Super fun toy to replace M3?

Crisp · 05-03-2013, 02:59 PM

I just picked up an E92 M3 (leasing) in February but my life changed as did my job. The M3 now sits in the driveway 6 days a week and if I'm lucky, I get to take it out on that one nice Saturday or Sunday. This seems pointless to me for such a car especially since it's a lease. I bought the M3 to drive it almost every day and also take it to a few track days/auto X, however that has never happened and probably never will.

Thus, I am looking for a replacement but I can't decide on what or if I'm making a mistake. I currently have a 1991 Turbo Miata as a track/auto-x car which I am in the process of re-building. The car is stripped, so not a nice car to take out for a drive.
I also have a Wrangler to beat on. Thus, I am looking just for a fun toy to toss around on a nice warm day that could be a reasonable replacement (if that makes any sense) for the M3. I am considering the following but all have their con's:

1. Lotus Elise (no power but super fun to drive)
2. Boxster S (no power, fun to drive)
3. Corvette GrandSport (don't know how I feel about american...drove one and it didn't feel balanced at all)
4. Turbo S2000
5. M Coupe?

I'm stuck on those. Any suggestions would be appreciated (really shooting for a convertible). Trying to keep it under $40k.

cooler2442 · 05-03-2013, 03:16 PM

Z4M maybe?

W/// · 05-03-2013, 03:22 PM

Z4M Roadster? Kind of the ideal weekend car if you ask me, and the way it looks, ah.

Arben72 · 05-03-2013, 03:49 PM

E46 m3 if you want a budget track car. Z4 M if you want something a bit more special. A modded corvette if you want to be the fastest there. Just remember, it's all about what you enjoy driving.

okusa · 05-03-2013, 04:22 PM

Easy to make lots of power in the Elise, but not so easy to drive at speed.

voidopolis · 05-03-2013, 04:29 PM

e46m3 vert. I know I enjoy mine almost every day (during the nice days at least). spend the "savings" on a Ducati

Majin Buu · 05-03-2013, 05:08 PM

s2000, nissan Z, another miata, rx8, z3M or the frs/brz. Personally I'd avoid any pre-2009 boxster because of their reliability issues.

Parkanzky · 05-03-2013, 05:14 PM

While the Elise is definitely underpowered, it hides it well. It's incredible fun in the twisties.

If the lack of power bothers you, there are very good supercharger options out there:

http://www.blackwatchracing.com/BOE-...its-p/1119.htm

http://www.visionfunction.com/

But I've had my Elise for eight years now and haven't felt like I have to go that route yet.

FVM3 · 05-03-2013, 08:02 PM

purchase the m3

adc · 05-03-2013, 10:39 PM

I'd do a long test drive in the Elise - when I did, my legs went numb in 20 mins due to the insufficient seat bolstering. Never happened to me in any other car. But yes, it was mind bendingly fun in the twisties.

My vote is for an Z4M roadster or coupe, with some suspension mods. Or a Boxster S.

krnnerdboy · 05-04-2013, 01:36 AM

My z4m was the perfect weekend car and if they made an updated one I'd be in one right now without a doubt...

My z06 is my current weekend car and I love it, but I really miss dropping the top....and i would only choose to drive the m6 over the z06 when my wife is riding with me

RingMeister01 · 05-04-2013, 08:08 AM

Either z4m or boxster.

imserious · 05-04-2013, 09:58 AM

Z4m or Elise. Both are fun in the twisties and feel a bit exotic.

S2k is still hard to beat for thrills, but less exotic feeling.

Kwando · 05-04-2013, 10:20 AM

As great as the S2000 I think it would be a step backwards..Z4m coupe or roadster is what I'd go with.

ussoldierforhire · 05-04-2013, 12:29 PM

If you dont have time for the M3 how will switching cars provide more driving time?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crisp

I just picked up an E92 M3 (leasing) in February but my life changed as did my job. The M3 now sits in the driveway 6 days a week and if I'm lucky, I get to take it out on that one nice Saturday or Sunday. This seems pointless to me for such a car especially since it's a lease. I bought the M3 to drive it almost every day and also take it to a few track days/auto X, however that has never happened and probably never will.

Thus, I am looking for a replacement but I can't decide on what or if I'm making a mistake. I currently have a 1991 Turbo Miata as a track/auto-x car which I am in the process of re-building. The car is stripped, so not a nice car to take out for a drive.
I also have a Wrangler to beat on. Thus, I am looking just for a fun toy to toss around on a nice warm day that could be a reasonable replacement (if that makes any sense) for the M3. I am considering the following but all have their con's:

1. Lotus Elise (no power but super fun to drive)
2. Boxster S (no power, fun to drive)
3. Corvette GrandSport (don't know how I feel about american...drove one and it didn't feel balanced at all)
4. Turbo S2000
5. M Coupe?

I'm stuck on those. Any suggestions would be appreciated (really shooting for a convertible). Trying to keep it under $40k.

M3Denver · 05-04-2013, 01:04 PM

Change ur job

Nordstat · 05-04-2013, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ussoldierforhire

If you dont have time for the M3 how will switching cars provide more driving time?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crisp

I just picked up an E92 M3 (leasing) in February but my life changed as did my job. The M3 now sits in the driveway 6 days a week and if I'm lucky, I get to take it out on that one nice Saturday or Sunday. This seems pointless to me for such a car especially since it's a lease. I bought the M3 to drive it almost every day and also take it to a few track days/auto X, however that has never happened and probably never will.

Thus, I am looking for a replacement but I can't decide on what or if I'm making a mistake. I currently have a 1991 Turbo Miata as a track/auto-x car which I am in the process of re-building. The car is stripped, so not a nice car to take out for a drive.
I also have a Wrangler to beat on. Thus, I am looking just for a fun toy to toss around on a nice warm day that could be a reasonable replacement (if that makes any sense) for the M3. I am considering the following but all have their con's:

1. Lotus Elise (no power but super fun to drive)
2. Boxster S (no power, fun to drive)
3. Corvette GrandSport (don't know how I feel about american...drove one and it didn't feel balanced at all)
4. Turbo S2000
5. M Coupe?

I'm stuck on those. Any suggestions would be appreciated (really shooting for a convertible). Trying to keep it under $40k.

^ this.

LarThaL · 05-05-2013, 06:06 AM

Don't know what your budget is, but IMO, I would order a 2014 Cayman S. It is just a tad slower than the M3 in a straight line, but from a handling/steering/precision standpoint, it is simply one of the (if not the) best cars on the road irrespective of price. Seriously....mid-engine/RWD.....how can you beat that? I have seen one in the flesh and it is also one of the most beautiful cars I have ever seen. Right up there with the Aston martin Vantage IMO.

Also, if you look at Porsche's build quality and attention to detail in recent years, it is clearly a notch above Audi, BMW and Mercedes.

bimmerj · 05-05-2013, 02:49 PM

I would say get the new Cayman S.

F1Venom · 05-05-2013, 04:24 PM

Cayman S is actually faster than a stock M3 from 0-60. OP's budget is half the price of the new Cayman though, lol.

krnnerdboy · 05-06-2013, 06:48 PM

Op clearly stated under 40k budget, but if it was slightly higher and you didn't care about performance numbers, the only choice would be the boxster spyder.

Rk-d · 05-06-2013, 07:16 PM

s2000 is loads of fun, but it's slow. People say that the m3 has low torque -- you have no idea what low torque is until you've driven an s2k.

If you have access to an M coupe with an s54, then that's the way I'd go. Good luck finding one. Otherwise, I'd go Lotus Elise with the choices you've listed.

