996 Turbo for sure. No motor issues, insane performance bargain for the buck.
996 Turbo for sure. No motor issues, insane performance bargain for the buck.
How about a BMW 1M? Pretty rare but I'm seeing some in the 50k range.
-Hamid
You could build one AMAZING E30 with the parts from that car, and still have quite a bit of cash left over.
Buy it back. Wide body kit, carbon hood and trunk. You will still probably have enough cash left over to visit any racetrack your heart desires.
Cayman S or 996 Turbo... Similar pricing, just figure out which one you want more. The 996 Turbo doesn't have IMS issues, so that's a big plus.
if you like the car (the hail didn't affect the drivability) … take the money and continue to drive it …
unless the looks are more important
One more for thought, the NSX is in that price range.
Buy it back
Thanks for the replies.
The car hasn't been officially written of yet, more me venting my frustration at the situation and thinking it through, so I have no buy back price yet, though I will consider it. I did tell the appraiser that all body panels on the car are bolt on, even the roof and quarters, so that might help.
I'll have to take a longer look at the 996tt and Cayman/Boxster. I've had 2 friends with 996tts and one of them even has 330k miles on his with few problems. The reservation I had with the cayman/Boxster is both the IMS issue, and more so how cheap the earlier boxsters are now, depreciating hugely.
The NSX is probably out as they are too old to finance, which I was planning to do for part of this purchase as my credit union has 1.49% rates, so I make more keeping my money working in other places.
I should know today or tomorrow from the insurance company.
V8 M3 with the DCT.
Add Borla exhaust.
Try to hide your boner.
Fr3AkAzOiD wrote: Buy it back
+1 for that option.
One quick comment on your search possibilities, a C6 Corvette is smaller in every dimension except width (it's 1 inch wider) than an E92 M3. It's 7 inches shorter front to back and 5 inches lower. They're also substantially lighter than an M3.
I'm not sure where the impression comes from that they're huge cars but they aren't.
Sonic wrote: I did tell the appraiser that all body panels on the car are bolt on, even the roof and quarters, so that might help.
Hmm... find another Z4 coupe with a good body and maybe mechanical issues... spend a w/e swapping panels.
Eh... probably a silly idea.
Sorry to hear about the M. That sucks. 
Lots of good suggestions so far. I really like NSX, Evora, C6 and S2k. Although they're all over the map in terms of "specialness" and performance.
I would say if you choose not to buy it back (and that's okay)... just do GRM the favor of at least passing along the buyback offer.
There seems to be plenty here who would like the opportunity to buy it at buyback price (plus courtesy fee to you) to make it worth your while.
+1 on the 1 series M
It would be difficult to find a more "special" car, and there is a very good chance they won't depreciate. You sure won't see yourself on every corner, and if you liked the driving experience of the Z4 M Coupe-- chances are you'd love the 1-M.
Brett_Murphy wrote: Buy back the Z4, drive the snot out of it. The hail didn't affect how it runs or drives, did it?
+200
Tell people at the track it's using the same science as a golf ball!
I for one could not stand to drive a dented up car. Especially one as sweet as an M coupe. I know most of you are weirdo's that never wash your cars, but to me the cosmetic condition of a car is just as important as performance. Maybe even more so. If it can be returned to the condition it was in then fine. There is no way I could drive it in the shape it's in now. IMO, YMMV, ETC, ETC...
Add me to the list of people who will totally buy it from you if you buy it back from insurance and want to get something different. 
But will it not have a salvage title now?
Does TC Kline still make carbon fiber body panels for this? If so, I might go that route!
Damn dude, how'd you get your carrier out so fast? SF is still telling me another 2-3 weeks. So much for their CAT plans being sound.
Really sucks the BMW is beat. The kids know that you and I work very close together, so after they saw my Leaf, Josh asked "What about Chris' car?" When I told him you had the BMW at work, you should have seen his face. He only saw your car a few times, but he thought it was super awesome.
As for what to replace it with, I would say the Evora would be a great fit. If you get one, you've got to let me take a spin in it. That and the Elise are bucket list cars for me. I'd also be worried about non-drivetrain reliability issues. The Boxster/Cayman would probably be a good fit. M3 is never a bad option.
And why no Nissan? Did driving my Leaf sour you that badly?? 
Sorry to hear this news. What a gorgeous car. I would be looking hard at a Cayman S.
stumpmj wrote: One quick comment on your search possibilities, a C6 Corvette is smaller in every dimension except width (it's 1 inch wider) than an E92 M3. It's 7 inches shorter front to back and 5 inches lower. They're also substantially lighter than an M3. I'm not sure where the impression comes from that they're huge cars but they aren't.
Optical illusions. They are really wide with long doors though. The cargo capacity is awesome, here I am loaded for a weekend at the track.
In reply to Petrolburner:
My wallet dares you to show me a picture of bike stuffed into the back of one. 
In reply to Ian F:
A bicycle? A dirtbike won't fit unless it's fully disassembled.
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