You're going to spend $50-55k on a car, what do you do?

759NRNG said:

I find it odd that you are having this dilemma, considering your background I'd of thought you'd of already found that 'IT' vehicle.

As mentioned, there are just a lot of options in the price point I'm willing to spend. Lots of REALLY good options.

And the "IT" car changes as you age and priorities change.

I used to not mind wrenching on something. But after doing things like swapping an S52 into an E30 in a gravel driveway, multiple engines in the track miata, multiple suspension setups in both, etc. I want the easy button at the moment.

G_Body_Man said:

z31maniac said:

Chadeux said:

In reply to Cotton :

This may sound silly but I think I'd rather have the TA. Or a 392 Charger for that matter. 

 

I really do love the look of the new Chargers and nearly 500hp stock off the floor. 

Even though HPDE will be infrequent, the curb weight is just a killer. And they are WAY undertired for their weight and power from the factory.

The weight is inescapable, but the lack of rubber is part of the reason why the 392 now has the optional "Dynamics Package" with 6 piston brakes and 275/40R20 Pirellis.

That's still WAY too little tire for the HP and weight. 

SS 1LE 285/305

GT350 295/305

M2 245/265

I like that it's a square setup, but with 4100lbs and 500hp, that thing needs a minimum of 315 all around. If not like 315/335

EDIT: 4300lbs! Holy hell!

z31maniac said:

G_Body_Man said:

z31maniac said:

Chadeux said:

In reply to Cotton :

This may sound silly but I think I'd rather have the TA. Or a 392 Charger for that matter. 

 

I really do love the look of the new Chargers and nearly 500hp stock off the floor. 

Even though HPDE will be infrequent, the curb weight is just a killer. And they are WAY undertired for their weight and power from the factory.

The weight is inescapable, but the lack of rubber is part of the reason why the 392 now has the optional "Dynamics Package" with 6 piston brakes and 275/40R20 Pirellis.

That's still WAY too little tire for the HP and weight. 

SS 1LE 285/305

GT350 295/305

M2 245/265

I like that it's a square setup, but with 4100lbs and 500hp, that thing needs a minimum of 315 all around. If not like 315/335

At some point, wider does not make you faster. 

Remember high school physics that force of friction comes from coefficient and weight. Area cancels out because it is in the numerator (friction per square inch) and the denominator (pounds per square inch). Even worse, wider tires don't even change the area of your contact patch!

Obviously there are factors not included in the ideal example, but even GRM did a test a few years back and found skinnier tires faster in some cases.

M240i 2017 base$47,945  f225/40zr ,r245/35zr, 3507lbs, 335hp

Robbie said:

z31maniac said:

G_Body_Man said:

z31maniac said:

Chadeux said:

In reply to Cotton :

This may sound silly but I think I'd rather have the TA. Or a 392 Charger for that matter. 

 

I really do love the look of the new Chargers and nearly 500hp stock off the floor. 

Even though HPDE will be infrequent, the curb weight is just a killer. And they are WAY undertired for their weight and power from the factory.

The weight is inescapable, but the lack of rubber is part of the reason why the 392 now has the optional "Dynamics Package" with 6 piston brakes and 275/40R20 Pirellis.

That's still WAY too little tire for the HP and weight. 

SS 1LE 285/305

GT350 295/305

M2 245/265

I like that it's a square setup, but with 4100lbs and 500hp, that thing needs a minimum of 315 all around. If not like 315/335

At some point, wider does not make you faster. 

Remember high school physics that force of friction comes from coefficient and weight. Area cancels out because it is in the numerator (friction per square inch) and the denominator (pounds per square inch). Even worse, wider tires don't even change the area of your contact patch!

Obviously there are factors not included in the ideal example, but even GRM did a test a few years back and found skinnier tires faster in some cases.

Vorshlag has shown on mulitple cars they only continue to get faster with wider tires, up to something like 275s on even a BRZ. 

759NRNG said:

M240i 2017 base$47,945  f225/40zr ,r245/35zr, 3507lbs, 335hp

www.bmwusa.com, right now shows $45,300 starting MSRP for the M240i. Not that it matters, I'm not interested in that. The only BMW I'm interested in is the M2.

$53,500 MSRP for the M2. Again, according to bmwusa.com

But I'd add the Executive package and the DCT transmission.

check out the latest C&D lightning lap edition.....

759NRNG said:

check out the latest C&D lightning lap edition.....

Not sure what that has to do with MSRP. 

And for LL, why no M2? No GT350? No 'Vette? But a bunch of big luxo-barges? 7 of the 19 cars are huge 4 door sedans.

Allegedly there are some 1Ms around at that price point. Hell of a car and will never depreciate. 

Going through something similar myself at around 120k and frankly nothing is jumping out as a must have. 

wearymicrobe said:

Allegedly there are some 1Ms around at that price point. Hell of a car and will never depreciate. 

Going through something similar myself at around 120k and frankly nothing is jumping out as a must have. 

Yeah, you operate at a bit different level :)

Out of curiosity, what have you been thinking about?

Have not driven the M2 but I have driven the M3 the M4 the M5/6 SUVs the 240i and the 340i.

I honestly have to say I like the motor in the 240/340i a lot more than the one in the M cars currently. If they actually put it into the M2/M3 in a tuned up format I would be more interested.

My buddy got rid of his E92 M3 and replaced it with the 340i and its a much better daily and much more fun in most driving situations because it has torque everywhere.

