TVR, corvette or M3..............???

[Mad Mitch]

Hi guys...... Totaly undecided. Currently have a 4.0 Chimaera which I love but its not fit enough to use everyday. Seriously considering a vette. Only issue is that as my circumstances have drasticaly changed I really need more practicality whilst retaining performance/excitement. With a ( Revised.) budget of £15k what would i expect to achieve in the M3 world. Manual prefered but semi auto would be ok. Also soft top appeals as coming from the TVR i like open air motoring............Options ???

Steve.

[krallicious]

Are you keeping the Chim? Why not get a cheap run around and keep it as a weekend car? As good and nice as the E46 is it canot compare to a TVR IMHO

[Nords]

It can't compare true, it will be safer, faster, more reliable, more toys, handle better, better noise (in CSL version), etc...

Go e46!

[Martin W]

I've got a Chimaera and an E46 M3 Convertible.

The M3 is quicker, handles better, more practical.....

The TVR is just more fun!

And the sound.... Decatted V8 vs straight 6 - don't get me wrong, the M3 sounds great but the TVR sounds awesome!

In short, I am very pleased that I have (so far) been able to keep them both. Also the M3 is treacherous in snow, I had to get the TVR out to get to work!

[Shatterstone]

15k should get you a manual 04 plate M3 cab(private), with about 50k on the clock, if you want a fully loaded one, or a desirable colour (estoril) than it will be an older one you get. I picked mine up yesterday, i went for a pheonix yellow one 04 cab with low milage and all extras but the sat nav paid 14k for it, i intend to get a retro fit once i have sourced the bits from ebay!

[Mad Mitch]

Thanks for the info guys......Must admit to thinking of keeping the Chim as well but that will only happen if it doesnt need a fortune for its due now mot and clasic insutance can be had for sensible money. !!!... I guess colour and spec come second to service history. As with tvr is it case of buy the car on condition rather than mileage and age??
I think the yellow is stunning and even though it is only a beefed up 3 series ( ) it stillmanages to look a bit special. Just need to make a decision.

[Rawhide]

The M3 will not give anywhere near the levels of excitement or sense of occasion but for a daily driver it will be truely versatile and it can do a bit of everything.

[David111]

Agree M3 great but missing the sense of occasion from the TVR. Several people have called the Z4M the 'German TVR'. Brutal, great fun, wonderful looking and erm, reliable... I looked at TVR and Lotus and ended up with Z4MC. Wonderful car.

Edit to say. Love the 'Vette but LHD would be a problem in UK, where are you?

Edited by David111 on Monday 16th March 11:45

[Mad Mitch]

I am up in West yorksshire. Keighley to be precise. The land hand drive combined with physical size of vette has caused some doubts !! The sense of occasion comes from the knowledge of what you are driving and the great sound. With a sports system on the M3 do the sounds compare ?? I know its straight 6 to v8 and it will be very different but there are those that say the Straight 6 is a superior set up. Speed 6 for instance in tvr. That sounds awesome with sports exausts.

[Neil.D]

Have you seen this thread?

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

[V8 GMS]

I was in a very similar predicament with my circumstances changing. I moved house to somewhere with street parking and now commute 45 miles (each way) per day.

My solution is the Z4MR. Don’t get me wrong it’s still not as exciting as the TVR, but compared to the alternatives I considered (and could afford), it blew them away!
I must admit I didn’t try a Corvette

Sorry if the Z4MR isn’t within budget (it must be close… ).

[David111]

Mad Mitch said:

I am up in West yorksshire. Keighley to be precise. The land hand drive combined with physical size of vette has caused some doubts !! The sense of occasion comes from the knowledge of what you are driving and the great sound. With a sports system on the M3 do the sounds compare ?? I know its straight 6 to v8 and it will be very different but there are those that say the Straight 6 is a superior set up. Speed 6 for instance in tvr. That sounds awesome with sports exausts.

I can really understand why you like the vette, and TVR. The practicallity and reliability swayed me to the BM, combined with the looks. Flat 6 engine sounds wonderful and suitably 'growly' at idle!

Good luck - as long as you can use and enjoy whatever you buy