Johnny Sack

i have a budget that i like to stick to with cars, and as much as id love a e46 m3, i think that it would kill me on the back end.

i dunno. this is a hard choice.

Carbon Blue

R32, you wont regret it!

trainwreck

oh boy, a s2000 owner dishing out the "chic car" label...

al4t1gbundy

What about 3rd party warranty?

What is your overall budget (maybe i missed it) ...

but you can find E46 m3 for insanely low. I was tempted to fire the bullet many times again, but not sure if I really wanted to own one again.

I mean I've seen 04-05 for like 30!! From what I've seen aftermarket warranty can go from 2000 as well... not sure how reliable it is.

FWIW though, I don't think the E46 M is that PITA to own like say the Audis (friend had Audi). Besides my CEL hiccups, there was nothing really major. My car was not stock either, so maybe the stock one holds up better?

If anything, do not get an SMG out of warranty though.

2wheelsmoker

I would just do the R32. No use drooling over it forever and ever. It's not like you can't sell it later. If this is your chance, seize it! Or you'll end up like me always wondering what it'd be like to own an NSX and S2000 and never getting the chance to. I'd be pretty happy with either of those cars right now if I had one but never got around to it. It doesn't look like I ever will anymore either.

medicalstudent

that's quite a varied list. Unless you're going to collect BMW M Cars, stick with the Evo. You could find an NSX for $25k if you're patient enough.

S2kMY05_Berlina

2008 Legacy 2.5 GT Limited
Starting at $28,295*


Standard Features:
243-hp turbocharged SUBARU BOXER engine
241 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
MPG: (manual) 19 city / 25 highway^
(automatic) 18 city / 24 highway^
4-wheel independent suspension
SI-DRIVE performance management system
Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) standard with automatic transmission
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Power tilt/sliding-glass moonroof
Leather-trimmed upholstery
8-way power driver seat and 4-way power front passenger seat
Performance-design front seats
4-stage heated front seats
Steering-wheel-mounted audio controls
Sport-design electroluminescent lighting
XM

Johnny Sack

eh, its pretty much a 4dr R32. the .:R is better looking iMHo

Slamnasty

I've never heard of a disatisfied R32 owner. They hold their value well (or at least WERE until the A5 model came out), and they have all the modern features (though a nav-equipped car might be hard to find) for a pretty good price. Other cars out there will perform better, but A4 Golfs are solid, and while the R32 isn't purely AWD, it'll definitely outhandle regular GTIs, and probably be at least as good as your E36.

But in some ways I kind of agree about keeping the E36, unless it's expensive to fix. You'd be going from a 4-door 240hp 12 year old car to a 2-door 240hp 5 year old car with semi-AWD. I think the R32 looks better (I don't think the E36 aged well), and the aftermarket for them is ridiculous. The R32 will probably cost less than an E36 to fix, but more than otehrs you listed.

Carbon Blue

why not??