And with an exhaust it sounds really nice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=MMTrTF0G4I0

The residuals were really good too so he just leased it makes it easier for us with auto ADD

Jaynen said:

Have not driven the M2 but I have driven the M3 the M4 the M5/6 SUVs the 240i and the 340i.

I honestly have to say I like the motor in the 240/340i a lot more than the one in the M cars currently. If they actually put it into the M2/M3 in a tuned up format I would be more interested.

My buddy got rid of his E92 M3 and replaced it with the 340i and its a much better daily and much more fun in most driving situations because it has torque everywhere.

And with an exhaust it sounds really nice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=MMTrTF0G4I0

The residuals were really good too so he just leased it makes it easier for us with auto ADD

The N55 in the M2 makes 369lb ft of tq from 1450-4750, or more than the V8 makes period. But I did get to drive a E90 M3 DCT, it didn't lack shunt to get out of its way down low.

I think that's one of those "why isn't a huge HP motor available at idle" things

You really had to rev it out to experience it from driving my buddies. I mean it wasn't dog slow but not what you would expect. The B58 motor just seems alot better than the now pretty old N55 to me.

http://youwheel.com/home/2016/03/27/detailed-analysis-the-bmw-b58-inline-6-cylinder-engine/

Anyway if you are not totally anti bmw you might take one for a test drive it impressed me a lot both at the BMW performance center west and driving my buddies. For a one car solution especially with backseats its pretty dang good.

So, no 4 door. I'm chasing something loud and angry,  so....c6z or supercharged mustang (roush?) Come to mind. 

981 Cayman S. My fun car is a 981 Cayman GTS, and it is an absolute blast to drive on track/autocross/street. Every drive is like a special occasion...just make sure it has the sports exhaust. Both transmission choices are pretty solid, though I prefer (and own) the 6MT. If you have any specific questions about the car, feel free to ask.

Counterpoint: I recently drove the aforementioned T/A Challenger, and it was a blast in a completely different way. So much so that I am thinking about adding it to the garage, next to the Cayman...

Another one- did you see that ford lightning thread? 650hp 2wd shortbox tire shredder sounds like piles of fun. 

In reply to z31maniac :

Been looking a early Merci out of Texas but its a rough rough car and would need some serious work. Would be a good buy though if I can get it cheap enough. No word from the seller due to the flooding.

Still think you would be best getting a Porsche at that price point. Hell you can get a 996 Turbo Cab around 45K right now in drop dead perfect condition. Drive it for say 10-15K miles and sell it for what you paid.

Or drop another 10K into it in turbos tune and clutch and destroy supercars.

Depreciation is a component of your budget too. A nice 996 turbo is cheaper than a newish GLA45 AMG, because the 996 is at the bottom of the depreciation curve. When it's time to sell and move on in, say, five years, the GLA might have lost $20k. The 996 will probably be pretty close to your buy in cost.

My take is to buy a water cooled Porsche 2 door at the highest trim level you can afford, regardless of year.

^I like the 911 idea. Although I will be honest, I wonder what others in the office would think. Granted I work for the 2nd largest Software/IT company in the world, and no one is getting paid minimum wage, but still.

That's really my only knock against a 911. The idea of being able to own a 911 is just mind boggling to me. 

Did some searching locally for a 981 S, it seems those might still be out of the budget for a clean, low mile, PDK w/Sport Chrono. 

But I'm not going to do anything until spring. I just bought a house and need to recover from that (lots of stuff to buy). I wanted to get everyone's thoughts so I could try to narrow it down and then start really learning everything about the top few options. A turbo 911 really throws me off, I just..............wow. 

wearymicrobe said:

In reply to z31maniac :

Been looking a early Merci out of Texas but its a rough rough car and would need some serious work. Would be a good buy though if I can get it cheap enough. No word from the seller due to the flooding.

Still think you would be best getting a Porsche at that price point. Hell you can get a 996 Turbo Cab around 45K right now in drop dead perfect condition. Drive it for say 10-15K miles and sell it for what you paid.

Or drop another 10K into it in turbos tune and clutch and destroy supercars.

The girlfriend would love if got a convertible. She already picked a Boxster S over the Cayman S when I showed her pics.

She has already told me she's terrified of making a mistake in the garage and dinging the BRZ, she told me she doesn't know how she would handle a Porsche or BMW in the garage.

What would the Merci need for you to get it?

759NRNG said:

M2 was last year and ya know what, maybe you  need a LUXO BRARGE to haul around your mightier than thou EGO......go technical write sumpin'.....and if you jump my e36m3 I rest my case....PEACE OUT!!!

I didn't mean to offend you. I was pointing that this years LL didn't have anything I'm interested in and apparently had the MSRP wrong. 

mtn said:

I'd buy this. https://www.flyinmiata.com/V8/for_sale.php

Bumping this since you haven't commented about it yet.

While I see you've had a few Miatas before, it seems like the FM cars are an entirely different breed.

Get what you want.  If people talk point out that you bought an old used car and that it costs less than their new F250, Suburban etc.  Someone will always be jealous and someone will always have a nicer car than you.  

Ian F said:

mtn said:

I'd buy this. https://www.flyinmiata.com/V8/for_sale.php

Bumping this since you haven't commented about it yet.

While I see you've had a few Miatas before, it seems like the FM cars are an entirely different breed.

1. Not ready to buy yet, literally closed on my house 2 weeks ago and need to recover from having to take more to closing (and buying appliances) than I was expecting to. 

2. I'm really interested in all the amenities that come in a newer vehicle. Killer stereo in either the 981 or M2, for example.