[b0bab0i]

FD RX7

[radiantm3]

I went from an E92 M3 to an S2000 and it's a huge improvement in driving enjoyment if you like corners more than straights and a complete blast on the race track. So good that it's far more fun to drive on the track stock than my previous highly modded M3.

[-BEASTMW-]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

I went from an E92 M3 to an S2000 and it's a huge improvement in driving enjoyment if you like corners more than straights and a complete blast on the race track. So good that it's far more fun to drive on the track stock than my previous highly modded M3.

Well that is disheartening - I currently DD/track my S2k (AP1) and plan to sell it to help fund an E90 M3 purchase in about a year. I figured the S2k might be a bit more fun on-track but not that much... I'd keep both but 2 cars + no garage and easy commute... prefer one car at this point in life.

But yes, for $10k I'd highly recommend an S2k as a 2nd car.

[autoart]

What about this:http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...stingId=0&mmt=[PONT[SOLSTICE[]][]]&listingId=412078223&Log=0

[Never_Enough]

Originally Posted by autoart

What about this:http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...stingId=0&mmt=[PONT[SOLSTICE[]][]]&listingId=412078223&Log=0

No longer for sale. What was it?

[Never_Enough]

Originally Posted by -BEASTMW-

Well that is disheartening - I currently DD/track my S2k (AP1) and plan to sell it to help fund an E90 M3 purchase in about a year. I figured the S2k might be a bit more fun on-track but not that much... I'd keep both but 2 cars + no garage and easy commute... prefer one car at this point in life.

But yes, for $10k I'd highly recommend an S2k as a 2nd car.

Did the S2k suddenly come down in the price? Last time I looked at them, anything not beat or high mileage was around $15k.

Anyway, I'd buy another NA Miata, if I decided to go roadster, for around $5k or less & pocket the rest before I spent the whole wad on an S2K.

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by -BEASTMW-

Well that is disheartening - I currently DD/track my S2k (AP1) and plan to sell it to help fund an E90 M3 purchase in about a year. I figured the S2k might be a bit more fun on-track but not that much... I'd keep both but 2 cars + no garage and easy commute... prefer one car at this point in life.

But yes, for $10k I'd highly recommend an S2k as a 2nd car.

I think it depends on your skill level at the track. If you aren't comfortable carrying more speed and sliding through corners, the M3 will be more fun since you have the power on the straights. But getting the S2K to slide through corners and carrying that speed through the exit is just so much more fun and rewarding. The M3 just feels too heavy and big (though it performs very well).

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by 135TX

E36 M3, hands down.
You can get a vert, and I really like them with the hard top..

Show me one for $10k?!?!

[-BEASTMW-]

Originally Posted by BoostedRide

Did the S2k suddenly come down in the price? Last time I looked at them, anything not beat or high mileage was around $15k.

No, they're about the same. Actually I'm pretty sure I'll be able to sell mine for easily $1-2k more than I paid in 2.5yrs and 16k ago, although I did get a screaming deal. Basically they haven't moved. But I do think you could get a fairly clean, 80k-ish AP1 for $11-12k pretty easily.

Originally Posted by radiantm3

I think it depends on your skill level at the track. If you aren't comfortable carrying more speed and sliding through corners, the M3 will be more fun since you have the power on the straights. But getting the S2K to slide through corners and carrying that speed through the exit is just so much more fun and rewarding. The M3 just feels too heavy and big (though it performs very well).

That's kinda what I was thinking. S2k is like a momentum car that's not painfully slow. You have to keep speed up or else you'll fall off the VTEC cam and ruin your rhythm into the straight. I have trouble committing to high-speed corners due to its tail-happy nature (mine's an '02, all stock except for AP2 wheels), but hopefully I'll get better with experience. I have 5 track days under my belt, between 4 different tracks.

There are advantages to the M3 - less willing to kill you, obviously faster, have the safety net of MDM at least for first sessions on new tracks when you're more likely to make a mistake, no hassle of convertible restrictions for trackdays, etc. But of course, the S2k is much lighter, more aggressive suspension stock, less cooling/braking issues, quick steering, very neutral, and crucially... bulletproof reliable and with 16-17" tires and $50 front rotors from Amazon Prime LOL.

I'm wondering if there's a way for me to keep an S2k just for the track. I don't like having 2 cars in my current/near future living situation (apartment with no garage), but I wonder if spending less on an M3 (maybe an '08 w/60k vs. an '11 ZCP w/35k) and swapping my nice clean S2k for a cheaper example would be better all-around. Also then I wouldn't have to worry about balling up my DD M3 at the track.

Anyway, sorry to threadjack. Uhh, to reiterate, get an S2k. Worst case, you don't like it and get all of your money back less sales tax.

[135TX]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Show me one for $10k?!?!

Take your pick, almost all of the E36 M3 under 10K with less than 100k miles are verts...
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...ear=1994&Log=0

[Tracyis300]

Since this is for a DD? I would get a "Geo Metro" then rebuild the motor and add some mods (presumably a stereo w/blue tooth and a good alarm system) with the left over cash.

[TRZ06]

With only $10k to work with, I would skip the car and get a Polaris RMK 800 snowmobile.

2 Stroke, 450lbs, ~145hp

[Fabspeed Motorsport]

E36 M3 >

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by 135TX

Take your pick, almost all of the E36 M3 under 10K with less than 100k miles are verts...

Vert, bah!

For under 10k I just picked up an E90 330XI for the winter. "Fun" does not really describe the driving experience compared to the 1er. Now seeing 128's going for under 10k.

[Karman]

2006 bmw 330i 6 speed? I imagine with concentration on making it lightweight it would be fun

[Never_Enough]

Originally Posted by Karman

2006 bmw 330i 6 speed? I imagine with concentration on making it lightweight it would be fun

I've already owned a 335. I have no desire to own a 330.

I wouldn't spend $10k, or close, on an E36 M3 either.

I don't see anything outside of the Miata that I'd want in that range so I'm going to hold onto the Speed6.

[secretsquirrel]

s2k

[ArthurL]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Seriously, since you mentioned it, why not a miata?

With an LSX swap

[PopsnBurbles]

AE86! or a 2002 or an E30.

[eric@helix]

[W///]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Show me one for $10k?!?!

Mine was not that much more than $10k:


OP, I was in the same position as you. I was looking at S2K's as well, but even the $13-15k ones weren't in necessarily good shape. I did not see any Z3M's worthwhile having for only $10k.

If you can up your budget to $15k, it might be worth it as you open up a whole bunch of possibilities. But if you are dead set on $10k, I'd personally go for the E36 m3. It's a hell of a lot of fun and don't plan on selling mine anytime soon.

[Never_Enough]

Guys, you aren't reading my replies LOL. No E36 M3 & no S2K & no Z3. Again, I'd buy another NA Miata & pocket a few grand if I decided to go for another roadster.

Maybe I missed some cars, but I am not seeing anything outside of another Miata that I would enjoy enough in the price range. It's just an idea, not actively shopping. So no budget upping...