What would you buy???

LightngSVT · 07-19-05, 12:48

Well the wife has a wild hair to move to a lake front house. This means a little cutting back on the "toys" becuase well lakefront property is way expensive for what you get! So Im thinking of selling my 98 Contour SVT daily driver and the "new" M3 vert to get one car Ill drive everyday, all year long. This will lower payments and insurance.

Im looking for something at / below $35k. I know I was considering the Z before but if I do this I need some practicality too. But fun to drive is very important, must be a true stick shift and still have a little "wow" factor to bystanders. Right now Im thinking:

2005 BMW 325i sport $34-36k(new)- a bit of a come down from an M3 though the 330i sport is pretty impresive for what it is
2005 Audi A3 $29-31k(new) -nice car, hard paint, relaible, sporty and can haul stuff / dogs
2005 Mustang GT $26-27k- To bad you cant find one anywhere!
2003-2004 SVT Cobra $23-25k- Performance, enough said
2002 - 2004 SVT Lightning $22-25k- Still the coolest truck ever. The useability of a pickup and the performance of a "sports" car

So post up your thoughts and ideas, maybe Im missing something?

hirosh · 07-19-05, 01:31

if it was me, i'd sell the m3 vert. it seems to be the most impractical car out of your collection, not to mention it's probably worth as much as your contour svt and lightning put together!

it's a shame you have to get rid of one of your cars though.

Corey Bit Spank · 07-19-05, 01:48

Volvo S40 T5 AWD or Legacy GT limited or wait for the Mazdaspeed 6.

2005GTPinMD · 07-19-05, 04:39

How about a G35x? That should be in that price range. If you want fast cheap and front wheel drive the Pontiac Grand Prix GXP might be worth a look.

I second the Legacy GT. Or how about an WRX STI?

Accumulator · 07-19-05, 05:24

When I read "hauling stuff/dogs" I think the A3 is the way to go. No wagon available in the WRX STi and the regular WRX wagon didn't impress me much (we sold it with no regrets). You could check out the Volvo, but IMO Audis beat Subies hands down when it comes to overall quality (yeah, I'm an Audi fan, but I *have* had Subies) and day-in/day-out, that would make the difference for me. Audis are just nice to spend time in. I'd buy the highest quality vehicle you can. Consider the differences between your Contour (neat car, BTW, and I don't even like FWD) and your M3. There's more to the difference than just performance, huh?

LightngSVT · 07-19-05, 06:20

I havent driven the Volvo, but their styling doesnt do much for me. The Legacy GT could be a consideration, I thought of one for the wife but shes going to want space for dive gear and the ability to tow jetskis or a little boat. Anyway, I have driven the WRX and while it was fun it felt fragile. Does the G35x have 4 seats and room to haul some stuff I know the Z doesnt have any space.

Accumulator, yes there is a big difference between the 2 cars, heck add in the 91 GT drag racer and the custom 93 Lightning, LOL. My tastes are fairly diverse. I bought the SVT because its was a inexpensive daily driver that was still unique and fun to drive. The M3 was a "dream car", a high performance, high class racer for the streets.

So has anyone driven an A3?

Corey Bit Spank · 07-19-05, 08:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accumulator

When I read "hauling stuff/dogs" I think the A3 is the way to go. No wagon available in the WRX STi and the regular WRX wagon didn't impress me much (we sold it with no regrets). You could check out the Volvo, but IMO Audis beat Subies hands down when it comes to overall quality (yeah, I'm an Audi fan, but I *have* had Subies) and day-in/day-out, that would make the difference for me. Audis are just nice to spend time in. I'd buy the highest quality vehicle you can. Consider the differences between your Contour (neat car, BTW, and I don't even like FWD) and your M3. There's more to the difference than just performance, huh?

The interior of the A3 is nothing to brag about.

Escotch · 07-19-05, 10:02

definitely check out a G35, the new ones make 298hp, cheaper than a BMW 3 series, equipped like a 5

SidiousXXX · 07-20-05, 01:07

Man dot get rid of that M3 you will regret it.

LightngSVT · 07-20-05, 05:12

I know I will regret it. But the wife wants a house on the water and it would be easier on us without 5 cars and insurances. I could always just look for an M3 coupe in the $35k range and call it even.

Way2SSlow · 07-20-05, 06:18

You could check out the Toyota S Runner. It's a pretty neat lil truck. It's got some power, it comes with a manual tranny, and it should be able to tow jet skis. I like Lightnings better, but they dont come in straight shift.

SidiousXXX · 07-20-05, 06:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by LightngSVT

I know I will regret it. But the wife wants a house on the water and it would be easier on us without 5 cars and insurances. I could always just look for an M3 coupe in the $35k range and call it even.

You can donate it to my business and write it off