05-03-2013, 02:59 PM	#1
Crisp Lieutenant Colonel 421 Rep 1,779 Posts Drives: F95 X5M Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NYC iTrader: (1) Garage List 2016 BMW M5 [0.00] 2020 Aston Martin V ... [0.00] 2020 BMW 530i X-Drive [0.00] 2020 BMW X5M CP [0.00]	Super fun toy to replace M3? I just picked up an E92 M3 (leasing) in February but my life changed as did my job. The M3 now sits in the driveway 6 days a week and if I'm lucky, I get to take it out on that one nice Saturday or Sunday. This seems pointless to me for such a car especially since it's a lease. I bought the M3 to drive it almost every day and also take it to a few track days/auto X, however that has never happened and probably never will. Thus, I am looking for a replacement but I can't decide on what or if I'm making a mistake. I currently have a 1991 Turbo Miata as a track/auto-x car which I am in the process of re-building. The car is stripped, so not a nice car to take out for a drive. I also have a Wrangler to beat on. Thus, I am looking just for a fun toy to toss around on a nice warm day that could be a reasonable replacement (if that makes any sense) for the M3. I am considering the following but all have their con's: 1. Lotus Elise (no power but super fun to drive) 2. Boxster S (no power, fun to drive) 3. Corvette GrandSport (don't know how I feel about american...drove one and it didn't feel balanced at all) 4. Turbo S2000 5. M Coupe? I'm stuck on those. Any suggestions would be appreciated (really shooting for a convertible). Trying to keep it under $40k. __________________ Current F95 X5M; E60 M5 6spd; Mclaren 570s; Aston Martin Vantage; Ferrari FF
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

