Shift_Acura

Im thinking about getting one of these...i know each has its issues but which one would u wanna own?

I drove all 3 and the Z was the most fun to drive. The beemer had the best interior and best looks (IMO) and the G35 was just meh in all categories.

I'm looking at 02/03 330CI, 04/05 Z, 04/05 G35

(newer ones are out of budget)

Which one would be the most satisfying purchase...

phee

iTrader: (5)

rule out the g since its meh and everyone has one.

take the one with the stick

if they are all auto get the bmw because it can be made more fun than the z. plus ur insurance will be cheaper and it will look better when modded

Scrib

Having owned a G35 coupe (2003) and now a BMW (albeit a 335), if you can swing the maintenance costs, my vote is for the 330.

If maintenance costs scare you, then I guess it's a question of do you want a bit more luxury and a back seat?

vas25tl

I'd go for a 330i.. I don't know exactly how much your budget is, but I've seen 04 ZHP's going for good prices lately - that's a hell of a car.

dallison

330

fsttyms1

Corvette.

JediMindTricks

330.

myron

iTrader: (4)

330 gets my vote. It was a toss up between 350 and 330 but 330 has a back seat so it got my vote

majin ssj eric

If you're gonna get an E46 you might as well spring for an M3...

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

I think I will probably save my cash.

jim165

I'd get the 330CI (5sp/6sp only!) just because I want to experience a BMW for the first time. When the maintenance gets too expensive, I'd sell it and get a 2007+ 350Z/370Z (6sp only!). My budget is probably similar and I prefer to stick to sub-$20K cars for the time being (and save cash)...

SatinSilverAV6

iTrader: (2)

keep the TSX and save the money! If you want one of these cars as a second car then go with the one that has been maintained the best and has lowest mileage! Don't hurry a purchase if you don't have to. You will find the right car for the right $$$$$$$.

Sarlacc

I'd only get the 330 if its a ZHP. Otherwise I'd go Z (unless its an auto.)

v6cord2k5

iTrader: (1)

Another vote for a ZHP since it is basically a stealthy M3.

Crazy Bimmer

Keeping the 09 TSX?

Why not a S2k or vette then?

turkeybaster115

iTrader: (1)

Thats been controversial around here lately! do you really wanna to go there?

turkeybaster115

iTrader: (1)

For me: Neither! I'd rock an 02-04 BMW Z4 manual baby! I've driven all of these cars, but the Z4 was the most fun, and memorable drive of them all!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf3RAMffnJQ

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

I'd say just keep your current car and cash.

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

^
+1.

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

Pre-owned C5 Z06 all the way.


Well they are the best track cars


Anyway, seriously... if you do not need a new car then I would just save your money and sink it into some real estate (while it's a buyer's market) or invest it...

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

me too...a lot of times we get the itch to change cars...and we lose a bunch of money and then realize we miss our old car for reasons we were taking for granted.

Kinda like an ex gf.

Shift_Acura

I dont miss any of my old cars lol and I dont plan on missing the TSX as it will remain in the family. I get bored of cars really fast (like alot of us) and I want something more fun to drive.

Vette, M3, ZHP are out of the budget - trying to keep it under $20k

But I live in Vancouver so cars worth $20k here would be worth about $15k? in the states

I never liked S2K's or RX-8's but I will take a look at the Z4.

majin ssj eric

^^I couldn't get past the looks myself...

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Z4s are meh.

I'd look at Miatas.

zeroday

330. enough with the vette crap.

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

werd.

phee

iTrader: (5)

just mod the tsx and keep the rest

fsttyms1

Yes. IMO its a better choice.

turkeybaster115

iTrader: (1)

Guys, I really meant to post this video of the Z4, My bad!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dcmn32s6ZSQ

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

^ you really love Z4s, don't you?

turkeybaster115

iTrader: (1)

Like I said, I've driven all of those cars! The most fun, and memorable car I drove was the Z4, by far!

Brandon24pdx

For sure step up to an '04 if you're looking seriously at a 330Ci. They recieved a nice facelift that year...newer style auto-leveled/adaptive cornering Xenon HID's, full LED tail lamps, 6mt instead of 5mt, and probably some other stuff.

Actually you could get an 04 ZHP coupe for well under $20k. That would be worth it for the better looking bumpers and side skirts alone, but theres lots of other nice upgrades you get with one of those. They're not M3 fast, but they're also not M3 maintenence nightmare either.

Just be sure to have it inspected by the local dealer beforehand. Any German car can be a maintenece nightmare if you get a bad one.

Brandon24pdx

As for your other choices, I cant honestly say a 350Z would be a bad car either. To me the only ones worth bothering with would be the 07/08's with the 35HR engine, which are solid. The older "RevUp" engines, including in the 05-07 G35 coupes, were known to consume oil. Nissan has replaced many engines under warranty for this, including the 05 G35S coupe my buddy sold to some guy. (He'd found out about it afterwards). You dont want to chance having to deal with one of those cases.

I just sold my 08 Base 350Z with 7,000 miles on it for $20,500, so these later models are not nearly as unattainable as you might be assuming off the bat.

NWSTL

It's basically a 330 with different bumpers, sideskirts, heavier 18s, some nice interior trim, and 10 extra hp. Actually that's exactly what it is. Never go with an E46 automatic.

I vote 330i/6, ZHP or not. If not, definitely get the sport package, ZSP.

Shift_Acura

Why did u sell it?

Why? Thats what i was looking at...

Brandon24pdx

The autoboxes in E46's are a known maintenence concern, sometimes even needing replaced entirely. You dont wanna ask how much a new transmission for a late model BMW costs. The manuals rarely give trouble.

Sold my car just as a personal decision. The marginal utility vs what it was costing me to keep just wasn't adding up. (I walk to work for one thing). It was one of the more exciting cars I've owned though, and usually was a pleasure to drive.

charliemike

For day to day, I'd get a 330i.

If you're thining about autocross, the 350Z.

That said, I love me some Z4 3.0i action

turkeybaster115

iTrader: (1)

Reading this thread-->
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...ission+failure it seems that if the auto you buy has a clear record of transmission fluid changes, then it shouldn't be a problem. The guys seem to have had good luck with simple Redline D4 ATF!

Shift_Acura

The more I drive my TSX the more I think I should just keep it. I mean it has JUST enough power and the interior quality is SO much better than these cars that Im looking at. Not to mention its not scratched up or rattling like all the used cars ive looked at so far.

I dunno maybe I should just get an old 300zx to play with in the summer...

Eoanou

I say just upgrade to the TSX V6 and you've got what you need, except a M/T.