The best "driver's car" will pretty much always be the BMW. The E46 design is one of the best and will always look great. They did introduce the SMG transmission, a lot of people have them and as long as they are maintained correctly, they seem to work good too. If you like racing, the SMG will always be faster than even the best guy in the 6 speed. Bimmers do require maintenance (as do every other car), and if you can find a good, maintained E46 M3,you may really fall in love with that beautiful S54 individual throttle body, straight six. They made a few CSL versiions that are rare but still out there. Lots of people are letting these cars go in favor of the V8 M3's, so you never know what you will find. The best places to look for authentic, maintained ones are in the Roundel magazine (the BMWCCA National magazine), it also can be had in digital format. Roadfly dot com also has a pretty good selection of Bimmers, and a lot of other nice German cars. The first E46 3Series I bought new, I drove it from Sacramento to Tucson, Arizona straight through and I wasnt even tired. That was around 1,200 miles. They are amazing driving and road cars. The 6 speeds are great, there are all kinds of mods that can be done to them including Superchargers, etc.. Hey, maybe you can even find a well maintained E39 M5 in that year range - very nice, bigger, V8 individual throttle bodies, really nice inside, you may fit better in these if you are really tall, a really sweet road car, and those 4 pipes out the back - just the best. There are a couple of black ones I Detailed on my website.. If you want to get into the Roundel magazine through the BMWCCA website let me know.. Dan F BMW CCA # 194648
I don't know if its your thing, but the 2011+ Mustangs are fantastic and are starting to dip into that price range. That would be one of my top choices, but I might be biased... Other than that, an e46 M3 or Corvette would be my other choices. Maybe a Porsche Cayman, if you could get one down to that price. edit: You might also be able to get into a lower mileage GT500 for that price too. That would be my first pick.
How about a 03 Evo. Perfect car right out of the box w/o needing a mod w/ plenty of power. E46 M3- smg and dash issues E39 M5 - if you're ok with 10mpg Porsche boxster - not worth it Porsche Cayman - they haven't dropped to 25k yet but you may find one. Who knows... 08 + STI - you can find many in that price range S2k - it's reliable and decent and less than 25k.
/\/\ really? I only had mine for about 5k and didn't have any issues with it. So I guess but that's weird. BRZ means - Boxer engine, rear wheel drive, zenith
Just to make it more confusing a customer of mine made Hoon of the Day on Jalopnik. Hes a circuit drifter trying to make moves this season. Its NSFW because of a few bad words - fyi. Straight ear candy otherwise http://jalopnik.com/5884931/bmw-e39-m5-drifting-is-back
wow wasnt expecting this thread to get this long lol....honestly i was all over the sports car thing until i drove a clients e92 smg carbon roof m3......never felt like that in a car before or after and i have driven a few more expensive/faster cars....everything just felt right in it... i have done some research over the last few days and im leaning more toward the e46 m3 or the c6 vette....idk luckily i have a few months to test drive and research things...thanks for all the help guys
Mike --- Loved the Hoon-of-the-Day Video !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing a little of the infamous E39 M5 Power !!!!!!! Dan F
I have a client with an E39 M5. Simply awesome. At my age, its all about the complete package, Luxury, handling, performance. The M5 is it. Maybe a C63 or E55.
Some other suggestions in the used 25K price range: Mazdaspeed 6 - T4cyl AWD Had one and loved it Infiniti G coupe or Sedan Jeep GC SRT8 - Beast Nissan Maxima Lexus IS350
I drove LS 430 and it's ride is like watery mashed potatoes...it's just too soft. If I was 60, then I'd buy it, but I'm 30, and would rather get a firmer ride. Check out MBZ E350, Audi A6, BMW 5-series, as well as Infiniti M45 ('06 and newer), G35/G37, new (newest bodystyle) Nissan Maxima. Test drive each, and see what you like for yourself. There are a lot of surprises out there...
think im going for the e46 m3 guys 6spd mt ...laguna seca blue, jet black or they have a dark hunter metalic green i have seen....hope to find one modded already because mods are $$$$...and i just pray to the car gods that its trouble free...i love to drive and travel and will probably drive it alot
