Help: next car (M3, w210, WRX, ??)

[scottschoe]

My parents are happy w/ my SAT I scores, so I am on the lookout for a new car. Last week I was soooo close to buying a white 97 e320 (tinted windows, 19" lorinser LM1's, 2" drop, flawless exterior, clear title), but our mechanic told us the engine/small bits of the interior were not in good condition. :mad: :mad:

I'm looking at:

-subaru wrx
-e36 bmw m3 (preferably the sedan)
-bmw 5-series
-modded w210 mercedes e-class
-lexus is300

Any comments? Also, if you have any other cars I should take a look at, feel free to chime in.

[krk230]

out of that list...i'd probably pick the e36 m3...what's your price range?

btw: what did u get on ur SATs? :D

[scottschoe]

price range is mid 20's; the cheaper the better though.

my score was 1560 (800verbal + 760 math). i have some inability to score well on the math section. missed 2 on the verbal and 2 on math

[sachb69]

if ur gonna mod something..mod the wrx..that car looks deadly with a wings west kit....but if your keeping the car stock go for the W210...

[ronald_m]

350z

[scottschoe]

350z is a little out of my price range.

[kostonmenikmati]

m3 all the way

[C280 JR]

210-for looks and style,(mafia)
M3-for speed
WRX-for even more speed(moded)

Elvir

[Ozzie Bob]

Moving to 'Autotalk' as you are asking about non Benzes too ;)

[So.Cal_Benzo]

5 Series (mod it)
W210 (mod it)

[C-Kompii]

New Subaru Legacy B4. Not sure when it will be out in America though.

http://www.subaru.co.jp/legacy/bt/gallery/ex014_wp_s.jpg

http://www.subaru.co.jp/legacy/bt/gallery/in003_wp_s.jpg

This car is essentially a more luxurious WRX STi. (4WD too)

-G'day-

[Dr. ///AMG]

Originally posted by So.Cal_Benzo
5 Series (mod it)
W210 (mod it)
:werd:

I'd take the Benz.

[HdS500]

M3 fo shizzle

[MidniteBluBenz]

M3 without a doubt.

[Fanatic]

E36 M3 for sure, but isn't the sedan rare?

Otherwise, if it is in the budget 540i Sport with 6-speed tranny. Nothing like a V8. Forgetaboutit. :P

ps. If you look hard enough you should be able to find a 500E for that price range. :eek:

[carmaniac]

get the new WRX and mod it!

[redline]

Originally posted by ronald_m
350z :werd:

starts at 26k

[So.Cal_Benzo]

Scott, what year WRX are you planning on buying?If it's the early models with the 'bug eyes' forget it. It looks ugly imo.:(
Don't get a Japanese, especially when you can get european.;) Unless, you're considering the STI or Evo VIII.:D

Plus, how many kids around your age are driving fixed up BMW's or Benzes? :)

[krk230]

Originally posted by scottschoe
price range is mid 20's; the cheaper the better though.

my score was 1560 (800verbal + 760 math). i have some inability to score well on the math section. missed 2 on the verbal and 2 on math

Wow congrats on the excellent score!

...

Anyways back to the subject...

As a college student I'm sure you want something like a newer model, low miles, fast & fun to drive...and not too expensive to maintain (compared to a high-mileaged car)...

If you're goin' German:

Go with e36 M3 w/ low miles and all the maintaince records...you just have to watch-out for M3s because you know they've probably never really been babied (in terms of driving-style)...

If you heading the Japanese route:

Why not consider a Surpra? Probably a later model (1998?)...

[AMGDood]

99 M3 in white....beautiful.

wow and good job on your SAT! damn...i only got a 1320. (720 verbal, 600 math) Guess I gotta try harder in october to beat your score. Good luck with your new car man.


edit: Have you considered a used C36? Theyre hard to find but excellent cars. Also definately look into a supra. My friend picked his up for 25 grand and it came with a fully built engine and a T88 turbo:eek: he's putting out 770 to the wheels on full boost.

but if youre only going euro i say M3 or C36.

