KA24DESOneThree

E39 M5, E60 M5, 2005/6 E55, late W211 E63.

Your budget allows you to buy a nice one, drop it at a competent shop, have them go through it, and then drive it problem-free for years.

E39 M5s are going up, E60 M5s are holding steady and will rise, great E55s have stabilized and will likely rise, E63s are stable.

Don't buy something new and non-collectible. Buy something fun that won't depreciate even if you put 15k miles on it.

Completely different: Lotus Elise or Exige. If you have to street park, forget these options, though.

SupaDoopa

How about you drive them and see which you like the best...

Future240

One does not simply bring up the E60 M5 without brining up the rod bearing issues.

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KA24DESOneThree

Most well-maintained cars have already had it done pre-emptively, and if the car hasn't, it's not as expensive to do as it may seem. A 68k-mile Dinan S2 6-speed with rod bearing replacement in 2017 sold for $36,250 on BaT in September.

E46 M3 ZCP would also be an option IMO. If not in CA, there's always the option of importing an E36 M3 GT, although it would be tough to get for the $60k budget.

I wear my biases on my sleeve, if you haven't noticed. I also believe that driving cars that don't appreciate is enjoyable, especially if they make the noise an S85 does. Makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up.

coupesallday!

Get a Nissan GT-R R35 used for around $55-60k with low miles

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burnsauto

and find out how much the GT-R tax is when the car needs brakes..yikes.

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BryanSayWhat

$1250 from Brembo for a full rotor/ pad set doesn't seem too bad:

https://www.brembostoreusa.com/produ...25&clev=0&hs=1

I'm seeing almost $1600 for the complete OEM F80 M3 rotor/ pad replacement.

zeitgeist

I have thought about this many times. But I have found out that there are a very small percentage about girls who care about what you drive. But you are right, this car is low profile and I have yet to get a speeding ticket in this car in 10 years of ownership **knock on wood**. If I do get an LS I would do the whole VIP look.

You guys are very much correct and I've started transitioning to looking at vehicles at half the price. I like the idea of getting two very different cars than blowing it on an F80.

I move a lot and the lack infrastructure across the country for Tesla is not something I want to deal with. If I move back to WA, maybe.

Not concerned about depreciation. I'm not terribly concerned about bearings for an M series because I would immediately have that addressed. It just seems like they have tons of other issues. I was just looking at c63/e63s. Still doing research but my assumption is reliability would be similar to the m5. But like I said earlier, I am irrational sometimes and chose tangible items off emotion.

Trying the best I can. But over time they start to feel the same. The ideas that everyone are bringing up is helping to expand my view. A humble man always asks when he isn't sure.

I always come back to an M3/M5 but I'm worried about getting a lemon. Seems they are amazing or total pieces of shit. The E92 I had was perfect, so I still maintain a positive opinion.

Feels a little too ricer

https://www.brembostoreusa.com/produ...25&clev=0&hs=1

I'm seeing almost $1600 for the complete OEM F80 M3 rotor/ pad replacement.[/QUOTE]

My assumption that is for ceramic brakes. But if I did spend that much for a car, that price would be expected.

burnsauto

So for about half your budget, there is the Chevy SS. Blends in with traffic enough to not get you a ticket, 415 hp LS, Brembo brakes, 4 door. Fun, but not crazy.

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BryanSayWhat

I'm pretty sure only the Nismo R35's came with ceramics in the US (which would be out of budget).

The OEM iron R35 rotors are about $900 each (they MSRP for even more), but a lot of that is Nissan tax.

KA24DESOneThree

This is an option, but I'd daily an M5 before I'd daily an SS, just because the M5s are a little more soulful. The magnetorheological dampers are pretty sweet, though.

Reliable cars are reliably reliable. They don't just one day go "yep, I'm unreliable" unless something drastic changes (left to sit for a while with a dead battery, left outside for the winter, become a condo to a family of rats, etc). Service records are a must for an E60 M5; I'd buy an E39 based on the owner and my own PPI if they didn't have service records but seemed like a knowledgeable, caring, enthusiastic owner.

spooled240

997.2 Carrera S. Not too flashy, pretty reliable, classy with enough performance to keep you entertained. Only con is the tires are $2000 and don't last that long.

mechanicalmoron

Why do you think you don't like trucks?

How many have you driven?

Drive some diesels, trucks with different wheelbases and heights, etc, before you just say you don't like those things. You might be amazed at how they're more luxurious than the luxury cars, as much pony as the pony cars, can be short and whip around just fine, can pull your other toys around, can carry an engine or six in the back, can move your ex wife out and your new girlfriend in, you name it.

Future240

Not to mention the SS has that "is that a Malibu?" look about it.

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badicalradical

You could buy this guys 240 and use the $10k left over in your budget to halfway finish it

https://offerup.com/item/detail/1001372869/

burnsauto

thats kinda why I like it..its like a plain black suit with a really nice liner in it. Its really a car just for the driver.


...then again I'm painting my car grey..

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wezurii

Buy e92 M3 and swap a real v8 in it, LT6 ftw

burnsauto

dont laugh...kia stinger. ...I'm just trying to think out of the box here..

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Future240

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Phlip

The one time I mentioned the Stinger in another post, I was laughed out of the room.
I stick by it though

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And I write too!

S14rebuild

Cts-v is where its at

burnsauto

for a daily its fine, I would never get one to modify..thats where the quality of the materials comes into play. rocker cover clips, molding clips are cheap plastic, same goes for anything making up the front bumper. Kia and Hyundai aren't really cars meant to come apart and go back together with ease. It happens...but its not like the joy of working on a BMW where everything comes apart easily and is meant to go back together repeatedly.

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jdmgtom

Pick up a civic type R, you won't regret it. I just bought a black 2020 FK8 and its the best car I've owned and if you feel like that isn't for you, I feel like the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT or Track hawk is a very good choice.

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BryanSayWhat

^^I think the FK8 is going to be on the "flashy" side for him.

Congratz on picking one up, though!

Whitey13

Are you sure you'll still have $60K cash and your stock holdings after your divorce is finalized?

Speaking as the breadwinner in a divorce.

jdmgtom

If he can look pass the "flashy" look and the fact that it's front wheel drive, it has the reliability, power and great MPG also sticker price is $36,650. Most bang for your buck. I was looking at many cars but it came down to a used F80 M3 or my brand new FK8 and even though M3's are nice, they are a dime of dozen.

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BryanSayWhat

Believe me, I agree.

I don't see myself giving up my 2015 STI for one, but I'd love to have both. lol

zeitgeist

Ended up getting a 20' Charger Scat Pack. Decent price at 38k out the door.
I love the car. Doesnt handle great and they are everywhere but it meets what i was looking for.
I can haul the kids around and have some fun on my own.
Thanks for the ideas guys! It was tough.

burnsauto

not a terrible pick, the factory exhaust is nice. glad you followed through, and there's a resolution to this thread.

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Future240

Right? Such a simple concept so many don't follow through.

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