Giving up on the M3

[m3f_n_baker03]

It seems like you guys are all engineers and make a lot of money and the M3 is just out of my reach at the moment. I'm scared that if i got enough to buy a 95 with decent miles I would run into trouble and be financially f'ed.



I was just wondering what cars you would recommend for the same type of expericence and or quality. By quality I mean well built cars that don't fall apart like my 91 explorer. I know this is way off topic but I don't know where else to go, and I know many of you are very knowledgable about cars in general and could help me out.



One more question...If I end up getting another SUV would a late 90s 4runner or Pathfinder hold up better than others? If I go the car route I would need something similar to a 3 series...Should I stay away from american cars in general?



I'm lost and open for suggestion.



Thank you.



Nick

[m3f_PurpleM3Pursuit]

nick.. honestly.. we may be engineers etc.. but heck im still in school.. will be graduating in the summer.. i have been able to retain my car by working hard during the summers (50+ hrs a week) and then studying hard during the school year and watching my spending.. u can definitly do this if you put your mind to it.. im sure others can say the same.. also.. if you don't mind doing some of the work yourself (oil changes, installing mods (if you do them) etc) then it shouldn't be a problem.. i know what you mean though.. trust me.. before this i looked at a GSX because i figured that i could easily afford it on what i was doing and the job i had at the time.. got the M and things changed.. just gotta work harder for the things you want..

[m3f_cbraga]

What about a newer 323 compact? You could probably fetch a 98 or 99 for the price of the M3, it would be newer and cheaper to mantain. It's a 2.5 engine I think with 170 hp so it should be a nice car to drive.

[m3f_orijinal_p_92d6bcd8a9]

any japanese vehicle is gonna have great reliabilty

[m3f_///M3 FX_c539798270]

I haft to agree with purpleM3pursuit. If you do all of the regular maintinence things yourself you can do this. Im nowhere near making alot of money. I basically give my paycheck to the bank. Take care of the M and it will take care of you.

[m3f_n_baker03]

I'm in a little different situation. I don't have a "real" job. I play poker online for a living. I make over 20 bucks an hour and soon I should be making over 50/hr and 90 is in reach. I just can't count on money being there and I really don't want to get a loan. Also, I can't play as much as I want to because I'm a track athlete and we practice over 20 hours a week and all weekends now I have track meets. I think I'm gonna hold off on an M3 for another year or 2 when I have a little more cash, so I really need to find a "step up" from my explorer before I jump into the M3 action.

[m3f_IIrjII_d3ff03939b]

Man. You don't have to make lots of money to buy an M3. I'm not an engineer, i don't go to school. its all in how you manage your money, and how bad you want the car.

[m3f_bkearney_6f2af75349]

i think out of the nissan or toyota, the toyota is definatley a better car,.. i have a few friends with new and old 4runners, and they are solid cars,... both with over 100k miles on them,... i think that over all,.. american cars are junk,...

[m3f_Z Driver_38bb5042f3]

I think he's making a mature decision. He doesn't want to end up working just for his car.

[m3f_97BLKM3COU_0f375e15e2]

How do you get paid gambling on line, the house will eventually take you? Are you paid by the website or something?

[m3f_erikM3]

Nick , you sound like a nice, mature young man. I think you know in your heart you are making the right choice by not getting into something that you may not be easily able to get of if things go south. Being a gambler for living sounds well to be honest sorta shakey at best. The odds will get you and if you have a string of bad luck.... Also dont put your self in the position to be working for the bank, that suks. I mean these are toys, no one "needs" an ///M3. The maint can be high, insur at your age will bury you , etc.. The ///M is not going anywhere, in a few years the E46 will come down to the point to where you may want that ( not sure why since the E36 is king ) but you never know.

My car just flipped 86K miles and runs like the day it was born so if you do bite the bullet and get one , have confidence in it that it will last. If not may I suggest an X-Terra, I am on my second one, they are cheap to buy and cost next to nothing to maintain and if I say so, look kinda cool, it has personality. Good luck.

