For a while I have been thinking about what car to buy. I have thought about these cars: Corvette, 135i, 335i, GTR, 911S, Cayman S, M3.

I have been kind of toying with a GTR fantasy and no doubt it

 

Congrats! I can't believe you finally ordered a car!

 

I'd still lean toward the 6spd, you've made the right compromises thus far IMO and the DCT would be one too far. Plus a 6spd M3 will probably be more fun than an auto skyline, that you'll have in your corner.

Regarding the engine, just remember it was only a few years ago that the 333hp inline six was king of its domain. At that time a 415hp V8 would have been cast aside as nothing more than wishful thinking. Enjoy the car.

 

[QUOTE=QUIKAG,Mar 26 2008, 04:07 PM] Congrats!

 

[QUOTE=sahtt,Mar 26 2008, 04:14 PM] I'd still lean toward the 6spd, you've made the right compromises thus far IMO and the DCT would be one too far.

 

congrats rai!

 

I was kind of blah on the new M3 until I saw it last night on Speed Channels Test Drive program. I liked the Top Gear test against the RS4 and C63, but this test (even though it was an hour long M3 commercial) was pretty good. John Andretti, Graham Rahal, Tommy Kendall, and Boris Said beat up on the cars: slalom, lane change, wet skid pad, aggressive brake testing, launches, burnouts, donuts, and an autocross course. The car sounds awesome, performs great, and doesn't look half bad. Before I might have suggested you purchase something else but after seeing a few live action videos of the car and having seen one in person today I say wise choice. I can't wait to drive one for myself.

 

^ thanks


I'll post more when I get it. If anyone has any thoughts of if I should get the 6MT or the M-DCT 7-speed let me hear them.

 

yea, I saw that. It was not great (some boring bits) but the car can get up and go. It's neat how they drive it sideways around the wet skidpad.

Liked the Nascar doughnuts at the end too.

So far the M3 has won against cars like C63 and IS-F mainly it's engine is good, has a real tranny and it weighs less than the other uber-sedans (other cars don't offer coupe)

It won't be beating the R8 or 911S or C6 or GTR but those cars are not the same. I actually fit OK in the back seat of the coupe (won't sit back there, but I could if I had to)

 

forgot to say, I somewhat considered the new STi or EVO which are quite a bit cheaper but decided against. M3 is somewhat of a status car, at least for middle-age guys like me. I probably would like the EVO/STi fine but wanted something a slight bit above.

I was also thinking of getting a middle-price car for now and wait the 2 years for the GTR (maybe I should have) but I figure if I wait then the NSX will be on the radar (etc.) and I'll never get anything. If the M3 is not good enough then in 4 years when the warranty is over I will trade the M3 in, but maybe it's going to be such a good all around car I won't find the need for the extra 100 hp.