What car to buy with $30k??????????????

[Hey, Moe!]

I`d lean toward the E46 M3, but that`s just me. I do know someone who knows something about the ins and outs of used BMWs, and he`s fine with the E46 M3, but is seriously against the SMG (automated manual) transmission. In his mind, SMG stands for "Serious Money Gone."



In his opinion, the SMG is prone to issues, and fixing it without replacing it is akin to finding a needle in a haystack.

[imported_Larry A]

G35 or a Toyota Avalon or a loaded Hyundai.

[C. Charles Hahn]

I`d lean toward the E46 M3, but that`s just me. I do know someone who knows something about the ins and outs of used BMWs, and he`s fine with the E46 M3, but is seriously against the SMG (automated manual) transmission. In his mind, SMG stands for "Serious Money Gone."



In his opinion, the SMG is prone to issues, and fixing it without replacing it is akin to finding a needle in a haystack.

After having recently been exposed to the first SMG I`ve ever encountered in an E46 M3, I have to say I`m far from impressed. Even a fully functioning unit like the one in the car I worked on is really finicky and feels quite strange . My preference would absolutely be to just get a 6-speed with a clutch pedal and call it a day.

[mikenap]

After having recently been exposed to the first SMG I`ve ever encountered in an E46 M3, I have to say I`m far from impressed. Even a fully functioning unit like the one in the car I worked on is really finicky and feels quite strange . My preference would absolutely be to just get a 6-speed with a clutch pedal and call it a day.

Yup. I have two friends with SMG E46s, where mine is a 6-speed. Their cars feel more "artificial" for some reason. I wish I could explain it better, but they just feel a little off. IMO, you can find a pristine E46 M3 for well under $30k, and in that range nothing else can match the performance, style and class of that car. Then again, I`m a little biased.

[rdorman]

This.......









E63,E64 FS: 2005 645ci, 6 spd, 57K, Jet Black $28K - Bimmerforums - The Ultimate BMW Forum

[Dan]

^^^ Nice but what sort of nut would buy a jet black?!?!?!?!?!

[Accumulator]

^^^ Nice but what sort of nut would buy a jet black?!?!?!?!?!

My thoughts exactly! You couldn`t *give* me a car with that paint, it`d dimish my quality of life.

[lostdaytomorrow]

All depends on your goals, but if it was me...



04 C5 Z06 for about 22k with less than 40k miles, and then 8k on the LS6.

[nimilko]

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[Accumulator]

Heh heh, with all the cars being mentioned I can`t help but get up on my soapbox and say:



Better save some of that money for a good driving school or your new $30K toy is gonna bite ya if you let it off its leash.

[Ron Ketcham]

One week from today, I am going to a sale.

Two cars that I think can be worth a bit more in a couple of years.

Not exotics, just good iron and growing in value everyday.

1964 Ford Country Sedan, all original, black paint, red interior, 352 V8, automatic, factory air, 79,000 miles, owner has had it for 30 years.

1977 Thunderbird,all original, 21,600 actual miles, loaded, like new, 289 V8

Think the wagon will bring more money, but going to try and get it at my price, same with the Bird.

These cars are drivers, but most important, easy to sell at a profit when I am ready to sell either of them.

Grumpy

[Accumulator]

Ron Ketcham- You mean "Country Squire", not "Country Sedan", right? Just wondered since you said "that wagon.." :think:



Man, I could be all over that thing. What a dog-hauler it`d make!

[Ron Ketcham]

I think that the Sedan is correct, as it is a plain jane, pictures don`t show any fake wood side trim.

Wasn`t the Squire outfitted with that fake wood trim, and a higher interior finishing?

They are advertising it as a "Country Sedan".

What the "hey", it`s cherry, doubt I will be able to bid high enough but it`s worth a chance.

Have two buddies that are going to bid on it, but they agreed to stop if I give them the "sign".

After all, sure that they wish to be around for Xmas with their families.

Grumpy

[Accumulator]

Ron Ketcham- Eh, my memory might be foggy, but I *thouht* the wagons were all "Squire"s, woodgrain or not When you get it we`ll know for sure But yeah, somebody with deep pockets might take a fancy to it....good luck with it. [Accumulator will *NOT* be searching it out and bidding as his Crown Vic continues to stimulate the economy...talk about "what to buy for $30K ]



That`s one really cool find there...the Cougar strikes me differently as I remember my band director getting one new back when they started with that "Baby square-Mark" styling.

[Ron Ketcham]

Back in the late 70`s, I had a couple of the LTDII Limited`s.

First was the tan and dark brown, the 79, I ordered, black and silver, 351, loaded, even got the "travel tank" option.

It carried almost 35 gallons of fuel, and on the interstate would get 22 mpg, my bladder took a beating on that car.

The thing with the Bird that is for sale (same as the LTDII, just different trim level, I can drive it, enjoy it, and put up with people coming up to me in the parking lot to chew my ear off about how neat it is, etc, etc.

Don`t get that often with the newer cars unless a true high dollar exotic, and a few hundred grand.

Plus, can sell it after having some fun with it and at the least break even, more likely to make some bucks.

Grumpy