New model M3s or M5s are no where near the 30K range, even for a high mileage 08s. E92 resale prices are ridiculous. It can be cheaper to buy a new M3 than buy an '09. The 135i is in a class of its own in its price range. A 6-spd M-sport can be had in the low 30s and runs 0-60 in 4.7s (feels even faster since it pulls so hard down low) with much more refinement than a G37 and none of cheap nastiness and boy racer appeal of a 370Z. Zero maintenance costs for four years seals the deal.

yjeezle · Oct 13, 2010

get a 328i CPO for ~20-25k with extended maintenence.

pocket your 5-10K worth of money.

Enjoy. (Why do i say the 328i instead of the 335? Simple b/c the 328i is more reliable)

Then again, by the choices you listed, you're interested in a sportier ride rather than a reliable one.

Remember, costs for cars don't stop upon sale. Maintenence costs and etc. can be a pain too.

username79 · Oct 13, 2010

Originally Posted by yjeezle

get a 328i CPO for ~20-25k with extended maintenence.

Remember, costs for cars don't stop upon sale. Maintenence costs and etc. can be a pain too.

Why would anyone buy an underpowered used 328i for 25K when a brand new 135 (+warranty/free maintenance) is available in the low 30s? Have you seen BMW lease rates lately?

Night Owl · Oct 13, 2010

none of the above, dodge challenger

Originally Posted by username79

Why would anyone buy an underpowered used 328i for 25K when a brand new 135 (+warranty/free maintenance) is available in the low 30s? Have you seen BMW lease rates lately?

1 serie rook rikes hyundai erantla

impolyt_one · Oct 13, 2010

Do 996 3.8's have the same oiling problems as the 3.6? Wasn't it established that the general design of all the non-turbo water cooled blocks (Boxster, 996 and 997 C2/4's) was prone to failure?

You can get a ton of car for $30K though, indeed. I think I would choose the M3 over the 996, only for the fear of premature block failure/maintenance costs on the 996.

epb · Oct 13, 2010

Originally Posted by impolyt_one

Do 996 3.8's have the same oiling problems as the 3.6? Wasn't it established that the general design of all the non-turbo water cooled blocks (Boxster, 996 and 997 C2/4's) was prone to failure?

Porsche didn't correct all the problems with these engines until 2009, when DFI debuted. The turbo and GT3 are safer bets as they use a different block.

The OP seems to have no real criteria, which makes it hard to make a recommendation. I'd say a Hyundai Genesis coupe with 3.8L engine, which is nice looking, decent performer, and can be bought new with full warranty for the budget.

Urijah1086 · Oct 13, 2010

I really just want something that will be fun to drive lol i know thats pretty vague but thats what im looking for. What do yall think of Lotus Elise's?

impolyt_one · Oct 13, 2010

I'd be afraid of driving a Lotus Elise, only marginally safer than riding a superbike. Wouldn't want an F-150 to T-bone you, that would get nasty.

You do know how much M3's and 911's out of warranty cost to fix, right?

Urijah1086 · Oct 13, 2010

yeah thats why im leaning towards an 135i that has a warranty, i ride a cbr rr soo the whole getting t-boned by a f-150 only slightly concerns me lol

JayJay · Oct 13, 2010

Originally Posted by Urijah1086

yeah thats why im leaning towards an 135i that has a warranty, i ride a cbr rr soo the whole getting t-boned by a f-150 only slightly concerns me lol
Only slightly?

30k to spend on a car...

Senior Member

Stylish Dinosaur

Senior Member

Senior Member

Distinguished Member

Distinguished Member

Distinguished Member

Distinguished Member

Senior Member

Timed Out

Senior Member

Senior Member

Timed Out

Senior Member

Stylish Dinosaur

FEATURED PRODUCTS

Similar threads

Featured Sponsor

Yes, I have a signature fragrance I wear every day

Yes, I have a signature fragrance but I don't wear it daily

No, I have several fragrances and rotate through them

I don't wear fragrance

Forum Sponsors

Forum statistics

FOLLOW STYLEFORUM ON: