Need Advice, Want A Cheap Manual Car!

Staszek · 08-31-2013, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GotE46M

S2000 if you don't mind how small it is.

Good choice forgot about that.

Cool Steel · 08-31-2013, 04:42 PM

2005 Dodge SRT4 cost you around 10k...
Turbo, fun to work on, everyone will hate you if you drive it, just like an M3 owner so you will feel at home.

KKM3 · 08-31-2013, 04:47 PM

So I narrowed it down to a handful of cars.

1. 1998-1999 e36 m3
2. 2003-2004 e46 m3
3. Bmw 330 zcp
4. Nissan 350Z
5. Honda s2000
6. Nissan 240

My first choice would probably be an e36 m3 but I still have nightmares of the car falling apart and costing me thousands of dollars in repair costs. I really loved the way the car drove though. Perfectly balanced, nimble, great steering, and brakes. If I go for an e36 or e46 can you guys give advise me on how to get the car thoroughly checked out?

Longboarder · 08-31-2013, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KKM3

So I narrowed it down to a handful of cars.

1. 1998-1999 e36 m3
2. 2003-2004 e46 m3
3. Bmw 330 zcp
4. Nissan 350Z
5. Honda s2000
6. Nissan 240

My first choice would probably be an e36 m3 but I still have nightmares of the car falling apart and costing me thousands of dollars in repair costs. I really loved the way the car drove though. Perfectly balanced, nimble, great steering, and brakes. If I go for an e36 or e46 can you guys give advise me on how to get the car thoroughly checked out?

I see you are in LA...it's a bit of a drive but if you find one you like, take it to Malek at MRF Engineering for a PPI. That's what I did when I was looking for e46's. Good thing as most needed a lot of suspension work but wasn't easy to detect on the test drive. Malek knows lots of different cars, not just M3's.

KKM3 · 08-31-2013, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longboarder

I see you are in LA...it's a bit of a drive but if you find one you like, take it to Malek at MRF Engineering for a PPI. That's what I did when I was looking for e46's. Good thing as most needed a lot of suspension work but wasn't easy to detect on the test drive. Malek knows lots of different cars, not just M3's.

Thanks, but I just checked and mrf is 60 miles away. I think a bit too far for inspection.

nullrouted · 08-31-2013, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KKM3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longboarder

I see you are in LA...it's a bit of a drive but if you find one you like, take it to Malek at MRF Engineering for a PPI. That's what I did when I was looking for e46's. Good thing as most needed a lot of suspension work but wasn't easy to detect on the test drive. Malek knows lots of different cars, not just M3's.

Thanks, but I just checked and mrf is 60 miles away. I think a bit too far for inspection.

Any BMW dealership can do a PPI inspection, I believe it is around $350.

F1Venom · 08-31-2013, 07:05 PM

Yeah, E39 M5 or a 540i.

Lute__ · 08-31-2013, 07:09 PM

Eclipse, the manual transmission on that car is really smooth

Mr. ///M3 RD · 08-31-2013, 07:13 PM

I agree get a nice condition e46 nothing like it except a e9x M3

You can find a good one not too high in milage for 20K to 25K

PS. It is not always about speed, you cannot imagine how much fun I have with my 44 year old little blue car.

///Matthew · 08-31-2013, 07:56 PM

S2000. My favorite manual gearbox by far.

pukicabuki · 08-31-2013, 08:12 PM

.... C5 Corvette

/thread

BOOstJunkee · 08-31-2013, 08:46 PM

If you want older M, go e46 M3. Other than that, a 350z would suit your needs quite nicely.

iatros · 08-31-2013, 08:53 PM

Out of the options listed, s2k by a long shot. Most reliable, best shifter, easily and cheaply reparable....Btw, I am biased bc I came from an s2k into the m3. Even if you wanted more power, you could supercharge it (tho I've never sat in a supercharged S). Boxter is a good choice, but I don't care for the looks, current model line excluded however....

tony093 · 08-31-2013, 09:49 PM

u can get into a nice used Golf GTI for 15k

Black Gold · 08-31-2013, 10:03 PM

S2000 is the answer here all day

KKM3 · 08-31-2013, 10:17 PM

I am now leaning towards an s2k because its lightweight, has a killer gearbox, and from what I hear its pretty reliable. I've only driven it once and I wasn't really blown away by it but I liked how small it was. The steering was pretty light and somewhat disconnected, kinda disappointing in that regard.

Someone? · 08-31-2013, 10:38 PM

If you want an S200 this is the one you will be buyn!http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2000-...d71f273f#v4-43

Techjunkie666 · 08-31-2013, 10:39 PM

Wrx STI. Can't beat it.

KKM3 · 08-31-2013, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibmike

If you want an S200 this is the one you will be buyn!http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2000-...d71f273f#v4-43

I'm trying to stay at 15k or under. This one looks good.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-...#ht_9219wt_948

Staszek · 08-31-2013, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony093

u can into a nice used Golf GTI for 15k

He wants RWD

ES_TRADER · 08-31-2013, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KKM3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arben72

Miata with a ls1 swap,
Spend a little more and get a brz?
Also you can pick up a nice e46 m3 too.

I really want an e36 or e46 I'm just concerned with reliability. Subframe issues terrify me.