[m3f_n_baker03]

To the gambling questions...I've been playing poker for over a year and there isn't a house advantage...You are playing against the other players. The site does take a rake from each pot to make money but they have no stake in the winner of each hand.



To the other replys, I can't really decide between SUV or car right now, but I'm leaning toward a fun to drive car because driving my beast of an explorer just plain sucks.



I'm not sure if I want to get a cheaper bimmer or another fun import so I have some searching to do



I want to thank you guys for all of your input but I'm not going anywhere. I think i'll just lurk around this forum until the day i finally get my M.

[m3f_erikM3]

To the gambling questions...I've been playing poker for over a year and there isn't a house advantage...You are playing against the other players. The site does take a rake from each pot to make money but they have no stake in the winner of each hand.



To the other replys, I can't really decide between SUV or car right now, but I'm leaning toward a fun to drive car because driving my beast of an explorer just plain sucks.



I'm not sure if I want to get a cheaper bimmer or another fun import so I have some searching to do



I want to thank you guys for all of your input but I'm not going anywhere. I think i'll just lurk around this forum until the day i finally get my M.



Oh yeah, I had a 91 4x4 Eddie bauer Explorer, oh god, just about killed me more than once. I remember on new years eve, I was just going out for the night when the rear end let go :banghead: what a pos. Of course I am pretty dumb, I traded it for a brand new Cobra doh!.

I can say one thing you will never be bored in the ///M. After owning it all these years, I still get a kick out of it everytime I walk up to it to go out. I also always glance at it when taking out the garbage or walking out in the garage for something, its just something about those pretty tricolor ///M badge's that is so damn addicting. I have a big baller orange metallic Infiniti FX 45 riding on 22's, you think I ever give that beast a second look? Nope.

[m3f_salty_80d4b8491b]

When available cash is limited you are right to hold off buying an m3. I got mine at 45 and had a great time playing with every other car I owned up till then. So get one later if you still want one. I would say avoid cars with dubious electrical at all costs. You also want mechanical strength. Simplicity is a big virtue. (no twin turbo dodge stealth). The E36 323 mentioned would be a good choice as would a 328 in perfect condition. Buying the best can end up cheapest if maintained from then on. I would stay away from VW ( I have one, love it, but pay the price). My favourite bang for the buck platform would be a used Subaru Imprezza. They can be made to hang with an M3 in cornering (modded suspension), and leave it behind when the conditions turn marginal. They have a low center of gravity and in my experience are very tough and reliable. Crash numbers are excellent for their category. AWD is really something that adds a lot of Security if you see snow, and Sube has the best system in terms of mechanical layout and lightness. If you want a utilitarian spec one, the naturally aspirated examples come with between 142 and 168 HP , and the 2002 and later Turbo WRX has 227 to 300 (A lot more money than a perfect E36 M3 at this point). The best thing about the cheaper Subes is that the shell is built to take the 300 HP and then a pounding to boot. Steering linkages/ball joints were incredible on our 260,000 KM 95 Legacy, as was exhaust system quality for a Canadian car (Rust). Not Sure if Imprezzas have the same corrosion proofness of our Legacy. I don't think the 2000-2004 is as rust proof. The newest Legacy has a very impressive engine, but does not feel nearly as comfortable using it in a corner as an M3. Also the naturally aspirated engines have an agrarian crudeness to them when revved out (which might bug you...I found it mechanically honest), so if your heart wants an M3 it won't be the same. Other vehicles I would enjoy, Ford Focus SVT and the Mazdaspeed Protege (saw a great deal on one last week), as well as a VW Golf 1.8T. If you can find a mint Accura GSR that might be fun, it is still the best gearbox/engine/clutch/shifting machine I have driven. I see no point wanting an SUV if you are looking for something that will eventually lead you into an E36 M3....the best real world car you can get IMHO, so assess your needs and finances.

[m3f_AMPowerJ_e8f979e5cd]

I have had a 99 4Runner and now I have a 2001 4Runner. I love it and think it is the best SUV on the market. I shopped around and found my 01 for $18,000. Good luck without whatever you end up doing.