[dtmcoupe]

wrx is nothing compared to an m3. throw some 500/700springs good shocks and a few engine mods on the m3 and you have an amazing car. the wrx cant be abused as the driveline cant take much compared to other cars. but the wrx is kicking ass in auto x as the awd gives you an advantage in low speed situations.

[MB300E87]

that legacy looks amazing. i would so rock that.

[Golden1245]

damn, high 1500's, good job. what high school do you go to in San Francisco?

[carmaniac]

hm.... ever consider of getting Audi S4??
That is one hell of a car as well.... bi-turbo engine, 4WD, etc.

[scottschoe]

so_cal: probably a 2002 wrx. not too many of my friends drive nice euros, but verrrry many neighborhood kids do.

krk: even though i love the supra, i really doubt that my parents would let me buy it. they still have a say in it....sort of :rolleyes:

AMG: yes i was on the market for c36's a few months ago. nice engines, but they're quite hard to find unabused....mechanics have told me they're rather difficult to maintain @ high mileages. also it's a little small, and for the same price i'd rather go for the faster bmw m.

golden: menlo-atherton, which is near sequoia/menlo/sacred heart. very bad school.

maniac: i just looked up some lightly used s4's.....that's really stretching the budget. the s4's appearance never really appealed to me, probably because i don't know audi's too well.

[carmaniac]

Originally posted by scottschoe

maniac: i just looked up some lightly used s4's.....that's really stretching the budget. the s4's appearance never really appealed to me, probably because i don't know audi's too well.

do ya mind telling us how much is your budget?
i raced an S4 couple of weeks ago with my 02 WRX, damn that car is fast... i've already modded my WRX and hardly can keep up with that car.

[scottschoe]

budget is mid twenties, but the cheaper the better......i'd prefer low twenties

another upshot of the m3: did i mention how much poon that thing attracts lol. the supra too for that matter.

[carmaniac]

Originally posted by scottschoe
budget is mid twenties, but the cheaper the better......i'd prefer low twenties

another upshot of the m3: did i mention how much poon that thing attracts lol. the supra too for that matter.

might want to check this out,
click here (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6131&item=2416385018)

[scottschoe]

thanks for the info maniac. love the dinan m3 convert. however, i'm kinda wary of ebay for performance cars; i might end up with a tracked abused pos that has a flawless exterior/interior.....you never know. especially with m3s.

[So.Cal_Benzo]

Originally posted by carmaniac
do ya mind telling us how much is your budget?
i raced an S4 couple of weeks ago with my 02 WRX, damn that car is fast... i've already modded my WRX and hardly can keep up with that car.
What have you done to your WRX?

[dtmcoupe]

if you get an m3 get estoril (that blue in the convtable is estoril) or white. those are the ONLY colors you should consider. unless you want red, which is ok, because everyone should own a red sports car at one time or another (im waiting for the f70 :D )

[BenzoAMGpower]

mid 20s.....i would get a C43 AMG!!!!

[lee2375]

you can have my E320 for 21 ;)

[BenzoAMGpower]

seriously....you can have my Silver 99' C43 for $22k

[scottschoe]

hmmm i like how that c43 sounds. i don't think i'd want a stock e. too bad u guys are so far away

anyways an update of sort: my cousin loves the new lexus is300 (but i think they look a little too ricey and are slooooooow). this weekend we're driving some is300's and m3's. go m3 go

[kodiak]

pick up a good E430. Not to throw a wrench in the whole thing, but how did you get an 800 on the verbal and miss 2?

~dnm

[So.Cal_Benzo]

Originally posted by lee2375
you can have my E320 for 21 ;)

I would soooo get your E320 if i had the money! Scott, get his E320.. it is da bomb!

[krk230]

Originally posted by So.Cal_Benzo
I would soooo get your E320 if i had the money! Scott, get his E320.. it is da bomb!