Ill sell you my e36 m3. This thing is under 100k, and doesn't need valve adjustments like the e46. I just put in a brand new factory suspension, front and rear. Subframe new, everything. Drives like it came off the lot. Pm if interested

Purple88Gold · 08-31-2013, 11:35 PM

S2000

08-31-2013, 04:42 PM	#24
Cool Steel Banned 10 Rep 358 Posts Drives: M3 E92 ZCP DCT Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: A galaxy far..far..away iTrader: (0)	2005 Dodge SRT4 cost you around 10k... Turbo, fun to work on, everyone will hate you if you drive it, just like an M3 owner so you will feel at home.
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08-31-2013, 04:47 PM	#25
KKM3 Lieutenant 26 Rep 504 Posts Drives: E92 m3 + r8 v10 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	So I narrowed it down to a handful of cars. 1. 1998-1999 e36 m3 2. 2003-2004 e46 m3 3. Bmw 330 zcp 4. Nissan 350Z 5. Honda s2000 6. Nissan 240 My first choice would probably be an e36 m3 but I still have nightmares of the car falling apart and costing me thousands of dollars in repair costs. I really loved the way the car drove though. Perfectly balanced, nimble, great steering, and brakes. If I go for an e36 or e46 can you guys give advise me on how to get the car thoroughly checked out?
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08-31-2013, 07:05 PM	#29
F1Venom Banned 73 Rep 961 Posts Drives: ZCP E90 M3 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Yeah, E39 M5 or a 540i.
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08-31-2013, 07:09 PM	#30
Lute__ Banned 9 Rep 156 Posts Drives: '08 JB M3 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Geneva iTrader: (1)	Eclipse, the manual transmission on that car is really smooth
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08-31-2013, 07:13 PM	#31
Mr. ///M3 RD Happy Camper 628 Rep 7,869 Posts Drives: C63 AMG & 280 SL on Weekends : Join Date: May 2010 Location: GTA, Ontario - Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 1969 Restored Merce ... [7.50] 2011 M3 Coupe TRADED [7.34] 1987 BMW 535is [1.00] Cars from the Past [6.50] The ///M3 Engine S65 [9.59]	I agree get a nice condition e46 nothing like it except a e9x M3 You can find a good one not too high in milage for 20K to 25K PS. It is not always about speed, you cannot imagine how much fun I have with my 44 year old little blue car. __________________ Cheers, Rolf-Dieter Life will take us to some interesting places, fortunately The ///M3 will too with a many of us know this very well, now my C6.3 AMG with 487 HP does it too ---> Click here for some good stuff I found
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08-31-2013, 07:56 PM	#32
///Matthew Major 202 Rep 1,231 Posts Drives: 2013 M3, 1999 M3 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NJ iTrader: (3)	S2000. My favorite manual gearbox by far. __________________ 2013 Santorini Blue M3 1999 Estoril Blue M3 mfatuation.com
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08-31-2013, 08:12 PM	#33
pukicabuki Lieutenant 176 Rep 528 Posts Drives: something with 4 wheels Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Oregon iTrader: (0)	.... C5 Corvette /thread
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08-31-2013, 08:46 PM	#34
BOOstJunkee Private First Class 4 Rep 155 Posts Drives: E46 M3 Turbo/335awd Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Jersey iTrader: (0)	If you want older M, go e46 M3. Other than that, a 350z would suit your needs quite nicely.
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08-31-2013, 08:53 PM	#35
iatros Private 14 Rep 83 Posts Drives: Interlagos Blue 2008 E92 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: San Antonio, TX iTrader: (0)	Out of the options listed, s2k by a long shot. Most reliable, best shifter, easily and cheaply reparable....Btw, I am biased bc I came from an s2k into the m3. Even if you wanted more power, you could supercharge it (tho I've never sat in a supercharged S). Boxter is a good choice, but I don't care for the looks, current model line excluded however....
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08-31-2013, 09:49 PM	#36
tony093 Captain 113 Rep 753 Posts Drives: E92 AW M3 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodbridge, NJ iTrader: (2)	u can get into a nice used Golf GTI for 15k Last edited by tony093; 09-01-2013 at 09:12 AM..
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08-31-2013, 10:03 PM	#37
Black Gold Major General 599 Rep 5,396 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (15)	S2000 is the answer here all day
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08-31-2013, 10:17 PM	#38
KKM3 Lieutenant 26 Rep 504 Posts Drives: E92 m3 + r8 v10 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	I am now leaning towards an s2k because its lightweight, has a killer gearbox, and from what I hear its pretty reliable. I've only driven it once and I wasn't really blown away by it but I liked how small it was. The steering was pretty light and somewhat disconnected, kinda disappointing in that regard.
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08-31-2013, 10:38 PM	#39
Someone? Perception is King 131 Rep 1,702 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: May 2013 Location: Michigan iTrader: (8)	If you want an S200 this is the one you will be buyn!http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2000-...d71f273f#v4-43 __________________ Perception and Reality are Two totally different Things.
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08-31-2013, 10:39 PM	#40
Techjunkie666 First Lieutenant 15 Rep 384 Posts Drives: X5D SAV Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Tx iTrader: (2)	Wrx STI. Can't beat it. __________________ 2014 F10 M5 (On Order) '10 E92 M3, '09 E90 M3, '12 C63 AMG 507 Ed, '07 335i, '06 RS4
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08-31-2013, 11:35 PM	#44
Purple88Gold Holding Out 8 Rep 246 Posts Drives: 88 Honda Civic DX Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	S2000 __________________ E92 AW/FR Ext 6MT/ZCP/ZPP/ZTP "The M3 M DCT simply does everything well except tow a hot-dog stand. It may even be the second-best car in the world after the M3 manual. "
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