Spend Jake's Money.

[*insertusernamehere*]

For the z4 you want 3.0i (3.0 I6 m54 - e46 motor) or 3.0si (3.0 I6 n52 - same motor from jakes 128? Am I right?)

As with all cars don't get the first year or 2 it was made so shoot for '05 or newer.

It's weird to me. If I was gonna get a z4 I'd rather it be the M coupe or I'd just get a e46 330/zhp/vert. You should drive a 330 instead of saying you can't get an e46 unless it's an M. Considering your car history you're probably going to love an e46 330i vert more than you think.

If I was getting something from the e36 generation with the an M52 it would have to be a Z3 because if I get another e36 it would have to be an M3.

You also have the option of the z3 M coupe. Sean Schutte has one. AND ACTUALLY i don't know what their prices are but some of the z3's were built with s54's. That would be an awesome find. But yeah a z3 with an s52 would be fun.

[Senor_Taylor]

Yeah 330s are extremely quick compared to most every normal car you'll drive. Go test drive one. You definitely don't need an m3.

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[RawrImAMonster]

You can also get the z4 with the twin turbo 3.0 n54 from the 135i/335i's, just saying. I have no idea what they cost, but I'm guessing they're probably out of the 10k budget.

[Jake]

Stephen, you're thinking of the newest Z4, not the older 06ish model. They're still up in the stratosphere for pricing.

Ryan - a first-gen Z4 (E85 chassis code) is a pretty good car, I would be snobby and only want the 3.0si with the sport seats but the regular 3.0 is an equally good motor. The regular 3.0i is the same 3 liter from the E46 330i (M54) and makes 220ish hp. The 3.0si is from the E90/E82 128/328 cars and makes 255 hp. Either one will move the car just fine but the si will be more punchy.

They don't have "trim levels" per se on the BMWs but they have packages. Sport gets you the better seats with pull-out thigh support (a must-have IMO), Premium tends to be things like HIDs, wood trim, auto headlights, etc. Cold Weather is usually heated seats, headlight washers, and a few other things. Heated seats were always available as a standalone option as well, so most cars should have them regardless of packaging.

Matt, there's no way he'll get a Z3M coupe for anywhere near his budget. The S52 Moupes are in the $20k range, minimum, and S54 Moupes are double that. A Z3M (S52 powered) convertible can be had for $10-12k but we all know how E36-based interiors are compared to the newer cars. For a daily driver, the Z4, or a regular E46 330ci, would be a far nicer place to spend time.

[rherold9]

I think Jake gets where I'm going or understands my wants. Going for more of a roadster as that is what piques my interest right now. Basically something that has some features I can drive on the street without questioning my sanity while feeling comfortable. Then throw it around at an autocross/have fun anywhere or cruise places with people. Something I don't need to tow everywhere to do things and something that doesn't have to be 100% competitive in auto-x.

Definitely looking at a Z4. I wouldn't mind a Z3M but it's out of the range I'm looking at.

Edit: So, I'd be looking for something similar to this?

[*insertusernamehere*]

Lol "no BMWs"

[rherold9]

Lol "no BMWs"

Yeah you know... I tried.

Every suggestion on this board always comes back to a BMW or a Miata

The Z4's though have always looked nice and had nice features and is plenty fast whether it's the 3.0i or 3.0si. I don't think I would know any better if I never test drove a 3.0si and would be perfectly fine in a 3.0i. I'll be looking online and contacting dealers to get quotes/setup appointments to test drive in the next few weeks. Should be fun. No idea what I'm going to choose. Have no preference to any of them as I want to find something I actually like and enjoy.

Edit: If anyone knows anyone near Richmond that will allow me to drive any of the 4 cars mentioned so I don't have to go bother with a local dealership with an un-similar trim or year that would be great.

[CaptainHenreh]

Why not a MkII MR2?

Been a while since one of those were in the club, I bet you could find a super nice one for your budget, and they never get old.

[rherold9]

Why not a MkII MR2?

Been a while since one of those were in the club, I bet you could find a super nice one for your budget, and they never get old.

I don't know if I could deal with that interior of the 90s still. Then again my truck's interior is still stuck in the 90s in 2012 so :dunno: . I also like the looks of the 3rd gen over the 2nd, but that's just my opinion and it's probably "wrong"

[CaptainHenreh]

I also like the looks of the 3rd gen over the 2nd, but that's just my opinion and it's probably "wrong"

:thumbup:

[*insertusernamehere*]

Why not a MkII MR2?

Been a while since one of those were in the club, I bet you could find a super nice one for your budget, and they never get old.

I don't know if I could deal with that interior of the 90s still. Then again my truck's interior is still stuck in the 90s in 2012 so :dunno: . I also like the looks of the 3rd gen over the 2nd, but that's just my opinion and it's probably "wrong"

[Senor_Taylor]

Why not a MkII MR2?

