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

[M3R1]

Originally Posted by Montaver

My view is in the sub $50k bracket there isn't a better all rounder then the e9x M3. It has the right combination of feeling and 'specialness' that no new car will give you. I know this from experience (I had an M2C, lasted 9 months with it). Shout out to the GT350 though that thing is brimful of character and a riot to drive. Something like an Exige would be awesome if your looking for 'raw' but there are obviously trade offs.

100% agree.. A modified E92/90 is really tough to beat in just about every category.

[Epoustouflant]

Originally Posted by Shrike360

I feel like the only person to form a less than stellar opinion of the GT350. Test drove two of them, first one around town and the highway, second one on back roads.

Shifter feels great, very notchy and mechanical. Brakes are strong, if overboosted. It's a pretty practical car, but the back seat is more cramped than the sedan based cars. The noise in loud mode is intoxicating the first few times, it wasn't as exciting the second time around. The burble tune is a little overdone.

The negatives? Quiet mode it sounds pretty meh, you have to keep it in loud. The first car smoked heavily after a light pull. Like, there's a fire, kind of smoke. Second car definitely smelled like oil after getting on it. Gearing is purely track focused and neuters the street performance. Below ~80 mph, I think it would be even with a stock E92. A stock F8x feels faster. Also, the car would not accelerate in 6th gear at 65 mph. Straight up would take seconds to get to 70. Interior didn't offend me, but it reminded me of a rental Fusion. Also, why the hell is the fan speed control on the touch screen, and the temp control on dials? I mess with the fan speed often, I set the temp to 69 and don't touch it again. Steering feels decent on center, and completely numb off center. It's not the most playful car, it feels more than the weight difference suggests. It is also, MASSIVE. Driving town a tight back road, it feels like you're trying to keep an F150 between the lines.

Would be a good choice if you spend a lot of time on the track, but I don't think it's as good a driver's car as everyone suggests.

A GT350 will have a very similar 60-130 to a DCT M3.

Ask me how I know 😅

[kyrix1st]

Originally Posted by W///

When I was looking to add to my E36 and E92 M3, the car had to be a convertible to offer something different. It just offers a more exhilarating drive even at low speed. I actually considered the S2000 as 2 of my buddies had one and I've driven them extensively (AP1 and AP2).

I ended up going for a Z4M Roadster for about the same price, although I'm about to bulletproof the S54, which would wouldn't have to do on the Honda. The reasons I picked the Z4MR:
- S54 is a legendary motor, and I prefer it to the 4 pot in the S2k. Also sounds better
- I've always loved the lines of the Z4M. It's a very aggressive looking car IMO
- While not as raw as the S2000, the Z4MR is a better cruiser (even though in todays standard, that car is pretty damn rough!)

My E92 M3 will be the last car I have that would get sold. But if I were to get a car for purely weekend purposes, I'd probably try something else.

Stock to stock, Z4M shits on S2K every single time be it a backroad or track. Hell, even Z3M convertible with euro motor cruised past Honda NSXs when driven by pros. I did love driving S2K, but you need to modify a lot in order to really bring out the pace out of the car.

[Richbot]

I'm about as big an S2k fanboy as you'll find but the S2000 was more like the Miata with the engine the chassis always deserved but never got from Mazda (still to this day), IMO. It's a more playful driving experience than any of the Z3/Z4 M cars, but it's also a slower car. It happened to be quick on paper for its time when it was brand new in 1999 and the E36 M3 was lucky to squeak out a low 14 second 1/4 mile, but getting it to the levels of performance it needs to hang with the bigger bore cars is a pretty big hill to climb, and misses the point of the car IMO. The Z4M is just this side of "serious" with the big heavy angry S54 hanging out in front of you and a short wheelbase chassis that likes to plow and then snap. Less a dance partner and more a horse that needs to be broken

[sacguy71]

Originally Posted by JPWEraser

/flame suit_on

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

Yup love the S2000 such a playful sports car. Poor man's NSX.

[JPWEraser]

Originally Posted by sacguy71

Yup love the S2000 such a playful sports car. Poor man's NSX.

This is funny... reminds me of a meme someone made using a picture of my S2000.

[HadesM3]

Originally Posted by JPWEraser

This is funny... reminds me of a meme someone made using a picture of my S2000.

Crazy how much NSX values have escalated over the past 5-7 years.

I remember a buddy buying a clean 91 for low $20's about 10 years ago.

[joshmkb24]

Originally Posted by HadesM3

Crazy how much NSX values have escalated over the past 5-7 years.

I remember a buddy buying a clean 91 for low $20's about 10 years ago.

I used to have MKIV Toyota Supra turbos and the 1 I sold for 23k back in 2006 I saw just sold for 67k........woof

[JRF]

Originally Posted by HadesM3

Crazy how much NSX values have escalated over the past 5-7 years.

I remember a buddy buying a clean 91 for low $20's about 10 years ago.

yep. i waited too long and it cost me. still worth it. :-). just got paint correction and ceramic. she sure is pretty.

[MTrezzz]

Lotus! It blew my mind

[akkando]

What about a Jaguar F-Type V8 before they changes the steering to electric?

[Epoustouflant]

Originally Posted by akkando

What about a Jaguar F-Type V8 before they changes the steering to electric?

It's a 4,000 lbs ZF auto car. Much more on the GT side and comparable to an M6.