05-03-2013, 03:16 PM	#2
cooler2442 Brigadier General 483 Rep 4,161 Posts Drives: 1/18 Monte Carlo Blue E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (6) Garage List 2016 Porsche GT4 [0.00]	Z4M maybe?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-03-2013, 03:22 PM	#3
W/// Lieutenant General 7529 Rep 12,317 Posts Drives: F82GTS, E36/E92M3, Z4M Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: SC iTrader: (13)	Z4M Roadster? Kind of the ideal weekend car if you ask me, and the way it looks, ah. __________________ Current: 16 F82 M4 GTS, Black Sapphire/Black, DCT 08 E92 M3, Sparkling Graphite/Bamboo Beige, 6MT 07 E85 Z4M Roadster, Alpine White/Red, 6MT 99 E36 M3, Techno Violet/Dove Grey, 6MT
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-03-2013, 03:49 PM	#4
Arben72 Banned 50 Rep 462 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Illinois iTrader: (0)	E46 m3 if you want a budget track car. Z4 M if you want something a bit more special. A modded corvette if you want to be the fastest there. Just remember, it's all about what you enjoy driving.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-03-2013, 04:22 PM	#5
okusa Lieutenant Colonel 856 Rep 1,682 Posts Drives: 2011.75 E90 M3 - SSII Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (7)	Easy to make lots of power in the Elise, but not so easy to drive at speed.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-03-2013, 04:29 PM	#6
voidopolis New Member 0 Rep 19 Posts Drives: 2004 E46 M3 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	e46m3 vert. I know I enjoy mine almost every day (during the nice days at least). spend the "savings" on a Ducati
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-03-2013, 05:08 PM	#7
Majin Buu Banned 15 Rep 324 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	s2000, nissan Z, another miata, rx8, z3M or the frs/brz. Personally I'd avoid any pre-2009 boxster because of their reliability issues.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-03-2013, 05:14 PM	#8
Parkanzky Private First Class 3 Rep 162 Posts Drives: '10 SGM M3 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Grand Rapids, MI iTrader: (0)	While the Elise is definitely underpowered, it hides it well. It's incredible fun in the twisties. If the lack of power bothers you, there are very good supercharger options out there: http://www.blackwatchracing.com/BOE-...its-p/1119.htm http://www.visionfunction.com/ But I've had my Elise for eight years now and haven't felt like I have to go that route yet.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-03-2013, 08:02 PM	#9
FVM3 Major General 273 Rep 5,751 Posts Drives: e92 m3, f30 328i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (2)	purchase the m3
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-03-2013, 10:39 PM	#10
adc Major General 2765 Rep 6,764 Posts Drives: 2018 F80 M3 ED Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: MD/DC iTrader: (12)	I'd do a long test drive in the Elise - when I did, my legs went numb in 20 mins due to the insufficient seat bolstering. Never happened to me in any other car. But yes, it was mind bendingly fun in the twisties. My vote is for an Z4M roadster or coupe, with some suspension mods. Or a Boxster S. __________________ 2018 F80 Santorini 2019 Z4 3.0i 2022 X2 M35i Last edited by adc; 05-07-2013 at 07:27 AM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-04-2013, 01:36 AM	#11
krnnerdboy Colonel 190 Rep 2,431 Posts Drives: v10 m6 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: so cal iTrader: (10)	My z4m was the perfect weekend car and if they made an updated one I'd be in one right now without a doubt... My z06 is my current weekend car and I love it, but I really miss dropping the top....and i would only choose to drive the m6 over the z06 when my wife is riding with me __________________ F80 m3, 997 gt3, 14 ram ctd, f15 x5, drz400sm Gone:z4m, boss 302, c6 z06, m6,z3m
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-04-2013, 08:08 AM	#12
RingMeister01 Croatian 886 Rep 3,613 Posts Drives: PORSCHE Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List '18 Panamera Turbo [0.00] '17 991.2 Carrera G ... [0.00]	Either z4m or boxster. __________________ NARDO GREY '18 PANAMERA TURBO Ducati V4 S Corse (track only) Husqvarna FS450 (track only) Looking for an SUV
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-04-2013, 09:58 AM	#13
imserious Major 412 Rep 1,049 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 MR Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (4)	Z4m or Elise. Both are fun in the twisties and feel a bit exotic. S2k is still hard to beat for thrills, but less exotic feeling.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-04-2013, 10:20 AM	#14
Kwando Major 431 Rep 1,428 Posts Drives: 2018 340i xDrive Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: London, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (1)	As great as the S2000 I think it would be a step backwards..Z4m coupe or roadster is what I'd go with.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-04-2013, 01:04 PM	#16
M3Denver Lieutenant 22 Rep 420 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW M3 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Denver CO iTrader: (0)	Change ur job
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-05-2013, 06:06 AM	#18
LarThaL Colonel 339 Rep 2,940 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: West Springfield, MA iTrader: (0)	Don't know what your budget is, but IMO, I would order a 2014 Cayman S. It is just a tad slower than the M3 in a straight line, but from a handling/steering/precision standpoint, it is simply one of the (if not the) best cars on the road irrespective of price. Seriously....mid-engine/RWD.....how can you beat that? I have seen one in the flesh and it is also one of the most beautiful cars I have ever seen. Right up there with the Aston martin Vantage IMO. Also, if you look at Porsche's build quality and attention to detail in recent years, it is clearly a notch above Audi, BMW and Mercedes. __________________ **Audi S6 Audi S3 * Porsche Cayman GTS* --Former BMW M3 owner**
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-05-2013, 02:49 PM	#19
bimmerj Captain 146 Rep 795 Posts Drives: cars Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	I would say get the new Cayman S.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-05-2013, 04:24 PM	#20
F1Venom Banned 73 Rep 961 Posts Drives: ZCP E90 M3 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Cayman S is actually faster than a stock M3 from 0-60. OP's budget is half the price of the new Cayman though, lol.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-06-2013, 06:48 PM	#21
krnnerdboy Colonel 190 Rep 2,431 Posts Drives: v10 m6 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: so cal iTrader: (10)	Op clearly stated under 40k budget, but if it was slightly higher and you didn't care about performance numbers, the only choice would be the boxster spyder. __________________ F80 m3, 997 gt3, 14 ram ctd, f15 x5, drz400sm Gone:z4m, boss 302, c6 z06, m6,z3m
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-06-2013, 07:16 PM	#22
Rk-d Lieutenant 599 Rep 556 Posts Drives: GT3 Touring, 993 C4S, M2C Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: SE iTrader: (1)	s2000 is loads of fun, but it's slow. People say that the m3 has low torque -- you have no idea what low torque is until you've driven an s2k. If you have access to an M coupe with an s54, then that's the way I'd go. Good luck finding one. Otherwise, I'd go Lotus Elise with the choices you've listed.
	Appreciate 0 Quote