:stupid:

omg! scott you must get the Wheel X's w210! YOU WILL BE A BALLER! :D :P ;)

[scottschoe]

kodiak: the sat's are curved every year so there's always a normal distribution.....so if that certain verbal test was very hard, it would be possible to miss a few and still get an 800. on the math, many people do very well no matter what so missing one will drop your score dramatically.

guys tell me more about this 210......what's so special?

[krk230]

does this answer your question? lol...

http://www.wheelexperts.com/wheelexperts.c..._thumbnails.asp (http://www.wheelexperts.com/wheelexperts.com-asp/gallery_feature_thumbnails.asp)

http://www.wheelexperts.com/wheelexperts.com-asp/images/gallery/feature/002_e320/03.jpg

[So.Cal_Benzo]

Originally posted by scottschoe

guys tell me more about this 210......what's so special?
Nothing special to tell, really. Oh, its just a regular E-class with an Auto-Couture body kit and 19 inch Auto-Couture Magnifique wheels, finished in metallic silver with polished lip, measuring 9" fore and 10.5" aft. and some other Auto-Coutre stuff on it.

Go to this link and tell us what you think?:)
http://www.wheelexperts.com/wheelexperts.c.../thumbnails.asp (http://www.wheelexperts.com/wheelexperts.com-asp/gallery/feature/002_e320/thumbnails.asp)


[Edit]: Karan i hate you! You beat me to it! You desi-style indian you!:P

[krk230]

Originally posted by So.Cal_Benzo
[Edit]: Karan i hate you! You beat me to it! You desi-style indian you!:P

just call me turbo-desi :P :banana: :bunny:

[So.Cal_Benzo]

Originally posted by krk230
just call me turbo-desi :P :banana: :bunny:
ok wutever! Just delete your post before i come to your house and... and ummm, YEA, just delete it.:mad:

[krk230]

Originally posted by So.Cal_Benzo
ok wutever! Just delete your post before i come to your house and... and ummm, YEA, just delete it.:mad:

uh-oh :eek: ...mods please delete my post before Karim comes over...i don't want him to kick a ball at me...hehehe ;) :P

[btw this may not make any sense to any other members on the board :P ]

[AAA_cubed]

Originally posted by scottschoe
price range is mid 20's; the cheaper the better though.

my score was 1560 (800verbal + 760 math). i have some inability to score well on the math section. missed 2 on the verbal and 2 on math

Wow,,, congrats on the high score man.. thats like genious level for me

[So.Cal_Benzo]

Originally posted by krk230
uh-oh :eek: ...mods please delete my post before Karim comes over...i don't want him to kick a ball at me...hehehe ;) :P

[btw this may not make any sense to any other members on the board :P ]
hahahha, i know how to use my fist! Ask the russian dude who i got into a fight with... he knows i can box!:D ;)

Oh and nothing makes sense, especially the ones coming out from you!:P

LOL. Ya know we is coo...:cool:

[scottschoe]

although i do like the car:

-my parents would let me get a car from out of state
-1996.....first year....more miles than i would like
-i'm not too hot on that engine

i'll stick to local cars. wheelX's 210 is beautiful stuff though.

[Golden1245]

Ahh, I love these threads, I remember when I posted one a while back when I was getting my first car for college. These guys were really supportive haha.

I ended up getting a 1999 C230K with 39,000 miles for 24,000$. For low to upper twenty grand, you really can't get anything that has show and go. A 1999 328is i wanted still costed 29,000$ and a 1999 M3 still cost 32,000$. All the C36's I wanted had over 70,000 miles on them which is too much for me, a WRX full optioned will still cost about 30,000$. So i just went with something that had a little show and a bit of go as well. c230k

[kodiak]

If you like the older body style of the WRX, you can pick them up new at the dealer for under 20k these days.

~dnm

[scottschoe]

UPDATE: well we just sent a potential purchase to the garage for inspection.

what kind of car is it? secret. (for now at least, don't want to jinx it)

hopefully if all goes well I'll be driving it in a few days

[C280 JR]

hmmm is it at least a car form the list that you provided

Elvir