Hey guys The old man is sniffing around for a car in the $90-130 ish bracket. Something sports/2 door, but REASONABLY practical. List so far- 993 Carrera 2S widebody (1997) 996 Carrera 2 (2002) 986 Boxster S (2004) BMW E46 M3/CSL (2003) Ferrari 348TB (1991) The M3 and boxster would probably be the best from a reliability/ease of maintenance point of view, but the 348 makes for an interesting option given its in the $$ range (albeit older than hed prefer) Thing that puts him off is the 'Ferrari maintenance' aspect... What would the realistic costs of running a 348 for say 10,000kms a year be? (can do most servicing ourselves - engineering workshop) ANy other comments on the other options? Cheers
You can't go wrong IMO buying a manual 996 Carrera 2 pref with sports kit(? can't remember the exact name ofthe option, but has 18" rims wider tyres and lower firmer suspension.)
It's all over already. If he's including an M3 on the list, that is what he'll end up buying. The best bet is to help him find a nice one. You could do a lot worse, BTW. I'm not being negative, but if you have a list with a BMW and a Ferrari on it, you are a "practicality" buyer and you'll take the M3.
if you go with the 996 , make sure it's an 03 or newer . i think from 2000 to 2002 was the mk 1 and the lights look like the front of a boxer , no good . you need the tear drop headlights like my GT3 Image Unavailable, Please Login
I'm pretty sure it was 2001 when they changed the headlights to the "teardrop" design (for the Carreras) and also went to the 3.6L rather than the 3.4.
Mark, once BMWs get past teh warranty period you don't want to know about them, I think they're great cars but the wizardry gets expensive to fix when the warranty has gone and it always seems to be something going on them from 4 years onwards. You buy a Ferrari with the heart not the head
Noone is willing to put a figure on the maintenance on the 348... Id say budget $10k a year?? and hope nothing major breaks? Prob the M3 is the safest bet, one that still has some warranty left else get a Porsche
$10k/year to run a 348? how did you come up with that? $1/km - based on the 10,000 km/year that was suggested. Pap, are you out there? got some true running costs on that thing?
hahaha. My point is, dont expect it too be cheap and instead of posting WTF why dont you give him a REAL figure
There was a Ferrari mechanic across the road, where I used to work, they used to charge a fortune for labour Yeah Pap can give us a REAL figure haha
thanks for the healthy responses already! look i love the M3, and there is a CSL on carsales for 130k which is RATHER enticing however, it loses out on individuality when compared to a 993 or 996 porsche. the 993 widebody especially is a gorgeous looking thing, whereas an M3 (relatively speaking) is a tarted up 320ci its a great tool but doesnt quite have the emotional effect that a 911 gives... FYI the 2002 onwards 996 has the updated front end/lights... A 2002 996 would be a great car but its hard to get past the looks and rarity of the 993 2S widebody! Downside is youre paying similar $$ for a 5yr older car...
I'd suggest there must be a story that goes with the car. I've had a trade in offer from BMW of 125K on our NON CSL. Anyone who compares a 996 with an M3 is an idiot. I've had both together and the 996 is head and shoulders above the M3. I remember reading the mag reviews (BMW PR macine at work) saying how the E46 M3 was the equal from a performance and handling perspective of the 996. About 6-12months later the objective reviews started appearing showing the M3 to be well behind the 996. That said we have an '04 M3 in the driveway, not a 996, but I think the Missus is mad. I'd also much rather have a 996 out of warranty than an M3. Don't forget the self destructing motors, which they reckon they got right by '04, but who knows and everything earlier DOES have a question mark over it's longeivity, despite the numerous recalls. There's an M3 specific forum that details these problems, which I suggest you research before getting an M3.
That would be right. The CSL was overpriced when they launched it. Later versions of the M3 had most of the bits at a much lower price, killing the resale on the CSL stone dead. In fact, I reckon $130K is a pretty big ask as BMW will be doing keen deals on what is left of the E46 to get rid of them before the V8 arrives.
goober nearly got hung drawn and eighth'd for saying that (in his own way ) when he first started on fchat....
hey mhh this would be his first foray into more expensive sports autos currently the garage stands as this: -05 wrx (me) -02 200sx (mum) -rodeo 4x4 (his work day runabout) -TDi landcruiser (camping car) -MGTD (for the odd sunny day) he really doesnt want to buy a headache, and altho he can appreciate the emotional attachment to a Ferrari he doesnt have the time nor inclination at the moment, hence the 348 is a massive wildcard! this is why Porsche appeals to him...a few family friends have them and they seem to be a great compromise between expensive exotic and daily transport...
Not even close. The later model you are refering to had the wheels, the bigger discs and the 316 dash treatment- that's it. None of the lightness, high tech materials, interior materials and engine management/induction/exhaust stuff. The CSL has depreciated like a stone and it is great value at current prices, and is reliable in my experience. Oh, it goes like a cut cat and sounds wicked too. I would have it over anything else in your list. I am selling mine when the right 575 at the right price comes along.
360C id have to say a CSL is the only M3 id entertain the idea of..... a regular M3 just does nothing for me when compared to a nice 996 or widebody 993 also, had a nice look thru the window at GTP355 today en route to Duttons to look at 911s, what a car...not even 2 F40's can overshadow it imo!
