£10k performance DD, maybe E46 M3, STI, or...?

[matzie]

I'm looking for a new daily driver, have £10k to spend and want the most enjoyable performance drive at (mostly) road legal speeds. I do 150 miles a day on a route I love that's about 30% dual carriageway or motorway and the rest are a combination of twisties and long straight single carriageways (Funnily enough there's an equivalent route that's 90% motorway that's the same distance, but it's only a few minutes quicker, honest :-)

Currently I'm driving a Ford Puma which is enormous fun throughout but at motorway speeds it's a bit of a struggle. There's nothing much at the top end so on those long straights I mentioned there are overtaking opportunities that'd be safer in something with more oomph, that I can't risk.

I've been looking seriously at an E46 M3, but I'm starting to wonder whether it's going to be wasted unless I spend a lot more time than I'm willing to above the limit - my feeling is that you need high revs and license-threatening speeds to get an enjoyable drive. That made me wonder whether I'd be better with an E92 335i (though I guess I'd have a harder time finding a good one in budget). I've also thought about an STI of course, but to be honest the big wings put me off a little. I've wondered about a Racing Puma but even then I doubt the small increase in BHP would make much of a difference. I've also looked longingly for a long time at RX8's, aware they lack torque and are cheap for a reason. With all of these cars I'm not concerned about MPG, maintenance or insurance costs. I also know there are probably lots of cars nowhere near these in terms of performance that would still be a big step up from my current drive... but I think I'm looking for revolution, not evolution :-)

Any suggestions, thoughts or ideas I haven't thought of? Thanks!

[Captain Muppet]

I drove an E46 M3 and at road speeds it was just like driving any other 3-series.

I just bought a 350Z as a compliment to my Elise and that might be worth a look. It's quicker than a Puma, more dramatic than a 3 series and when you get stuck in traffic you can have a nice game of "how is this car so heavy when all the interior trim is so fragile?".

The Elise is better to drive by a huge margin, and within budget.

[matzie]

That's what I was afraid of re the M3.

Should have mentioned though that occasionally-usable rear seats is relatively firm requirement though so that rules out the 350z or the Elise sadly.

[pimpchez]

Are you going to mod the car . I see you like a STI which people usually end up messing with .

[Captain Muppet]

matzie said:

That's what I was afraid of re the M3.

Should have mentioned though that occasionally-usable rear seats is relatively firm requirement though so that rules out the 350z or the Elise sadly.

Porsche 968, or 944? They are older than everything else so far, and therefore more of a worry as a daily driver.

Also 996 911s, Supras, 200SXs, Skylines and S15 Silvias (which is what I'd have got if I needed rear seats).

[Type R Tom]

I would have this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/n...

[DanielJames]

Captain Muppet said:

I drove an E46 M3 and at road speeds it was just like driving any other 3-series.

Is that not a positive?

[PJS917]

I ran an E46 M3 for 40k+ miles and it was one of the best cars I ever owned. It was sensible at normal road speeds, well-mannered in traffic but at the hint of the open road, it was a delight. Yes they are like normal 3 series when in traffic, and the sense of occasion is not as great as you get in alternative cars, but it still has a sense of occasion every time you drive it. Other cars offer more fun at lower speeds but then sliding Austin A30s at 25mph is not for everyone. The E46 is one of the best places to put £10k, They are entertaining at sensible speeds capable of being very quick when you want, tail happy if provoked, compliant when required, great for B road blasts, or continental cruising. They are all things to all men, and the engine is sublime….. I miss mine.

Edited by PJS917 on Friday 12th September 10:51

Edited by PJS917 on Friday 12th September 10:52

[irfan1712]

mk5 gti/edition30? mk4/5 R32? S3?

M3 is a good shout. i personally stayed away form turbo cars on purpose because i know il end up spending hidiious amounts on it, hence i went N/A with an R32...and so far love it!

[Matt UK]

BMW e39 M5

[matzie]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

So... I've looked at several E46 M3's over the last few days, and came very closing to buying one of them. I still might, although I'm worried about some of the horror stories with subframe cracks, SMG pumps and VANOS units dying. It seems like even if I spend my full budget I'm going to have a lot of risk and a high-maintenance car )... with admittedly unparalleled performance. (edit: high-maintenance isn't a massive problem - I don't want to spend more than 10k upfront, but I'm prepared for, and can afford, the living costs of an M3)

But I've also been thinking about an RX8... which I know is going to have zero torque compared to the M3, but it would still be a massive step up from my Puma, right? And while they have their own horror stories, they're so cheap that even with a rebuilt and guaranteed engine I'd be coming in at half my budget. And at (mostly) road-legal speeds, I think it will still be an involving drive. So, I'm going to view a few of those tomorrow.

And I'm still having second thoughts about a scooby too... so basically no closer to making a decision :-)

Edited by matzie on Thursday 18th September 10:19

[matzie]

Update: I finally bought an M3 :-)

Looked at loads but eventually found what I hoped was the right one... risked a 200 mile train journey to see it, everything checked out, and enjoyed the drive home a lot more!

It's a carbon black coupe with red interior, I went for SMG which clearly has a bit of a learning curve... but overall happy with my decision, thanks for all the advice!