Deciding between 350z and bmw e36 m3

[wildpig]

I guess the topic says it all. I got about $9k budget for a used sports car. I am guessing that the 350z will be cheaper to maintain than the m3? Which one would handle and accelerate faster? I am definitely looking at getting a stick shift model for either one.

Obviously the 350z will be a lot newer than the m3....

Much appreciate any thought. Thanks

[dasoupdude]

Its like this, you either get a decent e36 M3 (rare) or a beat to crap older model Z that's almost guaranteed to give you a headache.

The 350z has the M beat on acceleration, as for handling I don't know, but the E36 pulls .91 G on a skidpad test where as the 350z only pulls .87.

Perhaps if you wait a year or two you can get an E46 M3, those are awesome cars. Whether its the SMG or Manual

[wildpig]

I actually can save up for an E46 M3 in a few more months time. The main concern i have though is the maintainance cost and time. I do like the m3 but I don't know if i have the time to deal with maintainance. I am guessing that 350z is lower cost and time to maintain?

[kuhan]

Every old car needs maintenance. Z can be pricey to maintain as well.

It boils down to what do you want really want.

[dasoupdude]

I am guessing that 350z is lower cost and time to maintain?

If both cars are in decent shape then yes, I don't know exactly know the prices for parts on and older beamer but I have a feeling it will be a tad more since it's a 'specialized' euro car.

I suggest you wait a bit longer and save up so you dont force yourself to chose a car with potential headaches right out of the box.

[wildpig]

hmm, is it just me or i just have a feeling that even the 350z won't be as carefree and easy to maintain as a pathfinder?

[dasoupdude]

Its been pretty easy maintenance for me

If you start messing with forced induction or suspension components then thats when you'll have to keep a watchful eye on things.

[BusyBadger]

I got about $9k budget for a used sports car.

Get an M3 - I'd be a little leery of a Z for $9K.

Its been pretty easy maintenance for me.

^This^

I've got 100K on the clock and all I've done so far is add gas, change the oil & other fluids, change the air & oil filters, buy new tires and put on some new brake pads. I'm still on the stock clutch. Nissan replaced both cats under the 8 yr/ 80K mile warranty but that's not so much maintainance as much as it was faulty cats.

I switched over to some SS brake lines (still can't believe the Z didn't come with them stock) and replaced a windscreen thanks to a landscaping truck hauling a load of stone but that's it. I'll be doing a beastly service this spring / summer since I just rolled over 100K but that's anything but routine.

[wildpig]

well, i do admit that $9k does sound low but then again, that;s the price listed in edmunds.com for a clean condition '03 350z performance ver with 80k miles private party sale price. Is that not the case?

A 1999 E36 M3 with 80k miles clean condition is $6.6k private party. Big step up in premium going to a clean 2001 E46 M3 with 80k miles being $12k.

Are these prices not realistic in any way? Is my expectation too much? Even the E46 M3 at $12k is "affordable".. It just that I haven't been able to find an E46 M3 for that low. Is the price listed just really not realistic or are people selling these sports cars putting premium on them when they try to sell them?

Again, even paying $15k for M3 is not what concerns me as much as how much I have to spend to maintain the car as a "daily driver".....

Btw, call me cheap a** but I will take as long as i need to to get a bargain good car. I got my current car the 02 pathfinder with 117k miles in clean condition for $5.5k which is below the $6.1k listed on edmunds. It did take me about 1 month to find it, but I am a f'ckin cheap a**. Aint paying a dime more than what I think it's worth.......

[dasoupdude]

If you're pretty handy around cars, then by all means pick out the cheapest (clean titled!, preferably 05 and up) 350Z you can find

[wildpig]

well, like i say, people seem to put a premium on the price of these sports cars when they try to sell them off.

Guess i will have to look hard for a stock one. Probably more reliable than one which has been modded.

[dasoupdude]

Don't forget the carfax..



dammit close enough.

[wildpig]

been looking at local craiglist. People keep listing their Z at least $1k over the book private party value. Am I asking too much to find one at book value? Guess I will have to keep searching.

Much appreciate if anyone let me know if you got your Z at book value or did you have to pay a premium for it.

[Retired Chief]

been looking at local craiglist. People keep listing their Z at least $1k over the book private party value. Am I asking too much to find one at book value? Guess I will have to keep searching.

Much appreciate if anyone let me know if you got your Z at book value or did you have to pay a premium for it.

I would call them anyway. Just because it's listed $1000 too high, doesn't mean they won't take less. A lot of people do that hoping someone will come along that hasn't done their research. But, most will still take an honest offer.

[dasoupdude]

Yerp, private sellers will often bump the price up hoping to get the buyer to "haggle down" to the price to what it normally should be worth. A strategy often swallowed up first time car buyers..