What is more fun and raw than e90/92 for similar cost?

[HadesM3]

If you were looking to replace your M3 with something more fun and exciting to drive what would you consider for similar money +/- $10k assuming the following requirements?

+ No track use
+ Backseats optional
+ Appealing to look at
+ Reliability
+ High HP not a required, but doesn't hurt
+ Interior tech not a concern

A couple cars I think that fit the above are the OG M2, MX-5 ND2 RF, 987.2 Cayman S, C6 Z06 and Exige.

What do you think?

[JPWEraser]

Originally Posted by HadesM3

If you were looking to replace your M3 with something more fun and exciting to drive what would you consider for similar money +/- $10k assuming the following requirements?

+ No track use
+ Backseats optional
+ Appealing to look at
+ Reliability
+ High HP not a required, but doesn't hurt
+ Interior tech not a concern

A couple cars I think that fit the above are the OG M2, MX-5 ND2 RF, 987.2 Cayman S, C6 Z06 and Exige.

What do you think?

/flame suit_on

C6 Z06. I think you left the S2000 off of your list too - great car to drive.

[850tgul]

987.2 or 981, without question

[911r]

My current job allows me to drive dozens of cars every day, and I can honestly say there really isn’t much without getting into a totally different league (60-70k.) Perhaps a 997.1 911 Carrara 2.

[njdrive]

Originally Posted by HadesM3

If you were looking to replace your M3 with something more fun and exciting to drive what would you consider for similar money +/- $10k assuming the following requirements?

+ No track use
+ Backseats optional
+ Appealing to look at
+ Reliability
+ High HP not a required, but doesn't hurt
+ Interior tech not a concern

A couple cars I think that fit the above are the OG M2, MX-5 ND2 RF, 987.2 Cayman S, C6 Z06 and Exige.

What do you think?

E39 M5, 997.2, find another e92.

[R-35]

E46 M3

[njdrive]

Originally Posted by R-35

E46 M3

Yes I forgot to add the e46 M3.

[STooK]

If I ever crash my e92 M3, I'll probably buy another S2000. The M is cooler in many ways but the "raw" driving experience can't match the S2k. Definitely not as fast but it's so fun to drive. Probably my favorite of all the cars I've owned.

[Epoustouflant]

987.2S

Had one, sold it because I missed the high revving nature of the S65, and the more practical / comfortable ride.

[e46IX]

987.2 S is usually at a different price point than the E9X M3 and much more difficult to find on the used market. 987.1 CS is more inline with the M3's pricepoint. I own both, they each excel in different ways. I wouldn't consider the Cayman S a replacement for the M. Maybe 997... but the standard 3.6 and 3.8 engines in the Carrera just are not up to spec with the S65.

My vote goes to Z4M Coupe.

[Epoustouflant]

Originally Posted by e46IX

987.2 S is usually at a different price point than the E9X M3 and much more difficult to find on the used market. 987.1 CS is more inline with the M3's pricepoint. I own both, they each excel in different ways. I wouldn't consider the Cayman S a replacement for the M. Maybe 997... but the standard 3.6 and 3.8 engines in the Carrera just are not up to spec with the S65.

My vote goes to Z4M Coupe.

The Canadian market might be different. The 987.2S range from 40,000 to 55,000$ - but they are indeed super rare, a facelift car in the middle of the Great Recession. They are slightly more than clean examples of E92 ZCPs.

Per OP, he wants something more raw; the 987.2 and Z4M would fit that bill.

I agree on the 997.2 cars, I drove a 997.2S MT prior to going back to an E92. I came away disappointed; it felt like a boat. The engine wasn't anything special and coming from a Cayman PDK, the Manual car just didn't feel fast.

[porsche959]

1999 911. I think it’s more fun to drive than an m3, it’s cheap, and I’m in the camp that the egg yolk headlights aged well.

[New2Roundel]

Yeah, I agree with some of the others about the 997. It's a great vehicle, but it didn't feel special or nearly as engaging as I was expecting. It felt a lot like my e92---though the M3 doesn't have the annoying rear tire roar that I heard in both 997 cars I drove.

For raw, I'd definitely consider a Cayman, Elise, and older corvette. Although, I think the idea of raw between the european cars and a corvette is a bit different. The corvette is fast and can handle, but it's also loud and fairly rickety. It's far less about feel (steering, brakes, etc) than the cayman and Elise. Talking to people who currently or previous corvette owners has seem to talk consistently about poor quality, regardless of generation. Basically typical GM stuff.

[tigermack]

I've driven a good share of BMW and M cars, recently driven a few Porsche Cayman and Carrera's. I have to say those are much better driving experience when it comes to that, if you can ignore the practicality of the E9x.

[HadesM3]

To the s2000 fans. Do you think it's better overall than an ND2 Miata?

[Kwike92M3]

C6 Z06 Corvette, or a high mileage C6 Zr1 (might be a stretch).
Dollar for dollar, the performance oriented C6 corvettes are tough to beat. Their only downside (other than the stigma of the type of person that drives a vette) is the cheap interior. Otherwise, great cars. Relatively inexpensive to upgrade, and can be easy to find.

[pacent]

If you want to try something different, drive an Alfa 4c. Carbon fiber tub, turbo motor, dual clutch transmission, lightweight, mid-engine, no power steering, and a lot of them are falling into your price point.

Rented one from Turo a while back, and it was a fun weekend car.

[KCLARK]

When you say give or take $10K priced similar to your M3, im thinking your price range is $25-35k.
Mini John Cooper Works (GP2 if you can find one) or VW Golf R.

[Epoustouflant]

Originally Posted by KCLARK

When you say give or take $10K priced similar to your M3, im thinking your price range is $25-35k.
Mini John Cooper Works (GP2 if you can find one) or VW Golf R.

I have never driven the Mini. Personally have extended seat time in a stage 2 + Golf R.

Bonkers of a daily driver, but no where near as fun, raw or engaging as a FBO E92.

[Throatpunch]

Evo9

[pacent]

Originally Posted by Throatpunch

Evo9

Doesn't look quite as nice as the 4c

[bkfastwagon]

The new Supra.