Been a while since one of those were in the club, I bet you could find a super nice one for your budget, and they never get old.

I don't know if I could deal with that interior of the 90s still. Then again my truck's interior is still stuck in the 90s in 2012 so :dunno: . I also like the looks of the 3rd gen over the 2nd, but that's just my opinion and it's probably "wrong"

You're spoiled by new cars man.... 90s interiors aren't bad, they're just not 2010+ interiors. I think the worst interiors are early 2000s except for a few cars.

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[Jake]

Edit: So, I'd be looking for something similar to this?

Always happy to enable the droptop life and the BMW life (prepare your wallet).

Yeah, that looks like a really good one to go test drive. Those are not the sport seats, these are:



See how they are more heavily bolstered and the thigh cushion is separated? That bit pulls forward for more support if you are long of leg as I am. But, give the gray/red car a try and see how it is. I never hated the "comfort" seats in my white E36, they were still good, just not as amazing as the sport seats are.

[ScottyB]

if you are considering a MK3 MR2 aka MR-S spyder, don't even consider the "SMT sequential manual" transmission which is basically an automatic that you shift. its not good, and its the only option that i know of besides the LSD you could get in the 04-05 models. hardtops will be tough to find.

[rherold9]

Always happy to enable the droptop life and the BMW life (prepare your wallet).

Yeah, that looks like a really good one to go test drive. Those are not the sport seats, these are:



See how they are more heavily bolstered and the thigh cushion is separated? That bit pulls forward for more support if you are long of leg as I am. But, give the gray/red car a try and see how it is. I never hated the "comfort" seats in my white E36, they were still good, just not as amazing as the sport seats are.

Okay cool thank you for the information. I'll look for that but manual Z4's are hard to find it seems like. I'm not sure if manual Z4's weren't made very much or if everyone loves them so much they don't sell them or try to overprice them. I see a lot more options of automatics and only one or two manuals in 200 miles. I'll see how terrible the paddle shifters are just in case I like the car enough to justify a non-manual. :dunno:

if you are considering a MK3 MR2 aka MR-S spyder, don't even consider the "SMT sequential manual" transmission which is basically an automatic that you shift. its not good, and its the only option that i know of besides the LSD you could get in the 04-05 models. hardtops will be tough to find.

Yeah I saw that for sure not getting that. It's basically an even worse version of an SMG that's already terrible.

[*insertusernamehere*]

Why not a MkII MR2?

Been a while since one of those were in the club, I bet you could find a super nice one for your budget, and they never get old.

I don't know if I could deal with that interior of the 90s still. Then again my truck's interior is still stuck in the 90s in 2012 so :dunno: . I also like the looks of the 3rd gen over the 2nd, but that's just my opinion and it's probably "wrong"

You're spoiled by new cars man.... 90s interiors aren't bad, they're just not 2010+ interiors. I think the worst interiors are early 2000s except for a few cars.

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Yeah I was gonna say...90's Japanese interiors are 100x better than most others.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Please get the newer MR2. I always thought those were cool in their own way. They are actually extremely competitive in ES in SCCA. I think a MK2 MR2 is just wayyy too old at this point.

[*insertusernamehere*]

If I remember correctly from reading about them last year I think they're actually the lightest of the three generations of mr2 and you can swap in a Camry motor easy and have a mini lotus Elise or Evora or whatever on your hands. The only thing is certain generations had a catalytic converter problem but not all of them had the honeycomb structure thing that caused problems. I'll look it up again later and tell ya.



Do it and touch bumpers with jakes m3 with it. HE'LL LOVE IT! :p

[.RJ]

I really dig the Z4 coupes. Great looking car, and the 3.0 motor is plenty stout. They were on my VW cheaterwagen replacement short list until I accepted that I need to buy something with a back seat.

[rherold9]

Please get the newer MR2. I always thought those were cool in their own way. They are actually extremely competitive in ES in SCCA. I think a MK2 MR2 is just wayyy too old at this point.

:thumbup: good to know and yes I like the 3rd gen a lot more

If I remember correctly from reading about them last year I think they're actually the lightest of the three generations of mr2 and you can swap in a Camry motor easy and have a mini lotus Elise or Evora or whatever on your hands. The only thing is certain generations had a catalytic converter problem but not all of them had the honeycomb structure thing that caused problems. I'll look it up again later and tell ya.



Do it and touch bumpers with jakes m3 with it. HE'LL LOVE IT! :p

Yes, they are the last by like 50-100 pounds or something. ~2190ish depending on options.

The issue years were pre-03 from what I have seen online. That's why I'm looking for an 04+

Edit: Oh I hear Jake loves Toyota's. I'll be sure to line up behind him in his e46 if I'm ever at an auto-x and I bought the car :bootyshake: