Awesome.
Aha...now you are hooked. It's really a like a jet fighter cockpit isn't it? The power and handling of this car are very addictive. Compared with other all wheel drive cars I have driven, in my opinion it responds and steers more like a rear wheel drive car most of the time. Up to 100% of the torque can go to the rear wheels and up to 50% up front when needed.
Are you going with a 2012? If so, the interior has been updated rather nicely and of course it has more power. In case you get an earlier one, they are easy to mod. As I just stated in my last post one really has to test drive one before writing it off as being too impractical or labeling it as "Nissan." Don't get me wrong I love my M3 with the high reving v8, but this thing is a whole other ball game. NAGTROC is a great resource. This website breaks down many of the differences between the model years:
http://www.2009gtr.com/2010/12/used-...2009-2011.html
Also, don't let the rumor of high maintenance costs get to you. While it's not as cheap, esp compared to free maintenance with a new M3, for the level of performance you receive it's a bargain. If you buy one new or with low miles and you don't track the car regularly the only thing you will have to worry about are oil changes and tires. At 36000 miles you have to get the tranny oil changed (18,000 miles on pre2012 models) that costs around 1400. See thread below. Keep us posted.
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...=553385&page=4